Ruth Elaine Alsup

Elaine Alsup, age 85, passed away peacefully while undergoing hospice care. She was the daughter of William and Eileen Andrews, beloved wife to James Alsup, and mother to Andrew Alsup (wife Brendy) and Rebecca Lindblade (husband Chris). She was grandmother to Samuel Alsup, Rain Alsup, Grace Alsup, Katie Alsup, River Alsup, Trinity Alsup, Matthew Alsup, Noah Lindblade, Bria Lindblade, and Hannah Lindblade. In August 2022, Elaine was diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis in both legs, which led to chronic pain that could not be resolved after extensive hospitalization in the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ.

Ruth Elaine Alsup was born in Danville, Illinois, and was raised on a farm in West Lebanon, Indiana. She was the first born of three children and is survived by her brothers Donald Andrews and William G. Andrews. Elaine graduated from West Lebanon High School in 1955, and was awarded a BA degree in education from Bob Jones University in 1959.

Elaine taught school in Flint, Michigan in 1959-1960, in Hacienda Heights, California in 1960-1969, in Dakar, Senegal in 1965-1966, and in San Diego, California in 1987-2000. She taught mostly in the elementary grades, and especially liked teaching fifth grade.

Elaine married in 1968, moved from Glendora to San Diego in 1970, and became a full-time Mom in 1971 with the birth of Andrew. She was an active member of College Avenue Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, led Pioneer Girls, took part in Bible studies, and made many lifetime friends. She later continued her church activities at Legacy Church and Shadow Mountain Community Church in the San Diego area.

While single, Elaine spent a year teaching elementary grades at a missionary school in Senegal, the Dakar Academy. After retirement, Elaine led for many years a weekly after-school on-campus Bible club for elementary kids called Sonshine Club. She was passionate about leading kids to Christ, and kept a "Lambs Book of Life" notebook where the kids would write their names after they accepted Christ.

She delighted in her family, and was present at all her children's activities, including driving them to their many sports and musical interests. She continued this emphasis on family as her grandchildren were growing up. She also loved to travel, and joined with friends on several cruises, and with family on trips all over the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Australia.

Elaine was always lively in any group or setting -- witty, fun and pleasant. She enjoyed walking around the lake, and she loved reading Christian fiction. She always asked others about their lives and interests. She was a devoted consumer of Starbucks chai tea latte. She loved to laugh and tease and make life interesting. Elaine is loved and cherished by her friends and family and will be forever missed by all who knew her. Her last two words were "I sing", which she sang as an intro to the chorus "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free; for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine's memory can be made to SonshineHaven.org

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, January 29th at 2pm at Legacy Church, 8076 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 97942