Among those aboard was Danasia Elder, a dedicated flight attendant remembered by colleagues, family, and friends as a beacon of kindness and joy. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Elder devoted her professional life to caring for passengers in the skies, while her personal life revolved around her faith, her husband, and her two young children, Kayden and Dallas. Her family says she embodied warmth and hospitality not only on the job but in every aspect of her life.

Her brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, described her as “full of life” — a person who found happiness in her career, loved traveling the world, and lived each day with gratitude.

A Crew United in Service

Elder was one of two flight attendants on board that evening. Her colleague, Ian Epstein, age 52, also called the Charlotte area home. Friends recall