Helen R. Elkins

Helen R. Elkins, age 90, a resident of Buncombe, IL, passed away on April 23, 2016 at 11:55 PM at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, IL. Helen was born April 22, 1926 in the Tall Tree Lake Community in Johnson County, IL. She was the third child to Floyd and Beulah (Gould) Cargill. Helen was united in marriage to James “Halbert” Elkins in January 1946 in a small ceremony witnessed by their good friends, Bill & Ruth Smith. Halbert preceded her to his eternal reward on December 6, 1998. Helen is survived by one daughter- Patti (Gale) Evans of Mt. Vernon, IL; three granddaughters- Krystal (Terry) Pierce of Metropolis, IL, Rachel (Paul) McBride of Vienna, IL and Tiffany (Jeremy) Myers of Searcy, AR. Helen had seven great grandchildren, Payton Elizabeth Pierce and Macy Leigh Pierce of Metropolis, IL, Nathan Lawrence Kerley of Vienna, IL, Briley Anne McBride and Hadley Jean McBride of Vienna, IL and Lincoln Robert Myers and Hayes Evan Myers of Searcy, AR.; and a daughter-in-law- Shirley Elkins of Buncombe, IL. In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by- her son James Robert “Jim” Elkins, a grandson- Brad Robert Elkins and a granddaughter- Tracy Renee Elkins. Helen was the last to pass of five children - Robert (Bob) Cargill, Frank (Rodney) Cargill, William (Jim Bill) Cargill and Bea Anderson. Before marriage she worked at the Bob White Café in West Vienna. After marriage she became an exceptional homemaker who loved to take care of her family. She always put their needs above hers. She loved to cook for them. Helen was known for her yeast rolls and chicken and dumplings. In the summer months she loved working the flowers and in the garden. In the winter she loved to quilt. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and took a special interest in each of their lives. Helen was a faithful member of the Vienna church of Christ and previously of the Buncombe church of Christ. She was a loved Bible class teacher for the children. Helen was also the ABC teacher at the church’s Thursday School program. Funeral services were conducted Friday morning, April 29, 2016 at 10 AM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Family friend and minister, Bill Brandstatter officiated. Personal remembrances were shared by Helen's grandson-in-law, Jeremy Myers. Congregational hymns which were sung during the service were, "To Canaan's Land I'm On My Way, Won't It Be Wonderful There, and Thank You, Lord." Recorded hymn selections presented by the Harding University Choir were played for the postlude. Interment was next to her husband, Halbert, in the family lot at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Buncombe. Honored to serve as pallbearers were: Terry Pierce, Paul McBride, Nathan Kerley, Jim Cargill, Paul Cargill, and Kevin Washer. Following the committal service, family and friends gathered at the Vienna church of Christ for a luncheon and continued time of fellowship. Visitation was held from 5PM- 8PM Thursday evening at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. During the visitation Thursday evening and prior to the service on Friday, family and friends were given an opportunity to view a memorial DVD tribute which was prepared by Helen's granddaughter, Rachel McBride. This tribute shared many happy memories of people and places that were significant to Helen and her family. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959 or to the Paragould Children’s Home, 505 S. 2nd Ave., Paragould, AR 72450. To share a memory of Helen or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.baileyfh.com

Helen R. Elkins

April 22, 1926 - April 23, 2016