JOE ELKINS

EWING JOE ELKINS, SR., a resident of the Hickory Withe Community in Fayette County, retired Business Owner and United States Veteran died Friday evening, January 15, 2010 at his residence. He was 72 years of age and died following a lengthy illness.

A Service Of Remembrance for Mr. Elkins was conducted at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 19th at the Second Presbyterian Church at 4055 Poplar Avenue in Memphis with Rev. Mike Gatliff, Rev. Chuck Coe and Rev. Charles Brown, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed at 2 P.M. Tuesday in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at Hickory Withe. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Elkins was born in Murray, Kentucky on March 25, 1937, the fourth of seven children to Mark Hayes Elkins and Eulala Beatrice Burton Elkins, who have both preceded him in death.

He moved to Tennessee at an early age and received his education in the Millington Public School System where he was a "Star Athlete" and excelled in High School Sports.

After serving in the reserves, Mr. Elkins enlisted in the United States Air Force which took him from his Tennessee stomping grounds to see the world. After serving four years, he returned into the welcoming arms of family members and friends.

While Mr. Elkins chose several different avenues for his profession, he settled into the business of drywall construction. For some forty-plus years and even after he retired, he continued to dabble in the business with some custom homes and other jobs on occasion.

In later years Mr. Elkins also enjoyed owning and operating an Emu Ranch, "Emus-N-You" at Hickory Withe and authoring a book detailing his world travels, his military career and his sporting activities.

Mr. Elkins shared his life with his wife of seventeen years, the former Maera Farnham, a Memphis Educator, his two sons and his step-son. He was both a friend and mentor to his four grandchildren.

He carried many names during his lifetime-son, brother, friend, star athlete, husband, father, and grandfather.

His strength and deep faith in God allowed him to bravely battle his heart disease which finally claimed his life. He is now with his Savior face to face.

In addition to his wife, survivors of Mr. Elkins include two sons, Joe Elkins, Jr. and Jeremy Elkins, (Perri), both of Arlington; his step-son, Brian Fitzgibbon of Germantown; two sisters, Mildred Canady of Murray, KY and Nancy Connor of Atoka, TN; three brothers: Gayland Elkins of Sikeston, MO; Larry Elkins of Millington and James Elkins of Memphis and four grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Jeremy Elkins, Joe Elkins, Jr., Brian Fitzgibbon, Bill Ray, Andy Tanas and Troy Vincent.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111; Phone: (901) 454-0034.