Ruby Alma Benton Elkins, born Sept. 25, 1925, passed away Monday, May 23, 2022. She was a lifelong resident of Athens, and was the daughter of the late Arl and Ollie Wilson Benton.
She was also preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Forrest Miles (Frosty) Elkins, a son, Forrest Donald Elkins; and a brother, Roy Benton.
Alma was the oldest surviving member of Idlewild Baptist Church. She was an avid gardener, member of Eastern Star, The Civitan Club and The Red Hat Society. She was also a member of the Hiwassee Hiking Club, where she was actively hiking in her late 70s. She was a former employee at the Outlet Store, Van Raalte Hosiery Mill and Westinghouse-Athens Products, where she later retired. She went back to work at Hardees of Athens near the interstate, where she was a biscuit maker for many more years.
She is survived by four sons and five daughters-in-laws, Jerry and Donna Elkins, of Port St. Joe, Fl., Van and Annie Elkins, Michael and Amy Elkins, and Ann Elkins, all of Athens and Jeff and Linda Elkins, of Scotsborough, Al.; sister, Mildred Benton Proffitt, of Ooltewah; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at Idlewild Baptist Church, with her sons, Van, Michael and Jeff and nephew, Rev. Kenneth Elkins officiating. Interment will follow at Idlewild Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 2-4 p.m., prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brook Hammontree, Joe Elkins, Marshall Elkins, Matthew Elkins, Nicholas Elkins and Samuel Elkins.