Vernia Mae Collier Elkins, 91, of Franklin, entered into rest Thursday,
July 14, 2005.

A native of San Francisco, CA, she was the daughter of the late James M. and Texie Dills Collier. She has resided in Franklin since 1916. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Elkins who passed away in 1982; a daughter, Linda Mae Elkins Peterson; and a great granddaughter, Kristen Bays; three brothers, Charlie Collier, Ernest Beck and Lawrence Beck; four sisters, Alice Beck, Grace Beck, Wanoia Sorrells and Mabel Green. She was a nurse for Angel Medical Clinic; before retiring and then joined the Macon Search and Rescue in 1986 becoming an 18 year active member. She was awarded the "President's Award" for outstanding services to the Rescue Squad; received several certificates in rescue and medical training. A member of the NC Rescue and E.M.S. Benevolent Brotherhood over a period of nineteen years; and Chairman of the Board for Macon County Search and Rescue for ten and one-half years.

She is survived by five sons, Vance Elkins of Los Angeles, CA; Howard, Dan and Herman Elkins all of Franklin; Wayne Elkins of Longview, WA; two daughters, Texie Lee Buffington of Shannon, GA, and Sherline Charles of Franklin; two sisters, Henrietta Ammons of Franklin and Jane Jacobs of Orange, CA; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, at Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Eddie Stillwell, Rev. Donald Bates, and Rev. Ernie Jamison will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Roy Mashburn, David Houston, Landy Pendergrass, C. D. Jenkins, Paul Conley, and Aaron Murdock. Honorary Pallbearers will be Danny Welch, Howard Bateman, Hubert Bateman, and Billy Pruett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Macon County Unit, P.O. Box 1648, Franklin, NC 28744.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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