Shelbia Jean Elkins

October 21, 1936 ~ October 21, 2024
Born in:
Kingsport, Tennessee
Resided in:
Vienna, Virginia
Shelbia Jean Elkins (née Estep) of Vienna, VA died surrounded by her family on her 88th birthday, Monday, October 21st at her home. She was born on October 21st, 1936 in Kingsport, TN to Kelly and Della Estep.
She met the love of her life, Edgar Elkins during her time at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English from ETSU in 1957 and they were married on August 14, 1958. They lived in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to the Northern Virginia area.
She was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher until she became a stay-at-home mom. Shelbia raised four children in Vienna, VA.
When her children were school aged, Shelbia dedicated many years to caring for people with mental and physical disabilities at the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC). In retirement, Shelbia enjoyed serving her church, accompanying her husband on business trips around the world, perfecting her artwork in paintings, cooking and caring for her family, books & reading, and spending time at her home away from home on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kelly Estep and Della Estep, and her siblings, Ruby Christian, Kelly Estep Jr., Opal Harkleroad, Cecil Estep, and Evelyn Estep. She is survived by her husband, Edgar R. Elkins, daughter Valerie (Mike) Cotton, son Bart (Hayley) Elkins, daughter Kellee Elkins, and daughter Nicole (Doug) Taksar, six grandchildren, McKenna (Jared) Gomez, Molly Joesten (fiancé Cullen), Kahlil Khan, Tilden Elkins, Samuel Elkins, Sierra Cotton (Jake) and two great granddaughters, Sophie Gomez, and Ivy Geyer.
A Celebration of Shelbia’s Life will be held on December 7th, 2024 at 11am at her beloved church, Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Rd, SW, Vienna, VA 22181.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TSC Alliance) https://www.tscalliance.org/ or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation https://www.cff.org/
Services
Celebration of Life: December 7, 2024 11:00 am
Vienna Baptist Church
541 Marshall Rd SW
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
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America/New_York
2024-12-07 11:00:00
2024-12-07 11:00:00
ShelbiaJeanElkinsCelebration of Life
Celebration of Life
541 Marshall Rd SW,Vienna, VA 22180
Bob Gallagher
Funeral Director
Thanks Mrs Elkins. May you rest in peace Angel
Hazel Brandenburg
Mack and Janet Sisson
I’ll be holding Ed and Nicole and the rest of the family tightly in my heart, in the coming weeks.
Much love and prayers to all of you. Shelbia was one of t my first friends at VBC – we shared many different experiences. A very lovely woman. Mickey Acock
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your wife, mother, grandmother. A lifetime of the fondest memories will live forever in my heart. A wonderful, vivacious, spiritual person is now an angel looking after each of you. With so much love, the Kretlow family ❤️
Sending sympathy and love to the family as you experience this time of loss and sadness. May God grant you peace. There will be an empty place on the Elkins pew at Vienna Baptist.
Love,
Cindy
I’m so sorry to hear about Shelbia, I worked with her at Northern Virginia Training Center so long ago. She was my first boss in a real job fresh out of high school and she taught me so many things, not only about work but life. She taught me compassion, love, laughter, and standing up for what you believe in and being a good friend. She always would tell me “be as happy as you can for as long as you can.” She was a great lady and friend I know she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers.
Jo Scites