Shelbia Jean Elkins

shelbia 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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Guestbook

  1. The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you.

    Bob Gallagher
    Funeral Director

    • Mrs Elkins taught me in 4th grade Sunday School. I remember she told us never to hitchhike, and if she ever saw any of us on the side of the road with our thumbs out she’d pick us up alright, and promptly forget that she wasn’t our Mother. Even in my wild days, I always remembered that advice, and spent lots of time walking.
      Thanks Mrs Elkins. May you rest in peace Angel

  2. So sorry for your loss. Your mom was a lovely lady. I didn’t know her but she raised such a beautiful daughter, whose family and friends adore. Praying for your family to find peace and comfort. 🙏🏼💔

  3. May your mother rest in love! I know this is a difficult time for your family, your mother definitely left a legacy with each and every one of her family, such fantastic people here on earth to carry on her love. Peace prayers, and hugs to each of you.❤️

  4. Sending prayers for all of your family so sorry for your loss. Shelbia was a wonderful person always a joy to spend time with. She will be missed

  5. We are so sorry for your loss. Shelbia was a lovely person inside and out. She will be missed.

    Mack and Janet Sisson

  6. 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

  7. Shelbia was a sweet, kind, beautiful person. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  8. I never had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful lady but her legacy precedes itself. The family she has raised is warm, wonderful, and always welcoming. Val and Mike, we are so very sorry. You and your beautiful family are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending huge love to surround you in the coming days.

  9. 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 ❤️

  10. 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.

  11. I worked with Shelbia many years ago when I was young at the Northern Virginia training center. I remember her wisdom, words of advice and sweet kindness. I connected with her on Facebook not long ago. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing and wishing the family comfort during this difficult time. She was a lovely person inside and out and I have many fond memories of my time working with her. Kathy Miller

  12. 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


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