Grace Alexander Elkins

1923 - 2017

Grace Alexander Elkins, 94, died peacefully on December 13, 2017. Grace was born on April 18, 1923 in Greenville, South Carolina, the daughter of Theodore Decatur Alexander and Estelle Eskew Alexander. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Sydnor D. Elkins.

Grace will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, as well as a dear friend to many who have passed on before her. Her kindness to others always shone through, even in her last few years of declining health.

Grace is survived by her son Rick and his wife, Kathy, her son Ted and his wife, Debra, her four grandchildren, Sydnor, Alexander, David and Andy, and her great granddaughter, Helle. She is also survived by her twin sister, Dorothy Call, of High Point, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews.

At an early age Grace and her family moved to Martinsville, Virginia, where she spent most of her childhood along with her parents, her sisters Katherine, Dot and Juanita and her brother Charles. At age 17, Grace and Dot became drum majorettes in a local American Legion drum and bugle corps and later were selected to appear in Chesterfield Cigarette ads as "the Chesterfield Twins." Through the years she and Dot remained as close as could be, talking and sharing with one another on a regular basis.

Grace attended High Point College, where she met her future husband, Syd. In 1945 she enlisted with the Women's Army Corps and served as an Army nurse for eighteen months. She returned to Martinsville after the war and married Syd in September, 1947. After the birth of her two sons she and her family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where Syd continued his career with DuPont. The family then moved to Charlotte in 1961. Upon their arrival, Grace and Syd joined Myers Park United Methodist Church, where they enjoyed many years worshiping with their friends in the Owenby Sunday School Class.

Grace was devoted to her husband and her children. Her home became the central gathering place for her sons' friends during their years in the Beverly Woods neighborhood. She enjoyed spending time golfing with friends at Cedarwood Country Club for many years. Later in life she became interested in her family tree, compiling voluminous notes on her ancestry going back many years. She was proud to be a member of the DAR and The Colonial Dames of America.

Grace was known by her four grandchildren as Da-Da. She treasured her time with them as they grew into young adults. She particularly enjoyed the yearly family vacations at Sunset Beach.

Grace spent her last years at the Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte, where she formed many close friendships and continued to be active in her church.

In her last few days she continued to share and express her love for her family. She will be missed by all of us.

The family would like to express its thanks to the staff of Aldersgate, Asbury Care Center, and most recently the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Black Mountain, North Carolina, for the care they provided Grace until the very end. The family also thanks Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region and Four Seasons Compassion for Life of Henderson County for their kindness and their guidance during these last few months.

A funeral service will be held after the holidays, on January 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. A reception will follow at the church.

Memorial donations may be sent to the church at the above address.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkley Avenue, Charlotte North Carolina 28204.