Corinne Smith Elkins

Corinne Smith Elkins, born August 17, 1931, in Woodbury, TN, went home to be with her Lord on December 2, 2024. Married to the love of her life, Garland Elkins for 67 years, she missed him every day since his passing in 2016. She was the “wind beneath his wings,” and together they had a ministry of service in Tennessee and Virginia. Part of their legacy was fundraising for the Memphis School of Preaching. The Cates and Elkins had the dream of buying the property behind the church building so apartments could be built for the students. They worked tirelessly to raise money for the N B Hardeman Library. Garland made the ask, but it was Corinne who suggested whom to talk with, and she kept in touch with the donors with her amazing card ministry. Corinne was proud to be a member of Forest Hill Church of Christ. 

A wonderful preacher’s wife, she was always a Southern lady. Her hospitality was unmatched, often serving meals to 20-40 people several nights in a row. Her faith sustained her, her family loved her, and her friends admired her. She worked at Memphis Harding Academy in the elementary library and the guidance office. She had a Servant Heart, her greatest joy was doing for others and she loved working with her hands.

Corinne and Garland had three daughters, Connie (Ken), Jan, and Denise (Bill); grandchildren, Stephanie Garland Healy Staggs (Logan), Shane Alexander Healy, Olivia Gabrielle Miles Webb (Jackson) and two great-grandsons, Aedan Garland Staggs and Garrett Daniel Staggs. She was especially proud that Connie is a professor at Baylor University in Waco and of Connie’s shop, Olivia G, in Dallas. During their busiest seasons, she loved going to the shop to help. During the last several months, she enjoyed being in Shreveport and watching Jan on television. Denise recently retired after her fulfilling career as a teacher where she was able to instill the loves of reading, writing, and learning in thousands of students. Corinne was able to go see her new house, and the garden Denise worked in every day. Spending time with Aedan and anticipating the birth of Garrett was especially fulfilling. “The Dolls” as she called her daughters were her pride and joy. At their insistence, she spent the last 39 months living with them, staying the longest with Connie.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Opal Mears Smith; husband, Garland Elkins; sister, Deane Pigg and nephew, Stephen Wilder. There are many left to cherish her memory including the siblings she adored, Racine Wilder, Hope Stringer, Nancy Mavrides (Tom) and Billy Smith (Joan); numerous nieces and nephews, and precious friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Hill Church of Christ, 3950 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The service will be conducted by members of the family. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Woodbury, TN, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Honoring Corinne as pallbearers will be family members. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the elders of the Forest Hill Church of Christ, Brad Bradshaw, Scott Cain, B J Clarke, Larry Ferrell, Barry Grider, Kenneth Gossett, Clyde Mize, Tommy Shull, Mike Hixon, Paul Sain and David Sain.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be made to the Garland and Corinne Elkins Scholarship Fund for Memphis School of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN 38125 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

“Her children rise up and call her blessed……Many daughters have done well, but you exceeded them all.” Proverbs 31