Charles Eugene Elkins

Charles Eugene Elkins of Porter, Texas died peacefully in his home on August 16th after a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 86 years old. He was born in Eupora, Mississippi on December 13, 1933 to Hobart and Jewell Elkins. He had a brother, Thomas, who was four years older than him.

Charles grew up in Eupora and later his family moved to Roxie, Mississippi where he graduated from high school in 1952 . He served in the United States Army and after being honorably discharged in 1957, Charles went to work for Hudson Engineering as a carpenter. He later became a member of the Mathiston-Double Springs Masonic Lodge #184 where he remained for 63 years. He met his wife and the love of his life, Shirley Ann Fuller in 1957. They married in 1958 and spent 62 wonderful years together. They had two children, Patricia and Randy. Charles’ job required his family to move every one or two years to a different city and sometimes a different state. When he retired in 1998 after 40 years of traveling for work, he was ready to settle down at home, where he enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles was very devoted to his family. Even though he was a man of few words, he showed compassion and love for them through acts of service and selflessness throughout his life, even in his later years. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Jewell Elkins, his brother, Thomas Hobart Elkins, and his son, Randy Eugene Elkins. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Elkins, of Porter, his daughter Patricia and son-in-law Robert Van Natta of Baytown, grandchildren Melissa Coneley, Amy Stoner, Randi Lopez, Kelli Sumrall, Gage Van Natta, Paris Van Natta, and eight great-grandchildren.