Elaine Strong Rollins

Born on October 4, 1946, Elaine spent her life dedicated to faith, family, and serving others. She was known for her warm and caring nature, her deep love for her family, and her gift for making everyone feel welcome and cherished. A patient and wise mother, a doting grandmother, and a loyal friend, Elaine’s wonderful smile could brighten any room. Her home was always a place of comfort, and her generosity knew no bounds.

Elaine lived out her Christian faith with kindness, compassion, and humility. As a devoted member of Champion Forest Baptist Church, she was actively involved in many ministries, most especially the Internationals ESL program. She was a prayer warrior, and loved others in the manner described in 1 Corinthians 13 — with a love that crossed barriers of status, culture, and race — often praying with and for those she served and joyfully sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

The essence of a true Southern Belle, Elaine was both charming and gracious, with a backbone of steel rooted in her confidence in Christ. Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — and Elaine embodied many of these qualities in abundance.

She also knew how to have fun: she loved shopping, playing with friends, and had a well-known "need for speed" when it came to her cars. She never left the house without her hair perfectly in place and her lips painted red — a touch of her signature elegance.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband, Mike; her children Laura (Scott) Mangum, Carey (Larry) Stanteen, and Matt (Kayla) Rollins; her grandchildren Macy, Haylee, and Zac Mangum; Chelsea, Cade, Logan, and Nathan Stanteen; and Pierce, Caroline, and Charlie Rollins; and her sister, Pam (Steve) Meggers.

The Celebration of Elaine’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Champion Forest Baptist Church, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and a service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Elaine's memory to the International Friendship Ministry at Champion Forest Baptist Church.

Elaine's Testimony

"I was blessed to have active, churchgoing Christian parents. For this, I am Very Thankful and their influence was precious and lasting. I was 9 (Dec, 1955) when I realized that I was a sinner, Jesus had died for my sins and I needed to confess my sins and be baptized. I could hardly wait to walk down the aisle to tell my decision to big ole Brother Yeldell (First Baptist pastor in West Memphis).

I have had many ups and downs, as a growing Christian. When I was in the 8th grade, we had a wonderful revival and I was convicted to read my Bible each day. I haven’t stopped and it’s been a wonderful part of my Christian growth. Some of the time during college, my Christian growth was not what it should have been. I continued to read my Bible each night, but I did not attend church as I should have, and many places and functions I attended would not have pleased my Savior had He walked in.

I believe God brought Mike’s family to West Memphis at the beginning of the 10th grade so we could meet. We dated our senior year and fell in love. Even though we attended different colleges, we always found a way to be together. We married in 1968 and lived in Fayetteville, Ark. while Mike was in grad school. We loved First Baptist Fayetteville and really began a much closer walk with the Lord, in our “new marrieds” Sunday School class.

While reading my Bible during a period of lack of faith, I received the ‘promise’ of Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Since then, we have continued to grow in the Lord. Witnessing has been one area. I realize this is important for my own growth, as well as for the joy of telling others about my Savior. Sometimes it is easier to think and talk about it, than it is to do, but with the Lord’s guidance, it gets easier.”

Life is like a fast moving train, sometimes stress, sometimes strain. Pulling a load, coming to a halt, giving away memories at each stop Love clears the tracks, eases the strain, lightens the load, brings sunshine again!!

For a woman with this degree of charm, inner beauty and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit, to love me is more than I could possibly ask or imagine. Only through His Grace, as Proverbs says: “An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life...a prudent, understanding wife is from the Lord”. While our recent circumstances were difficult, our life has been extraordinarily blessed. If given opportunity to do it again, including Alzheimer’s, I would gratefully re-enlist.

Elaine is the writer, I am not. Nonetheless on our 29th anniversary she asked me to write her a note, rather than giving her a card. “In tribute to our 29th anniversary, I look back with awe and delight, that the Lord graciously brought me into your sight. Why you chose me, I do not know, but I am extremely grateful, I am your beau. As our years together grow longer and longer, my love for you grows stronger and stronger.. I love you because you believe, encourage, love, play, respect...and most of all, pray for me.

I respect you because you have spiritual and physical discipline, are a great mother, give me Gentle but clear Correction and Direction when needed, and care for others, as reflected in your love for your International Friendship students. Where we go from here, I do not fear. I am thankful the Lord has us in His hand, and my prayer is that we, with our children, will grow to be more like Him. How blessed I am.” Elaine Rollins, certainly a Gift of God to me.