Betty Jewel Elkins

Betty Jewel Elkins, 75, of Wilmington, NC, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Liberty Commons, Racine Drive, in Wilmington. She was born on September 15, 1935, in Elizabethtown, NC, the daughter of the late Joel B. and Frances Register Elkins. Betty graduated from Elizabethtown High School and James Walker Hospital School of Nursing. She was an Operating Room Scrub Nurse at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where she retired after forty years of service. She continued in that same role for five more years at Cape Fear Memorial Hospital. Betty was a skilled nurse who excelled in her job and often was requested specifically by surgeons in the operating room. Betty was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Always the caregiver, she loved providing for other people, whether at church or in the community. She loved to cook for others and was especially famous for her ""Pumpkin Rolls"", which she prepared and delivered by the hundreds. Betty also loved to fish and could always be found walking and visiting throughout the neighborhood. Surviving are four sisters, Sara Edens and husband Larry, Margaret Beard, Mary Robbins, and Barbara Stewart; and many nieces and nephews. Also remembered in addition to her parents are two brothers, J. B. Elkins, Jr. and Dewey K. Elkins, and one sister, Dorothy J. Elkins, all of whom preceded her death. The family would also like to recognize her many dear friends, especially Mary and Bill Rabon, Helen and Larry Flowers, and Fran Caine. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm Monday, April 11, 2011, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, 4108 S. College Rd. A graveside service will follow at 4:00 pm Monday in Bladen Memorial Gardens in Elizabethtown, NC. The family will receive friends beginning one hour prior to the service Monday at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a living memorial be made to James Walker Alumnae Scholarship Fund, c/o Lil Newton, 5113 Woods Edge Road, Wilmington, NC 28409-3975.