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Iva Dell Elkins, 91, of Pryor, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at her home surrounded by her children. She was born on April 26, 1931, in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Dan and Iva (Wesson) Hammonds. After high school, she had several careers from working at a doctor's office, sewing factory, managed Singer's Sewing store and bookkeeper at a Pryor company. At 50 years old she attended Pryor Beauty College and operated her own salon known as Dell’s Beauty Corral for 25 years. She married Jesse Monroe Elkins on September 5, 1948, in Coleman, Texas and spent many wonderful years in marriage until his passing on July 18, 2004. In addition to working, she raised 4 children and contributed to care of many of her grandchildren as well as various others in need. She was very artistic and painted oils, acrylics and watercolors; as well as doing many crafts such as crocheting, sewing, tatting and mosaics. She loved reading from a young age and continued through adulthood. When her eyesight failed, she continued reading with audio books. Her love of adventure and travel was fulfilled by taking many trips throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. She leaves behind many memories for all to cherish and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Dell will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 3, 2022, at the Grace Life Church in Pryor (former location of First Church of God) with Pastor Andrew Rehbein officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Andrew Marshall, James Elkins, Jerry Elkins, Jesse Ben Elkins, Casey French, and Jacob Hastings serving as casket bearers. A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Shipman’s Funeral Home. To leave her family a message, please visit her Guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral and Cremation Service of Pryor.
She is survived by her son, Jesse Roy Elkins and wife Sherrie of Pryor; daughters, Lenneice Marshall of Pryor, and Lena French and husband Bill of Duncanville, Texas; daughter-in-law, Linda Elkins; brothers, Jackie, James and Danny Hammonds, all of Coleman, Texas, and David Hammonds of Colorado; sister, Judy Riley of Mansfield, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Iva; husband, Jesse Elkins; son, Leslie Elkins; and sisters, Pat Kurser and Virginia Gandy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pryor First Church of God.