Edith Lorene Elkins

Edith Lorene Hawkins was born on October 17, 1930, to Harlan and Dorothy Hawkins in Dill City, Oklahoma. The family moved to New Mexico when Edith was young, and she grew up in the El Morro- Grants area. Her father worked at different sawmills, then eventually started his own in Grants. Edith graduated high school from Grants Union High School. She met Lawrence Elkins while they were both attending Grants Union, and they married on April 16, 1949. Accustomed to being in a small family, living in the town of Grants, it was quite an adjustment when she joined the big ranching family of the Elkins.’ But she did it quite well, overcoming any obstacle that was put in her path. Her constant, unwavering faith in God started when she was a teenager. She began attending the First Baptist Church of Grants, and was baptized in the beautiful, lush stream running through the old Gottlieb property on the East side of Grants. Throughout her life she always focused on the good in people, brushing aside their flaws. Edith and Lawrence made their home in Prewitt, NM and had 6 children. Edith lived her life quietly, with great wisdom and compassion and was devoted to, first and foremost, her husband. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her second greatest joy and her non-judgmental, dedicated love for them was exceptional. She was highly involved in the creation and early operation of the Uranium Capital Bi-County Fair, which was where many people came to know her. Lawrence and Edith had their own ranch in Prewitt and she was very active in its operation. As Lawrence was set in his ways when it came to the ranch, Edith had her work cut out for her when she began learning about cattle and land health and trying new things, but she stuck with it and was very proud of her successful ranch. Edith was the bookkeeper, mediator, and communication assistant for some of the family businesses. Although it all kept her quite busy, God always made sure there was a little time left for the Casino. One of her most admirable qualities was her willingness to share her home, provide for and be a caregiver anytime a family member needed it.....she would do her best to ensure they were safe. Edith was 93 years old at her passing on June 26, 2024, and it was truly a passing.....passing from this life on Earth into her life in heaven. She recently referred to this time in her life as her “pre-heaven days.” Many times we talk about our deceased loved ones watching down on us from heaven. When discussing that idea, Edith voiced her disagreement with one simple, insightful question, “What kind of heaven would that be?”

Services are planned for 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at the Uranium Capital Bi-County Fair Grounds with interment immediately following in the Elkins Family Plot at the base of Goat Mountain, Prewitt, NM.

Edith is survived by her children: Tommy Elkins (Lisa), Ronnie Elkins (Jana), Rhonda Moore (Bobby) and Jody Elkins (Donna), 15 Grandchildren and a whole herd of Great-Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Harlan Hawkins and Dorothy Hynes Hawkins, husband: Lawrence Elkins, sons: Danny Elkins and Darrel Elkins, sisters: Doris Goforth and Dolores Webb and brother: Leon Hawkins.