RONALD CLAUDE (R. C.) ELKINS, 82, passed away July 22, 2014 at Indian Path Hospital in Kingsport following a lengthy battle with rheumatoid arthritis. His loving family was by his side.

He was born in Lee County, VA and retired from Lee County Health Department after working for the health departments in Tazewell and Bristol, VA. He was a graduate of Jonesville High School and Lincoln Memorial University. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Germany. He was a member of Davis Chapel Church on Wallen’s Creek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, B. W. and Dona Osborne Elkins; his wife, Carol Gilbert Elkins; 1 infant brother, Ray Elkins; and 1 sister, Ada Lou Fletcher.

He is survived by 2 brothers, Omer and Don Elkins; 2 sisters, Betty Willis and Estell Creech; several nieces and nephews, and a special cousin.

He is in heaven now with all of his loved ones and no more pain.

He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

-Written by the family