Tacoma, Virginia                                                       April 8, 2023

Claude Edward Elkins, 88, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, at his home. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and best friend to all who ever met him.

Claude was a veteran of the US Army Corps of Engineers and a 50 plus year member of the Masonic Lodge. Claude worked hard as long as he lived to make a better life for his family, starting when he was 15 years old. His occupations included farmer, forestry warden, coal miner, truck driver, and as a successful entrepreneur who launched several successful businesses in the community. Claude was born in Tacoma and lived there his entire life except for his years of military service. He was proud of his community and its people and was known for his knowledge of its history.

Claude is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol. Also surviving are his daughter, Vanessa, and his son, Eddie, daughter-in-law, Ruth, and his two beloved grandchildren, Ava, and Edward. Claude is also survived by one brother, Paul "Jake" Elkins, and wife, Linda; brothers-in-law, Jim Collins and wife, Wilma, Jim Kinder, and wife, Mary Ann, brother-in-law, Glenn Dalton and sister-in-law, Betty Elkins, many, many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly, and four Army buddies with whom he talked regularly, Ronnie Dorton, Jim Bean, James Robinson, and Lucion Cowart.

Claude is preceded in death by his father, and mother, Clinton and Hattie Jane Elkins; his stepmother, Zelma Elkins, his brothers, and sisters-in-law, Estel and Polly, Aldon and Iris, Arvel and Nellie, Silas and Nita, Harry and Alma, and Earl. His sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Delmer Wilson, Colleen and Bill Bevins, and Nancy Dalton.

Memorial Service will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Sturgill Funeral Home 310 6 ^th Street NW Coeburn, VA. 24230. Visitation will be 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. at the funeral home. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to sign guest register book online. Sturgill Funeral Homes 310 6 ^th Street NW Coeburn, VA. 24230 in charge of arrangements.