James Elkins, age 91 of Murfreesboro, died Sunday, January 24, 2016 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was a native of Cumberland, Kentucky and a son of the late David Clarence and Dora Ellen Vaughn Elkins. He was also preceded in death by his wife Sarah Etta Rector Elkins in 2012.

Survivors include his children, Barry Elkins, Rita Bowen and husband John, and Mark Elkins, all of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Kimberly Beard and husband Shaun of Murfreesboro, Kala Elkins, and Kyle Elkins, both of Newark, OH, Dianne Spjut and husband Ben, and Ashley Tignor and husband Jason, all of Murfreesboro, Dawn Elkins and husband Travis Piercy of Manchester, David Elkins, and Logan Elkins, both of Murfreesboro; five great-grandchildren, Oliver Elkins, Cameron Beard, Lily and Bailey Tignor and Aydin Piercy; a sister, Fay Gilley of Crossville; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Mr. Elkins was a United States Army veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart for injuries received. He was a member of the 1st Infantry Division or "Big Red One" at Normandy Beach during the D-Day invasion.

Mr. Elkins was a faithful member of Franklin Road Baptist Church for 47 years and until recently maintained the buses used for the bus ministry. In 2015, he retired from the engineering and construction division of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency after 65 years of service.

Visitation will be 4:00 until 8:00 pm Tuesday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with Pastor Kirt Copeland officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available for Mr. Elkins at www.woodfinchapel.com