Eva Marie Elkins

Eva Marie Elkins, 65, of Antwerp, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Eva was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on February 13, 1960, a daughter of the late Mary Adalyne (Uhrick) and Jesse Evon Elkins.

For a short time, Eva thrived while using her computer education to work for places like Hewlett Packard, and Harris Kayot. Her focus eventually shifted heavily toward her family. Working along side her sisters at Mary’s Diner, MERLS Girls, & Our Daily Bread. Most of all, her Christian Faith, being a Mom, Grandma, & GiGi gave her the most joy. Although Eva raised two full generations of children as a single mom, she was never alone. Her family was always there to make sure she succeeded, especially her sisters. Some of her favorite times were vacationing with family, whether it was annual trips to Minnesota and Florida or touring the country while delivering RV’s with Marissa and Mariah in car seats, to her trip to Alaska that completed 49 of 50 states. She was passionate about cooking with love to make sure no one went hungry no matter how many people she was feeding, and leftovers were guaranteed. She recently just said, “My love language is cooking, It’s what I do well for those I care about.” She loved using her creativity in every area of her life from crafting, painting, decorations for VBS. And not to be forgotten, Christmas decorating, her absolute favorite time of the year. An annual tradition was getting together to decorate cookies. And not always your typical cookies, but hand cut snow globes, 3D shapes, and one year an entire cookie village! She had a love of reading in her quiet time. She also thoroughly enjoyed being an active part of her grandchildren’s lives. Watching them perform in the arts, and sports, and always being present as they were growing up along side the twins. Becoming a great grandma, aka “GiGi” made her light up all over again. Many afternoons were spent outside on the swing rocking babies, blowing bubbles, or lounging by the campfire & looking at the stars. She was also the “mint dealer”. There wasn’t one recent visit that she didn’t hear “Gigi… mint?” Or have them insist on sharing her water bottle. Water always tasted best out of Gigi’s straw. Despite losing her mother at a very young age, she followed in her footsteps, by spending her life fostering children who needed additional love and nurturing. Any child who entered her life through her girls or children’s programs like Route 56 or the WeDfyeIt dance crew provided her joy, purpose, and fulfillment. Eva thoroughly enjoyed music in her life singing, humming, dancing you name it. She also enjoyed cinema, Like Beauty and the Beast, Avatar, When Calls the Heart and almost every Christmas movie ever made.

Eva will be sadly missed by her daughters, Jennifer (Joseph) Clark, Mariah (Karl Grossman) Elkins and Marissa (Austin Taylor) Elkins; sisters, Ruth (Butch) Miller and Laneta "Linny" Williams; grandchildren, Justice (Haley) Clark, Serenity (Jacob) Schwartz, Chase (Layla) Clark, Lexi & Steve; great grandchildren, Grayson, Kyliah, Finley, Ashton and Huxley and her four legged friend, Catniss.

Eva was preceded in death by her siblings, Norm, Jessie, Roy, Bryce, Bill Elkins, & Mary McCoy.

Viewing is Friday, May 30th from 3-7 PM at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp. 

Service is Saturday, May 31st at 10:30 AM with viewing one hour prior at the Antwerp Global Methodist Church, 202 E River St, Antwerp, Ohio, 45813.

She will be laid to rest in Maumee Cemetery. 

Memorials are to Jennifer Clark. You may also send it to her Venmo:  @Jennifer-Clark-11 (1147 are the last 4 digits of her phone number for verification). 

Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com.