Funeral services for James Earl Elkins, 84, of the Recovery Community near Bainbridge, were held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Tommy McNair and Aaron “Buddy” Elkins officiating.

Interment followed at Roselawn Memory Gardens with Masonic graveside rites and full military honors. The deacons of Faceville Baptist Church served as active pallbearers and members of Faceville Masonic Lodge No. 487 served as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Elkins was born Nov. 8, 1926, in Colquitt, Ga., the son of Judson B. Elkins and Mertice Ellinor Lane Elkins. He died Feb. 5, 2011, at his residence. He was a graduate of Pine Hill High School, a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, and a retired technical sergeant from the U.S. Air Force after serving in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Mr. Elkins was an electrician with the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Local 1531 for more than 20 years. He was actively involved in the community as a deacon of Faceville Baptist Church, a member of Faceville Masonic Lodge No. 487, and a member of Hasan Shrine Temple. He was a fishing fanatic.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jeanette Harrell Elkins of Bainbridge; two sons, Jimmy Elkins and his wife, Debbie, and Boley Elkins and his wife, Renee, all of Bainbridge; two daughters, Patty Coumbe and her husband, Nolan, of Chattahoochee, Fla., and Sherry Chambless and her husband, Henry, of Donalsonville, Ga.; two brothers, Joey Elkins and Jimmy John Elkins, both of Blountstown, Fla.; three sisters, Peggy Nix of Bainbridge, Martha Sue Parramore of Chattahoochee and Joan Stacy of Blountstown; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faceville Baptist Church, 1407 Faceville-Attapulgus Road, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.