Memorials › Helen Gayle Houchen Elkins

Helen Gayle Houchen Elkins

4 Jan 1937 – 21 Mar 2020

Birth4 Jan 1937
Death21 Mar 2020
CemeteryGracelawn Cemetery
Edmond , Oklahoma County , Oklahoma , USA
Added bySondra 'Sandy' Pitman Morrison on 24 Mar 2020
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208335255

Bio

Helen Gayle Elkins, 83, of Oklahoma City, was welcomed into heaven on March 21, 2020, passing peacefully at INTEGRIS Hospice House of natural causes. She was born on January 4, 1937 in Fitzhugh, Oklahoma to Julious (Dado) and Adell Houchen. She was one of 13 children: Opal, Edith, Chris (Christine), Evalee, Jo (Hattie Lucille), Charlie (Charles), Hoot (Julius Hoover), Anita, Wanda, Barbara, LeVell and Joyce raised in Ada, Oklahoma. Helen was a star basketball player at Latta High School, who was offered several college scholarships. On February 1, 1955 she hopped on a Grayhound bus to marry the love of her life, Glenn William Elkins in Bremerton, Washington. Glenn and Helen recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Glenn was being shipped out by the Navy so they wanted to secure their relationship before his departure. Soon after Glenn’s, departure Helen moved back home to Ada, Oklahoma to have their first born, Glenn William Elkins Jr. (Rusty). After Glenn’s term in the Navy, he returned home permanently to help Helen raise their growing family. They now had two sons, Rusty and Kenneth Elkins. Helen supported Glenn as he started his path in Education and Administration. Their family lived in Mountain View, Hobart, and Enid as Glenn continued to pursue his career. Helen worked as a secretary for Hobart Public Schools and was later a bookkeeper for Champlin Oil. In 1968, Glenn and Helen welcomed their only daughter, Gayle Dawn Elkins, in Hobart, Oklahoma. In the early 90’s Helen and Glenn settled in Oklahoma City to be near their six granddaughters. Helen loved cooking Sunday dinners and early breakfasts of biscuits and gravy before OU football games, playing spades and hearts with her three children, game shows (especially Wheel of Fortune), watching her grandchildren play sports or perform in musicals/theatrical shows, singing songs, telling her funny idioms and spending time with her husband Glenn. Helen was an avid OU fan, especially football and women’s basketball. She had recently become a big Thunder fan as well. She was also famous for her peanut brittle and fudge that she would slave over for hours during the holiday seasons. In recent years, she made sure to give peanut brittle lessons to her granddaughters so they can carry on the tradition. Thanksgiving and Easter were two of her favorite holidays. She loved to make chocolate, pecan and pumpkin pies for her family and was the ring leader of every Easter Egg Hunt for her granddaughters. Glenn and Helen spent many Saturdays in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium with their two sons, watching OU Football. Their sons have carried on the tradition as they are now both season ticket holders of 40+ years and still make their annual trip to Dallas for OU/Texas weekend. The boys remember their first trip with their mother and father to Dallas for the weekend by Greyhound Bus. Helen was preceded in death by her mother, father and majority of her siblings. She is survived by her husband, Glenn William Elkins; her three children: Rusty and his wife, Dana, Kenny and his wife, Karma, Gayle and her husband, Jim; her cherished grandchildren: Heather Elkins, Ashley Elkins, Amber Sarani and her husband, Ethan Sarani, Megan Ederer and her husband, Morgan Ederer, Michelle Elkins and Mariah Shane. The viewing is at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home (3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, OK 73008) on Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a private graveside service for family. Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Page A9.

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