Elva Hakes

Our beautiful and talented Mother, Elva Henshaw Sirles Hakes returned to her Heavenly Father on February 16, 2016. Born December 25, 1932 to Charles Ruffin and Hester Henshaw in Chesterfield County, Virginia, she married James W. Sirles in the Mesa Temple in Arizona on June 27, 1950.

Mom put her heart and soul into raising her four children, whom she cherished above all. She loved to sing and our home was often filled with the sweet sound of her voice. She was an amazing seamstress who loved creating her own patterns and always had new ideas. Mom was a strong believer in the benefits of hard work. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many church callings, which she loved.

After 27 years as a housewife and mother, she broke out of her mold and became a successful entrepreneur, founding and operating Uptown Limousine and several other enterprises in New Orleans, Louisiana. During this time she met and married Mel Hakes on May 5, 1991.

Sadly after a full and vibrant life, Mom had to endure the long, confusing descent into Alzheimer's, through which she suffered greatly. Each of her daughters cared for her during the varying stages of this terrible disease. Toni, through the harsh and bitter first stages, gave of her time and love selflessly, to consolidate Mom's assets and give her the ever increasing level of care she required. As her need for care increased, Kelsie, Dee, and Jim opened their homes to her and continued until it became necessary for her to enter a care facility. Thanks to son-in-law, Dennis Strong and daughter- in-law, Debi Sirles, for the love and care they gave, as though she were their own Mother.

Many thanks to Margaret Vozar for her help early on, Village on the Park where she resided in Houston, members of the White Oak Ward in Houston and the staff at Legacy House in Utah for their kind attention for our Mother's care.

Elva was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carlyn Hall and her second husband, Mel Hakes.

Elva is survived by her first husband James W. Sirles, her son James R. Sirles (Debi), her daughters Dee Sirles, Kelsie Strong (Dennis), and Toni Sirles, nine grandchildren who love their Mamaw dearly, eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Elva will be sorely missed by all who knew and love her, but we are comforted by the knowledge that her suffering in this life is over and that she is securely wrapped in the love of God.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans. A Visitation will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, where she will be at rest next to Mel.

In memory of Elva, please feel welcome to donate to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to help support others who are suffering with this condition. www.alzfdn.org.