James D. Elkins

James David Elkins, 70, left this world to go to his Heavenly Father on January 31, 2018. His family was by his side as he took his first step into heaven, James was a 1965 graduate of Tyner High School. From 1966 until 1970 James was a soldier with the United States Marine Corps.

James loved Christian music and was a choir director at several area churches before he became ill.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Reverend James and Thelma Elkins, several aunts, and uncles and brother-in-law, John Erwin.

He is survived by his sisters, Beverly Erwin, Janice Haney, and Donna Highers. His much loved nieces Christy (Jeff) Paterson, Tiffany Highers, and Gabrielle Erwin, nephews, Jimbo Haney, and Christopher Higher and a great nephew, Alex Patterson, great nieces, Kelsey Walker and Karley Walker.

The family would like to express their thanks to the Veterans Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. We are grateful to the Liver Transplant Team with Doctor Joseph Awad, Mischelle Hall, Pat Coffey, and the late Pam Hale. They were wonderful to us and we know that James would not have lived this long, if not for them. Mere words cannot express our thankfulness for what they did for us during his difficult time in our life.

We would like to thank the Caris Hospice team for helping us be ready to give him up, and for taking good care of his needs. May all of you be richly blessed.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 pm Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Reverend Don Dunn officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-8 Friday evening.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.