Joan N. Elkins

Eva Joan Ottinger Nease Elkins, of Seymour, Tennessee passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025. Joan was born on her grandparents' H.L. Kiker's dairy farm in Greene County. The only child of Ora Belle Kiker Ottinger and Ivan Ottinger. She was active in the 4-H Club and exhibited her Guernsey cattle at local, regional and state fairs, one which was Grand Champion, in the local and state fair and was sent to Waterloo, Iowa and Indianapolis, Indiana fairs; by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Department, where she was Grand Champion and brought back the trophies. She never met a stranger and had a gift for making everyone she met feel special. Her greatest joy in life was her family, watching the sporting events and activities of her children and grandchildren. She was an accomplished basketball player, one of the top scorers in Greene County. She loved all sports especially all U.T. sports. She had a profound knowledge of all sports.

Her love of music was shown in her ability to play the piano, organ as well as singing in the Senior Choir at Meridian Church for many years. She played the piano for her Sunday school class and for LLL at Meridian. She also was co organist at Meadow Creek Church in Greene County before moving to Seymour. She was also a greeter at Meridian, on the food committee and held several affairs.

She was a graduate of St. James High School in Greene County, attended U.T. in Knoxville and Tusculum College in Greenville. She enjoyed her various work positions in accounting and personnel at Magnavox and Huyck Formax in Greenville along with several other companies. She was an avid traveler and was able to go with her husband Jack on his business trips. They visited all states in the Geographic Region of the US, some Canadian Provinces, Mexico and France.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Billy Nease and second husband, Jack Elkins. She is survived by her daughter Mimsy and son-in-law Stanley Fleming; granddaughters, Landrie and Grayson Fleming, son; Chad Elkins and daughter-in-law Michelle; and their son Blake.

The family will receive friends Wednesday March 26, 2025, from 4:30pm until 6:30pm with a funeral service immediately following at 6:30pm at Meridian Baptist Church, 6513 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920. Interment Service will be held Thursday March 27, 2025, at 1:00pm in the Valor Garden, at Berry Highland South Cemetery, 9010 E. Simpson Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920. Service will be officiated by Pastor Dana Fachman. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Meridian Baptist Church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Amedisys Hospice and their Emotional Support Nurse Jessica.

Please visit www.berryhighlandsouth.com to share your heartfelt condolences and sign the online registry.