Mary Eugenia “Jean” Vanlandingham Elkins
August 18, 1931 – April 2, 2026
Funeral services for Mary Eugenia “Jean” Vanlandingham Elkins, 94, of Cairo, GA, are at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2026, at Woodland United Methodist Church, Cairo, GA. Pastor Tammy Fincannon will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Elkins passed away surrounded by her loving family at home on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Active pallbearers will be Luke West, Bryson Bennett, Eric Johnson, Bill Elkins, Asa Childree, Robbie Tedder, Michael Curry, and Kyle Joiner. Honorary pallbearers will be Donnie Turner, Stanley Elkins, Don Hancock, LeVerne Whigham, Bobby Whigham, Randall McGlamery, and Bill McGlamery.
Born on August 18, 1931, in Cairo, GA, Jean was a familiar and steady presence in the community she served faithfully throughout her life. She graduated from Cairo High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State College, an accomplishment of which she took pride and recalled with great joy. On December 27, 1959, she married Franklin D. Elkins, with whom she built a beautiful family and shared 53 wonderful years.
Jean dedicated her professional life to the children of her community as an educator with the Grady County Board of Education where her patience and dedication helped shape generations of local students. She was a devoted, longtime member of Woodland United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served her congregation as the church pianist. Her music was a ministry in itself and provided the soundtrack for countless Sunday mornings.
Her family knew her as “MA,” a name that came to mean love, direction, and the kind of strength that held generations together. She was the matriarch of her family, and her front porch was a place where loved ones naturally gathered. It was there that Jean shared her advice, her wisdom, and the many stories that only 94 years of living could give. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose presence anchored the family in a way that will be deeply missed.
Jean will be remembered for her strong faith, her servant’s heart, and the steady way she poured into the lives of those around her. Her legacy lives on in the many people she taught, loved, encouraged, and guided through the years.
Survivors include her daughter, Melissa Renn West (Lawrence) of Cairo, GA; grandchildren, Nicole West (Sarah) of Valdosta, GA, Brooke Jones (Jeremy) of Cairo, GA, Meghan Coleman (Todd) of Valdosta, GA, Brittani Turner of Cairo, GA, Lawren Phillips (J. T.) of Whigham, GA, Brandie Cecil (Blake) of Cairo, GA, Luke West (Kaylyn) of Climax, GA; great-grandchildren, Bree Turner, Bryson Bennett, Turner Jones, Gentry Jones, Bo Coleman, Hardy West, Piper Phillips, Bailey Coleman, Hayes Cecil, Sutton West, Ty Phillips, Liza Jo Cecil, Briggs West, and Huxton West, and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Myrtle Vanlandingham; her husband, Franklin D. Elkins; her daughter, Robin Elkins Glenn; and siblings, Myrlene Rivers (Robert), Paul Edward “Buck” Vanlandingham.
The family would like to give special thanks for Gilber “Little Bit” Shelton, a devoted caregiver and cherished friend, for her love, comfort, and compassionate care.
Memorial may be made in Jean’s memory to: Woodland United Methodist Church; or Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation at PMSF.org.
