Cherlette Elkins, age 84, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on May 22, 2025 after a battle with kidney disease.
Cherlette was born on May 27, 1940 in Seco, KY, a coal camp owned and operated by the Southeast Coal Company. She attended first through twelfth grade at Dorton School in Dorton, KY and enrolled at Pikeville College in Pikeville, KY to pursue a degree in education. She left college in her senior year to help address a teacher shortage in rural schools in Pike County, KY. She taught students in grades one through eight in one-room schools at Brushy Fork School at Myra, KY and at Penny School in Penny, KY.
She met Crit Elkins through her sister in 1963. She moved to Jacksonville in 1964 to marry Crit, and together they raised three children.
Cherlette enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting, spending time with family, and she loved to gather with friends over lunch and friendly conversation. Her children and grandchildren fondly remember the tradition of Sunday lunches at her house. She was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church since 1970.
Cherlette leaves behind her children Becky White (Bill), Mark Elkins (Toni), and Richard Elkins (Meloni), her grandchildren Tyler White (Sierra), Tori White, Tristan Elkins (Emily), Erin Smeltzer (Cyrus), Ethan Elkins, Claire Elkins, and her great-grandchildren Troy White and Lily White. She follows in passing her husband Crit Elkins, her parents Roosevelt Potter and Laura Baker, and her siblings: Elmon Potter, Stella Wright, Aileen Wright, Enoch Potter, Gail Potter, Roosevelt Potter, Jr., Jimmy Potter, and Phyllis Elkins.
Trinity Baptist Church Dining Commons A
Sondra Sims
May 24, 2025, 5:42 pm
So sorry to hear of Cherlette’s passing. She will be fondly remembered. Prayers are with her family.
Mina Mullins
May 25, 2025, 8:41 pm
Sending our love & heartfelt sympathies. We treasure memories of times spent with Crit & Cherlette at Mullins/Elkins family reunions on Beefhide Creek! Cherlette was a wonderful Christian. 🥰🙏🙏
Elaine Clark
May 26, 2025, 10:44 am
Cherlette was a Big part of the Trinity Ladies Prayer Shawl group. She was one of 4 of us when we started in 2013. Cherlette was our resident professional, even showing us a trick of winding the yarn so the yarn would come from the inside not the outside. Cherlette could make a shawl in a week or 2 sometimes. There were usually only 3 or 4 that came weekly and Cherlette was always there. Sometimes 5 sometimes a visitor who wanted to learn to crochet and we taught them too. In all from 2013 to 2020 we handmade over 180 shawls, lap blankets and quilts. We delivered everyone with a handwritten note and the gospel. We prayed and held their hands. Cherlette was such a Blessing to us all. A wonderful friend, sister in Christ and soul winner. She’s happy now!
Elaine Clark
May 26, 2025, 10:53 am
We are praying for you.