Obituary of Margaret Lois Elkins

Services will be held in July for Scotts Valley resident Margaret Lois Elkins who died of natural causes on May 14, Mother's Day. She was 89. Mrs. Elkins was born at home in Marston, Missouri, on July 3, 1927, to Virgil and Edna Baldwin. Her parents would soon divorce and her mother re-married several times. This dynamic family situation would lead to a nomadic early life for young Margaret. Besides living with both parents, she also lived with aunts and uncles during her childhood. She attended several schools, including, she liked to mention, Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee, before Elvis made it famous as being its most famous alumnus. During World War II, she went with her father to Denver, Colorado, while he was on active duty with the United States Army. While there, she would meet her future husband, Ronald R. King. They would soon marry and the then-Mrs. King would take a job with Mission Linen Supply in Santa Cruz to help put her husband through San Jose State College. Following his graduation, he became a fighter pilot with the nascent United States Air Force. The couple and their growing family were stationed at several USAF bases, including San Antonio and San Angelo, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Naha AFB Okinawa; George AFB Victorville, CA; Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada, and London, England. Another turning point in Mrs. King's life came in 1967 when her husband died in Vietnam. Three years later she married Eugene "Red" Elkins, a professional bowler, and together they purchased Felton Bowl in Felton, California. The couple, along with son William, ran the business until selling just before the earthquake of 1989. Mrs. Elkins was an avid bridge player and a voracious reader. She was a founding member of the Santa Cruz Mountains Soroptomist Club. She was devoted to her family. She is survived by her children: son John R. King and his wife Jan of Felton; son Richard A. King of Laguna Hills, CA; son William King and his wife Kathryn Deagen of Soquel; Robert J. King and his wife Shelly of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; stepson Greg Elkins and his wife Vicky of Maricopa, Ariz.; stepson Craig Elkins and his wife LeAnn of Port Orchard, WA; stepdaughter Dayna Cohen and husband Wayne of Port Orchard; stepdaughter Stephanie Ivrey and husband James of San Diego; sister Donna Lee Cassidy and husband Bob of Daytona Beach Shores, FL; sister Gaila Ann Kelso and husband Jerry of Pevely, MO; sister Marlan Sue Freed and husband Walter of Weldon Springs, MO; brother Terry Baldwin and wife Detta of Festus, MO; brother Joe Baldwin and wife Dottie of Sikeston, MO; and sister-in-law Rita Baldwin of Florissant, MO.; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil H.P. Baldwin; mother, Edna Draper; stepmother Inez Baldwin; and brother Tommy Baldwin.. Services will be held July 14, 1 p.m., at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Santa Cruz. There will be a private scattering of ashes at sea following the service.