Noah Stanley Elkins, 85, of Florence, a kind and gentle man who spent his life in service to others, died at his home on Friday, January 15, 2010, after a period of declining health. He was truly an honored and beloved servant of the people. A service of remembrance will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Elkins Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev Dr. James K. Thompson and the Rev. William H. Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Florence Cemetery, with military honors, and with Bro. Henry Melton offering his comments at the graveside. His family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday night from 6:00-8:00 and Monday morning from 10:00-10:45. Stanley was born in Tuscumbia July 15, 1924, the son of Earnest and Ada Florence Aston Elkins. He attended the Cave Street Elementary School and was in his senior year at Deshler High School when he entered the U.S., Army three months prior to graduation. During high school he was a member of the Hi-Y Club but was prevented from more school activities as he began his funeral service apprenticeship. Upon entry into the Army, and completion of basic training in the medical corps, he was sent overseas in November 1943 and was stationed in the New Hebrides Islands and the island of Luzon. He returned to the states in 1946 and received his discharge. He resumed his work as a mortician at the Brown-Service Funeral Home in Florence and enrolled in one of the veteran''s classes at Coffee High School to complete his high school education. He continued his studies until he received his high school certificate. On August 28,1946, he married Mildred Holland of Florence and later that year they moved to Nashville. He enrolled in Gupton-Jones Mortuary College and was graduated the next year. He returned to Florence and the Brown-Service Funeral Home where he was made manager. He continued in that position until he and Joe Morrison, Sr. formed a partnership in 1959 and purchased both the Brown-Service Funeral Home and the Chisholm Funeral Home. Later they purchased the Mays Brown-Service Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. The partnership ended in 1983 and he built Elkins East Chapel Funeral Home in Center Star. Over the years, he has been a mentor to many young men beginning their career in funeral service who admired his compassion for others, his devotion to those families, and his professionalism and work ethic. He lives on through the work they do. His Elkins Funeral Home family is wounded by his death. In the late 1970''S, he was a member of a small group of professionals that was instrumental in bringing the concept of hospice to Lauderdale County, eventually resulting in the formation of Hospice of the Shoals. During his lifetime, he was honored by being elected Coroner of Lauderdale County for three terms. He served as President of the Alabama Funeral Directors Association, which honored him several years ago with a 50 year service pin, as President of the Alabama Board of Funeral Service and as Alabama''s only District Governor of the National Funeral Directors Association. He was one of the first Alabama funeral directors to be certified by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practices and was in the first class offered by the Alabama Eye Bank to assist in the procurement of eye tissue from donors. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Florence, American Legion Post 11, and VFW Post 5180. He was a member of the Florence Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2009. After retirement, he continued his service to others as a dedicated volunteer at ECM Hospital. In reviewing the constructive life of Stanley Elkins, a life he gave readily to a pauper or a prince, we are reminded of the line, "This is the thing I was born to do." He was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Sands, and brothers Reginald, M. A., and George Elkins. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years and best friend, Mildred; a daughter Jean Elizabeth Elkins Chenault and husband Steve, Florence ; son William Stanley Elkins, Florence; grandchildren Abbey Blair Chenault Thompson and husband Steve, Pelham, Stephen Elkins Chenault and wife Vickie, Florence, William Stanley Elkins II, Birmingham and Holland Noah Elkins, Florence; great-grandchildren Maggie Elizabeth Thompson, Gracie Brooke Thompson, Hunter Garrett Thompson, and Margaret Lucile "Lucy" Chenault; nieces and nephews. He is already missed by his dachshund Daisy. Pallbearers will include his three grandsons and Peter L. Akers, Jr., Peter L. Akers, III, Johnny Archer, Price Harrison and Ken Cabler. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Futtrell, J.L. Culver, Marvin Beckham, Bobby Griffin, Brant Young, Bill Farris, Bill Farris, Jr., W.T. Hill, Eddie Edwards, Bill Parks and Terry Mitchell, the James G. Middleton, Carlton Hughes, the staff of Elkins Funeral Homes, members of the Florence Rotary Club, the Graham Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church, and his buddies in the Jack''s coffee club. His family deeply appreciates the many kindnesses shown Stanley during his illness and especially thanks Kenny Cabler, Jeff Hornbuckle, Dr. Robert Webb and the caring staff of Hospice of the Shoals. For those considering memorials, Stanley''s heart was with Hospice of the Shoals, the First United Methodist Church, Florence, or to Outreach Ministries of Alabama, 109 Curry Chapel Rd., Valhermosa Springs, AL, 35765, 256-778-4141. You are invited to view a collection of pictures made throughout his lifetime and to sign the on-line guest register at www.mem.com.