Mary Sidney Elkins

Mary Sidney (Baldwin) Elkins of Roswell, Georgia passed away at her home on Sunday, January 12th, of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” Elkins, in 2015. Mary Sidney was born on March 3rd, 1936 in Vienna, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Mabel Burke Baldwin and Herbert Royal “Roy” Baldwin. She grew up in various parts of Georgia where her father managed A&P grocery stores, including Vienna, Albany, Augusta, and ultimately Hapeville, where she graduated from Hapeville High School in 1954. While attending Hapeville High School, she was a student of her future husband’s aunt, Melvina Wells, who would ultimately introduce the two of them when they were both attending the University of Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia for two years, where she met her future husband, Joe Elkins, of Alpharetta, GA. They were married in 1956, and Mary Sidney’s education was cut short when Joe joined the United States Marine Corps and was ultimately stationed at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, California where their first child, Becky, was born in 1957. After his Marine Corps service, they lived in Athens, Georgia, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and finally settled in Alpharetta (now Roswell), Georgia in 1962 where they built their home on a few acres of Joe’s parents’ farm. They would live there for the rest of their lives. Mary Sidney was dedicated to her family. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and wife, raising 6 children and lovingly caring for her 8 grandchildren. At the time of her husband’s death, they had celebrated 59 years of marriage. She was the family taxi driver, ensuring all 6 of her children were able to partake of their many varied pursuits. She was particularly passionate about music and encouraged all of her children to take music lessons and participate in many musical activities including choir, band, and orchestra. Several of her children and grandchildren are multi-instrumentalists to this day, and one is a professional musician. In addition to her dedication to her family, she was an elementary school paraprofessional, working at North Roswell Elementary, now Roswell North Elementary, for 30 years until her retirement at the age of 70. She was also a Girl Scout leader and an active member of the U.S. Jaycee Women (Jaycettes). She was an avid reader of all kinds of books, frequently staying up reading until the wee hours of the morning even in the last months of her life - a habit she would pass on to many of her children and grandchildren. She sewed, crocheted, and knitted incessantly, making clothing, quilts, blankets, sweaters, and anything else that she could find a knitting pattern for as gifts for family and friends. Mary Sidney is survived by her 6 children: Becky Elkins Berry, Suzy Elkins Crowe, Jeannie Elkins (Miller) Ownby (David Ownby), Randy Elkins, Jody Elkins Shafer, and Andrew Elkins (Kristi Holland Elkins), and 8 grandchildren: Jere Miller, Sam Crowe, Kennedy Berry, Zane Shafer, Zoë Shafer, Liz Shafer, Pearce Elkins, and Claire Elkins. The memorial service for Mary Sidney Elkins will be held on Thursday, January 23rd at 11:00am at Northside Chapel Funeral Home Directors and Crematory (www.northsidechapel.com) 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday before the service, at 10:00am. Family and friends will gather at Becky’s home after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to North Fulton Community Charities (https://nfcchelp.org/).

Mary Sidney Elkins

March 3, 1936 - January 12, 2025