Hollis (Holly) Joy (Campbell) Elkins

Hollis “Holly”  Elkins was born on February 20, 1933 on a typical cold and snowy day in a wide spot in the road called Quarry, in Marshall County, Iowa.  She passed away on April 7, 2025 at the Beaverton Oregon home she had shared with her daughter Connie Elkins McKelvey and Connie’s husband Greg. She was 92. 

Holly was the third child of Leonard John and Hazel Marie Campbell.  Their first child, William died shortly after his hospital birth under traumatic circumstances, so Holly and her brother Marvin (“Pat”) were both born at home on the farm of her maternal grandparents William and Anna Dougherty.  At the age of 10, during World War II Holly and her family moved west.  Her father had been stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington during World War I and he thought the Pacific Northwest was a beautiful place.  It was 1943 and gas and tires were rationed.  They drove with their few possessions to Washington going no faster than 35 miles per hour.  In September of that year her family moved into apartments in Vanport Oregon where her father worked in the shipyards.  Her story about her experience in Vanport before the flood was a featured oral history by the Vanport Mosaic.  Her family moved to Portland Oregon where Holly started attending fifth grade at Parkrose.  In the 6th grade she developed rheumatic fever and was hospitalized for many months at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.  It was torture for her.  In person visits were not allowed. Instead, every Sunday the parents of the six children in her ward would come to the hospital and stand outside a door to talk with their sick children.  No touching allowed.  Rheumatic fever had a lasting impact on Holly’s health, leaving her with a heart condition which eventually led to the replacement of two of her heart valves.  

Following graduation from Parkrose High School Holly moved to Monmouth Oregon to attend Oregon College of Education.  In Monmouth she met Merlin Harold Elkins, a wonderful man who shared her Christian values.  They married May 17, 1953.  Merlin and his father Harold Elkins were farmers outside of Monmouth and Holly became a proud farmers’ wife after Merlin completed his service in the Army.  Holly and Merlin moved to a big ranch outside of Terrebonne Oregon in 1968.  In the mid 1970’s they moved to Southern Oregon operating Table Rock Farms and then owning and operating Stagecoach Orchards in Jacksonville.  Merlin died of cancer June 1, 1986 and Holly’s family is happy that she is now reunited with him.  Holly and Merlin had two children, Connie Kay and Kenneth Todd,  who was born on April 7, 1962; exactly 63 years before his mother’s death.  

When Merlin died Holly moved back to Monmouth to be closer to family and friends.  When her health began to deteriorate due to failing heart valves, she moved in with her daughter Connie and her family having her own “grandma suites” consisting of the entire first floor of the house complete with her own laundry room and kitchen so that she could continue to live as independently as possible.  This was heaven for Connie’s youngest Gregory who became a model and actor at the age of 5.  Grandma became his manager/driver as well has his favored cook. 

Holly was very industrious.  In addition to doing everything a farmers’ wife entailed, from preparing three square meals every day to driving truck,  Holly worked in administrative services for Oregon College of Education and as a church treasurer and secretary.  She was also a 4-H leader and Home Extension Unit President. 

Holly enjoyed collecting antique glass and ceramic shoes and her home contained many cases of beautifully displayed shoes, roughly 700 of them.    She loved to show people her collection.  She also loved to read and when she became legally blind, some ten years prior to her death, she would listen to books on tape.  She also loved going out to eat and traveling.  Her life was a testament to faith, family, and service, and she was known as a woman of great character and a loyal friend to many.

Holly is survived by her daughter Connie Elkins McKelvey of Beaverton, seven grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.  Other survivors include her sister-in-law Helen Comstock of Turner and nephew Scott Campbell.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers William and Marvin “Pat” Campbell, her husband Merlin and son Kenneth.  Her dear sister-in-law Pauline died just nine days prior to Holly. 

Holly was a devoted Christian, a loving mother, grandmother and friend.  Her unwavering devotion to Christ guided every step of her journey, and her warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. Holly’s legacy will continue to shine brightly through the generations she so deeply loved.

A service to celebrate Holly’s life will be held on Friday, May 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. at Tigard Covenant Church 11321 S.W. Naeve Street, Tigard, OR. Family and friends are invited to join in this celebration. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to Turner Retirement Homes as both Merlin and Holly had served on its board and many dear friends and family lived there including her dear sisters-in-law Pauline Dorothy Parmenter and Helen Comstock.  Alternatively, contributions can be made to Instruments for Success, a non-profit established by Greg & Connie to assist inner city children and youth of color in learning instrumental music. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hollis (Holly) Joy (Campbell) Elkins, please visit our floral store.