Pauline Marie Elkins

Pauline Marie Elkins (born Reynolds) , a longtime resident of Seminole, passed peacefully from this life on October 6, 2026, at the age of 93. Her son was by her side.

Pauline was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1933, to Lewis Reynolds and Ruby (Stephens) Reynolds. She had five siblings and graduated from Geary High School.

Pauline met her future husband, Ernest Elkins, in 1945. They were baptized together in a pond behind a church in Cogar, Oklahoma. They married on June 3, 1952 in Chickasha, while Ernie was on a three-day leave from the army. They later had two children, Ernest Lewis and Connie Marie.

Pauline taught for many years at Rancho Village Daycare, where she made a difference in countless young lives. It was here while she was taking care of her grandson one afternoon that she was christened “Nan;” she was also a beloved “Meme” to her granddaughter.

In 1993, Pauline and her husband moved to Seminole, which is where they spent some of their happiest years. They ran a cattle farm and grew fresh vegetables. They always hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and helped create many warm family memories.

When her husband passed in 2023, Pauline moved to Perkins, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law. After many years of cooking and cleaning, she finally got to rest and be waited upon. She had fresh coffee and oatmeal raisin cookies every morning and grew to enjoy the company of her grand-dogs, Gus and Rosie.

Pauline was very strong in her faith and tried to live a kind and gentle life. She read the Bible daily, and particularly loved the Psalms and the Book of Ruth. (She even witnessed to the ER doctor who took care of her in her final days.) In her spare time, Pauline enjoyed looking for a bargain at garage sales and driving red cars. She also loved to get lost in a good book and watch movies at night. She had a bold and infectious laugh, and was a blessing to all who knew her.

Left to cherish Pauline’s memory are her children; Ernest L. Elkins and his wife Helen of Oklahoma City, and Connie Smith and her husband Greg of Perkins, her brother; Junior Reynolds, sister; Sue Moore, and grandchildren Bobby Waddill, Shai Elkins, and JD Waddill. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and siblings; Howard Reynolds, Dale Reynolds and sister Ruby Helen Kuykendall.

Some ways to honor her life might include: go for a long walk in the fresh air, get lost in a good book, tend to some flowers, cook fresh green beans with bacon, give your granddaughter a bag of jewelry to play with, hold a loved one’s hand, enjoy an oatmeal raisin cookie, wear black in the summer because you like it, or simply sit and give thanks for all the blessings in life.

Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 12, 2026 at Little Cemetery with family friend Brother Wayne Childers officiating.

Casket bearers will be; Ernie L. Elkins, Greg Smith, Bobby Waddill, JD Waddill, Kemp Moore, Steve Moore and Johnnie Moore.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.