Carol Jean (Link) Elkins, 83, of Brandon, FL passed away on September 20, 2022 at the Life Path Hospice House in Sun City, FL.
She had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in September 2020 and was blessed to have had a year and a half of relatively good
health after her diagnosis. Carol was born on December 2, 1938 and raised in Long Beach, CA, graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic
High School and attended Long Beach State University. She began her career as an administrative assistant at McDonnell-Douglas,
which subsequently became Boeing, in 1975. She retired in 2001 and relocated to Riverview, FL in 2013 to be near her oldest son and his
family after the death of her beloved sister and best friend, Nancy.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Elkins, her parents, Charles Link and Jean Ross, brother Thomas Link, and sister Nancy Murphy. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Eric & Lisa Elkins of Riverview, FL and her son Steven Elkins of Columbus, OH, and her only grandson, Dominic Elkins, who was the light of her life. Also surviving Carol are her sisters Diane Arnold of Long Beach, CA, and Margaret Granger of Lancaster, PA, sister-in-law, Judy Link of Boise, ID, and numerous nieces and nephews. Lynda Groff of Riverview, FL, the twin sister of her daughter-in-law, Lisa, was close to Carol and was a frequent visitor who helped care for Carol, particularly as her health declined.
Carol lived at Tessera of Brandon Assisted Living Facility during her last two years, where she made many friends, including her dear friend, Lois Asman. She spent many happy hours there playing bingo, doing jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, and her favorite past-time, watching and cheering on her beloved Tampa Bay Rays. She also looked forward to the weekly "Ladies Lunches" with her daughter-in-law, Lisa, especially at Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill and Bahama Breeze. Prior to her illness, Carol, crocheted hundreds of lap robes which she donated each year to the VA hospitals in both Long Beach, CA and in Tampa, FL. She was especially proud of the annual thank you letters that she received from the VA acknowledging the time and expertise that went into her generous donations. Gramma Carol also loved spending Saturdays with her grandson, Dominic, bringing dinner for the two of them, then watching Disney and Pixar movies together.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to those at Tessera of Brandon, especially Lesley and Stephanie, the concierges, as well as Dr. Anita Patel, Heather, Danielle, the nurses in the Memory Care unit, particularly Amy & Gabby, and Carmen in Housekeeping, as well as to Kerri and Racheale from Life Path Hospice who took such great care of Carol in health and especially when her health began to decline.
A private service with the family is planned and Carol's ashes will be scattered into the Gulf of Mexico at that time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to her grandson's school the Livingstone Academy of Autism in Valrico, FL or to The Humane Society of Tampa Bay.