Obituary of Elaine Delves

Elaine Fannin Delves, 83, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. She is remembered as a loving mother, dedicated grandmother and caring friend to those who knew her. The oldest of seven children, Elaine was born on November 11, 1923 in Martha, KY, to the late Emery and Maude Fannin. She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Fannin of Mt. Gilead, OH; three daughters, Susan A. Smith of St. Augustine, FL; Diane (Bryant) Ring of Jacksonville, FL; Elizabeth (Shane) Staunton of Goomburra Valley, AUS; two sons, George (Judy) Delves of Jacksonville, FL; Daniel (Carlyn) Delves of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; 11 grandchildren, Nathanael, David, Laura, Michael, Sarah, Joanna, Mike, Daniel, Zachary, Noah, Tommy; 2 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Elaine left school at age 15 to help raise her younger sister and five younger brothers. She was like a second mother to them, putting aside her own aspirations for the needs of her family. After living in Cincinnati, Ohio for several years, where she worked for Proctor and Gamble, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, married and had five children. After her marriage ended in 1963, she continued raising her five children in Jacksonville. She worked while attending nursing school in the mid-1960's in order to better provide for her children and would often work double shifts which she did in a self-less manner. Elaine was the epitome of a "Super Mom", sacrificing her own wants and desires for the needs of her children, which knit family members especially close. Elaine was a fun, feisty, well-read friend of the arts who served her community as a Registered Nurse for over 35 years. Even after retirement, she continued to share her medical expertise and concern for others as caregiver and matriarch of the family. She would tell others, "My children are my Opus," for she viewed motherhood as her most important work. Elaine was a pianist and vocalist who passed her love of music on to her children. She modeled what it means to be a self-educated woman and encouraged her love of books by providing good literature and reading to her grandchildren. She was often telling stories and making others laugh. Her smile and warm personality endeared her to many. She took great delight in spending time with those she loved and never ceased to be generous with her time and affection. We will fondly recall the delightful aroma of her fresh-baked homemade bread as we remember our "dinosaur-grandma" and mother and miss her lively spirit.