Ruth Hankins-Shepherd, 90 of Elkins passed away Friday, March 17, 2023 at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville. She was born January 25, 1933 in Temple Hill, Arkansas to Albert Evans and Sally (Sanders) Evans.

She was a faithful longtime member of Crystal Hills Family Fellowship Church. She loved to sing and dance. She loved her flowers and loved to travel. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 52 years, Marvin Jasper Hankins; brother, Ralph Evans; four sisters, Margie Barnard, Maxine Hankins, Darlene Gulledge and Lois Jean Evans.

Survivors include her husband of fifteen years, Eugene Shepherd, two sons, Jasper Hankins and wife Dianne and Danny Hankins and wife Sharla both of Elkins; daughter, Joanie Mains and husband Doug of Centralia, MO; sister, Virgie Nobles of Elkins; seven grandchildren, Carol Bowerman, Melissa Frost, Jarrod Hankins, Clay Hankins, Amanda Haney, Jason Mains and Cody Mains; eighteen great  grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and one on the way and her extended marital family includes five children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

A visitation will be from 11:00AM – 12:00PM, Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Crystal Hills Family Fellowship Church. A funeral service will follow at 12:00PM with Pastor Jasper Hankins and Pastor Brian Bowerman officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olive Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Jason Mains, Jarrod Hankins, Cody Mains, Clay Hankins, Zach Frost and Briant Bowerman.

Funeral services are under the direction of Madison County Funeral Service of Huntsville.