Elna Aneita Kearns Boyles, born June 12, 1928 in High Point, North Carolina, went to be with our Lord and Savior, Monday, December 8, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Robert Roy Kearns and Alma Bernice Spencer Kearns. Elna accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of 10 and was baptized at Main Street Methodist Church in High Point where she was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship program. She was the third generation of her mother’s and father’s families to attend that church. She and her husband, David B. Boyles, Jr. of 47 years were married there on July 18, 1947. He predeceased her on October 20, 1994.

Surviving is her dear sweet sister, Joyce Kearns Ingram and her husband Kenneth, of Salisbury, North Carolina. Sons, David B. Boyles, III and his wife Debbie; Roy Kearns Boyles and his wife Sharon, of Front Royal, Va. Daughters, Aneita Boyles Bryant and her husband David, and Janine Boyles Evans and her husband John, of Front Royal. Ten grandchildren, Jessie Boyles Cunningham, Bo Boyles, Brittany Boyles Sager, Brandi Boyles, Spencer Bryant, Saleigh Bryant Gates, Brady Bryant, Sierra Bryant, Noel Jones, Randi Jones. Seven great grandchildren and a special niece and nephew, Cheryl Barefoot Whitley and Gary Ingram of Salisbury, North Carolina.

Elna graduated from High Point High School in 1946 and went to High Point College majoring in Business Administration. She worked for the North State Telephone Company and when she and her husband moved to Raleigh, NC, she worked as a secretary for the Raleigh City Schools until she started her family. They moved to Front Royal in 1964 when her husband accepted a job to start a savings and loan company. Elna was a member of the Marlow Heights Baptist Church, Elevian Sunday School and the Discussion classes. She sang in the adult choir for many years and also served on the Flower and Memorial committees.

She was a life member of the Valley Garden Club. She sang in the Front Royal Oratorical Choir and many years ago was a member of the Home Demonstration Club. She was a good seamstress, having made several tailored suits for herself and beautiful hand smocked dresses for her girls. She also enjoyed needle pointing. She was a volunteer for several years at Warren Memorial Hospital. She attended and supported many of the activities her children and grandchildren were involved in through their elementary and secondary education years. She was proud of all her children and grandchildren.

Elna enjoyed her work at Frank’s Ladies Clothing Store for over 25 years and developed a special friendship with Abe, Naj and Mike Silek and their staff. She enjoyed helping people and truly loved her work and the people that her life touched. She retired in the early 90’s to take care of her husband. Elna enjoyed spending time with all her family, working in her flowerbeds and arranging flowers while humming her sweet joyful hymns and little tunes.

The most important thing she did to keep herself young at heart was to remain cheerful every day. Taking care of four children was not always easy. She suffered much pain through her adult life as a result of numerous falls, broken bones and illnesses. But she managed to find joy every day and shared her beautiful sweet smile with everyone. She did not complain or feel sorry for herself. She was grateful for life’s simple pleasures, like a bowl of ice cream, a glass of sweet iced tea or just the opportunity to get outside and admire the beauty around her. She never held a grudge or had an unkind word to say about anyone. But most importantly she valued people over things. She gave away most of what she owned before her death.

Even through the hard times in her life, she always managed a sweet countenance, a beautiful smile, a warm hug, and a gentle kind word. Her sense of humor was heightened in her later years and her laughter was both infectious and contagious. She was a true lady, so full of kindness and grace.We thank our second family at Hidden Springs Assisted Living for the loving kindness showered over her the past five years.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Bo Boyles, Spencer Bryant, Brady Bryant, Tyler Boyles, nephew Gary Ingram, Ken Gates and Mike Silek. Honorary Pallbearers are Don Henderson, Dr. J. William Kerns and Warren Watson.

Family visitation will be Friday December 12 at Marlow Heights Baptist Church 517 Braxton Rd Front Royal from 6-8 pm.  The celebration of Elna’s life will be Saturday December 13 at 11:00 am at Marlow Heights Baptist Church, 517 Braxton Rd, Front Royal, Va.  Interment on Sunday December 14 at 1:00 at Floral Garden Park Cemetery 1730 West English Rd, High Point, NC.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Marlow Heights Baptist Church, 517 Braxton Road, Front Royal, Va 22630