Dorothy Elaine Smith Wilcox, 95, of Fishersville, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at The Retreat of Fishersville.  She was born September 18, 1926 in Monmouth, Illinois to the late Cleo Ryan Smith and Lucille Maude Keilman Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don Wilcox who she married on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1948 and her long-time companion, George Penn.

Elaine was raised on a farm and attended 8 years of rural grade school.  She graduated high school in Alexis, Illinois in 1944 and taught country grade school for one year.  She joined the Cadet Nurse Corps and graduated from the University of Iowa Nursing School in 1948.  She worked at various hospitals in Iowa City, Lawrence, KS, and Kansas City, MO.  After her husband graduated from medical school, they relocated to Topeka, KS.  Prior to his death in 1986, Don served as the Director of Preventable Disease for the state of Kansas.

Elaine spent many years as a nurse coordinator at the Colmery O'Neil Veteran Administration Hospital.  Following her retirement in 1988, she relocated to Fearrington Village, NC.  In 2000, she moved to Wintergreen, VA.  In 2012, Elaine moved to Stuarts Draft, VA to a charming retirement cottage.  She planted beautiful gardens showcasing her love of wildflowers and native plants.  Elaine had many hobbies and passions including travel, animals, and the outdoors.  She was fortunate to travel extensively, enjoying many cultures.  Her passion for the outdoors led her to buy a beach house where she spent countless days walking the beach and collecting shells for over 30 years.  Elaine also loved animals, always having at least one dog and a cat in addition to a couple horses.

A memorial service to honor Elaine's life will be held at a later date in Topeka, KS.