Eleanor Rayline Aikens

Eleanor Rayline Aikens, 82, West Plains, Missouri, passed peacefully from this earth into the loving arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of August 9, 2024.  Surrounded by her family, she stepped into the glorious eternal home she so eagerly awaited her entire life and received a complete healing from her long battle with dementia.   

She was born October 12, 1941, to Frank and Ida Mae (Miller) Faircloth in Martinsburg, West Virginia; she was one of thirteen siblings and several half-siblings.  Eleanor was the wife of Charles L. Aikens for sixty-three years during which she was his devoted help-mate and homemaker.  In April of 2004, they moved to West Plains, Missouri and she set to making it their new home.  She enjoyed dancing, singing old time gospel and using her feisty personality to keep those she loved in line.  She was known to many but those who knew her as honey, mom, nanny and memaw will miss her most and look forward to the day when we will be together again.

She is survived by her husband, Charles (Skip) Aikens, West Plains; three children, Kimberly Martin and husband, Brad, Rover, Missouri, Crystal Denunzio, Northern Virginia and Charles (Chuck) Aikens, Jr., Rover, Missouri; five grandchildren, Kendra Artz and husband, Tommy, West Plains, Jay Martin and wife, Marcela, West Plains, Charles (Trip) Aikens, III and wife, Felicia, Brandsville, Missouri, Tasha Lewton and husband, Joel, Northern Virginia and Joey Aikens, Morehead City, North Carolina; five great-grandchildren, Remington and Bryson Artz, Alex Lewton, Maia Martin and Annika Aikens; one brother, Junior Faircloth and wife, Alice, Martinsburg, West Virginia; as well as numerous  nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, eleven siblings, three angel babies and a daughter-in-law, preceded her in death.  

A private graveside service will be held at the family cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, Rover, Missouri and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.