Rose Elaine Hoosier Hanks, also known as "Dolly," age 81 of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Ashe Memorial Hospital. She was born on February 2, 1945, in Ashe County to the late Lillard and Louise Elizabeth Proctor Hoosier.

Elaine's life was characterized by helping others. She had given her heart to Jesus at 12 years of age and was forever changed. After high school, she graduated from Charlotte Memorial School of Radiography and X-ray Technology in 1965 and began her career in medicine at Ashe Memorial Hospital, where she was known for her compassionate care, her cake baking, and her contagious laugh. She gave cobalt radiation to cancer patients and worked in a clinic for Dr. Elam S. Kurtz, where she did lab, x-ray, and nursing visits to homes in the Lansing area for several years. She even hiked in the snow to deliver a baby, whom the family affectionately named "Rose," after her. The last 10 years of her 47-year career, she said her passion was "to save many Ashe County lives through mammography."

Elaine was a devoted member of Bristol Baptist Church, where her faith and compassion touched many lives. She found great joy in singing in the choir and sharing her love of God's Word as a longtime Sunday School teacher and Ladies Circle member. She loved reading, cooking, travelling, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves, whether they won or not. Above all, she loved her Savior and kept singing about His faithfulness all her life.

Elaine is survived by one daughter, Lori Calloway Wilson and husband William of Jefferson.

The family wishes to thank: the amazing staff of CNAs, nurses, and therapists at Margate Health and Rehab, the wonderful staff at Ashe Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jayne Leonard, Dr. Cate Trate, Barbie Baldwin, Heather Turner, and Elaine's precious friend and roommate, Jeanee Buchanan.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel by Rev. Keith Wagoner and Rev. Todd Baldwin. Burial will follow in the Wallace Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 prior to the service.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; Ebenezer Christian Children's Home, 1006 Byrd Ridge Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659; or the Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation, 200 Hospital Avenue, Jefferson, NC 28640.

"Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house, are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14: 1-3).