James Adkins
June 10, 2010
Beloved husband and father, James Wayne Adkins passed away at the age of 75.
Wayne was born in Lake County, Tennessee and was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Nicholas Adkins and Eunice Boyd Adkins, and his brothers Luther, Leonard, Forrest and Clayton.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Shelton Adkins, of Russellville, AL; his son, Nicholas Wayne Adkins and his wife Carolyn Vanture Adkins, Nashville, TN; his grandchildren Wyatt James Adkins and Clementine Carter Adkins, of Nashville, TN; his brother, Carl Adkins, of Murfreesboro, TN and his brother, LD Adkins, of Union City, TN.
We all knew Wayne as a loving and kind man who gave freely of himself to any one in need. A humble and gentle man, Wayne always saw the best in others. He never sought recognition or praise for his good deeds, he simply chose to help others out of love. Wayne was one of eight boys who grew up on a farm just outside of Union City, Tennessee in “Midway” to the locals. Wayne’s parents taught him the value of hard work and helping your neighbor. Wayne was a star basketball player in high school in Rives, TN. Like all of his brothers, Wayne joined the Army and he was fortunate to serve during peace time in Germany. He was a graduate of Freed-Hardeman in Henderson, TN and The University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN, where he completed his training as a medical technician.
In 1961, Wayne met Ruth Shelton at the North Alabama Hospital in Russellville where they both worked. They were married in 1963 and have been the love of each other’s lives ever since.
Wayne was a sales rep with Baxter Scientific Products for 29 years in Memphis. All of the hospitals in Memphis were his customers, and when Wayne retired, it was the end of an era.
Wayne loved to travel. He traveled to all the states in the U.S. He traveled to Africa, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Everywhere Wayne visited, he left it a little brighter because of his smile and friendliness. He hiked the Appalachian trail and the Grand Canyon. He was a avid sailor. He loved to play Rook. And, as many people know, there will never be any better BBQ or smoked turkey as Wayne’s.
Wayne’s family and friends love him and will miss him very much and look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 12th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville, with the funeral service on Sunday, June 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville with a graveside service to follow at the Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Russellville. Minister Keith Barnett of the North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville will officiate along with Minister Ken Joines of the Goodman Oaks Church of Christ in Southaven, MS.
Serving as pallbearers will be Odie Adkins, Carl Adkins, Wyatt Adkins, Carl Edward Adkins, Chip Adkins, Jeff Teague and Larry Napier. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Hester, Johnny Thornton, Gary Gunderman, Mickey Spillers, Chris Wallace and Butch Drake.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN or to the “Lads To Leaders” program at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville. The family wishes to express their heart felt thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice, especially Sharon McGee and Ann Lovett. A special thank you to his church family.
