Mary Ann Adkins

1927 - 2008

BORN

1927

DIED

2008

Mary Adkins Obituary

Mary Ann Adkins, 81, of Bedford, Va., found peace and went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 19, 2008, following declining health at her residence. She was born August 5, 1927, to the late Charlie and Ella English. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Norwood English. Surviving are her husband of 60 years, William Talmage Adkins; three daughters, Bonnie Belcher (Preston), Betty Hodges (David), Vickie Prillaman (Ricky); one sister, Nannie Kate Reynolds; one brother, Page English and wife, Shelba; grandchildren, Cheryl Grindstaff (Todd), Tracy Wilkerson (Scott), P.O. Belcher Jr., Eric Prillaman; six greatgrandchildren. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Forrest Hill Christian Church, Snow Creek Rescue Squad or to Carilion Hospice of Franklin County. Funeral services will be conducted from Forrest Hill Christian Church 2 p.m. Monday with Minister Ted Clifton and Chaplain Rick Poland officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Her family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Forrest Hill Christian Church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, 665 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, Va.

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Published by Roanoke Times from Sep. 21 to Sep. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Adkins

3 Entries

LaVerne,Euell & Kelly Moran

September 21, 2008

Betty, Bonnie, Vickie, Talmage and all the family, I was so sorry to hear about Mary Ann. She was a wonderful lady, neighbor and friend! She will be greatly missed. As I was thinking of her today I thought of this story and wanted to send it to you becasue the best is happening to her right now! Just think how many friends and family she is rejoicing with right now. The feeling she must have had as she came face to face with God and he took her hand and led her home! She will be greatly missed! May God give you all the strength you need to make it through the days ahead. May he give you peace!

KEEP YOUR FORK
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been
given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she
contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of
her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what
scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The
woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in
order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered
something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman
continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood
looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you,
doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,"
said the pastor. The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church
socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main
course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep
your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was
coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something
wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in the
casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, "What's with the fork?"
Then, I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork....The best is yet to come". The
pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He
knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But
he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW
that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the
woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite
Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the
question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his
message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman
shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it
symbolized to her.

let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.