Louise Adkins

Louise Adkins was born to Lee Harvey and Rosie Harvey December 16, 1933 in Bolivar, Tennessee. She was raised by her paternal grandparents, James and Mary Ann Harvey, until the age of ten. She attended grade school and enjoyed the rich culture of her southern roots and country living until her family migrated to Michigan.

In 1951, Louise graduated from Benton Harbor High School. After high school, she worked as a secretary for Attorney Robert Bryant, the first black lawyer in Benton Harbor, while attending Lake Michigan College. She also worked for Bell Telephone Company and Whirlpool Corporation before retiring. Louise had a great passion for reading, especially black history, and served as the first black member on the Benton Harbor Library Board. She also served for many years as the Black History Month chairperson at Second Baptist Church.

Louise was united in holy wedlock to Rev. Donald B. Adkins in 1953. Later, when her husband was called into the ministry, she embraced the role of First Lady and worked diligently in the church and the community. She also found great pleasure in traveling with her husband to the district and state Baptist conventions. Her love for God was evidenced by her compassion, kind heart, and loving spirit.

Her hobbies included being a gifted seamstress, often making clothes for her husband and children; frequenting garage sales and thrift stores; refinishing and upholstering antique furniture, even before it was the popular thing to do. Louise also enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean Islands to attend her sons, Sinbad and Mark, music festivals.

Louise and her husband are the parents of six children. She worked tirelessly to help all of them aspire and to attain a higher education; each of them going on to exceed her and her husband's every expectation.

Louise's heart and mind was always in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Due to illness however, in 2001, she and her husband moved to California to be closer to family. Louise believed the words of the Apostle Paul, "In whatsoever state I am in, Lord help me to be centered." Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 which reads, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."

Louise Adkins was a woman of abundant grace, strength, and love. She lived a life that exemplified perseverant hope. This spirit is reflected through one of her favorite quotes, "You had nothing to do with where you come from, but you can determine, somewhat, where you are going."

She leaves to celebrate her home going, her children, Michael, David (Sinbad) and his wife Meredith, Donald Jr., Mark, Dorothea and Donna and her husband Maurice Eldridge; her five grandchildren Paige, Royce, Rachael, Dylan and Savannah; three great grandchildren, Victoria, Nathan, Jada and Cyncere; two brothers Rev. Lee Harvey and Nick Neely; three sisters Rose and her husband Timothy Lucas, Emma Jean Hurd and Virginia; Godchildren Karen Posey, Donna Louise Byrd, Valarie Anderson and Cynthia Keller; spiritual children Rev. Kenneth and Jerri Gavin; four nieces, Imani, Kamari, Freda, and Valerie; and a host of cousins, family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a sister and favorite cousin Lula Featherstone.