Melvin Adkins Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 13, 2006.
Melvin J. "Mel" Adkins, 79, of Magnolia, AR passed away February 13, 2006 in the home.
He was born in Athens, LA on February 28, 1926 to the late Milam and Mary Adkins.
He entered the United States Navy in January 1943. He received training in San Diego, California before going overseas in July 1944. Melvin was awarded three Battle Stars while serving in Siapan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He concluded his service to his country in February 1946. After leaving the military he returned home and started work for Hiwan Plant in Atlanta, Arkansas. After five years, he began a career with Chicago Bridge and Iron for the next 20 years. Thirteen of those years were spent overseas in Venezuela, Argentina, Panama, El Salvador, Aruba-Dutch West Indies, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-West Indies, Jamaica-West Indies, Suraname, St. Croix-Virgin Islands and Thailand, and for the US government in Italy, Philippines, and New Zealand. Once he left Chicago Bridge and Iron he returned home and spent the next 20 years working for Ethel.
Following his stroke he worked for three years for Jeemes Bayou. He was a 32nd Mason and was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church. He was an avid gardener and took great pride in his yard.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son Jerry Mack Adkins and two brothers, Prather and Donald Adkins.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat Adkins of Magnolia, AR; one son, Johnny Adkins and one daughter, Elizabeth Jane Roberson and husband Will both of Magnolia, AR; a daughter-in-law, Judy Adkins of Pensacola, Florida; sister, Francis Lyle and husband Claude of Little Rock, AR; Brother Ted Adkins and wife Marge of Bay Springs Mississippi; Ten grandchildren, Amanda Mosley and fiancé Shawn Blackford of Haughton, LA, Rickey and Dallas Mosley, and Lance and Shannon Mosley of Longview, TX; Mark and Maryann Mosley and Brandy Mosley, Josh and Crystal Adkins Owen all of Magnolia, AR, Eugene and Amy Adkins Lynch of Phoenix, Arizona, David and Molly Adkins O'Connor, Stoker and Taryn Adkins, and Hannah Adkins all of Pensacola, Florida. Twelve great- grandchildren, Wesley, Bailey, Kaliee, Megan and Malorie of Longview, TX, James and Patrick of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jacelyn, Jorden, and McKenna of Pensacola, Florida, Joshua Mac and Drillen of Magnolia, AR and many nieces and nephews, also a dear friend Jeanna Thomason.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 10:30am at Lewis Chapel. Bro. Ron Blagrave will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Magnolia, 1707 B East Ridge Drive, Magnolia, AR, 71753 or Mt. Zion Publications, 2603 West Wright, Pensacola, Florida, 32505. Visitation will be at Lewis Funeral Home Wednesday, February 15, 2006 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
Active pallbearers will be Rickey, Lance, Mark and Wesley Mosley, Stoker Adkins and William Roberson. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandchildren.