Loretta Alfrey "Nana" Adkins

Loretta Alfrey Adkins, known lovingly as Nana, passed into eternity on August 20, 2025, at the age of 94, in Lexington, Kentucky. Born in Ashland, Kentucky on May 6, 1931, Loretta's life was characterized by her faith, selflessness, and kindness, touching the lives of many in her community and beyond.
Loretta's early life was spent in the town of her birth, where she laid down roots and nurtured a growing family. She played the cherished roles of mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother with grace and devotion. Her two adoring children, Sheila Ann (Jackson) Speaks and Vicki Lynn Adkins, were the apple of her eye. Her legacy flourished through her four grandchildren, Kelli (Mike) Schneider, Todd (Marci) Speaks, Krista (Keith) Hampton, and Brandon Jessie; her five great-grandchildren, Talisha (Kolt) Blake, Lexi (Chase) Webb, Morgan Livingston, Megan Speaks and Katie Speaks; and her five great-great-grandchildren, Harmony Blake, Willow Blake, Stella Webb, Madelyn Webb, and Sterling Blake. Loretta also held close the numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who had the privilege to be part of her extended family.
Loretta was preceded in passing by her beloved husband, Jeff Adkins, Jr., her parents, Isaac Henry Alfrey and Roxie Ann Triplett Alfrey, her brothers, Virgil and Kenneth Alfrey, her sister Viola Alfrey, and her half sister, Vivian Alfrey. Her absence leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Professionally, Loretta spent years nurturing the home front as a dedicated homemaker before sharing her talents with the community at AB Shoes in Ashland. Her faith, a cornerstone of her being, shone brightly through her involvement with the Moore St. Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she was not only a member but actively participated in the Primetimers group, building strong fellowship ties.
Loretta's passions and hobbies were as rich and varied as the life she led. She was an avid seamstress, creating and mending with a skill and love that were immediately apparent in her work. Working crossword puzzles was a favorite pastime that kept her mind sharp and filled many pleasant hours. Her fervor for shopping was matched only by her love for gardening, where she found joy and serenity among the blooms and greenery. She was a wonderful cook. Our family always enjoyed gathering around her table and you never left her house hungry. The competitive spirit in her was evident in her past membership in a women's bowling league, where camaraderie and sportsmanship were always on full display.
In her passing, Loretta leaves behind a testimony of love, care, and community spirit that will continue to resonate through her family and all who were fortunate to cross her path. As she reunites with her departed loved ones, those here pay tribute to a life extraordinarily well-lived, one that saw the weaving of a tapestry rich with love, faith, and the gentle touch of a woman who was truly the heart of her family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 6:00 PM Monday August 25, 2025, by Pastor Krista Hampton at the River of Life Ministries, 616 Clintonville Rd., Paris, Ky. Burial will take place at 12:00 PM Tuesday August 26, 2025, at the Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, KY.
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM Monday August 25, 2025, until the hour of service at the church.
Pallbearers will be Keith Hampton, Chase Webb, Kolt Blake, Brandon Jessie and Mike Schneider.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY. The online guestbook is at www.Lusk-McFarland.comand a 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 859-987-4387.