Obituary

Earlene Marie Taylor Adkins
(December 5, 1937 - September 23, 2018)

Earlene Marie Taylor Adkins, 80, went to be with God on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Cleveland Clinic. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother (GiGi) and friend. She was born December 5, 1937 in Huntington, WV. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Opal Marie Ferguson Taylor of Huntington, WV; two siblings, Charles Taylor of Ohio and Sue Benedicto of Florida, and one son, Aaron Taylor Adkins of Huntington, WV. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Neal Gordon Adkins, Sr. This does not include the nine years they took making up her mind. She is also survived by three children, Melissa and Michael Newman of Huntington, WV, Sarah and Joshua Harless of Barboursville, WV, and Neal and Dr. Mary Adkins of Baltimore, MD. She is going to be dearly missed by her eight grandchildren, Taylor Adkins, Ashlee Dailey, Steven Newman, Aaron, Gentry, and Katelynn Harless, and Grace and Lily Adkins. She also leaves behind a very special nephew, Derek Benedicto, as well as many other nieces and nephews. Earlene grew up in Guyandotte. She played the organ and piano in her childhood church. She graduated from Huntington East High School in 1955. She attended Marshall University earning degrees in elementary education and Social Studies. She also received two master's degrees from Marshall University in Special Education and Administration. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators for over 50 years. She was a retired educator and special education supervisor in the Cabell County School System for over 35 years. She was instrumental in bringing special education to Cabell County where she was an advocate for the inclusion and opportunities for children of all capabilities and backgrounds. She loved her job, the students, parents, and the teachers she worked with. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Church for over 50 years. She was a proud supporter of every success by her children and grandchildren, happily retelling stories of sports achievements, school grades, and important moments. Earlene had many hobbies. She painted, made stained glass, wove baskets, scrapbooked, antique hunted and played piano. Her favorite hobbies were reading and shopping, where she found every opportunity to hunt down a bargain. Earlene loved the beach. She would walk for hours shelling. She loved the feel of the sand on her feet. Earlene taught many people many things. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. We know that she is now on a heavenly beach, searching for shells, reading a book, and with her feet in the sand. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Wallace Funeral Home in Barboursville, WV. Services will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Wallace Funeral Home and will be officiated by Pastor Kerry Bart from First United Methodist Church in Barboursville, WV. Burial will be at Enon Cemetery in Salt Rock, WV.