Gregory Lee Adkins

Greg was born the first of five brothers to Ruth Ellcessor Adkins and Roy Lee Adkins of South Point, Ohio.

At age 13, Greg faced the sudden loss of his father, Roy. At the funeral, he overheard a well-meaning woman console the family by calling the death “God’s plan.” Even then, Greg felt a deep disquiet with such reasoning—a discomfort that would shape his life’s work. Wrestling with and against this perspective became a cornerstone of his pastoral, theological, and moral calling.

Greg attended boarding school in Kentucky at Mt. Carmel High School and the Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute. He first met Denise Lucille Salter during his junior year when they were paired together to decorate the gymnasium for a school party. Over a later winter break at KMBI, with the Dean of Women's express permission, Greg mailed Denise a letter asking her on a “parlor date.” Her reply came before school resumed.

Their first date was a snowy Friday in January 1970. As they crossed campus, Denise slipped her arm through Greg’s, using the icy path as an excuse to draw close. She never let go. Greg and Denise were married on September 1, 1972.

Newly married, Greg earned his Bachelor of Arts from Asbury University (1973), his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (1977), and his Doctor of Ministry from Emory University (1987).

Greg spent his career as a clergyman with the United Methodist Church. In January 1977, he was first charged with three parishes in Brodnax, Virginia on a salary of $8,000 a year. In retellings of this period, Greg and Denise would claim that they felt rich together. To the eye rolls of their future children, they would say this without a hint of irony.

Greg faithfully served United Methodist congregations throughout Virginia over the course of his 38-year ministry. After his ordinations as a Deacon (1978) and as an Elder (1980), his appointments included Bethia UMC (1980–1983), Fairfax UMC (1983–1986), South Boston UMC (1986–1990), Raleigh Court UMC (1990–1995), Washington Street UMC (1995–2002), and Fairlington UMC (2004–2015). He further served two years as a Vice President of the Virginia United Methodist Homes (2002-2004).

It was in his final appointment—an 11-year tenure at Fairlington United Methodist Church—where Greg most fully found his pastoral voice. There, he led the congregation through a Reconciliation Discernment process that culminated in a public affirmation of full inclusion for LGBTQ+ people in the life, leadership, and sacraments of the church. Greg believed deeply that pastoral care must be rooted in human engagement, not in doctrinal edicts or institutional conformity. He met people where they were.

He challenged the Church’s tendency to distort the truth that all people are created in God's image by reprojecting that image narrowly in its own likeness – its members’ experiences, culture, and demographics - thus turning a universal truth into a tool of exclusion.

His theology rejected the idea of a deterministic or punitive God who orchestrates suffering. Greg never accepted the notion that God had "taken" his father. Instead, he embraced a certain kind of God revealed in the life and death of Jesus Christ—a God who stands with the suffering, walks beside the excluded and marginalized, and resists the bullying forces of self-righteousness. He affirmed that human freedom, natural law, and unpredictability are not evidence of God’s absence, but the very conditions in which grace and compassion become most visible.

In word and witness, Greg called the Church to do the same: to stand with those who have been silenced, to speak when silence is easier, and to love with a justice that reflects the inclusive heart of the Gospel.

Greg leaves behind two preacher’s kids to whom he did not preach. He invited them to explore the Great Mystery. He acknowledged the doubt of the most faithful. He did not make God simple to make the world less complex. He cut through the noise to show, by actions and words, that love and compassion is the whole point. They are immensely grateful for this understanding, his kindness, and the safe harbor of his presence.

While Greg did not frequently see his brothers, he spoke often of their lore and shared past. He carried the energy of their youth into adulthood, remaining active throughout his life. He could regularly be found playing basketball, swimming, running, and sharing pictures of his latest catch. He cherished simple pleasures, voraciously read and wrote, and enjoyed evenings walking or sitting by and on the water. His booming but melodic voice lives on in college a cappella and men’s quartet vinyl recordings – and in the memories of many that called him a friend.

Greg is preceded in death by Ruth Ellcessor Adkins, Roy Lee Adkins, and his little brother, Timmy Adkins.

Greg is survived by his wife, Denise Salter Adkins; his children, Lindsey Force and Kirk Adkins; his brothers, Jim Adkins, Jerry Adkins, and Donnie Adkins; his grandchildren, Jackson Force and Zoe Force; his son-in-law, Eric Force; his brother-in-law, Darius Salter; and sister-in-law, Darlene Luther.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14th at Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Virginia. A visitation will be held in the church sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. To join the service on Livestream, follow this link:

https://annandaleunitedmethodist.subspla.sh/f5znbyn

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.