Helen Jean Adkins

Helen Jean Adkins, 84 of Stafford, VA and Marmet, WV passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Stafford Hospital Center. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ralph “Miami” Adkins Sr. and daughter, Tammie Lynn Adkins. They were married for 38 years at the time of his death. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Ralph Adkins Jr. and his wife Karen Lockhart Adkins of Hampton Roads Virginia. Their daughter Megan Dawn Ervin and her husband Jacob of Newport News, Virginia. Her daughter, Patty Adkins Montgomery and her husband Dale of Stafford, Virginia along with their son Nathaniel Montgomery and his wife Sara Headley Montgomery of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Nathaniel and Sara have a daughter Camryn aka “the little girl”. Patsy Lynn Adkins of Marmet, WV and Stafford, Virginia. Her parents were Pasquale “Pap” Burgess of Polestina, Italy and Hattie Lore Burgess of Jellico Tennessee. She was the youngest of eleven children. Five boys and six girls. Frank, Mary, Ruby, Ida Mae (Ottie), George (Dorty), Carmen (Pete), Ernestine, Frances, Patsy Jr. (Junior) Arnold (Nick), and finally Helen Jean. From these eleven children there were 39 grandchildren and over 50 great-grandchildren. Helen was known for her wicked sense of humor and love of children. Her kitchen walls were cover with art work from children all over the neighborhood. They brought their artwork to our mother because they knew she would hang it up and leave it up for all to enjoy. It became an art museum that many loved and commented on. She could not stand the thought that anyone would ever go hungry and feed everyone. Many times, fans of her cooking offered to put up the funds to open a restaurant for her. She always refused saying it was to much work. Plus, she told them they came over and ate at her house enough they didn’t have to make her cook anymore than she already did. She loved old movies and music, but her love of reading was her greatest passion. A passion that she passed onto her children and grandchildren. She always told everyone to make good memories that it was something they would always have with them. When her memories started to fade it made her so sad, but she never lost her love of watching WVU play football but really loved basketball season. Go Mountaineers. She loved flowers and had a yard full of flowers where she would hide animal figures for children to find. Life like bunnies and ducks along with cats and dogs. Parents and grandparents said that the little ones in the neighborhood would ask to please go to see Helen’s flowers, so they could see if she had added any wild life to her gardens. She also took care of real wild life. Living at the end of the street, her house overlooked the Kanawha river. Ducks and geese would peck at her back door to let her know that it was time to feed them. Many people sadly would come to the end of the street to abandon animals. It broke her heart that they were miss treated so she took care of them as well. She loved her children, but she really loved her grandchildren. She spoiled them and let them get away with so many things their parents didn’t. But her love for her great-granddaughter was completely over the top. They became best friends and spent many hours having tea parties, drawing, writing books and getting into trouble together. She will be buried along with the love of her life (Miami) at Arlington National Cemetery. So whenever you see a WV bus, smile and think of Miami and Helen out for another of their adventures. Because of her love of reading, in lieu of flowers memorials may be sent in her name to Kanawha County Library or Stafford County Library. Online condolences may be sent at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com