WARD NOBLE ADKINS, SR., passed away on Tuesday, the 12th of November 2013. He was born on Christmas Day, 1914, to Grace Blair Noble Adkins (granddaughter of Houston Mayor Irvin Capers Lord) and Elbert Everett Adkins, Sr. (a native of Ripley, Ohio). Ward graduated from San Jacinto High School and Rice University, where he was a varsity cheerleader. Ward was a 36 year employee in Exxon’s accounting department, working with early versions of computers. During his retirement, he kept busy in a variety of business and community activities, and enjoyed tennis and travel with his family and friends.
Known for his positive outlook and enthusiasm for life, Ward lived almost 99 years in Houston. He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Ann Schumacher Adkins; his sister, Mariann Adkins Kitchel; his brother, Elbert Everett Adkins, Jr.; his sisters-in-law, Henrietta Cargill Adkins and Barbara Sheddon Adkins; and his brothers-in-law, Frank Blair Lander and George Behrman Kitchel. Ward is survived by his two sons and their families: Ward Noble Adkins, Jr., and his wife Kathleen Henderson Adkins, and their children, Katy Brogdon Davis and Sarah Heep Davis; and John August Adkins and his wife, Cynthia Johnson Adkins, and their children, Alice Bintliff Colvin; Richard Burleson Colvin, Jr., and his wife, Pilar Psenda Colvin, and their daughters, Finley Marie Colvin and Kennedy Elaine Colvin; Elizabeth Ann Adkins; and John August Adkins, Jr. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Schumacher Lander, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Ward was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a charter member and former vestryman of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church; a longtime member of the Colonneh Club; and an active participant in the San Jacinto High School Alumni Association. Ward also served on several residents’ committees at the Hallmark Retirement Community, where he and Ann had lived since 1996.
The Adkins family wishes to express its deep appreciation to Ward’s many friends, physicians, and caregivers for their steadfast support during Ward’s recent illness. Special thanks go to Carla Jackson’s nursing team, including Bridget McCray, LaShonda Mouton, Phoebe Banks, and Dorothy Ford.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Colonneh Club.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 17th of November, 2013, in the Community Room of the Hallmark Retirement Community, 4718 Hallmark in Houston.
A Memorial Service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 18th of November, 2013, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, with the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., officiating and the Rev. Martin J. Bastian assisting. Immediately following, the Adkins family will greet Ward’s friends during a reception to be held in Bagby Parish Hall.
Prior to the Memorial Service, the family will have gathered for a private interment service at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, where Military Honors will be rendered.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Ann S. Adkins Scholarship in German-Texas History, Attn: Development, UT College of Liberal Arts, 116 Inner Campus Dr., G6300, Austin, TX, 78712; the Colonneh Club Scholarship at Rice University, Resource Development, Rice University, MS-81, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX, 77251; or the charity of one’s choice.
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