Bess Adkins

Bess Leora Adkins, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed February 25, 2015 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 102.

Bess was born April 12, 1912 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles D. Harris and Clara V. Replogle. She received her education in the Blackwell Schools. She was married to Henry H. Adkins on May 1, 1933 in Ponca City. She was a longtime member of Sunset Baptist Church where she was active in the Sunset Saints Senior Choir, Vacation Bible School and numerous mission trips. She also had been a member of the Ponca City Gardenia Club and had dealt in antiques. Her enjoyments were the flea market and helping with meals on wheels.

She is survived by her five children, Bob Adkins and wife Freda, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ron Adkins and wife Pat, of Ponca City, Lenora Farr and husband Chet, of Green Valley, Arizona, Mary Ann Mitchell and husband Bill, of Ponca City and Richard Adkins and wife Pat, of Ponca City; two sisters, Doris Lamkin of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Sue Ellis and husband Bob, of San Bernardino, California; brother-in-law Mel Curtis of Palm Springs, California; sister-in-law Donna Harris Wright, of Mustang, Oklahoma; grandson-in-law Jim Sunderland of Vadalia, Ohio.

17 grandchildren, Debbie Krueger and husband Charlie, Steven Keller and wife Penny, Sherri Coutre' and husband Rick, Debra Griffith and husband Eddie, Laura Allen, Shelly Jobe and husband Chris, Rhonda Butterfield Case, Dana Northcutt and husband Shawn, Buddy Tate and wife Glenda, Bret Adkins and wife Marianne, Stacy Hall and husband Dale, Cammy Draper and husband Randy, Michele Owens and husband Steve, Liz Bannister and husband Larry, Coy Butterfield and Michael Adkins; 38 great grandchildren and 40 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Henry; one daughter, Shirley Keller; son-in-law Steve Keller; siblings and spouses, Glenn Harris and wife Pauline, Opal Tannehill and husband Ted, Vernon Harris and wife Twila, Don Harris and wife Bueford, Helen Curtis, Jack Harris and wife Nadene, Phyllis Parker and husband Frank, Jimmy Harris and one infant sister; and brother-in-law Clifford Lamkin; and granddaughter Cindy Sunderland and great grandson Jared Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Sunset Baptist Church with Pastor Matt Brown presiding. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers are Michael Adkins, Brett Adkins, Steven Keller, Trevor Davis, Garret Draper, and Steve Owens. Honorary casket bearers are Kenneth Love, Pat Bunney, Arlie Edge, and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sunset Baptist Church, General Fund, 915 Greenwood Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or to the charity of choice.