Wade Adkins

Lewis Wade Adkins, age 91, died on Friday, November 04, 2011, at Stanly Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m until 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2011, at Salem United Methodist Church with a 30 minute state prior to the service. The Rev. Jacquelin Tookey will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Stanly County DAV Chapter 12. The family meeting place will be his home. Born February 5, 1920, in Stanly County to the late James Lewis and Ella Lucinda Belk Adkins, Mr. Adkins is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Nancy Hatley Adkins of the home; three sons, Lewis Wade “Butch” Adkins, Jr. of Tega Cay, SC, Joseph Jordan Adkins of Badin, NC, and James Bradley Adkins of Clemmons, NC; one daughter, Margaret Ann Adkins of Greensboro, NC; eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by two brothers, William Robert “Bill” and J. D. Adkins; two sisters, Bunea McClannahan and Ruby Wells. Mr. Adkins started working at age 12 and retired at age 85. Growing up he went to Badin School, played football and baseball, and was a boy scout and later a cub master. He worked as a drug store soda jerk, as a grocery store and café worker, and caddied at Badin Golf Club. He attended Brevard College. He worked at Alcoa in Badin in the accounting department, owned and operated two different grocery stores, had his broker’s license and sold real estate, coached a little boys’ baseball team, and played the first trumpet in the Badin town band. He retired from the Stanly County Schools as a bus driver and custodian. Mr. Adkins loved every job he ever had. He loved his family, friends, animals, golf, and gardening. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly, 961 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the family.