ELBERON—John A. Adkins, 89, died Nov. 5, 2007, at Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk.

Mr. Adkins was born in Stuart, Va., on Sept.15, 1918. He was the son of the late Charles Reed Adkins and Mollie Walker Adkins.

He proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy.

He had retired as a self-employed heavy equipment operator and had lived in Surry County since 1955.

He was a member of Surry Hunt Club for many years.

Until his eyesight failed him, he had the prettiest and most bountiful garden in Surry County.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Alpha Conway Adkins; two daughters, Linda A. Emory and husband Lawrence of Elberon and Vickie Sue Jones and husband Harold of Surry; two sons, W. Lee Adkins and wife Kathryn of Lynchburg and Roger Lane Adkins and wife Nora of Smithfield; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Lawrence W. Emory Jr.; his two brothers, Lowell R. Adkins and E. Burton Adkins; and a step-granddaughter, Ella Wells, 3.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Moore’s Swamp Baptist Church, Elberon, with the Revs. Danny R. Blalock and Jim Wells officiating.

Interment with military rites will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Purviance Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield.

Memorial donations may be made to the Surry Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 188, Surry, Virginia

23883.

The Purviance Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be posted on our website at www.jtmorriss.com