Margaret K. Adkins Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Margaret K. Adkins 93 of Ashland KY died Sunday August 24, 2014 at Kingsbrook Life Care Center. She was born June 16, 1921 in Denton KY the daughter of the late Charles and Jessie Lunsford Branham. She was also preceded in death by her husband Frank L. Adkins, two sisters Ruby Bruce and Helen Beam, four brothers Frank Branham, Jim Branham, Carl Branham and Joseph Branham. Margaret was truly gracious and epitomizes the very essence of what it meant to be a lady. She served as an inspiration and an example to all who knew her, and many who never had the opportunity to meet her. After a courtship that began with their first date at the Paramount Theater, Margaret married Frank Adkins in 1940 in Chicago IL. She joined Frank in the Ohio Valley Candy business. Working side by side with her husband, Margaret showed a keen business sense and together they became very successful, forming a huge multi-state franchise of Snyder’s of Berlin potato chips. During this time, Margaret and Frank formed a life-long friendship with Mr. & Mrs. Jim Tweel, as they opened Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House in Huntington. Margaret had a zest for life that was unequaled. Many were surprised to know that she was a licensed airline pilot for many years and would fly off on the spur of the moment with Frank to big cities for dinner shows. She also loved to shop, and it gave her great joy to buy gifts for friends and family. She found pleasure in ordering gourmet food and coffees and eating out in all the area restaurants. She was a member of the Bellefonte Country Club and enjoyed entertaining friends and family there, just a short distance from her home. Local farmers found a friend in her as she was known for visiting their farms and orchards and sharing the bounty she would find there. Always regal in demeanor, she was known for riding around town, driven by her loyal friend Phil Wurts (who had worked for her since age 17), in her beautiful Cadillacs. Margaret loved holidays and the Christmas Decorations at her house, a contribution in itself to the community, will be missed by the local children and adults as well. In addition to her long time residence in Bellefonte, she enjoyed having a second home in the Ft. Lauderdale area of Florida for many years. Margaret leaves a legacy that will live for years to come through the many organizations and charities that she supported. Through her philanthropy, untold numbers of people will continue to enjoy the arts, entertainment, medical treatment, social service support, and other benefits through entities that she supported. Margaret’s gifts bridged the gap for Ashland and Tri-State charities when Ashland Inc. moved to Covington. Organizations she supported included Winter Wonderland of Lights, Summer Motion, Poage Landing Days, Highland Museum and Discovery Center, Stephen Salyers Sounds of Christmas benefit for children, Safe Harbor, Ashland Area Youth Ballet-Ashland Regional Dance Theatre, Miss Kentucky Scholarship Fund, Miss Flame of Catlettsburg, Miss Ashland Area Teen and Queen, Catlettsburg Annual Labor Day Celebration-George Jones concerts-floodwall murals, Kings Daughters Medical Center’s Foundation, Our Lady Bellefonte Hospital Foundation, Cat Rescue and Animal Causes, WV Public Television, Kentucky Educational Television, CARES, Hope’s Place, CASA, Ronald McDonald House, Shelter of Hope, American Cancer Society, Raceland Church of God and United Way. There are countless others, including the Paramount Arts Center where Margaret regularly sponsored performances, supported youth programming and which is home to the Frank and Margaret Adkins Concert Stage, so named after she donated the funds necessary to construct a beautiful orchestra shell. Margaret also delighted in retelling her experience in getting to meet Evel Knievel when she sponsored him in a local performance. A Kentucky Colonel and a Kentucky Admiral she received numerous awards and accolades from Senators and Representatives along with Congressmen and even Presidents. Truly, Margaret Adkins was first class. She loved life and loved being with people. She once said that she had no regrets, that she had lived the life she wanted to live. What an incredible life it was. She will be missed by many. Survivors include two sisters Betty Wenzloff of St. Clair Shores MI and Georgia Sego of Tarpon Springs FL, two brothers Gary Lee (Nancy) Branham of Ashland KY and Robert H. (Rose) Branham of Rush KY, special friend Phillip Wurts of Ashland KY and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Thursday August 28, 2014 at Miller Funeral Home by Brother Earl Hazel and Chuck Charles. Burial will follow at Ashland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. The family would like to give special thanks to caregivers Belva Jarvis, Sabrina Holbrook, Beverly Martin, Regina Stamper and Shirlene Hardwick. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 3229 Burnet Ave Cincinnati OH 45229 or Community Hospice 1480 Carter Ave. Ashland KY 41101. Online condolences can be made at www.mfhfuneralhome.com

Margaret K. Adkins

June 16, 1921 - August 24, 2014