Bethany, West Virginia lost one of her best citizens yesterday as Lynn Adkins died after a several year battle with cancer. She was a devoted teacher, mother, social worker, and wife, and I knew her my entire life. I grew up with her children, I was very attached to her former husband as a teen (he was a wonderful man), and when I was entering a troubled stage of my teen years, Lynn was there to help give my parents advice. It is no exaggeration to state that Lynn Adkins helped save my sister’s life years ago, when she went through what I will simply describe as a personal crisis. Lynn was there to help her, and they remained close friends until the very end. My parents loved Lynn, and she and her husband were members of a circle of friends who did everything together.
This is a very sad day, and my thoughts are with her family.
PurpleGirl
A moving tribute. I hope her family finds comfort in tributes from friends such as yourself.
wvng
I’m so sorry for your family’s and community’s loss. But it sounds like her’s was a life to celebrate.
Athenae
I’m so sorry for your loss.
A.
JL
John, She sounded like such a special person and I’m sorry for your and her families loss. It seems as though her legacy will live on. Thank you also for the link for the obituary of her spouse also.
demkat620
I am sorry for your loss, John. Peace be with you.
Cat Lady
That’s so sad John. I’m sorry. Cancer sucks.
gnomedad
So sorry, John.
Chuck Butcher
I am glad she lived a life to be celebrated and I am sorry for your loss.
Leelee for Obama
So sorry that you’ve lost someone you cared so very much for. I hope you and yours and her family can find comfort in the life she had. There must be many people whose lives she touched that will remember her with love.
jetan
God bless you, her family, and all whose lives were touched.
aimai
She, and her husband, sound like incredible people. For all the public talk about "values" and "communities" when it comes right down to it we don’t often get a chance to really celebrate the source of those values and that community in our lives–the individual, caring acts of a few people who put themselves out for their friends, neighbors, and family. These are our national treasures. We are the richer for their lives, and the poorer for their passing.
aimai
DougJ
Sorry to hear this, John.
donovong
Sorry for your loss, John. My condolences.
** Atanarjuat **
She sounds like a wonderful human being who enriched the lives of everyone she came in contact with.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Mr. Cole. You have my condolences.
-A
John O
Sounds like she was a gem of a human being, John.
I’m sorry for the loss to so many.
Svensker
So sorry, John.
smiley
Condolences to you, your family, and the Adkins family
SomeCallMeTim
My sympathies, John.
John Cole
She was a good person. I feel really bad for her husband and her kids and all of her really close friends. My father is devastated.
CaseyL
I’m so sorry. She sounds like an amazing person, the kind who makes you feel blessed for having known them.
Libby
How sad. My condolences to all.
Calming Influence
Condolences, John.
Years ago I started making contributions to the American Cancer Society in memory of family and friends who were victims of cancer; then I added to the list donations for family and friends who had battled cancer and won; now I include friends of friends.
The contributions are necessarily small, because sad reminders like this come all too frequently. But giving makes me feel that I can be a small part of the happier outcomes as well, and that although we may lose battles we can win this war.
So here’s to Lynn Adkins.
Tsulagi
Sorry to hear that. Those are the kind of people that add the sweet icing to life. Sometimes the cake too.
eponymous
John,
My condolences…
AhabTRuler
Yesterday, I went to the viewing for my friend’s father, who also died of cancer.
Condolences. To both families.
Church Lady
Condolences to you and your family for the loss of a very special friend.
AnneW
I am so sorry.
sus
I’m sorry for your loss John. It sounds as though she touched many lives.
My sister and brother-in-law are Bethany alumnus. I have forwarded your link.
benjoya
condolences, john. thanks for sharing this with us.
R-Jud
My condolences to you, John, and to everyone who is affected by her passing. Sounds like every life she came in to was left enriched.
RJ
Ned R.
Adding to the condolences and well wishes. People like that are truly rare gems.
Zuzu's Petals
So very sorry to hear about your loss, John.
But just from what we know of you from this blog, and from what you’ve written about your family … she must have felt very fortunate in her friends.
MarkusB
My condolences, John.
Brachiator
A very moving remembrance. Thank you, John, for making me aware of Lynn Adkins, her life, and her family.
Jackie
It is good to be reminded that there are so many ripples to kindness and good deeds. I’m sorry for the loss of a good woman and happy to celebrate the good she did.
binzinerator
John, sorry to hear this. My condolences.
Jill
John, my condolences to you and your family.Despite her unfortunate death, by sharing this story you are ensuring Lynn Adkins’ goodness continues to touch and help others. She will be long, and well, remembered. Thank you for your generosity.
Bad Horse's Filly
A moving tribute John. I am so sorry for your loss. Words are hollow comfort during times like these, but I bet if you sit quietly for a moment, you’ll feel all of the love flowing from your BJ minions. Like a giant internet hug.
lilysmom
My condolences, John.
God bless
-Donna
Robertdsc-iphone
My condolences, John.
Lupita N
Very sorry to hear of your loss, John. It’s good to be reminded how many good people there are in the world.
passerby
A sad day indeed.
Well done Lynn Adkins. RIP.
Comrade Nikolita
RIP. I’m sorry for your loss and her family’s loss. :(
Batocchio
Condolences. A good remembrance.