Bobby Joe Adkins, age 90, passed away Thursday evening, December 2, 2021, in his Jackson, Tennessee home with his loving wife by his side.
Bobby was born in Dyersburg, TN to the parents of Jodie and Alice Almedia Adkins. Bobby married the love of his life Geraldine “Geri” Holt Adkins in 1950 and together they raised three daughters, Pamela, Debra, and Kimberly.
Bobby brought a division of Hart’s Bakery to Jackson, TN that he managed for 19 years. He then became a Field Representative with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance for 12 years. After retiring, Bobby helped to make his Geri’s dream come true by building, owning and operating Little Lambs and Ivey Learning Center of Jackson, TN. Bobby and Geri enjoyed building many homes together throughout their 72 years together.
Bobby’s dedication to God and his family will forever live on through the legacy that he leaves behind by everyone who’s life he touched. He was known for the love story that he shared with his bride and was known as daddy to his girls, dad to his son-in-laws, Daddy Bob to his grandchildren (and their friends), great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was called brother and friend by many, and Mr. Bobby from those who were students, parents, and teachers of Little Lambs and Ivey Learning Center. Bobby was known for his unbelievable strength, determination, and his many, many, talents. He never met a stranger.
The family wants to thank Bobby’s Hospice Nurse Cindy, the Hospice Chaplain Dennis and the other members of the hospice team, as well as Dr. Phillip Jett and the Arrington Funeral Directors Family for their outstanding care, compassion, empathy, and love.
Bobby is survived by his loving wife Geraldine, his three daughters and husbands, and their families of nine grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Daughter Pamela Adkins (Charles E.) Robertson’s family which is Kevin, Shannon, Bretton and Lindsay Robertson, Trevor, Kelly, Grace Robertson Stanford, Chase Stanford, Emerson Kate Stanford, Hannah Robertson, Dakota, Porter, Brandon, Nikki, Michelle, Megan Robertson, Clint, Crisi, and Breanna McDavid; daughter Debra Adkins (John W.) Moss’s family which is Tamika, John, Jordan Vance, Robbie, Carolyn, Quinton, Brandy, Mark, Kaylen, Conner Ahlquist, Jessica, Lance, Kemper Willis, Ashley, Scott, Aiden, and Brennan Smith; and daughter Kimberly Adkins (Pastor Walter “Leon”) White’s family, which is Kontonya Galloway, Martin Stanfill, Kasey, Elyse, Grant, and Madison Galloway.
Bobby is also survived by one sister, Lila Adkins Hoback, and many nieces and nephews of his brothers and sister. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Halbert Adkins, James R. Adkins and Jimmy Adkins; paternal grandparents, William Houston and Hannah B. Adkins; maternal grandparents, James E. Anderson and Maude Anderson, and one great- grandchild, Michael Shane Robertson, plus many uncles and aunts.
Pallbearers for Bobby are grandsons Kevin Robertson, Kasey Galloway, Trevor Robertson, Brandon Robertson, Mark Ahlquist, and great-grandsons Conner Ahlquist, Grant Galloway, and Martin Stanfill.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 535 Alabama Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at rmhc-memphis.org, or to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 294, Memphis, TN 38101 or online at lebonheur.org.
SERVICES: The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 P.M. with Dr. Philip Jett of Englewood Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, 731-668-1111
Jackson, TN 38305
www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com