Pastor Barry M. Adkins, 73, of the Irish Ridge Road Community in Tunnelton, went on to his eternal reward with Jesus on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born on Dec. 22, 1949, in Hamlin, Lincoln County, a son of the late George H. and Sara Gladys Dollen Adkins.
After graduating from Terra Alta High School in 1967, he went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force at Grand Forks AFB, ND (SAC). After a six-year break, he decided to “try one” in the Guard and served seven years in SVC Battery, 1/201st Field Artillery. Barry then joined the Military Academy which later became the Regional Training Institute from June 1985 until he retired from the U.S. Army National Guard in 2004 as Master Sergeant, serving as Personnel Sergeant and Operations Sergeant.
Barry went on to pastor three churches in Clifton Mills, Hazelton, and Shady Grove for 15 years and retired in 2019. He was very active in providing pulpit supply to many churches in several counties of West Virginia and Maryland and filling in as needed. He was a life member of the West Virginia National Guard Enlisted Association and the 1/201st Infantry/Artillery Association. He also drove ambulance for the Bruceton Community Ambulance and KAMP Central Ambulance where he also served on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Folks who knew Barry, also knew how much he loved riding his Harley-Davidson Motorcycle and Connie Sue’s Can-Am Spyder. He was a member of the Christian Motorcyclist’s Association since 1997 and thoroughly believed in winning bikers for Christ. He served several terms as Chaplin for the local Victory Riders #1189 chapter. He was an avid WVU Mountaineer fan and was well known for despising “that school up north” (Pitt)! Barry was a member of the Mill Chapel United Brethren in Christ Church and served on the Board of Directors. He was very much a conservative and held to strict Biblical morals. He dearly loved his Lord Jesus and his heart’s desire was to win souls for Christ based upon living a life of love, caring, and compassion.
Barry is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Connie Sue Hawley Adkins; a son, Brandon Adkins and wife Stacey of Mechanicsville, Md.; a daughter, Shana Adkins of Morgantown; two stepchildren whom he claimed as his own, Bill Greaser of Newburg, and Tammy Thiel and husband Eugene of Kingwood; a brother, Larry Adkins of Sissonville; eight grandchildren, Tyler Adkins, Trent Adkins, Taylor Adkins, Delaney Nine, Steven Thiel, Christopher Thiel, Justin Thiel, and Curtis Zuchowski.
He loved telling folks that it wasn’t so bad being a great-grandpap to eight great-grandchildren, it was realizing that he was sleeping with a great-grandma.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a foster sister, Shannon Stafford; sister-in-law, Mary Adkins; and two nephews, Timmy McClanahan and Matthew Adkins.
Friends may call at the Mill Chapel United Brethren in Christ Church, 6732 Kingwood Pike, Reedsville, WV 26547, from 2-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, and on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. time of service with Pastor David Kisamore officiating. A private committal service will be held at the West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton, with the Preston County Honor Guard and WVANG Honor Guard providing full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please put your dollars to good use by contributing to Mill Chapel UBC., 6732 Kingwood Pike, Reedsville, WV 26547.
Condolences:
www.fieldfuneralhome.com
