Obituaries — 3/22/12

Published 9:38 am Thursday, March 22, 2012

Margaret Alice Bias Adkins, 87, of South Point, went peacefully to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 20, 2012. She passed away at home with her family by her bedside. Margaret will be greeted in Heaven by her late husband Kimball Barbour Adkins, whom she married in 1959. Margaret’s progeny includes a son, Barry Michael Adkins Sr. and his wife Tanna Lynne Adkins; three grandchildren, Heather Dawn Adkins, Barry M. Adkins Jr., and Aaron C. Adkins Sr., all of South Point. She also has three great grandchildren, Aaron Adkins Jr., a.k.a. Little Man, of South Point, and Barry Adkins III and Parker Reid Adkins, both of Ashland, Ky. Her grandchildren would like to say that they will always remember her fondly and that it will be an honor to carry on her legacy.

Margaret was born July 4, 1924, to the late Burl and Gracie Bias. She had two brothers, the late Norman Bias, a former employee of Cole Insurance, and the late West Virginia State Delegate Tennyson J. Bias, both from Huntington, W.Va. Margaret graduated from Marshall College. Her brother, Tennyson, later went on to help Marshall College be accredited with university status during his tenure as state delegate.

Margaret became a school teacher and taught faithfully for 35 years, teaching the subjects of typing, business and short hand. She began her career at Fort Gay, Vinson and Milton and finished her career at the former Huntington East High School. Margaret remained a faithful Huntington East Highlander and was also a very proud Marshall alumnus. She was pleased when her granddaughter also graduated from Marshall with a degree in English literature. Her granddaughter is honored to follow in Margaret’s footsteps.

After retiring from teaching, Margaret worked part-time for five years as a greeter at the Ashland Walmart. Margaret enjoyed her daily interactions with customers and the job brought her great joy. She was often recognized in the community by former students who had affectionate memories of her. She later went on to become the owner of Tri-State Realty & Rentals, Inc, and part owner of Bridgeview, Inc.

After she retired completely, Margaret remained active in the community and enjoyed an avid social life, regularly participating in games such as bridge, poker and bingo, while also playing fast-paced games of gin rummy with her grandchildren, which she almost always won. She also enjoyed taking social trips with her friends to the Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center in Nitro where she made a hobby of collecting souvenir beads.

In recognizing Margaret’s vivacious personality, joy for life, and elegance during her lifetime, her family respectfully acknowledges her admirable will to live, her grace, and the amazing display of strength she showed during the last months of her life. We would also like to thank her amazing primary caregiver Kelly Dawn Eldred of Chesapeake, who gave her compassionate care and was like an angel at her side. The family would also like to acknowledge Diana Petty of Ironton and the entire Hospice of Huntington family, including R.N. Becky Harless and staff.

The wonderful people at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, are taking care of Margaret’s arrangements. The viewing will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 513 10th St. and Fifth Avenue in Huntington. The funeral immediately follows the viewing and will begin at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Gardens in South Point. The pallbearers will be Aaron Adkins Sr, Donnie Adkins, Jerry Adkins, Jim Adkins, Keith Bazell, Fred Craft Jr., Joe McKenzie, Mark Priode and Kevin Waldo.

Trenda Triplett

Trenda Sue Triplett, 53, of Ironton, died Tuesday March 20, 2012, at Our Lady Bellefonte Hospital in Russell, Ky.

She was born Oct. 22, 1958, the daughter of the late Joe E. and Sarah Mae Riggs Triplett.

Survivors include one son, Steven Ray Triplett; one granddaughter, Delaney Napier; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Vernena and Mike Russell of Radcliff and Bonnie Triplett of Ironton; one brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Melinda Triplett of Kitts Hill and a special friend, Delmar (Buddy) Jenkins of Ironton.

Graveside memorial service will be noon Saturday at Myrtle Ridge Cemetery, Kitts Hill, with Jeremy Simpson officiating. Family will receive friends after the service at Union Baptist Church fellowship hall. Memorial contributions can be made to the family for funeral expenses. O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Alvin Harper

Alvin Harper, Jr., 81, of Harper Ridge in Kitts Hill, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at his residence.

The Lawrence County native was born Nov. 18, 1930, the son of the late Alvin Harper, Sr. and Daisy Blankenship Harper. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Verna Mae Reed Harper.

Mr. Harper was a graduate of Kitts Hill High School and was a bus driver for the Rock Hill School District. He was a former operator for the Semet Solvay for more than 20 years and was a Lawrence Township Trustee for more than 30 years. He was an avid farmer and sportsman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Harper; a grandson, Randall Lee Harper; a brother, Garfield Harper and three sisters, Louise Lamneck, Opal Queen and Mable Payton.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Tomi Harper, Dwain and Becky Harper, Lynn and Debbie Harper, and Mark and Mary Harper all of Kitts Hill; a daughter and son-in-law, Janie and Kurt Weldy of Grove City; a daughter-in-law, Sheilah Harper of Kitts Hill; six sisters, Mary Myers of Columbus; Hazel O’Lynch of Florida; Wilma Moore, Evelyn Rowe, Helen McIntire all of Kitts Hill; and Glenna Harper of Ironton; 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home with close family friends, Pastors Scott Jenkins and Ryan McKee officiating. Burial will follow in Harper Family Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Mamre Missionary Baptist Church in Kitts Hill. Pallbearers will be Randy Harper, Dwain Harper, Lynn Harper, Mark Harper, Shane Harper, Dustin Harper, Tyler Stapleton and Adam Harper. The family would like to give a special thanks to Heartland Hospice and their staff for the tremendous care and support they provided to Alvin and the family. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.