Obituary of Josephine "Jo" Adkins

Josephine Adkins went peacefully to her heavenly home on October 14, 2025, from her home in Stowe, WV, following a long illness. Jo was born in Lorado, WV on July 20, 1941, the oldest of seven children of Herbert and Laura Lovejoy Adkins. In addition to her parents, Jo was predeceased by her husband, Charles “Goo” Adkins, one sister Ruth Phillips, and two brothers Herbert Lee Adkins and James E. Adkins. Those left to cherish her memory are her only child, Charlie Adkins Jr., with whom she resided; granddaughters Brittany Dean (Ricky) of Kistler, Courtney Ratliff (Bryan), of Accoville; great grandchildren Maddox, Maylee, Jude and Hannah; two brothers Gary Adkins (Kimberly) of Simpsonville SC and Charles Adkins (Becky) of Whitman, and one sister Elizabeth “Pearl” Czerepak (Andrew) of East Hampton NY; and many very loved nieces and nephews. Jo was a 1959 graduate of Man High School where she pursued secretarial studies. In addition to her own son, Jo took on the role of loved “Mother” to her six younger siblings at age 15. She was very petite in stature, but wielded the wisdom and leadership needed to help bring up her much taller siblings to be successful adults. Jo loved to clean, and was always looking for something to clean – usually with massive amounts of bleach. But more than cleaning, she loved to play with children, usually doing fun and messy things with them – making fudge, dying eggs, painting pictures, planting flowers and splashing in the tub. For many, many, years, Jo was a fun Girl Scout Leader, a loved Sunday School Teacher and free Saturday night babysitter for anyone at all. She was a loved “Nana” to her own six grand- and great grandchildren and enjoyed their Saturday night sleepovers, even when they became 30-year olds! She was full of energy and could be counted upon in any large gathering to gather up all the children and play games and sing and act silly with them. Children adored her. Her memory will be a blessing for anyone who knew her. Rest in peace and fly high, Sweet Jo! Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Krantz McNeely Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will begin Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Krantz McNeely Funeral Home in Man, with Rev. Pat Kinser officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are being handled with care by Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home in Man, WV.