Bluefield, WV- The most gregarious man in the world has died. Charles Adkins (No, he was never given a middle name) was born at home in Algoma, WV on May 11, 1932 to Alice and Walter Adkins and died on the last beautiful day in September 2019.  The birth and death of this man is not nearly as relevant as the days and nights that he lived to the fullest between those two dates.

     Charles was the youngest of 9 children in the Adkins family and the last living of his generation. He loved his brothers and sisters Raymond, Lily Mae, Lula Bell, Walter Jr., Mary, Frank, Millie Katherine, and William McKinley. He was gifted with a mind for numbers and athletic ability. He played basketball and football in high school but developed a true passion for golf in his later years. After high school, he completed two years of post-high school accounting studies. He married Carol Price on New Year’s Eve in 1951 and settled in Northfork, WV. They moved to Princeton, WV in 1965 where he resided for the remainder of his 87 years.

     Charles had an ability to connect with people and he had a vast network of friends and colleagues over the years. He had a genuine interest in people and was never afraid to offer assistance or help. As his entrepreneurial spirit grew with businesses, his reach became even broader. He forged many relationships.     
     He played a great deal of golf and enjoyed winning championships even at the WV State level. Many thanks to William Jones and family who included him in their activities and ran errands for him whenever he asked, Wayne Brown who kept him busy and drove him wherever he wanted to go, Bob Holyroyd who was there when he needed him, David who was his friend and kept him safe; and the staff at Mercer Nursing and Rehab who gave him great care and friendships and Ruth Cassell whose companionship he has missed.

     Left behind to carry on Charles’ legacy are his beloved daughters, Debbie and Alison, Debbie’s husband, Gerry, and his four grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Nothing made him happier than when he was spending time with Rachel, Matt, Nino, and Ally and as they grew into young adults, he enjoyed dispensing sage advice, talking politics, stocks, and sports.
     Charles would not want anyone to spend money on his funeral. Instead, he would rather you enjoy a meal with your family, spend time together, visit someone who is homebound or in a nursing home or do something that you love. He lived a full life and we are honored to celebrate the time he spent here on this earth. We encourage you to do the same.
     Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com  Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Charles Adkins.