Adkins, Fred Oakley

Fred Oakley Adkins, 72, of Walnut Cove, N.C., and formerly of McCoy, Va., passed away on Monday, August 2, 2010. Fred was born on May 10, 1938, in the Norris Run area of Montgomery County, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank S. Adkins and Bertha Smith Adkins. Fred is survived by his daughter, Sharon Layton and husband, Tim; grandchildren, Ashley Wood and Joshua Wood, of Winston Salem, N.C.; as well as his son, David Adkins; and grandchildren, Nicole Dalton, Jennifer Dalton, and Chelsea Dalton, of Stuart, Va. He is also survived by 10 brothers and sisters, Ernest W. Adkins and wife, Helen, of Christiansburg, Va., Frank B. Adkins and wife, Martha, of Christiansburg, Va., Clarence L. Adkins and wife, Mildred, of Salem, Va., Florence E. Sheppard and husband, Dale, of Salem, Va., Robert M. Adkins, of Silver Springs, Fla., John D. Adkins, of Blacksburg, Va., George R. Adkins, of Blacksburg, Va., Safford E. Adkins, of Max Meadows, Va., Barbara L. Croy and husband, Connie, of Salem, Va., and Hazel L. Adkins, of Wilmington, N.C.; along with his former wife, Betty Jerrelle Adkins; and 29 nieces and nephews. Fred was a Military Veteran, having served in the United States Air Force for four years as a Jet Mechanic. After his discharge, he continued his 35 year civilian career as a jet mechanic beginning with Piedmont Airlines in Roanoke, Va., and retiring with U.S. Airways in Winston-Salem, N.C. In retirement, he spent many happy hours fixing up old cars and reminiscing with his buddies about his planes and his aviation adventures. Fred is and will always be missed by all of his family and his many good friends. There will always be a plate set for him at our family gatherings. Funeral Services will be conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2010, by the Mr. Bobby Fuller at the McCoy Funeral Home with graveside service and interment to follow at the Harless Cemetery, Long Shop, Va. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 5, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg, Va., 540-552-3211.