Willie Mae Adkins, 93, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., peacefully passed away in her home Thursday, August 23, 2018.
She was born in Lake City, Fla. in 1925, then moved to Fernandina Beach in 1952 with her husband, Thomas C. Adkins and raised her two daughters, Judy and Debi, and her son, Tommy. She was an active member of First Baptist Church for the past 65 years.
She was known for her many great qualities with an outgoing personality and friendly spirit. Willie loved bike riding, walking and dancing. She was proud of her daily routine of riding 16 miles a day and then walking four. Her routine made national headline news with Brian Williams of NBC when she was 82 years of age. She continued this routine for more than 28 years. During these years she became known as the “Bike Lady” and “Ms. Happy” to the children in school as she passed by daily with her friendly smile and waves. She brought pleasure to people both young and old with a kind word and smile – not just to those she passed on her daily path but to her family where she was a kind but gentle force in their lives. She loved getting on the floor to play with her great-grandchildren well into her 90s. In addition to all her other qualities she will be remembered for her skills as a biscuit maker. They were like gifts from angels but she couldn’t pass down her recipe as it was done from love and a pinch of this and a handful of that.
She enjoyed celebrating her birthdays at The Marina, where she was known affectionately as “Wild Willie.”
Mrs. Adkins was predeceased by her husband, Thomas C. Adkins, in 1988. She leaves behind her two daughters, Judy Knowles and Debi (Chuck) Drace, and her son, William T. (Carolyn) Adkins, all of Fernandina Beach; and six grandchildren, Michael (Renee) Nelson, Nicole (Ed) McKernan, Brad (Christy) Evans, Leigh (James) Milligan, Lauren (Rusty) Bartchlett and Lana (Matt) Johnston as well as 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Adkins were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home with Chaplain Jackie Hayes officiating. The family received friends beginning at 1 p.m. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers her family asks for contributions in her memory to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors