J. Adkins

Memorial services will be held for Colene J. Adkins, 83, of Roswell at 2 pm Friday, March 8, 2013 at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Sharp officiating. She passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Colene was born August 12, 1929 in Brownfield, Texas to Lonnie B. and Minnie Johnston. Colene was known by many names: mother, daughter, sister, wife, grandma, friend, and "extra grandma", (but don't you dare call her Annie). She was a kind soul with a big heart who taught her family about the Lord, and she loved to sing his praises with old fashion hymns. She loved spending time with her family, playing music, working puzzles, and doing anything with her grandchildren. She played the piano, accordion, mandolin, and baritone saxaphone. She passed on her love of music to her daughter and her grandkids. She was a successful career woman. For thirty years she worked as a civilian budget analyst for the Department of the Army. She started as a GS-1 and retired as a GS-13 in a time when very few women were promoted to a rank that high. After she "retired", she spent many years working as the church secretary at the Cloudcroft United Methodist Church. Colene always stayed busy with some kind of craft. She could sew, quilt, crochet, cross stitch, and paint. When she wasn't working on a craft project, she worked side by side with her husband Lee, building their dream home, "the cabin", east of Cloudcroft, NM. Of all her talents, she is probably best known for her ability to listen. Friends and family would go to her when they needed a sounding board. She gave them comfort and love and was always praying for others. She was the spiritual leader and matriarch of her family. She will always be loved, and sorely missed. Colene is survived by her daughter, Terry Bersane of Roswell , NM; her granddaughter, Heather Brockmann of Albuquerque, NM; her grandson, Aaron Brockmann of Roswell, NM; her brother, L.B. Johnston and his wife, Maxine of Simmesport, Louisana; her sister, Ganelle Madden and her husband, Steve of Washington, Oklahoma; her brother, David Johnston and his wife, Melba of Olathe, Colorado; a very special friend, Kim Bersane of Roswell, NM and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Adkins, her sister, Kreahible Behunin, her son, Victor Clark Adkins, her son, Lonnie Roy McBride her granddaughter, Tiffany Nicole Brockmann, and her parents, Lonnie and Minnie Johnston. Honorary pallbearers will be L.B. Johnson, David Johnston, Steve Madden, Aaron Brockmann, Gabe Armijo and Taharka Johnston. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

J. Adkins

August 12, 1929 - February 27, 2013