Alyce Holmes Adkins

Alyce Roberta Holmes Adkins received a call from God the other day. On Saturday,September 3,2011,God informed Alyce that her mansion was complete and she could move in,Alyce was the second daughter in a family of fourteen born July 1,1909,to the late Thomas and Alice Holmes of Varina,Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband,Pleasant H. Adkins;son James W. Adkins,Sr.; five brothers and three sisters. She was educated in the public schools of Henrico County. At an early age,she joined St. James Baptist Church and Sunday School. Alyce was involved in many church activities and was a deaconess until her death. A loving,kind,out-going person,Alyce endeared herself to those she met.She and her oldest sister,"BB" were best friends and lived together after Alyce's husbands death. Alyce taught in Buckingham County for years and left to marry the "love of her life",Pleasant H. Adkins of Varina. From their union two children were born,Lillian Adele and James Welford. Her children referred to her as "Little Mother" and friends and family called her "Berta" or "Nan". They were reared with "Holmes Clan" for many years. After working for many years,Alyce decided to return to college. She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Virginia Union University. After she earned her degree,Alyce taught at Virginia Randolph Elementary School for many years. Moving closer to home.she taught at Fair Oaks Elementary School until her retirement. Alyce was involved in many civic and educational activities:The Seekers Educational Club;Henrico Teachers Association;Virginia Education Association;NAACP;and Phi Beta Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa,an organization of Public School Teachers. She loved to knit and crochet and blessed her family with matching hats,bags,lovely tablecloths and blankets.Alyce was a gourmet cook too and would alwayshave a beautiful table set. Alyce leaves to cherish her memory one daughter,Lillian A. Sedgwick(Warren);three grandchildren,Donna S. Lee,James W. Adkins,Jr. and C. Arvil Adkins;two great-grandchildren;five sisters,Aretha H. Fields,Bessie H. Robinson,Veora H. Waller,Ethel H. Easter and Elaine H. Pleasants;and a host of many nieces,nephews,cousins,other relatives and friends.

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Alyce Holmes Adkins

July 1, 1909 - September 3, 2011