Richard Lilburn Adkins

Richard Lilburn Adkins, age 91, passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2018 with his wife Doris, son, Doug, and daughter in law, Sue loving him all the way to heaven’s door.  Richard was born to Florence and Lilburn Adkins in a parsonage of a United Methodist Church in south-central Minnesota, where his father was pastor. In 1930, the family went by ship to the country of Mozambique (Africa). The Methodist Board of Foreign Missions (BGM) had appointed his parents to serve as missionaries in the Southern Africa Conference. In 1934, his family was reassigned to the Methodist work at Old Umtali (Mutare) station in Zimbabwe.

In 1937, the Adkins family returned to the USA for their first furlough. The following year his parents felt God’s leading to join an interdenominational group now known as World Gospel Mission. In 1939 they left for new work in Kenya (East Africa). where they spent the years of World War 2. During that time, Richard and his two sisters, Betty Ruth and Barbara, attended Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school for missionary children in Kenya.

When the war was over the family returned to the USA. On the ship from South Africa to Baltimore, Richard worked as a cabin steward, earning some salary along with free passage.  On arrival in 1946, Richard enrolled in a Bible college in Chicago, studying for a diploma in mission work. Two years later, he transferred to Asbury University, in Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1949, he married Mary Nealis, one of his Bible college schoolmates. Soon after that he and Mary applied to World Gospel Mission for service in Africa and were accepted.   During that time, he completed his post-graduate studies for a Master of Arts degree in School Administration, and a minor in Industrial Arts, at Central Michigan University.  In 1955, Richard and Mary, and their two children, Doug & Judi, flew to Kenya where they began their missionary career on the same station where Richard had grown up during his teen years.  Their third child Michael was born in Kenya, in 1956.

For the next 40 years Richard and Mary ministered throughout Kenya as pastor, teacher, construction engineer, electrical maintenance and installer of a VHF radio station/towers, which enabled four mission stations to maintain daily contact across a 75mile area.

In the 1960’s Richard started producing Christian film.  Two of his major productions have been given the Telly Award for Excellence.  In 1973, he and Mary were assigned to Nairobi where they established a city church. Later, he served as district superintendent.  In 1989, the Adkins family moved to Tanzania where Richard served as Field Director until retirement in 1994.  After retirement in the States, Richard and Mary decided to move Avon Park, FL where he continued his video ministry for Africa. In 2009, God called Mary home to be with Him.  In 2012, God decided Richard needed another life partner to help him continue His work.  He married Doris Miller on July 14, 2012.  Together they have continued his video ministry and have served the Lord for six years.  God has now called Richard home on a new assignment.

Richard is survived by his wife, Doris, children: J Douglas (Sue) Adkins, Judith (Brian) Braunschweiger, Michael (Janet) Adkins, sisters: Betty Ruth Ogden and Barbara (Richard) Barker.

Twelve Adkins/Braunschweiger grandchildren:  Jonny (Siobhan) Adkins, Danny Adkins, Jarrod (Alicia) Braunschweiger, Erin (Jimmy) Sweitzer, Heather Adkins, Bryan (Angie) Adkins, Michelle Price, Aaron (Icar) Adkins, Jennifer Adkins, Macharia Adkins, Emma Adkins, Ben Adkins and eight great grands.

Five Miller stepchildren, fourteen Miller grandchildren and twelve Miller great grands.

Interment will follow this service at Bougainvillea Cemetery, Avon Park, Florida.

The family invites all who wish to a luncheon at The Oaks Village Clubhouse at noon today.

Memorial contributions may be made to World Gospel Mission, P. O. Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948 in memory of Richard L. Adkins.

Services entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

111 East Circle Street

Avon Park, FL  33825

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com