Funeral services for Mrs. Irby Jean Bourn Adkins were conducted at 2p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, at the Goodwater Baptist Church in Magee. Interment followed in the Oakvale Cemetery in Oakvale.  Rev. Jason Webb and Reverend Earl Clark officiatde.  Mrs. Adkins, age 79, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The family received friends from noon until the hour of service at 2 p.m. at Goodwater Baptist Church.

Serving as pallbearers were Michael Adkins, Waters Adkins, Larry Williamson, Emmitt Ray Williamson, Troy Hall and Andy Berry.

Irby Jean Bourn Adkins was born Jan. 13, 1943, to Hiram Irby Bourn and Ella Mae Carter Bourn of Oakvale.  Jean attended Oakvale School, graduated from Monticello High School and received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in education from William Carey College.

Jean received Christ as her Savior at an early age and felt God’s calling into ministry as a teenager. She married the love of her life, the only boy she ever dated, Rev. S.A. “Sonny” Adkins and was married for 61 years.  Jean’s most important roles were being a minister’s wife, mother and grandmother.  She and Sonny served churches in Mississippi and Alabama.  After retiring, they continued to serve in the capacity of interim pastorate.

Jean was an educator for almost 30 years, serving as classroom teacher, elementary curriculum supervisor and kindergarten director.  She had been a member of Delta Kappa Gammawas named Star Teacher for the Forrest School System in 1998.Adkins

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a nephew, Timmy Williamson,

Jean’s memory will forever be cherished by her husband Rev. S.A. “Sonny” Adkins of Mendenhall; two sons, Scott Aaron (Carey) Adkins of O’Fallon, Illinois, Jon Eric (Lauren) Adkins of Magee; one sister, Willie Faye (Joe) Thomas of Tylertown and her grandchildren, Hannah, Michael, Isaiah and Waters; great granddaughter Presley Ross; niece, Jean (Pat) Turnage; nephews, Emmitt Ray (Miriam) Williamson, Larry (Pam) Williamson and Charles Boutwell.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com