Sarah Josephine Adkins

Jo was the third of six children born to Ray and Emily Valentine on February 17, 1916 in Humeston, Iowa.

When was one year old the family moved to Kimball, South Dakota where she spend the remainder of your youth, graduating at the age of 17 from Kimball High School in 1933.

Jo married Kenneth Floyd Adkins in Des Moines, Iowa on March 31, 1939 and they had 58 memorable years together before his passing on June 1, 1997.

Other family members to preceded Jo in death include her sisters Lora Countryman, Hope Cook, Betty Crane, Joyce Rozenburg, a brother Raymond Valentine.

Surviving are her son James Adkins of Plano, Texas, grandsons Richard (Raelyn) Adkins and Matthew (Kat) Adkins, and three great granddaughters Kaiden and Rylie Adkins and Aubrey Adkins.

After high school, Jo moved to Monroe, Iowa and attended the American Institute of Business is Des Moines, Iowa. She had a long and varied career. Her first position was the secretary at Hoxie Fruit Company of Des Moines, Iowa. Other jobs included: Assistant to Nurse Advisor for the United States Air Force and as a secretary for the Assistant Director of the Internal Revenue Service of Des Moines, Iowa.

During their marriage Kenneth and Jo lived in a number of places including Des Moines, Iowa, Monterey, Mexico, and the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas. They retired to Plano, Texas in 1986 to be near their son and grandchildren.

Jo's passion was music and it was an integral part of her life from an early age. She was active in school and church choirs, was part of a vocal trio at school and sang many duets with her sister Hope, at weddings and funerals as well as church and school functions. As an elementary school student she learned to play the clarinet and performed in the school orchestra and city band as well as in a clarinet trio. In addition, she taught herself how to play the piano and organ.

As an adult, Jo expanded her musical interests. While accompanying her son to steel guitar lessons she developed and interest in the guitar and learned how to play this instrument. Later she learned to play the accordion. She eventually opened her own music studio: The Adkins School of Music in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas and gave guitar and accordion lessons there for a number of years. Jo's musical abilities and warm and caring ways enabled her to influence and inspire many young people as they developed their musical talents.

Jo attended the Methodist Church her entire life, and was a member of Plano First United Methodist Church at the time of her death. She was also a member of Plano, Chapter FV, P.E.O., and the Eastern Star in both Plano and Des Moines, Iowa where she served as Worthy Matron of the Acanthus Chapter.

Other interests of Jo's included reading, sewing, and playing cards.

Jo will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal, caring friend. As a role model, she taught her family the value of love, patience, compassion and joy and throughout her life her family relied on her wisdom and calm demeanor. Her joyful spirit and sweet quiet manner will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home, located at 2128 18th Street, Plano, Texas 75074.

The funeral service for Jo will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 AM also at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas where Jo will be laid to rest with her husband Kenneth Floyd Adkins.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.