Dolores Jeanine Adkins Bertrand

Dolores Jeanine Adkins was born August 28, 1934, in Wink, Texas, to parents Bert Leroy Adkins and his wife Elsie Marie Wiginton. She grew up in a strong Christian household and she thrived in church as a young girl. As an adult she served as the church pianist, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and assisted in church administration.

As a young woman, Dolores loved creative arts including reading, music, theater, and dancing. She also enjoyed beautiful flowers and gardening. Music was integral throughout her lifetime. She took piano lessons as a young woman, but could also play any song by ear, later teaching children to play.

At Anahuac High School, she was part of a singing group known as “The Bar Nothing Ranch Gang,” and as part of a trio from that group, Dolores and her fellow singers enjoyed bringing music to appreciative audiences, a gift that she would ultimately pass on to her children.

A joyful and spirited athlete, she was a member of the girls’ high school basketball and volleyball teams as well as a twirler in the high school band. She was named the Panthers’ football team Sweetheart in her senior year.

An excellent student, in her junior and senior years, she was in the annual school follies as well as serving as a junior class officer. In her senior year, Dolores was the Secretary of the National Honor Society and Editor of her yearbook, the Anahuaconian.

Following high school graduation in 1952, Dolores began studying at business college in preparation for her career as an administrative professional. Her first position was as a bookkeeper for Humble Oil (later, Exxon), and she also worked as a bookkeeper for Keating Chevrolet and for the medical offices of Dr. W. C. Rollo in Winnie.

Her primary career position was as an Administrative Assistant for Dr. Harris Bush, of the Department of Pharmacology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She greatly enjoyed the interactions with international professionals and researchers there.

Dolores raised four children, sons Kelly, Bill, and Lee, and daughter Lorene. She was proud of all of them and supported all of their activities with her presence as they grew up. Dolores could be found at country music venues supporting Kelly, who played drums professionally in the years prior to becoming a Christian minister. She repeated the same encouragement and support with her son Bill and his band, even as she turned 88 years old. The music of Elvis Presley was also something she loved to hear.

Of all the priorities she had in life, being a mom was most important to her, and she excelled in time spent with her children and her grandchildren, who were always happy to be with her. She was happiest when they were all together, and every occasion was special.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law, Michael David “Mike” Jones.

She is survived by her children, Kelly Ray Adkins (Claudia), Anita “Lorene” Jones, William James “Bill” Bertrand (Debbie), and Nathan “Lee” Bertrand (Jean), and their families.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Hamshire, Texas, from 11 am – 12 noon, followed immediately by a funeral service from 12 – 1 pm, with son Kelly Adkins presiding, assisted by youth pastor Blake Long and music minister Steven Hays.

Interment will be at 11 am, Friday, November 10, 2023, at Willowhole Cemetery in North Zulch, Texas. Pallbearers include Kelly Adkins, Bill Bertrand, Lee Bertrand, Billy Bertrand, Travis Bertrand, and Michael Laningham.

In her lifetime, Dolores was strongly supportive of the mission to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), should friends wish to contribute.