Betty Jane Giles Adkins (1929 - 1921)

Betty Jane Adkins, 91, went to be with our Lord on April 14, 2021.  Jane was born on August 20, 1929, the youngest of three children, to parents Dorothy and Landis Giles in Avalon, Texas.

With her father, mother, brother and sister, Jane enjoyed a rich childhood filled with community in the small Texas town. She met William "Bill" Adkins, a young man from the nearby town of Forreston, at a high school basketball game . They begin dating, fell in love and married.  Attending Texas A&M on the GI Bill, Jane, Bill and, then 2 year old daughter, Pamela began a new life in College Station.

Upon arriving at Texas A&M College the family first lived on the outskirts of town at "The Annex", the deactivated Bryan Army Airfield facilities that A&M leased to house freshman cadets due to the extreme shortage of housing and classroom space from the surge of incoming students. "The Annex" is known today as RELLIS. The next year, they lived in Vet Village on campus. Bill studied hard and Jane helped her family by working on the campus at Guion Hall, selling tickets to the cinema. They were active in the Baptist church on the edge of campus, Jane teaching in the small children Sunday school classes and at vacation Bible school each summer and Bill teaching collegians. The Texas A&M campus was their world.

The family settled into life in College Station where the three younger children, Anne, Bill and Caroline were born.

Over the years a total of 10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren were welcomed into the family, each of whom had a special bond with Jane. Her home in College Station was a favorite place to visit for the family. Everyone cherished staying there and being spoiled by Janie.

One of Jane's greatest passions was reading and rereading her favorite books. Knowledgeable in many subjects, her interest in history, literature, poetry, world events, science and politics made her an engaging conversationalist. A natural storyteller, Jane wrote stories that made life during the depression in a tiny Texas town come alive.

Jane enjoyed decorating her home, keeping a pretty yard and any fun activity that she could participate in with family. She especially enjoyed collecting and refinishing antiques and attending estate sales, auctions, antique and doll shows. She had a passion for blue and white, reflected in her love of fine Delftware, stemming from her reading stories of Delft and the Netherlands as a child.

After 48 years in the family home and 66 years in College Station, in 2014, Jane moved to Tomball to live with her daughter Caroline and husband Frank. With some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren living close by, and regular visits from out-of-town family members, Jane enjoyed her time in Tomball and remained there until her passing.

Throughout the years, rarely did a friend, family member or workman leave her home without first sitting down at her kitchen table to talk about life and seek her wise advice.

Jane was adored by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed for her sweet and loving nature, and as a remarkable mother, grandmother, great grandmother and true friend. She leaves us with many special memories to sustain us in the future.

She is survived by her children, Pamela Porter and husband Jarvis, Marianne Roop and husband Steve, William "Bill" Adkins and wife Danielle, and Caroline Wallace and husband Frank; grandchildren, Holland Porter and wife Marilyn Ashley, Ashley Porter, Whitney Fowler and husband Johnathan, Meredith Huffman and husband Mark, Stephanie George and husband Jason, Elizabeth Luman and husband Nathan, Meg Patton and husband Steven, Gray Adkins and wife Arienne, Cade Adkins, Giles Adkins, 21 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Carolyn Arnold, brother-in-law Charles Adkins, two first cousins Tommy Giles and Bob Giles, and many nieces and nephews.

Including her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband William G. Adkins, sister, Mary Watson and brother, William "Billy" Giles.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you contribute in her memory to the Forreston Cemetery Association, 419 Bird Lane, Waxahachie, TX 75165 or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held April 24, 2021 at 2:00pm at Klein Funeral Home, Tomball, Texas.