DENVER — Sharon Lee Adkins, 79, of Denver, formerly of Minden, Neb., died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Denver.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. June 12 at Minden United Methodist Church with the Revs. Paul Blanchard and Larry Moffett officiating. Burial will be at Minden Cemetery before the service. Craig Funeral Home in Minden is in charge of arrangements.

Sharon Lee Smith was born on March 10, 1938, to Grace and William Smith of Franklin, Neb. Her sister, Diane, was born in 1944. Sharon and Diane were raised in Franklin and were very active in the community, participating in music, sports and church activities. Sharon had lots of friends growing up and was elected homecoming queen in her senior year of high school.

As a teacher, musician, mentor and community leader in her adult life, Sharon had a big impact on the Minden community. She started her teaching career in Ashland, Neb., but spent the bulk of her career teaching in Minden Public Schools where she taught children of all ages from kindergarten through middle school. Many remember her music programs where she choreographed the music as well as dance numbers and also encouraged the kids to display their creativity and imaginations.

Sharon knew she was destined for college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In her own words: “in the fall of 1956, I embarked on life’s adventure. I was excited and a little nervous, even if I didn’t admit it. At 18, you feel you can conquer the world.”

Keeping with her music production skills, Sharon went on to write her story. The quotations are from Sharon’s own writing of her life that she left among her papers for her children.

“During my stay at UNL, I met a young man I was sure was the coolest cat around,” in reference to her future husband, Jesse T. Adkins. Sharon graduated from UNL a semester early in 1960 and began teaching in Ashland, but she “wanted to stay close to Lincoln to make sure Jesse didn’t get away.” Sharon and Jesse were married on March 24, 1961, in Franklin.

The young couple stayed in Ashland after they were married while Jesse went to UNL Law School and in fall 1962, “precisely the same day Jesse registered for law school,” their first child, Katherine, was born. Sharon continued teaching to put Jesse through law school juggling a new career, a new marriage and a newborn. These early years displayed a skill Sharon used throughout her lifetime: juggler.

Jesse graduated from law school in 1965, and the couple moved to Minden where Jesse joined the law firm of Meier & Adkins. Sharon planned to retire upon the birth of their second child, Mary, on Aug. 11, 1965, but many small schools could not find music instructors, so she started to teach in Holstein, Neb.

In 1968, the couple welcomed their third and last child, Jesse T. Adkins III, born on Oct. 27, 1968, the same birthday as Jesse’s father. After the birth of Jesse III (or Chip, as Jesse aptly named him), Sharon began her career teaching in Minden part time. Then for a time, Sharon stayed home to take care of the family. Sharon eventually worked full time for the school district and retired in 2001 after 33 years of service.






Sharon was active in the Minden community. She and Jesse were active members of the United Methodist Church where Sharon sang in the choir and also served as choir director. Sharon loved the stage and being an “actress” with the Minden Community Players. She participated in many productions at the Minden Opera House after it opened in 2000. She nurtured the love of theater in young people and often went to plays, musicals and productions in Minden.

In 1994, Jesse began having difficulty with foot drop and walking. After several different diagnoses and back surgery, Jesse was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). As Sharon describes it, “ALS is a horrible disease because nerve endings die and gradually the body weakens but the mind stays alert.”

Jesse was put on a ventilator in 1997 but was able to stay at home throughout his illness thanks to the tireless support and care of Sharon. She was his nurse, caregiver, companion and champion throughout his long illness. They felt the support of a “very nurturing community of family and friends.” Jesse passed away from ALS on Feb. 27, 2005, surrounded by Sharon and his family.

After Jesse’s passing, Sharon worked on creating a “completely new lifestyle,” as she put it, enjoying trips to see her children and grandchildren, as well as adventures with friends. Sharon felt her “life has been filled with love and laughter and sorrow and crying, just as life is for everyone who feels it and participates in it fully.” For those of us who loved and knew her, we are grateful for her full participation.

Sharon is survived by her children, Katherine Adkins and son-in-law Kevin Biggers, Mary Adkins and son-in-law Kempton Coman, and Jesse Adkins and daughter-in-law Lea Ann Adkins; and her grandchildren, Zoe Biggers, John Biggers, Jesse T. Adkins IV and John Dean Adkins.