Reverend Dr. Syl Gene Adkins

The Reverend Dr. Syl Gene Adkins, age 82, of Clermont, GA, passed away on Thursday July 19, 2018.  He was born in Joplin, MO, the son of L.S. and Iva Adkins.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Janice Turk Adkins, his sons Les T. Adkins (Jamie Leno), Stephen S. Adkins (Karen Holden), grandsons Nathaniel Adkins (Liz), Jacob Adkins, granddaughters Brandi Fleck, Alyssa Fox (Michael), great grandson Connor Outten, great granddaughter Ella Fox, sister-in-law Barbara Bell (Glenn), brother-in-law Andy Turk (Glennda Dawley), and several nieces and nephews.
 
He was a veteran of the Missouri National Guard.  He graduated with a B.S. from Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK), Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary (Lithonia, GA).
 
Dr. Adkins served 55 years as Pastor of Southern Baptist and American Baptist churches in Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Nebraska, and Iowa. He also served almost 8 years as a Volunteer Chaplain at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville, GA).  Dr. Adkins was also founder and President of Church Growth Ministries.  Throughout his life, Dr. Adkins led diverse ministries such as Bus Ministries, Evangelical Ministries, Contemporary Christian Artist Ministries, and always reached out to include people from all walks of life. 
 
According to his family and friends, Syl was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Friend whose big heart and smile warmed everyone he met.  Syl's life of service positively touched thousands of people throughout his life. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Medical Center Foundation for the Chaplains Fund at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway Suite 115, Gainesville, Georgia 30501, in memory of Syl G. Adkins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel. Interment will follow at Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200.