On December 9, 2024 the faith of Rev S.T. Adkins became sight when he was welcomed into Heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. S.T., a sinner (Romans 3:23) saved by grace alone (Romans 6:23), through faith in Christ alone (Romans 10:9-10, 13), lived a dedicated life of faith and service for the Lord. He left this world to be with his Lord at the age of 91.
Born Shirley Thomas Adkins on October 18, 1933 to the late Elwood and Nannie (Ferguson) Adkins in Menifee County, Kentucky, he was known his entire life as S.T. He moved to Ohio at the age of 17 and lived in Shelby his entire life.
S.T. married Betty R. Conley on October 18, 1954. To this union were born four daughters: Brenda (Bernie) Highfield, Linda (Ronald) Neeley, Kathy (Dennis) Robey, and Karen (Michael) Barnett; his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Tina (Bruce), Misty (Jamie), Angela (Dustin), Tom (Jessica), Mark (Maryann), Stacy (Ryan), Ashlee, Todd (Courtney), Bradd (Debra), Lexi (Josh) Kaelyn (Kaleb), Izaiah (Katelynn), Deven (Katlynn), Mason, Bryke, Zac (Jaimy), Prestyn, Nevaeh, Keaton, Madison, Abram, Eliana, Ethan, Alex, Monroe, Griffin, Halia, and Zane. He has three great great grandchildren, Maeleigh, Samuel, and baby Eve on the way.
S.T. is survived by his daughters: Kathy (Dennis) and Karen (Mike); his son-in-law: Bernie (Barb); 2 sisters: Wanda Manning and Phyllis (Larry) Hamons; 3 brothers: Earl (Rose), John (Karen), and Gary (Arlene); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Elwood and Nanny; wife: Betty; daughter and son-in-law: Linda and Ronald; daughter: Brenda; granddaughter: Ashlee Barnett; 4 sisters: Della, Dorothy, Claris, Mary; brother: Robert “Bob”; and twin siblings that died shortly after birth, Darrel and Carol.
S.T. was a prominent leader in the Northern United Baptist Church Association. He provided mentorship to young pastors seeking a life of servitude for Jesus. He enjoyed serving the Lord in many capacities and, as a man that loved working with his hands, he loved the physical labor and accomplishment of building the church. He was known for his signature song, “I’m Working On A Building For My Lord”. He enjoyed music, especially Blue Grass and Southern Gospel, and he was gifted to be able to play the mandolin, guitar, and banjo. He loved singing and over the years traveled to many states with several Southern Gospel groups. He was the Senior Pastor of the Northern United Baptist Church in Tiro, OH for 22 years and also worked in the steel mill industry. For 19 years S.T. broadcasted a church service every Sunday on WCLW Mansfield and also broadcast on WAKR Norwalk, WBCO Bucyrus, and WGGN Castalia. After retirement, he became a traveling evangelist filling the pulpit for pastors and guest speaking. For the last 20 years, Rev S.T. was an active leader and member of the Greenwich Baptist Church with his brother, Pastor Gary Adkins and also found the love of Jesus in the people at the New Beginnings Free Will Baptist Church in Shelby with Pastor Brian Phillips.
In the prime of his ministry S.T. also dedicated his time as a summer youth camp leader realizing the importance of today’s youth. He transported and served the kids at Youth Bible Camp, building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus with them. Many of those relationships still exist today.
S.T. was also a huge sports enthusiast. In his younger years he pitched in the city fast pitch underhand league and successfully pitched many no hitters. He also enjoyed playing in the church softball leagues, watching the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. An avid fisherman, if you had a pole he knew where to go to catch the biggest fish.
S.T.’s call into ministry was a lifelong commitment and one he served with dedication, compassion, and great joy. Preaching the Word of God, sharing God’s plan of salvation and our Hope that comes with being a believer, and preaching about the wonders of what awaits us in Heaven were what he considered his greatest accomplishments. S.T. understood how valuable your soul is when both satan and Jesus fight for it. His desire to share Jesus with those that do not know Him was what motivated his fighting spirit to remain in this life.
One of S.T.’s greatest joys was his family and being a Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pappy. His greatest desire was for his family to have a personal relationship with Jesus and to know he will see each one of us in Heaven one day. What a reunion that will be!
If you do not know Jesus please accept this as an invitation to find a church that will share God’s free plan of salvation with you. God loves you deeply. Once you experience the unconditional love that God has for you; nothing else will ever compare.
A message from S.T. to you, “Life is short. Eternity has no end. If I were you, I would do whatever you have to do to keep your soul from going to hell and dying without Jesus.”
S.T.’s family would like to extend our appreciation to the Avita Health Care staff for the wonderful care of our Dad and a special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Luu for treating Dad with the highest respect and regards.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 9-11 am at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will immediately follow at 11 am. Pastor Danny Hamilton, with the assistance of other pastors, will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family to be used toward families in need at Christmastime.
Condolences may be made on S.T.’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuenralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
On to the next and finally chapter, to be with our Lord and Savior, Blessed by the Holy Ghost you were a wonderful man to have known on this journey. Thank you for being here to guide me and to baptism me, and to always be my friend, until we meet again RIP, Love to the whole family!
We do not remember a time that we didn’t know Shirley and the family. Daddy so enjoyed being a deacon for him at Tiro church. Love and prayers to all of you, the hole in the heart will not be filled but what a great reunion soon.
So sorry you had to say goodbye, but soon it will be good morning on the other side. Love you all and will keep you in our prayers. May God comfort you in this time of grieving.
Dearest Adkin’s Family,
I’m not sure I can even express what my heart feels. I woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m. On my way to work, My chest felt so very heavy. I could feel something just wasn’t right. It wasn’t 2 hours later I received a message telling me my Adopted dad was gone. I gave S.T that nickname a long time ago. If I talked to him on the phone or in a text message, I would address him as Adopted Dad. I’d ask him if he knew who I was and, he’d say sure I do. I’m Thankful and Blessed I was able to FaceTime him a week ago. During our conversation he told me he was ready to go, whenever the Lord came to take him. I told him I hoped and prayed it wouldn’t be anytime soon. His last words to me were “You take care of yourself sis and, take care of that beautiful girl (my daughter) of yours. I sat under Adopted dad many years at Tiro. I went to church camp with him and many other several times. I asked every Sunday if Linda, Karen, Brenda and Kathy would sing Traveling Shoes.
He could preach the word of God so that a child could understand.
At the age of 18, I was baptized by S.T. He also baptized both my parents. Not knowing years later, He would also officiate Both of my parent’s funerals.
Most people that walk in faith can only hope to be as strong in their faith as he was. He was a warrior in my opinion. He fought the good fight.
Fast forward to today. Adopted Dad, you’ve taken your Heavenly flight. You put on your Traveling Shoes for the last time. I will for sure miss you. I hope and pray to see you again someday.
Love and Prayers to the family, in these coming days, weeks, months and years.
Love Judy and Summer
I met Shirly when I was a kid. I would go to his church with my grandparents, Charley and June Hall. I’m so sorry for his family’s loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
“Another Child of God Gone Home.”
Dear Karen and family, so very sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. Hugs and prayers. Deepest sympathy to all
To the Adkins family: My sincere condolences to all for the loss of your father, pastor, and friend.
S.T. Was an amazing preacher. I’m sure he’s smiling down upon you and telling Jesus what a wonderful family he has on earth. May God bless you all and keep you in his prayers.✝️✝️✝️
My condolences to Brother Adkins family and friends. My sister and I attended the church in Tiro at one time and he baptized both of us. He also officiated my husband and mine marriage in 1973. He sang at my sisters funeral and he was involved in other parts of our families lives.
So very sorry for your loss. ST was such a Blessing every time I saw him! I know Betty and ST are shouting on the hills of Glory!! Truly he will be missed.
My Prayers and thoughts are with all the Family. And with Pastor Gray family. Will be praying.
Karen and family so sorry for your loss.
Your Dad was a wonderful man .
Teresa Phillips
Kathy & Karen, We send our deepest condolences. To each one of you we pray God will comfort you as only he can. We loved Uncle S.T. He sure was a great uncle. We love all of you. We pray all goes well.
Very sad to hear this, Shirley was a great cousin of mine, always loved to listen to him when he spoke. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for the family! God bless
Many thoughts, and prayers are sent out to the family. I’ve known ST over 40 years as a youth at Southern United Baptist in Albion Michigan, where he often pastored when without a preacher. “1992” ST came up to preach the New Year’s Eve service at Southern United Baptist Church. My Dad’s life was coming to an end, and wasn’t able to attend the NYE service, but the church piled in the house to have a Home service for Dad, before heading to church. That evening, ST dedicated the church service to my Dad. He passed away on January 23… He was a remarkable man of God, and Blessed to have known him.
Kim (Ramey) Brinker
To Brother Adkins family, my deepest sympathy of the death of Brother Adkins he was a great Preacher, a great friend to our family. He was there for us when we loss Mom and there when Daddy passed. I sure will miss him. But I know he’s with Betty and all of his family and friends in Heaven. Until we meet on the golden road in Heaven RIP our Dear Brother Adkins.
Kathy and Karen. Iam so sorry that you lost your dad.He was a great man and iam glad I got to know him.I always loved your dad .I met him back in 1969and when I would see him he would ask me when are you coming to church well I always told him just hang in there I will be there.well 12 years ago I walked into his church and he was standing there to meet me and gave me a big hug .from then on got to hear him preach till he became sick.Iam so proud I got to know him and I will miss him dearly.Love you ST.
My prayers and thoughts are with his family. He was such a wonderful man. He not only did my Mom’s funeral but many other family members. What a kind soul he was. Much love to you all.
To my cousin, you will be missed, great & caring man of God! Loved the time that I spent talking to you R.I.P Rob & Sandy Patton
To the family of S T Adkins!! I have always known this man as Brother Shirley, I sat in church with him and his family for many years at Tiro United Baptist Church with my Mama and Daddy, who grew to love S T and his wife Betty and his 4 daughters, we became almost family with them all. My parents were saved and baptized under Brother Shirleys ministry and they drove over 50 miles one way every Sunday and sometime Saturday’s for special singing. They never missed a Sunday of church faithful to this church and the ministry of S T. I myself spent many weekends at the Adkins home, spending time with his daughters Linda Kathy and Karen, Brenda of coarse was married with a home of her own. It was always like I was part of their family, they welcomed me with open arms and they were some of the best times of my life!!! We all became quite close but as time went by Brother Shirley moved on from Tiro and my Mom and Dad stopped going to that church but still kept in touch up to the time of my parents passing they had long requested Brother Shirley to officiate at both of their funerals!!! S T was a wonderful humble good warrior of the Lord and he made the gospel of Jesus Christ his life’s mission. He most certainly walked the walk and talked the talk of a true man of God doing the work of the Lord preaching his word to see as many souls saved as he could so that they would live in heaven for eternity and missing the wrath of Hell!! He was quite an amazing man loved by Soo many!! His life’s testimony spoke by his walk of life and a light that shined in his daily walk of life. Always singing about working on a building for His Lord!!! Well that building is built now and He has at last took his heavenly flight that Soo many years He talked about. My heart is sad for those left behind his family his daughters grand and great grandchildren and all of his family!!! But my heart is full of joy for him for at last he has been made whole healthy and young and forever in his eternal heavenly home with a reunion of loved ones gone on!!! Tim and I send our most deepest sympathies to all of S To family, sending much love and many prayers in the days ahead and beyond, Brother Shirley will forever be missed and loved til we all one day meet again in that reunion in Glory!!! Much Love Tim and Margaret!!!
Dear Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. He was such a wonderful man of God! My family has look to him for guidance for so many years. My you find peace in this difficult time.
Amy Neeley Rouse
Columbus, Ohio
Misty and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that you take comfort in the memories you have of him and knowing he is in a better place.
I send my sympathy to S.T.’s entire family. I was so blessed to know him and his family. He lived his life on a quest to bring as many people as he could into a saving relationship with God. What more could you ask of anyone. He was like the Apostle Paul in that he fought the good fight and finished the race and kept the faith.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
So many memories……until we meet again I’ll continue working on the building.
We became close friends many years ago thru church Associations. . Spent many winters together in FL. Have always stayed in touch to the end. Such wonderful memories of good times and pictures. I sited them in Oh and they came to Mo many times stayed with us. We’ll meet again soon “ IN THE SWEET BYE AND BYE”. Love to all. Chris
My mother was a founding member of Tiro Northern United Baptist church. My dad helped S.T. to physically build that church. S.T. shared many stories about my dad as he died when I was 14. I and my mother Mazie Coffey were blessed to visit with him during one of my visits from Arizona. We sang some of the old songs that I grew up with. I shared with him that, although I did not accept the Lord during any church service at Tiro, his teaching and preaching were not lost on me and were a major reason for me to accept the Lord finally. Today my kids and grandkids all follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ much due to S.T. I even had the privilege to play softball with him. I will remember him to my dying day. Thank you S.T. and your family for sharing the love of the Lord with me. And thank you for sharing the love of gospel music with me.