Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Wesley Allen Adkins better known as “Mr. Pete” was born on February 3, 1929 to the union of Linzy and Lucy Branch-Adkins of Dewitt, WV. As a young man he moved to the neighboring town of Harvey, where he spent all of his days. After completing school, he entered the coal mining industry at a young age, where he spent the majority of 35 years working for multiple mines, such as Siltex, Milva Coal, Spade Mining, Gay Mining, and Winding Gulf Coal Inc. before retiring from New River Coal Company in 1985. Mr. Pete was known for not only his brilliance as a mechanic, but, he loved nothing more than to work in “Paw Paw’s Workshop”. He was also known for the infamous Red Jeep. Anyone that had the pleasure of coming in contact with Mr. Pete knew he valued honesty, wisdom, and integrity and loved his family. Mr. Pete was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener, and all around jack of all trades.

Mr. Pete was married to Ruby Ann Wright until her passing, and continued his life by the side of Viola “Lois” Nicholes, where he would take his last breath. Mr. Pete had 7 kids Cynthia, Jean, Doretha, Wesley-Ann, Donna, Patricia and later adopted Tiffany, whom he called “Tiffy.”

Mr. Pete departed life on June 6, 2021.

Mr. Pete, in addition to his parents, was preceded in death by wife, Ruby Ann; daughters, Cynthia and Doretha; brothers, Joseph, Edward, Archie and Linzey Jr., and sisters, Elizabeth, Odessa, Julie, and Joylette.

Mr. Pete leaves to cherish memories his companion, Viola “Lois” Nicholes; daughters, Donna “Jayne” Nicholes of Prudence, Tiffany “Tiffy” Rowe (Nathan) of Milton, Pa, Patricia Nicholes of Oak Hill, Jean Oyenuga of Chicago, IL and Wesley- Ann of CA; sister, Mrs. Helen Jacobs of Toledo, OH; 10 grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren, but shared special bond with Laketra “Kreta” and Danisha “NeNe” Nicholes and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at St. Paul Baptist Temple 129 Rice St. Beckley with Rev. Walter M. Leach officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, WV.

Friends, while wearing gloves and masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service. Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.