Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

If America since Jan 2025 hasn’t broken your heart, you haven’t loved her enough.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Boeing: repeatedly making the case for high speed rail.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Since we are repeating ourselves, let me just say fuck that.

I really should read my own blog.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

A tremendous foreign policy asset… to all of our adversaries.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / RIP, Lynn Adkins

RIP, Lynn Adkins

by | 44 Comments

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Bethany, West Virginia lost one of her best citizens yesterday as Lynn Adkins died after a several year battle with cancer. She was a devoted teacher, mother, social worker, and wife, and I knew her my entire life. I grew up with her children, I was very attached to her former husband as a teen (he was a wonderful man), and when I was entering a troubled stage of my teen years, Lynn was there to help give my parents advice. It is no exaggeration to state that Lynn Adkins helped save my sister’s life years ago, when she went through what I will simply describe as a personal crisis. Lynn was there to help her, and they remained close friends until the very end. My parents loved Lynn, and she and her husband were members of a circle of friends who did everything together.

This is a very sad day, and my thoughts are with her family.

Reader Interactions

44Comments

  1. 1.

    PurpleGirl

    A moving tribute. I hope her family finds comfort in tributes from friends such as yourself.

  2. 2.

    wvng

    I’m so sorry for your family’s and community’s loss. But it sounds like her’s was a life to celebrate.

  4. 4.

    JL

    John, She sounded like such a special person and I’m sorry for your and her families loss. It seems as though her legacy will live on. Thank you also for the link for the obituary of her spouse also.

  9. 9.

    Leelee for Obama

    So sorry that you’ve lost someone you cared so very much for. I hope you and yours and her family can find comfort in the life she had. There must be many people whose lives she touched that will remember her with love.

  11. 11.

    aimai

    She, and her husband, sound like incredible people. For all the public talk about "values" and "communities" when it comes right down to it we don’t often get a chance to really celebrate the source of those values and that community in our lives–the individual, caring acts of a few people who put themselves out for their friends, neighbors, and family. These are our national treasures. We are the richer for their lives, and the poorer for their passing.

    aimai

  14. 14.

    ** Atanarjuat **

    She sounds like a wonderful human being who enriched the lives of everyone she came in contact with.

    I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Mr. Cole. You have my condolences.

    -A

  19. 19.

    John Cole

    She was a good person. I feel really bad for her husband and her kids and all of her really close friends. My father is devastated.

  20. 20.

    CaseyL

    I’m so sorry. She sounds like an amazing person, the kind who makes you feel blessed for having known them.

  22. 22.

    Calming Influence

    Condolences, John.

    Years ago I started making contributions to the American Cancer Society in memory of family and friends who were victims of cancer; then I added to the list donations for family and friends who had battled cancer and won; now I include friends of friends.

    The contributions are necessarily small, because sad reminders like this come all too frequently. But giving makes me feel that I can be a small part of the happier outcomes as well, and that although we may lose battles we can win this war.

    So here’s to Lynn Adkins.

  23. 23.

    Tsulagi

    Sorry to hear that. Those are the kind of people that add the sweet icing to life. Sometimes the cake too.

  28. 28.

    sus

    I’m sorry for your loss John. It sounds as though she touched many lives.

    My sister and brother-in-law are Bethany alumnus. I have forwarded your link.

  30. 30.

    R-Jud

    My condolences to you, John, and to everyone who is affected by her passing. Sounds like every life she came in to was left enriched.

    RJ

  32. 32.

    Zuzu's Petals

    So very sorry to hear about your loss, John.

    But just from what we know of you from this blog, and from what you’ve written about your family … she must have felt very fortunate in her friends.

  34. 34.

    Brachiator

    A very moving remembrance. Thank you, John, for making me aware of Lynn Adkins, her life, and her family.

  35. 35.

    Jackie

    It is good to be reminded that there are so many ripples to kindness and good deeds. I’m sorry for the loss of a good woman and happy to celebrate the good she did.

  37. 37.

    Jill

    John, my condolences to you and your family.Despite her unfortunate death, by sharing this story you are ensuring Lynn Adkins’ goodness continues to touch and help others. She will be long, and well, remembered. Thank you for your generosity.

  38. 38.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    A moving tribute John. I am so sorry for your loss. Words are hollow comfort during times like these, but I bet if you sit quietly for a moment, you’ll feel all of the love flowing from your BJ minions. Like a giant internet hug.

  41. 41.

    Lupita N

    Very sorry to hear of your loss, John. It’s good to be reminded how many good people there are in the world.

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