Lola Mae Adkins Brown, 96, of the Beech Fork Community, Otway, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Everett and Thelma Gillette Adkins. She was born March 21, 1928 in McDermott. She was the widow of the late James Ray Brown. She also was preceded in death by two sons, James Everett and Richard Dale; two sisters, Doris Nell Eichenlaub and Mary Catherine and her husband Carl Brown; one brother, Carl and his wife Bernice Adkins and one granddaughter, Laura Elaine Baer.
Lola is survived by two sons and their wives; Gary Ray and Cathy Brown, Scott and Rhonda Brown both of Otway; two daughters and their husbands, Deborah Mae and Mark Baer of Lucasville, Joy Elaine and Gerald Penix of Portsmouth; seven grandchildren, Timothy (Lisa) Brown, (Darren) Tabitha Webb, Brian (Heather) Baer, (Mick) Bethany Whitt, Ethan Penix, Tyson (Andrea) Brown and Luke (Chelsi) Brown; fifteen great grandchildren, Trinity Jenkins, Ryan Brown, Faith Brown, Hope Ward, Tyler Webb, Terah Webb, Thatcher Webb, Abigail Baer, Alexander Baer, Haley Whitt, Noah Whitt, Addison Brown, Weston Brown, Mack Brown and Whitley Brown and three great great grandchildren, Cutler Lightle, Trayger Jenkins and Luxton Ward; two sisters, Lavonda (Fred) Brown of Otway and Linda Burchett of Blanchester, many cousins, nephews, nieces and church friends.
Lola was a faithful member of Beech Fork Church for over 75 years. She was a special singer and a part of “The Group” singing soprano. Their signature song was “Looking For a City”. As the members began passing away, they were replaced with other family members to sing at homecoming. She received the gift of anointing. She prayed the prayer of faith as she anointed thousands of the sick. She sang one solo that was a favorite of the congregation. The last verse: “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Lola was a homemaker keeping busy with her six children, gardening, canning and when needed, helping with the farm chores.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to Lola’s favorite charities. They are Gideon International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800, Beech Fork Church, 1847 State Route 348, Otway, OH 45657 and SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Beech Fork Church with grandson Brian Baer and Pastor Tom Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Beech Fork Cemetery for immediate family only due to lack of parking. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
