Brenda Gail (Adkins) Vest

Brenda Gail Adkins Vest was born on March 26, 1951 to JC and Della Mae Adkins in West
Liberty, KY.
She lived and loved life in Elliott County, KY. Growing up, she and her dear sister, Sharon,
made memories to last a lifetime. She loved her home - built by her father. Coffee on the
porch. Walks up the holler. Time with family and her pets. A country girl who loved elegant
things. She rode horses with her husband, Ira, and attended ballet recitals and concerts for her
grandchildren. She liked to travel, she loved the beach, she loved to camp, but she truly loved
her home.
She was preceded in death by her caring mother, Della Mae Adkins, and her beloved father, JC
Adkins, both of whom helped to instill in her the deep faith Brenda held in Jesus.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Ira Vest, her daughter Samantha Gail Adkins
Wright, her son, Patrick Adkins (Erin), her stepdaughter Sonja Vest, stepson Shannon Vest
(Jenny), her 8 grandchildren Robert Corey Wright, Abigail Martinez-Juarez (Erick), Ashley
Nicole Price, Jesey Salyers, Sagan Goodpaster, Eli Vest, MaryDella Adkins and Beatrice Adkins
as well as 9 great-grandchildren (Jacob Wright; Corbin, Abel, and Sophia Martinez-Juarez;
Mason, Brady, Aliannah, and Abram Price; and Ady Kate Goodpaster), her sister Sharon
Conway (Steve) and many close friends and family who she touched so dearly.
She treasured her beloved pets Betty, Phoebe, and the late Billy and Jackie.
For over three decades, Brenda served as the Finance Director for the Elliott County Board of
Education. With her pragmatic understanding and problem-solving abilities, she was a trusted
advisor to the superintendent. Her patented no-look, no-errors, blazing fast, one-handed
calculator skills were a marvel to behold. She loved accounting and bookkeeping because it
would always come out even in the end.
Brenda attended Morehead State University as a non-traditional student. She earned a
Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art.
Brenda was an avid reader and while classic love stories filled her book collection, it was
murder mysteries that were often the genre of choice. Her love of reading became a family affair
as she would task her son, Patrick, with finding particular books or authors she would like to
read which also brought him great joy, and she would often discuss the books she read with her
daughter, Samantha, during their special walks together. Favorite authors include Earl Stanley
Gardener, Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, Lilian Jackson Braun, Raymond Chandler, Stuart
Woods, and “Jessica Fletcher” among others.
In addition to her love of the written word she also enjoyed television shows that also included
murder mystery and courtroom procedurals. She was often on the case with Perry Mason,
Columbo, Jessica Fletcher, Ben Matlock, and Adrian Monk. None of them held a candle to her
detective work as it would often take them the full hour to solve what Brenda discovered early
on.
Brenda loved a gathering of friends and family. A holiday, a birthday, a grandchild’s
extracurricular event - any reason to come together over good food, conversation, and party
games! She was adamant that everyone participate, and whether the games be based on trivia
or physical challenge, it always led to hilarity, laughter, and prizes! It remains to be settled
whether she purposefully swayed games in favor of her eventual daughter-in-law, Erin, during
her first trip to Brenda’s home. Regardless, the real prize was the love and laughter that Brenda
facilitated at each gathering.
So fun. So funny. So beautiful. So kind. So caring. So smart. So knowing. So nurturing. So
loving. So beloved.
Gran.
Nana.
Mom.
Brenda.
There is to be a private graveside service with the immediate family at Patrick Cemetery in
Wrigley, KY. A celebration of life will take place at Lick Fork Church in Wrigley, KY on
Wednesday, November 8 at 1:30PM.

Pallbearers:  Family & Friends.

Potter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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