Delores "Jean" Adkins, 79, of Cabot, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, January 5, 2026, following a long illness and surgery.

Born in Harlingen, Texas, in 1946, Jean was raised in various communities across Texas and New Mexico. She carried a lifelong passion for teaching and education, which became her defining characteristic and mission in life. For over 40 years, she dedicated herself to nurturing young minds. While working as a para-professional, she attended college at night for six years, earning her education degree and Arkansas credentials at the age of 31.

Jean made a profound impact working for the Pulaski County School District in Arkansas (Harris Elementary and Sylvan Hills Elementary) before continuing her career in Texas with the Burleson Independent School District (Mound Elementary) and Granbury Independent School District (Granbury Elementary, Oakwood Elementary, Granbury Intermediate, and Baccus Elementary). She retired in 2012, having touched countless lives as a teacher, mentor, and "savior of lost children," possessing a special ability to see the needs of and help troubled young people. Few have positively influenced as many lives as she did.

Above all, Jean's greatest pleasure, pride, and love was in her grandchildren and her great grandchild, ranging over 36 years. She moved 450 miles at age 77 to be closer to her grandchildren and great-grandchild, leaving a wonderful mark on each of them, and they on her. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, she holds a special place in the hearts of her wide circle of family, friends, fellow educators, and former students.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Terry Adkins, and two daughters, Trisa Dabbs, and her husband Larry Dabbs, and Traci Chudy, and her husband Kelley Chudy, all of whom adored her.

Jean was a beloved "Nana" to six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: Will Bakalekos, and his wife Cody Bakalekos; Rebecca Daniel and her husband Phillip Daniel; Jake Bakalekos, his girlfriend Heather Bartlett, and her children Chloe and Noah; Katelyn Dabbs; Nick Chudy; Macie Chudy; and great-granddaughter, Ella Jean Daniel.

She is also survived by her sisters, Doris Nell Mixon, and her husband Tom, and Linda Fern Cherry, as well as many cherished nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and nieces, and great-nephews and nieces, all of whom she loved as her own.

Jean was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Pershing West; her mother, Inez Burges West; her stepmother, Dewdrop Cherry West; and her brothers, Gary Frank West and Kenneth Floyd West.

In accordance with Jean's wishes, cremation has taken place. A service to honor her life and legacy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on her birthday, Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Moore's Funeral Home, 1504 N. JP Wright Loop Road, Jacksonville, AR. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a reception to celebrate a woman who brought so much joy to everyone around her.