Having been born during World War II, our mother initially grew up in an abandoned coal mining camp in West Virginia, later moving to other parts of WVA over the course of her childhood. As the oldest of thirteen children, mom was responsible with helping her mother take care of her siblings as well as other responsibilities that included the daily retrieval of water from a neighbor's well, cooking, cleaning, and teaching what she learned in school to her brothers and sisters. As she grew up, being responsible and taking care of people was instilled in her- these important traits resonated throughout her life.

When she graduated from Chapmanville High School in 1962, she moved from WVA for Washington, D.C., for a career with the federal government. Within a year of arriving in D.C., she met our father, Romie Bawar, an enlisted Filipino in the United States Navy. They were married the following year and began traveling, as his duty required, to such far-off places such as Naples, Italy and various bases throughout the U.S. During these tours, mom was able to earn her degree in accounting to further her career, while also giving birth to their three children. Unfortunately, their marriage was strained and resulted in their divorce after 19 years of marriage.

However, their children were able to deliver them multiple grandchildren later in life. Michelle, the oldest, was blessed with three sons: Christopher, Nicholas, and Shane. Karmalita and her husband Curt honored them with Kayla and Lily (Tay). Their youngest, Romie Jr along with his wife Selvy, although childless, were able to provide caregiving to mom during her final years. After 27 years with the federal government, Mom later retired and eventually remarried. Her second husband, David Jerabek, was a retired enlisted U. S. Army soldier. Dave passed away in 2009 but was to provide her with wonderful memories from multiple cruises and trips during their 13-year marriage. It was during their marriage that mom was able to provide caregiving to her parents, and in her words "was one of the most rewarding and satisfying times of my life."

Mom is survived by her sisters Mary Nooralian, Lauvondia Wilson, Brenda Haddox, Teresa Dingess and her brothers Larry Adkins and Clayton Adkins, as well as all three of her children and five grandchildren. She is predeceased by her father Clyde Adkins, mother Della Mae, brothers Darrell, Robert, Clyde Jr., William, Keith, sister Lillian, first-husband Romie, and second-husband David. Also her beloved dogs Mylo and Coco will be interred with her forever more.

In lieu of flowers, her family request that contributions be made to her niece, Amanda Adkins. Amanda is in dire need of medical attention as her medically created esophagus is requiring further surgery. She has required a feeding tube since 2-weeks of age, until now at the age 20. Amanda is having to travel with her mom from thier home state of Alabama to Wisconsin to be seen by her initial surgeon in order to have her Colonic Interposition for Esophageal Replacement surgery reevaluated. Please visit her GoFundMe page to learn more and provide any contributions: https://www.gofundme.com/f/amanda039s-trip-to-wisconsin