Joan Elizabeth Adkins, 87, of Key West, passed away on October 27, 2019 in Lake City, Florida.

Born in Key West, Florida on November 9, 1931 to the late A. Leland Sawyer and Mary L. Sawyer, Joan grew up and lived in Key West most of her life.  She was married to Edgar Mason Adkins, whom she met in Key West while he served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. They were married until his death in 1988.

Joan graduated Key West High School in 1949. She worked various jobs throughout her life as a bookkeeper and auditor. In January 1993 she retired from Monroe County as head payroll clerk.  Joan was a faithful member of the Key West United Methodist "Old Stone" Church. She and her sisters were fondly referred to as "the three sisters" by members of the congregation. Joan enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking for her family and was always an involved mother and active in her children's school and activities.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar, her parents Leland and Mary Sawyer , sisters Florence A. Naves and Lillian A. Berube, and her brother A. Earnest Sawyer.

She is survived by her sister Mary Louise Russell and three children: son Mark A. Adkins and wife Dee, daughter Melanie A. Adkins,  and son Joseph N. Adkins and wife Suzanne. She leaves behind five grandchildren: Dominque Adkins, Brendan Adkins, Sean Adkins, Madeline Adkins, and Mason Adkins, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service celebrating her life in Lake City, Florida at the Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home on November 3, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. George Swearengin officiating. Interment will be private at the Key West Cemetery at a different time. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 P.M. (one hour prior to the services) at the funeral home.