Eva Suzanne Barnett-Adkins

Eva Suzanne Barnett-Adkins, 68, was born on April 5, 1954, to Rupert and Louise Barnett. She grew up in Danville, IL, attended Danville public schools, and graduated from Danville High School, class of 1972. After graduating, Suzanne attended Danville Junior College, and graduated with an associate degree. After graduating from DJC, she began her 40+ year career at Hyster-Yale Group in Danville, IL, where she started in the mailroom and worked her way up to the position of Government Parts Coordinator, until her retirement in 2019.

Suzanne was united in holy matrimony to Virgil Dwight Adkins, on June 3, 1989. From this union, Suzanne was blessed with two bonus children, Lisa and Courtney.
Suzanne was a lifetime member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she gave her life to Lord and served faithfully in various ministries, including the Steward Board, Usher Board, Culinary Committee, Finance Committee, Chapelaires Choir, Alpha and Omega Choir, Treasurer, and Co-chair of the Lincoln-Douglas-King Banquet.

A tireless civil servant, Suzanne’s services included Black Unity, Blacks in Government, Senior Divas, and alongside her husband, owners of C&D Barbeque together they served the community for over three decades.
Her hobbies included shopping, reading, singing, cooking, traveling, watching sports with her husband, and care-giving. Family and friends meant everything to Suzanne, and she dedicated her life to helping others.

On Monday, September 12, 2022, Suzanne quietly and peacefully answered God’s call from her labor here on earth. Suzanne is preceded in death by her parents, Rupert and Louise Barnett and her aunt Callie Evans.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband Virgil Dwight Adkins, daughter Lisa (Andre) Mandeldove of Lilburn GA, son Courtney (LaTonya) Phillips of Fresno TX; sister Iris (Joe) Williams, Jr. of Danville, IL; grandchildren Jonathan Mandeldove of Elizabeth City, NC; Dionte Mandeldove of Chicago, IL, Marissa Mandeldove of Lilburn, GA, Andre Mandeldove of Austin, TX, Courtney and Courmoira Phillips of Champaign, IL, and J’Lynn Phillips of Houston TX; nieces Yvonne (Derek) Baxter of Forest Park, IL, and Shelley (Darryl) Goodwin of Olympia Fields, IL; great nieces Morgan Williams of Miami, FL, Kyndell Goodwin of Olympia Fields, IL; and her beloved cousins Keith, Kenda, Kerra, Kyle Harper; cousin Doris Bigham of Phoenix, AZ, her second family, the Colliers; a host of relatives, very special friends; and her loyal dog LeBron. 

A Homegoing Celebration will commence at 12:00 Noon on Saturday September 17, 2022 at Allen Chapel AME Church, 503 N. Jackson, Danville. Eulogist: Rev. Dr. C. Calvin Rice. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will be at Spring Hill Cemetery. A public viewing will be held on Friday September 16, 2022 from 1-5 pm at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 304 E. Williams, Danville.

Condolences can be sent to www.leekandsonsfuneralhome.com

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