Mary "Lee" Leellen Adkinson

Mary Leellen “Lee” Adkinson was born on May 3, 1946 in Montgomery, Al to Altoona Singleton and William Henry Hubbard, Jr. Lee spent the majority of her childhood growing up in Hope Hull, Al, a rural community on the outskirts of Montgomery, Al. Her family owned a large piece of property and it was there she learned to ride horses as soon as she could walk, care for cattle, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and any animal she thought needed her “help”. Her love of animals was her passion, but was known to a bit quirky after all, how many Leghorn roosters wear baby bonnets and roost in a baby carriage!? Lee competed and won many rodeo buckles in her day, she sang soprano in the school choir and graduated with honors from Sydney Lanier High School in 1964. She then attended Troy State University where as fate would have it, her best friend was dating a young man who was best friends with a young and single, Tony Adkinson. It was on a ride from Troy to Montgomery that Tony fell head over heals in love with Lee and called his mom that night to proclaim, “I met the woman I’m gonna marry today!” Meanwhile, Lee called her best friend and said, “I hope I NEVER see him again! ”Fortunately, they had to ride back to college together and it was on THAT ride that they became inseparable and married approximately a year later.

Tony would spend most of their first five years of marriage in Vietnam while Lee stayed in Montgomery and worked as a secretary. Lee and Tony welcomed the first of two children, Kristi Michelle in December of 1970 and their second child, Charles Anthony in February of 1974. Lee was fiercely tenacious when it came to going wherever the Army sent Tony. Lee couldn’t have known that she would follow him around the world more than once and live in places like Tehran, Iran; Izmir, Turkey; Germany; Italy and all across the US, much less that she would travel those distances often without her husband and with two small kids in tow!

Lee was a devoted and loving mother and wife. She chose to be a stay at home mom while her children were small. Once they reached school age she began working part time as a librarian while they attended school. Eventually, as the kids reached high school age she returned to school and gained a Paralegal degree and worked for a prestigious law firm in Virginia and later in Montgomery, Al. At both Law Firms she was involved in preparing multiple briefs that went before the US Supreme Court, two of which were argued and won by her team.

In 2008, Lee and Tony both retired and became full time RVer’s traveling the country they spent so many years serving. Lee and Tony enjoyed many adventures over the years and loved cruising most of all!

In 2016 Lee and Tony moved to Eagle, ID with their Daughter and son-in-law and after a few winters (including “snowmegedon”) they decided to head back south to Pensacola, FL . In Oct 2023 Lee and Tony moved back to Eagle and after Tony’s passing in Dec that same year, Lee lived in a house with her son Chuck. Lee’s life was lived to the fullest and filled with horses and trail rides, dogs and cats, crafts and books, love and laughter, family and friends alike. In her final days, she rejoiced at the birth of her Great-grandson Robin Anthony and enjoyed family gatherings in her home as well as playing Bunco with “the girls”.

Lee is survived by her daughter Kristi Kearl and son-in-law Travis Kearl; son Chuck Adkinson; Grandson Troy Underwood and granddaughter in law, Shannon Underwood, and great grandson, Robin Anthony Underwood.

Lee is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Anthony Lavaughn Adkinson; father William Henry Hubbard, Jr.; mother Altoona, Hubbard; father-in-law Lavaughn Adkinson; mother-in-law, Nelly Adkinson; sister Florie Ann Welch; and former son-in-law, Brian Lauck.

A memorial service will be held, 2:00 pm, Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr., Garden City, Idaho.

Services are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City, Idaho. 208-853-3131