Zelma Sparks Adkins Behnke Obituary
We announce the death of Zelma Sparks Adkins Behnke of Morehead, Kentucky, who passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 80. Zelma will be remembered by family members, friends, and others whose lives were connected in meaningful ways. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Edward S. "Eddie" Sparks and Martha Haywood Sparks; her former husband Avery Adkins; her husband Al Behnke; her son Marvin Clifton Adkins; her grandson Jimmy Adkins; her siblings, Gary, Eddie, James, Robert Elwood, Hiram Junior, Larry Sparks, Revanelle Blankenship, Josephine Gardner and Evalena Hanshaw; her nephews, William Clayton Hanshaw Jr. and Michael Sparks; and her niece Tammy Boyd Parker.
She is survived by: her children, Sara McMahan of Vanceburg, Avery "A. J." Adkins Jr. (Lisa) of Morehead and John Aaron Miller of Olive Hill; and her siblings, Ida Boyd of Morehead, Alice Stewart of Germantown, Thelma Offill of Olive Hill, Joann Mauk of Morehead, Roy Kenneth Sparks of Owingsville and Mark Wayne Sparks of Emerson. She is also survived by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, August 27th 2026 at 2:30 PM at the McMahan Cemetery.
