ESTELLE ELISE SMITH ADKINS
Wife of Homer Martin Adkins, 32nd Governor (1941-1945)

Born: July 31, 1889
Died: November 13, 1985
Children: none
Original Home: Hermanville, Mississippi

Estelle Elise Smith first met Homer Martin Adkins at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana where she was stationed as a nurse. As a nurse with the Red Cross she volunteered for overseas duty during World War I and was sent to France. She returned to Louisiana to work in a hospital. After some time she married the future governor and moved to his homestate of Arkansas.

After her marriage Estelle Adkins continued working for the Red Cross as a volunteer. She nursed victims of natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes. After the attack on Pearl Harbor she gave herself full-time to the Red Cross. In addition to being in charge of her own group of volunteers she recruited for the Army Nurse Corps and also volunteered for the American Legion.

After her husband's role in public service, the Adkins moved to their home in the country. Here Estelle Adkins became involved with the 4H Club and the local Home Demonstration Club. She belonged to many organizations including the Ouachita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Colonial Dames and the state and national nurses' associations.