Gwendolyn was born on January 27, 1943, in Bonifay, FL, to Adolphus M. Sr. and Mayola Sanchez. Gwendolyn accepted the Lord at the age of 9 at Bethel AME Church in Bonifay, Florida. She attended Elementary and Secondary school in Holmes and Washington counties. She would matriculate at Lincoln Vocational School of Nursing, affiliated with FAMU Hospital, earning a degree as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

She found employment at Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, Florida. In 1969, she would move to Tampa, Florida where she found employment at St. Joseph's Hospital, a job kept until retiring in 1989. In 1976, she met the love of her life (joined at the heart) Johnny L. Adkins Sr and joined Grace Mary M.B. Church where she served diligently for 29 years. She would later become a member of Exciting Central Tampa Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Adkins Sr.; parents, Adolphus M. Sr. and Mayola Sanchez; brother, Adolphus M. Sanchez Jr.; and sister Betty Pegram.

She leaves precious memories with her children, Eustaz (April) and Eldred (Tarshae) Cannon; stepchildren, Brenda and Johnny Adkins; grandchildren, Izic, Natasha, Shyana, LaMarjorie, Eustaz Jr. (Devon), Kyrie, Eljanae, and India Cannon, and Ebonie Evans; a host of great-grandchildren; brother, Carlos Sanchez (Shirley); sister-in-law, Mabeline Sanchez; a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins; friends, Maxine Jacobs and Amber Singletary; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation
Friday, May 5, 2023
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King
Tampa, FL 33610

Traditional Funeral Service
Saturday, May 6, 2023
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Exciting Central Tampa Baptist Church
2923 N Tampa St
Tampa, FL 33602

Burial
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Garden of Memories
4207 East Lake Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610