By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – In the words of Bloomington’s mayor, the city is mourning the loss of an “incredible jewel” to the community.

Mayor Tari Renner was describing Barb Adkins, a city employee of three decades who died over the weekend.

Adkins rose to the top among city workers, starting as an inspector and eventually promoted to deputy city manager until her retirement a few years ago, according to our news partner HOI ABC.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, former Alderman Mike Matejka remembered Adkins, the city’s human relations director in the mid-1990s, as the driving force behind the Not In Our Town (NIOT) movement against hate, bullying, and working toward a safe and inclusive community.

People back then wore NIOT buttons and t-shirts, NIOT stickers were put on all city vehicles, and NIOT signs were seen all over the community.

Matejka said Adkins had a knack for dealing with people who might be hostile to a particular cause.

“She was a great human rights advocate, and at the same time she was approachable by everyone,” said Matejka.

“She responded to people whether they were disagreeable or not, she found a way to make things work with them,” Matejka also said.

In 1999, Adkins was honored as a Woman of Distinction by YWCA McLean County.

Adkins was raised in East St. Louis and attended Illinois State University.