Minnie was born in Isonville, Kentucky. She spent many years working in Ohio and returned to
  her homeplace, which she renamed "Peaceful Valley," in the 1980s. Minnie carved as a child, but she took
  up carving full time after returning to Kentucky.

 

  To many in Kentucky, the twig roosters carved by Minnie are synonymous with the term “folk art.” 
  She taught herself to carve as a child, but it was not until 1987 that she realized that others might be
  interested in buying her work.  Not only were others interested, but the demand was so high that her then-husband, Garland Linville Adkins, began carving as well. Together the two artists created some of the most sought after folk art in the country.

 

Minnie was the 1992 recipient of the inaugural Jane Morton Norton Award given by the Norton Center for the Arts for achievement in advancing the arts in Kentucky. She also received the Award of Distinction from the Folk Art Society of America in 1993 and the Appalachian Treasure Award in 1994.
In 1998, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Morehead State University.