Gene Atkins

Gene Atkins

Abilene, TX

On the morning of October 13, 2015, Gene passed away at her home after a short illness. Gene was being visited and comforted by family members. Gene was ninety-one years, eleven months old. A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday in Buffalo Gap Cemetery with Louis Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday in North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street.

Gene was born in Abilene, Taylor County; Texas on November 1, 1923. She was the seventh child born to James Calloway White and Missouri Ann Gray-White.

Gene worked in Fort Worth, Texas during World War II at the American Manufacturing Factory, making artillery. Gene was an extremely talented woman; she enjoyed quilting, writing poetry and photography. Her love for her flowers was evident by her yard, greenhouse and many photos of flowers.

Gene was also the family historian and worked on the genealogy for both the Atkins and White families. She assembled many family records and published books on the Gray and Atkins families. She was a devote Christian and a lifelong member of North Park Baptist Church.

Gene was married almost 70 years to J.D. Atkins. They were married on May 9, 1946 in Abilene by Justice of The Peace; W.A. "Bill" Ward, Jr. Gene's family was the most important thing to her.

Gene was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Karen Leah Anders and Jacob David Atkins, two great-grandchildren, Darby and Madison Morris, her parents, three brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her husband, J.D. Atkins, two daughters, Lynda Gail Dunlap, Sammy Jo Myers-Chamness and husband Randall Lee Chamness, two sons, John Paul Atkins and wife Tina Atkins, James David Atkins and wife Janna Atkins, ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Pallbearers will be: Benjamin Anders, James Chadwick Myers, Stetson Lee Chamness, Justin Kale Atkins, Joshua Neal Atkins, and Matthew Garrett Atkins.

The family would like to say thank you to Hendrick Hospice Care Unit and staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the HSU North Park Friendship House.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com.