Ronald Wallace Atkins

Ronald Wallace Atkins, affectionately known as "Ronnie" was born on April 28th, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the only child born to the late Lestelle L. Harris, also from Boston, Massachusetts. Being raised in Roxbury, Ronnie received his education through the Boston Public School system.
He later went on, met and fell in love with his high school sweetheart Dolores M. Belle. Soon after, Ronnie joined U.S. Army National Guard where he remained stateside during his tenure. Upon his departure from the National Guard, Ronnie and Dolores wed on his birthday April 28, 1957. Of this union they had six children Darlene, Anthony, Shiela, Michael, Wanda, and Steven. Ronnie's dedication priority was to always be there to support and provide for his family. That is what he did best throughout his employment in shipping and receiving at Sears, Roebuck and Company until his retirement in 1995.
Ronnie was an active and lifetime member of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World (I.B.P.O.E.W.), Massasoit Lodge #129 in Cambridge, MA, for the past 70 years. During his tenure as an Elk, he held various titles and was active as an Antler Guard where he traveled throughout different states attending conventions and parades. The Elks became a household name as he "enlisted" his children and their friends as Elk members at an early age.
Ronnie was also an active and lifetime member of Woodbine Associates Inc. for the past 69 years. Ronnie held various titles and was also worked as a bartender for the club. Ronnie loved numbers and finance and became the treasurer and bookkeeper for most of his membership in the Elks and Woodbine Organizations. Ronnie did not have a desire to learn about computers. He preferred handwritten paper ledgers for all his bookkeeping and report information on until he passed the torch about 10yrs ago.
"Ronnie," "dad," "granddad" as he was known was a quiet and humble man, but his presence held authority. His voice at times seemed silent but his strength of being a devoted father was not. Ronnie had many interests. He loved reading, discussing current events, cooking, donating to charities, and enjoying time with family and loved ones at our family gatherings. Ronnie was a casual coin collector. He loved watching cooking shows, such as Emeril and Hell's Kitchen, but one of his favorite shows was The Iron Chef. We believe dad had about every seasoning that there was. He always said, "you have to doctor things up." He was a very good cook and one of his signature dishes was his seafood gumbo. Everyone that tasted it could not wait for the next time it was made.
At the family gatherings at our parents' house, we play board games, cards, or sometimes just hanging out with multiple conversations going on across the room. You would find dad relaxing in his recliner watching television near the center of the room. Sometimes he would join in on the conversations, but most times he sat in silence looking up from the television at what was going on. Never had he ever asked us to be quiet or to lower our voices. We always felt he seemed most proud to be in the center surrounded by his family. Whenever we left their home, or we ended a phone conversation with dad, his constant saying was "Make Love Not War!"
Although unexpected, dad gained his wings on Sunday, February 9 @ 6:15p, we believe it was God's will that he took his last breath with conversations going on in the room, surrounded by his family.
Ronnie leaves to cherish his memories, his wife just shy of 68 years, Dolores M. Atkins, (6) children - Darlene Atkins, Anthony Atkins, Shiela Gibson husband Cadle, Michael Atkins wife Tamisha, Wanda Atkins, Steven Atkins, (12) grandchildren, (9) great-grandchildren, (3) great-great grandchildren, a host of cousins, and many others that knew and loved him.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his mother Lestelle L. Harris at 100yrs old, grandson Tyrone A. Atkins and granddaughter Briana J. Bigby
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Ronald Wallace Atkins, please visit our floral store.