Jeffrey Keith "Jeff" Atkins

TUSCALOOSA Jeffrey “Jeff” Keith Atkins, age 48, of Tuscaloosa, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at DCH Regional Medical Center after a long battle with melanoma cancer.

Jeff was born in West Point, Mississippi in 1963. Jeff loved his Lord and his family. While Jeff was involved in various aspects of ministry, his family was his first ministry. He was a faithful husband to his wife, Tammy. He was a dedicated father to his daughters, Haley and Lindsey. He loved playing golf, playing the drums, Alabama football, and Tuscaloosa Academy sports. Jeff graduated from the University of Alabama and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. His career included working for Liberty National which brought his family to Tuscaloosa, and most recently as an Insurance Executive with Wells Fargo Financial Services where he received many honors and awards for his hard work and dedication.

Jeff meant so much to so many people who call him friend. He was a founding member and Elder at North River Church and served as the Director of Operations for PraiseFest Ministries. He was also the President of Tentholders for Tabernacle Campground. He dedicated his time working behind the scenes to make sure that everything needing to be done was done, so that these ministries could maximize their efforts in reaching people with the Gospel. He never asked or needed applause because he understood that his reward would be waiting for him in Heaven where he is now able to enjoy it. Many people will join Jeff in Heaven one day because of the hard work that he gave for the Kingdom of God.

Jeff was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Richard Fields and Sallie Mae Lawrence Field, as well as his paternal grandparents, Clayton and Erline Atkins.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy Diane Brown Atkins; two daughters, Haley Katherine Atkins and Lindsey Nicole Atkins; his parents, Bobby Joe Atkins and Mary Elizabeth Fields Atkins; and one sister, Michelle Atkins Lovelady.

Family visitation will be held tonight, March 1, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. at North River Church in Tuscaloosa. The Life Celebration Services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at North River Church with Dr. Scott Reynolds and Dr. Matthew Dunaway, both very dear friends of Jeff and the Atkins family, presiding. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

Pallbearers will include T.O. McDowell, Rick Manasco, Wade Hamner, Donnie Jones, Bryon Montalbano, Christopher Montalbano, Greg Loveday, and Mike McWhirter.

Honorary pallbearers include close family friend Dr. Richard Shamblin, all of the wonderful doctors and nurses at DCH Cancer Center who cared for Jeff through his illness, Dr. Scott Reynolds and the fellowship of North River Church, the board and staff of PraiseFest Ministries, Tabernacle Campground, and friends at Tuscaloosa Academy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to some of the organizations that were special to him. These include North River Church Music Ministry, PraiseFest Ministries, Tabernacle Campground, and the Jeff Atkins Tuscaloosa Academy Basketball Scholarship.

Condolences may be offered at www.memorychapelfuneralhome.com.