J.W. Atkins, 79 of Hartselle, passed away August 7 at Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham, following a 3-month illness.
J.W. graduated from Morgan County High School and attended Auburn University and Athens State studying electrical engineering. He spent 39 years working at Joe Wheeler Co-Op and helped bring electricity to all parts of Morgan County.
During his life, J.W. was an active member of the Hartselle Church of Christ, was in the Civitan Club, took mission trips to Costa Rica and Jamaica, and served 15 years on the Board of Directors at EvaBank. He was an avid farmer, co-owning a large farm in Tennessee and three smaller farms in Morgan County. He was a football fan and loved the Alabama Crimson Tide
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Hesta; three children Kelly and wife Katie of Custer, SD, James and Celeste Atkins Payton of Huntsville, and Clay Atkins of Hartselle. Daughter-in-law Vivian Atkins of Hartselle; four grandchildren Chelsea Atkins of Springfield, MO, Mia and Anna Atkins of Hartselle, Alex Atkins of Custer and step-grandchildren Sarah and Jason Keil of Custer and Spencer Payton of Alcolu, SC. Other survivors include siblings Charles Atkins of Priceville, J.C. Atkins of Mount Hope, Dianna Gurley of Somerville and Carol Parsons of Hartselle. He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Betty Atkins and siblings Cora Ella Alldridge, Dolly Shelton, Bobbie Jennings and Lamar Atkins.
Visitation and funeral services will be Monday August 11,2014, at Hartselle Church of Christ, with Minister Phillip Hines officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., funeral service at 3 p.m. and burial to follow at Hartselle City Cemetery, with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers will be Allen Kirby, Bob Kirby, Ray Breakfield, Dewayne Morris, Charles Crawford, Darrell Sims and Dr. Dinesh Gandhi. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Johnston and Wayne Hicks.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Hartselle Church of Christ Brazil orphanage fund.
