Frances Simpson Atkins

Mrs. Frances Simpson Atkins, 92, of Mount Airy, passed away early Friday morning, June 6, 2014, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mrs. Atkins was born August 13, 1921, in Surry County, the daughter of the late John and Dora Nichols Simpson. Frances was a spirited lady and an exceptional conversationalist. She loved her family and friends, and when it came to cooking or baking, her thoughts were "cook and they will come," which they delightedly did. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed gardening, both in her flower and vegetable gardens. Mrs. Atkins retired from Spencer's Inc. after 40 years of service. She was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Mount Airy, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Left to cherish her memories are her daughters and a son-in-law, Lydia and Billy Reynolds and Kaye F. Atkins; her grandchildren and their spouses, Todd and Bonnie Reynolds, John and Martina Reynolds, and Ann and Eric Riggs; her great-grandchildren, Russ Reynolds, Lauren Reynolds, Mia Reynolds, Camilla Reynolds, Eli Riggs, Isaac Riggs, and Ella Riggs; and her sister, Polly Simpson Watson. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Atkins was preceded in death by her husband, Wade Arvil Atkins; and her brothers, Sherman Simpson, Herman Simpson, Cirgus Simpson, Gurnie Simpson, Johnny Carroll Johnson, Billy Simpson, Glenn Simpson, Jack Simpson, and Troy Simpson. The funeral service will be held Monday, June 9, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Fellowship Baptist Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Chris Benfield, the Rev. Eddie Honeycutt, and the Rev. Tim Burton officiating. Burial will follow in the Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, June 8, 2014, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Fellowship Baptist Church in Mount Airy. Her body will lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service at the church. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.