Tommy Murle Atkins and Rebecca Mae Gunter Atkins

Tommy Murle Atkins, 85, of Mount Airy, passed away Sunday night, August 21, 2022, at his home.  On Wednesday evening, August 24, 2022, his wife, Rebecca Mae Gunter Atkins, 85, joined him in eternal rest from the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.

Murle was born November 8, 1936, in Surry County, the son of the late Howard Yancey and Levia Geneva Marion Atkins.  Murle was reared in the White Plains Community and graduated from White Plains High School in 1954.  Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served three years.  He worked at Roadway Express for many years, and he later retired as a tobacco farmer.  He was a Christian and a member of Dover Baptist Church.

Rebecca was born March 5, 1937, in Surry County, the daughter of the late Victor Oscar and Alice Mae Long Gunter.  Rebecca was reared in the Red Brush community and graduated from White Plains High School in 1954.  She worked as an accountant at York Oil Company for many years, and she later retired from the state of North Carolina.  Rebecca was a Christian and a member of Dover Baptist Church.

Murle and Rebecca are survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Cathy Atkins and Dr. Ricky and Debbie Atkins; three grandchildren and their spouses, Allison and Jamie Bobbitt, Brandi Love, and Lee and Beth Atkins; six great-grandchildren, Lilli Atkins, Autumn Atkins, Brooklyn Atkins, Gemma Atkins, Hailey Love, and Caden Love; and two great-stepgrandchildren, Jonathan Bobbitt and Jeremy Bobbitt.  Also surviving are Murle’s sister-in-law, Byrona Atkins; and Rebecca’s two sisters, Opal Draughn and Linda Coe.

In addition to their parents, Murle and Rebecca were preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brittney Erin Atkins; and a great-grandson, Braxton Andrew Love.  Murle was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald Hugh Atkins.  Rebecca was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Oscar Gunter; and two brothers-in-law, Dennis Draughn and Wayne Coe.

A service to celebrate the lives of Murle and Rebecca will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Larry Jones and Dr. Ricky Atkins officiating.  Burial will follow in the Dover Baptist Church Cemetery.  Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard to pay tribute to Murle’s military service.  No formal visitation will be held; however, family and friends may pay their respects by signing a guest register on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC  27017.