Atkins, Rachel Elizabeth

Rachel Elizabeth Atkins, 80, of Maybrook Community, Pembroke, departed this life Monday evening, April 23, 2012, at her home in the loving care of her family and Good Samaritan Hospice. Born in Maybrook on June 26, 1931, she was a daughter of the late John Cloyd Sr. and Lema Sue Stiff Williams. Rachael was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and neighbor, as well as a busy business woman. She and her late husband Byron S. “Buster” Atkins operated several businesses through the years in the Maybrook Community, the last being Atkins Equipment Co. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret and Mary Sue Williams; and her brother and sister-in-law, John Claude Jr. and Edna Williams. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, George H. and his wife, Carol Atkins, of Maybrook and Judy and her husband, Barry Franklin, of Maybrook; a special niece Jean Williams; her grandchildren, Sarah A and David Slack, Jeffrey and Nicole Atkins, Aaron and Lauren Martin, Stephen Franklin, Julia Franklin, and Sam and Jessica Spradlin; her great-grandchildren, Rachel Elizabeth Slack and Reese E. Franklin; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Sadie Williams, Robert and Lucille Williams, Richard and Bonnie Williams, all of Maybrook. Memorial services will be conducted 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow St., Pembroke. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. before the services. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made in Rachel’s memory to the Newport Rescue Squad, Newport Fire Dept., or Good Samaritan Hospice, or to keep up Rachel’s good work by preparing a meal for a shut-in. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.