Veda Atkins

Veda Atkins, 82, of Penelope passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019, at Providence Health Care Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Darrel Beggs officiating. Burial will follow at Mesquite Cemetery near Birome. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the funeral home.

Born June 14, 1937, in Franklin, TX, she was the daughter of Norman and Emily (Bates) Bishop. She grew up in Franklin, was a 1955 graduate of Franklin High School, and attended Sam Houston State University for one year. On September 1, 1956, Veda was united in marriage to Joel Atkins.

In 1964, Veda began her studies at Baylor University, where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. Following her graduation from Baylor, she embarked on her teaching career at Penelope ISD. She would spend the next 45 years there teaching many beloved students until her retirement in 2010.

Veda enjoyed cooking, sewing, and gardening, but above all things she loved spending time with her family, including her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Joel, on May 4, 2014; son, Dan Atkins; granddaughters, Jessica and Sue Smith; nephew, Ronnie Bishop; and brother, Guy Bishop.

Survivors include children, Benita Johnson and husband, Kenneth, of Gholson, Susan Simmons and husband, Larry, of Hubbard, (daughter-in-law) Patricia Suggs and husband, Wayne, of Penelope, Brenda Arias and wife, Theresa Arias, of Hillsboro, and Sam Atkins of Crowley; brother, W. C. Mandrell of Houston; sister, Rhonda Hall and husband, Henry, of Franklin; 12 grandchildren, Justin Atkins and wife, Amanda, of Milford, Cody Atkins of Penelope, Joni Jennings of Waco, Jana Jennings and Brock Williams of Bryan, Steven Don Jennings of Penelope, Kate Majors of Hillsboro, Joel Wood and fianceé, Brittney Harris of Waco, Jeremy Atkins and wife, Madison, of Bryan, Jason Atkins and wife, Brandi, of Waxahachie, Brett Covey and wife, Brittney, of College Station, and Brittny Hoyt and husband, Joshua, of Waller; great-grandchildren (raised by Veda), Emily Jennings and Amberly Marshall and husband, Ty, of Riesel; numerous very loved and adored great and great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends; and the many beloved students she taught over the years.

Memorials may be made to the Penelope School Food Bank, 309 Ave. D, Penelope, TX 76676.

Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645

Funeral Service

3:00 PM ,Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645

Burial

Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Mesquite Cemetery
Birome, TX