Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:05 am Friday, March 13, 2009

John "Jack" Calvin Atkins

By Staff
March 9, 2009
John "Jack" Calvin Atkins, 80, of Russellville, Ala., passed away Monday, March 9, 2009, at ECM Hospital in Florence.
He was a lifelong resident of Russellville and graduated from Russellville High School in 1946. He graduated from the John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was the owner of Atkins Marble &Granite Works and Franklin Memory Gardens and a member of First United Methodist Church in Russellville.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 12, 2009, at Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville with Rev. Alan Beasley, Rev. Clinton Busler and Bro. Keith Barnett officiating. Entombment will be in Franklin Memory Gardens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thurston and Annie Moss Morris Atkins.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha "Dot" Grant Atkins; daughter, Carolyn Atkins Porter and husband Joe; son, John Grant Atkins and wife Beverly; and grandchildren, Daniel Porter, Anna Carol Porter, John Atkins and David Atkins.
Pallbearers will be Doil Wayne Atkins, Raymond Vernon, Bill Thompson, Bill Foster, Mike Morrison, Victor Cox Jr., Jerry McCollister, Jerry Suggs, Tim Ross and Rex Pinkard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Jackson, Brent Jackson, Carl Blackburn, Joe Wilson and Jamie South.
Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 311 N. Jackson Avenue, Russellville, AL 35653.
Peggy Sue Willis
March 11, 2009
Peggy Sue Willis, 75, of Russellville, Ala., passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at ECM Hospital in Florence.
She was a lifelong resident of Russellville and a member of Isbell Methodist Church. She was retired from the Foster Grandparents Program.
She is survived by her son, Greg Willis and wife Kristie of Russellville; sister, Patsy Russell and husband James; grandchildren, Kade Willis, Alex Ezell, Garrett Willis, Brandon Ezell and Kasey Ezell; special nieces and nephews, Philip, Keith, Brenda, Christie and Christopher.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chad and Ieva Laster.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Alzheimer's or diabetes research, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the charity or church of your choice.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville is in charge of arrangements.

Also on Franklin County Times
Military service is family’s legacy
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 12, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Members of Emily Scott’s family have for decades worn a uniform, a tradition that began before she was born and continues through her ...
Navy taught Bonner lessons he still practices today
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 12, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Before he ever preached the gospel, Bennie “B.J.” Bonner watched an orange volcano glow in the night and saw a plane drop from the sky ...
Williams: ‘We must ensure their legacies live on’
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 12, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Retired Major Joe Williams, a 2001 Hamilton High School graduate, Mississippi State alumnus and Russellville resident, was the guest sp...
Wells retires after 29 years at Village Square Apartments
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 12, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Annette Wells is retiring as property manager after 29 years working to help residents feel at home at Village Square Apartments. Wells...
GFWC conference highlights ‘Circle of Service’
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
November 12, 2025
I’ve always believed service connects people in ways nothing else can. That belief took center stage at the GFWC Southern Region Conference in Huntsvi...
Let’s move forward and stop falling back
Columnists, Opinion
November 12, 2025
Last week, Alabamians were once again forced to change their clocks in the middle of the night for the annual “fall back” for Daylight Saving Time (DS...
SALUTE TO VETERANS
News, Russellville
November 12, 2025
Members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion saluted, listened to “Taps” and laid flowers ahead of the annual parade on Saturday....
AMERICAN LEGION CHAPTER HOLDS BANQUET
News, Russellville
November 12, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – The local American Legion chapter hosted a banquet at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville. Members presented the “Missing ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *