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
First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program. “All rural hospitals a...
PC grad had role in Artemis II launch
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Bernie Delinski and María Camp 
April 8, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Noah Williams stood in a grassy field at Kennedy Space Center on April 1 about seven miles from the Artemis II launch pad. It was the ...
Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space ...
Gray hired as UNA director of bands
News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
FLORENCE — Joseph Gray has been named the next director of bands for the University of North Alabama. He will also serve as an associate professor of ...
Protect local deposits which power growth
Columnists, Opinion
April 8, 2026
Most conversations about new digital payment tools often miss a crucial reality: When money exits community bank deposits, local lending is directly i...
Meeting highlights service, awards
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 8, 2026
Members of the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club reported more than $2,700 was raised for community causes, and the chapter received multiple awards during ...
Waypoint Church hosts Easter egg hunt
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Waypoint Church held an Easter event at Sloss Lake Friday afternoon. The free event included photos with the Easter bunny, music (inclu...
Band turns life’s stories into songs
Features, News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
For the band OTIS, the road isn’t just for touring and performance. Between shows, in parking lots and back rooms, the band gathers stories from the p...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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