Lora Jones Atkins

Lora Jones Atkins, age 94, formerly of the Oak Level Community, Bassett, Virginia, died peacefully Friday, September 19, 2014 at the home of her daughter and caregiver, Linda Gusler in Asheboro, NC. She was surrounded by her children and friends.

Lora was born on March 23, 1920 in Beckley, West Virginia to the late John Pete and Miranda Jones. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Charlie Lee Atkins, and brothers, Oscar Garfield Jones and Carl Casey Jones.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Gusler of Asheboro, N.C.; granddaughter Alison Gusler of Asheboro, NC and grandson Greg Gusler and his wife Angela of North Myrtle Beach, SC and great grandson Samuel Gusler of North Myrtle Beach, SC.

Also surviving are her son Audie Atkins and his wife Regina of Franklin County, grandson Kevin Atkins and his wife Michelle of Collinsville, grandson Jonathan Atkins and his fiancé Megan Hagood of Charleston, SC, and great-granddaughter Keyrsten (KIKI) Atkins of Charleston, SC.

Lora is also survived by two sisters, Geneva Jones Shively of Rocky Mount, and Lucy Jones Atkins of Bassett, and a brother Woody Dale Jones and his wife, Madeline of Ferrum.

After attending the Ferrum Training School for Women, Ferrum, she graduated from Henry High School, Henry, in 1938. She worked at E.I. DuPont, Martinsville and retired in 1981 with 39 years of service. She was an active member of Oak Level Baptist Church, Bassett, for over 50 years, working in the Children’s Department as director and teacher. She was also an active member of the WMU. After retiring she spent time working on her many hobbies. She made draperies, quilted with friends most every winter for several years, was known in the community for her cooking talents which included her chicken and dumplings, cakes, candies and cobblers. She loved working in the garden and canning and freezing vegetables, and every spring her green thumb with flowers was evident when her yard would burst of color from roses, rhododendron, azaleas, irises, and peonies.

Funeral services will be held at Collins Funeral Home, Bassett, VA at 2 P.M. on Monday, September 22, 2014, with Pastor Roger Jones of Living Waters Church, Rocky Mount officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ferrum, VA. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Randolph County, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC or to any charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at: www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com.