Oquilla A. Atkins was born on November 20, 1929, to the late Morgan and Emmie Anderson. She departed this life on May 19, 2020 at her home in Washington, D.C.
Oquilla was born in Danville, Virginia where she attended elementary and junior high school. She graduated from The William Pen High School for Girls in Philadelphia, Pa. in June of 1948. She continued her education in junior college.
OQ, as she was affectionately known, later married Conwallace Atkins and moved to Washington, D.C. From that union two daughters were born, Sherry Diane and Arga Aguilina. OQ was a stay at home wife and mother until her daughters became young adults.
OQ began her work career at Adams Wholesales Company. She then advanced to begin her professional career at Freedman's Hospital, now known as Howard University Hospital, where she retired after 20 years of service as a Purchasing Agent.
OQ was very active in her community; working on civic projects, library development, and senior advocacy to name a few. She was a member of the Shepard Park AARP Club. OQ volunteered at So Others Might Eat (SOME), serving meals to the Homeless and underserved citizens of Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Bible Club where she studied the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. OQ was active in several churches including Hemingway Temple AME, St. Augustine's Catholic Church and Nativity Catholic Church. Nativity was her home church where she often assisted in serving communion. Her hobbies were reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling. She was fashionable and stylish in her dress. Her family, friends and colleagues knew her to be a woman who was candid, spoke with purpose and honesty; but, above all, OQ was generous and had a heart of gold.
Her two daughters, Sherry Diane Bland and Arga Oquilina Brantley preceded her in transition. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother Levi Anderson of Philadelphia, PA; Grandson Darnell Morris of Washington, DC; Granddaughter Sonja Daniela Bland of Las Vegas, Nevada; two Great-Granddaughters, Sher-Aisha Bland of Upper Marlboro, MD and Tyshawna Mashe Green of Washington, DC; two Great-Grandsons, Jovontay Laron and Darnell Maurice Caesar of Washington, DC; two Nieces Tanya Anderson of New Orleans, LA and Zena Ashton of Chicago, IL; one nephew, Mark Anderson of Wayne, NJ.; one Great-Niece Morgan Anderson of New Orleans, LA; two Sons-in-Law, Jerome Bland of New York City, NY and Michael Brantley of Washington, DC; one Godson Sterling M. Hart of Bethesda, MD; and a host of relatives, neighbors, church family members, and friends.
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