Linda Atkins

Linda Lou Holman Atkins was the consummate planner right down to her last day on March 2, 2025. In the late 1990s she and her husband Tom began planning their dream home with the intention of making it the last place they would live. Wearing boots and carrying a measuring tape she oversaw the building and decorating of every inch of their home where she made it clear she intended to take her last breath. And that was exactly what she did with family at her side.

Linda was born to Wallace Raymond Holman and Agnes May Jones Holman on April 15, 1934 in their home in Columbia. She was their only child and was truly cherished by her parents, grandparents and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Linda attended Columbia Public Schools where she met a little boy in kindergarten named Tommy Atkins that would end up being her husband. Their first date was in 9th grade and they were married on August 18th, 1956. But first she had many things to do.

As she was growing up she was proud to be a Girl Scout, and a member of the Rainbow Bible Study group for girls. She loved being the designated “Princess" for her neighborhood clubhouse. She became a confirmed member of the Missouri United Methodist Church where she drew comfort in her faith her entire life. Indeed in one of her last conscious acts she asked to listen to an MUMC Sunday service recording on YouTube.

After graduating from David H. Hickman High School in 1952, Linda attended Christian College (now Columbia College) where she was President of her Senior class and graduated with an Associates Degree in 1954. She then attended the University of Missouri where she was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1956.

After marrying that little boy she’d met in kindergarten she began a journey that can only be described as epic. She first began as an educator in the Columbia Public School system from 1956-1964. She loved recounting stories of children in her classes achieving, learning and even leaning on her as needed if their home life was not comforting to them. At the same time, she began the process of becoming a savvy business woman that fully participated in the building of all Atkins family business ventures. She was often the brains behind timing, organizing and executing plans that advanced business ventures to their next level. She was often the most diplomatic and level headed person in the room

At the same time she was also the foundation of the Atkins family in a deeply private and personal way. She did not shy away from difficult family topics, demonstrated pushing forward through painful times, and embracing every opportunity for education, adventure and growth. Her last advice to her children when they were together was, “Keep pursuing!” This was advice she did not give without experience to back it up, as she pursued ongoing education and adventure herself throughout her life. One especially impactful experience was an educational trip to The Chautauqua Center in Jamestown, New York that she discussed the impact of for the rest of her life. And she adventured inside and outside of the United States throughout her lifetime. She with with Tom and with her daughter Mindy to France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Venezuela and Switzerland.

Linda's volunteerism was a mainstay throughout her life. She was a founding member of the Ruth Major Circle of the International Order of King's Daughters, and also served as the President of the Missouri Branch. She was also a founding member of the Argonauts Investment Group. She loved service and donation opportunities at the Missouri United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Jefferson Club and The Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way. With her husband she was a major donor to the Atkins-Holman Student Commons at Columbia College and NextGen Precision Health at the University of Missouri.

Linda's private time was often spent reading, and she was especially fond of books that were either about historical events or individuals, or were wild adventures through murder, mayhem and mystery. She also made almost unbelievable creations in needlepoint that could at times take months to complete due to their intricacies.

While Linda's public persona was one of high fashion and attention to proper protocol and etiquette, she was under no circumstances afraid to get her hands dirty. She loved keeping a vegetable garden as long as she could, and often got into tomato growing contests with her dearly departed friend Joyce Porter. She would organize garage sales and other events for any fund raising opportunity that needed it, and often baked late into the night to make special items for the celebration of a friend or family member. She even had what her family called her “Annie Oakley” moments of standing on her back porch shooting blanks in the air to scare off the geese if they were trying to invade her vegetable garden.

The last years of Linda's life included dementia that gradually caused her to feel most comfortable at home. Instead of creating isolation under those circumstances she maintained a vibrant life of reading. She maintained an incredible awareness of current events, often taking notes of new casts and wanting to discuss them. She maintained her home in a way that remained comfortable to anyone who entered. She continued to play the piano as long as she could, and then used the self-play feature to enjoy her favorite tunes. She also enjoyed learning to boss her Facebook Portal around and say, “Hey Portal, play Glenn Miller!” She kept artwork from some of her oldest and dearest friends, Phyllis Bungee and the dearly departed Carol Ann Williams close. No matter what she always wanted friends and family to have a seat, a beverage, a snack and interesting conversation. It was especially meaningful to her that some of her oldest friends continued to consistently reach out even when it was difficult for her to do the same. The family would like to especially thank Darlene Johnson, Phyllis Bungee, Dot Harrison, Sandra Norton and Leslie Garrett before her passing for connecting no matter what kind of day Linda was having. The family is also deeply grateful to the many caregivers that were led by Joan Wolf and served with kind hearts and endless energy.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. And her cherished Aunt Elizabeth “Boochie" Palmer, and Uncle Russ and Aunt Connie Nichols. She leaves behind her children, Scott (Fran) Atkins, Mindy (Bill Ryan) Atkins. And her grandsons, Thomas Ira Atkins, Andrew Finch (Sophie) Atkins, and Paul M. Atkins. She also leaves behind her cousins and nieces that meant so much to her as extended family, Meredith and Greg Myers, Tony, Jeff and Linda Schuermann, and Doug and Nicole McCauley.

Linda’s express wishes were that we maintain a spirit of giving and volunteerism by donating financially or with our time to the Missouri Food Bank in Columbia or the King's Daughters Home in Mexico, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com