Mr. Atkins graduated from Gibson High School. He began his college education at Tulane University and later attended the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Science, graduating in 1956. At Ole Miss, he met his college sweetheart, Myra Jane Hudson, the daughter of John Reed and Maurice Brigham Hudson from Coldwater, MS. They were married June 14, 1956, afterwards they moved to New York while he served two years as a corporal in the United States Army.
After his service, Bob returned to Gibson and founded R.G. James Produce Company. Through his hard work ethic and love of farming, it became one of the largest produce farming operations in the Southeast. Later, he served as a Director with the United States Housing and Urban Development working in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. He and Jane have resided in Humboldt for the past 53 years.
Bob loved to be outdoors. He could always be found tending to yardwork or his gardens. He raised numerous vegetables and flowers, which he shared wholeheartedly with his many friends and family. His flower gardens were "world renowned" by many residents of Humboldt.
He was an avid reader of history, continually reading multiple books at a time during his years of retirement. He loved telling stories of his past with his friends. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Humboldt and looked forward to hearing Pastor Ramer's sermons on Sunday. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, quick wit and a great love for his children and grandchildren; they will forever miss, "Pop".
Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Myra Jane Atkins; daughter, Anne Atkins Short and husband Douglas Fisher Short; their children, Anne Fisher and Ashley Brigham of Humboldt; daughter, Mary Atkins McCarroll and husband John Ramsey "Mac" McCarroll III; their children, Mary Marshall and Virginia Rowan of Memphis, TN; daughter-in-law, Jane Evans Atkins; grandchildren, Robert Hudson Atkins, Jr., Carrie Horn Atkins and Lawrence King Holcomb all of Memphis; his mother, Mary Ruth Atkins of Gibson.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Atkins of Gibson; his son, Robert Hudson Atkins of Memphis.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Humboldt, TN with Justin Ramer officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 noon til 2 p.m. on Monday before the service.
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