Gary Joseph Atkins

Gary Joseph Atkins, 61, of Gillsville, peacefully passed away Friday, September 4, 2015, following an extended illness. Born April 24, 1954, in LaFayette, AL, and raised in Decatur, GA, he was the son of the late Dr. Earnest Calvin and Mariana Costa Atkins. He graduated from Briarcliff High School in 1973. In 1997 he married his second wife, Rebekah, at the church where they first met. Gary was a loving husband and father. He was a steadfast Christian since the beginning of his walk with The Lord. Gary was also a musician and played several different instruments including the bass, banjo, dobro, and his favorite, the drums; he played these instruments after becoming a Christian at the church he has called home for over 30 years, The Spoken Word Church. In grade school he played the drums for the band "The Rogues". Gary had The Fishes and Loaves Recording Studio where he helped musicians produce their CD's at no cost to them. He was also an avid Georgia Bulldogs football fan. Gary was an advanced scuba diver with over 100 dives in his log book. He also enjoyed a good laugh and loved to impersonate those around him with "character". To those of you that he has impersonated, as in his words, "It is the highest form of flattery".

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Rebekah (McFearin) Atkins; daughter, Rebekah Atkins; brothers: Charles Atkins and his wife, Merry, David Atkins and his wife, Debbie; sister, Cathy Graf and her husband, Gary; sister-in-law, Iris Atkins; and many more nieces, nephews, and close friends.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and brother, Robert Atkins.

The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Saturday, September 5, at A.S. Turner and Sons. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 6, in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons with Reverend Samuel Dale officiating. Burial will follow in the Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Spoken Word Church - In Care of the Mission Fund.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033