Constance Lois Atkins

Constance “Connie” Lois Atkins, age 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Dogwood Forest of Acworth in Cobb County, GA. Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Edmund H. and Velvernon Edmonds, Connie graduated from Goucher College, married, birthed two sons, and soon thereafter relocated with her husband to Embry Hills in Chamblee, GA to raise their family. For nearly 60 years, Connie very actively served our Lord and community through her membership at Advent Lutheran Church in Doraville, GA and at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Her selfless service included teaching Sunday school classes, playing piano to accompany services, leading organized women’s activities, serving in church leadership positions, helping to develop and maintain an interfaith outreach program, and participating in mission programs that provided assistance to impoverished inner-city neighborhoods. Within the greater Atlanta area, Connie’s extensive volunteerism began long ago as a “candy striper” at the newly built Northside Hospital, and as a volunteer usher at Atlanta’s Fox Theater. Later in her life, Connie served many years as a volunteer at The Link counseling center in Sandy Springs. Connie’s welcoming personality, love of children, and dedication to helping others led to a fulfilling 32-year career employed by pediatric dentist Dr. James E. Kelley in Tucker, GA. Until overtaken by illness, Connie lived almost all her adult life in Embry Hills, where she enjoyed every summer at the Embry Hills Club pool with family and neighbors. As an avid reader, Connie eagerly participated in the “book club,” sharing thoughts and ideas with friends. Also known for her skillful baking of delicious cakes, pies, loaves, and cookies, Connie and her generous gifts of desserts will be missed by everyone she knew. Connie is survived by her sister, Rosalind Hihn of Towson, MD; her sons, Ned and Chris Atkins of Atlanta, GA; her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service at Shallowford Presbyterian Church will be held on Thursday, August 5, at 2:00 PM EDT to celebrate Connie’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Connie’s memory to Camp Sunshine ( https://mycampsunshine.networkforgood.com/projects/19028-support-camp-sunshine ), a Decatur, GA based organization that enriches the lives of Georgia’s children with cancer and their families through recreational, educational, and support programs.