Grace Holton Atkins

Grace Holton Atkins, 87, died on October 4, 2011 at Well-Spring Retirement Community, Greensboro, NC. A memorial service followed by interment will be held at the Church of the Epiphany in Eden, NC on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm. Afterwards the family will receive friends in the Atkins Chapel at the church. Mrs. Atkins was born on November 4, 1923 in Easton, Maryland to the late Mr.& Mrs. William Layton Holton, Jr. of Centreville, MD. She graduated from Centreville High School and attended Mary Washington College in Fredricksburg, VA. Her beauty and charm earned her the title of ���?�?�Miss Centreville���?т�� at the age of 16. These characteristics remained with her throughout her lifetime. In 1942 she married George Albert Atkins in the church where they had met four years earlier in Centreville. After his service in the US Navy during World War II they settled in Richmond, VA. In the following years they lived in Elizabeth City, NC and Salisbury, NC before moving to Eden, NC in 1968. While in Eden, Mrs. Atkins was an active member of the Church of the Epiphany and a volunteer for Morehead Memorial Hospital. An avid reader, she shared her love of books with her children and enjoyed many years of membership in the Border Book Club. Her husband preceded Mrs. Atkins in death in 2009 and she moved to Well-Spring Retirement Community in 2010. A woman of quiet determination, she faced the challenges of her declining years with courage, dignity and grace. People were endeared to her because of the courtesy and kindness she always demonstrated to others. Her family wishes to express its gratitude to her exceptional caregivers and staff at Well-Spring and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro. She is survived by daughters, Cynthia Atkins Uzzell and husband Randy, Linda Atkins Strong and husband Jim, and son, David George Atkins and wife Donna. She is also survived by four granddaughters: Sharon Uzzell Pringle and husband Greg, Jennifer Holton Uzzell and fianc����� Bob Bowen, Katharine Atkinson Quince and husband Matt, and Mary Layton Atkinson and fianc����� Tim Paulson. Twin great grandchildren Andrew and Caroline Pringle also survive Mrs. Atkins and were the light of her life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Epiphany, 538 Henry Street Eden, NC 27288-6103 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405-4522. Fair Funeral Home in Eden, NC is handling arrangements for the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com