Martha Ann “Marty” Atkins, 78, of The Villages, FL, passed from this life Sunday, December 25, 2016.
She had to be special to Christ, Jesus, you see, for He saw her suffering and said “Child-come with me. This may be the day of My Holy Birth. But heaven awaits, it’s time to leave earth.”
Marty was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She was a fun person to be with who had an infectious smile, a radiant personality, and the aura to light up a room when she entered.
As a mother and grandmother she had a unique gift to teach, especially her grandchildren. They all learned and enjoyed learning the basic skills in math through the game of Blackjack: Marty loved visiting casinos!
In addition to her immediate family, Marty was “ Mrs. One, the Second Base Coach, and Mom” to many, many young men who competed on Bob’s teams in high school, summer baseball, and on the University of Detroit baseball team. She was also the unofficial social director for the parents and was loved by all of the young men and their parents.
Marty met the love of her life, Bob in his senior year at Alma College. It was a love affair of college sweethearts which resulted in 58 years of marriage. They were an inseparable couple who enjoyed traveling, listening to Boogie and blues, dancing, and just being in each other’s company. They especially looked forward to getting together each summer with the family at some destination in northern Michigan where many fond memories were made.
In 1999 they came to The Villages as snow birds and finally in 2005 they moved here permanently from Farmington Hills and Cheboygan, MI.
Marty enjoyed The Villages life style and was active in her community. She loved her community pools as well as playing golf, mah-jongg and dominoes.
Born in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late William and Thelma ( Fletcher) Stanley.
Marty leaves her loving husband of 58 years, Bob Atkins; children, Deborah Woodall (Matthew) Farmington Hills, MI; Robert E. Atkins, Jr. (Lynne), Houston, TX; Craig Atkins (Pamela) Livonia, MI; Thomas Atkins (Felecia) Frisco, TX; a brother, Dr. William Stanley (Collette) Rochester, MI; 9 grandchildren; Cameron, Kelley, Connor, Rob, Christopher, Brennan, Brady, Lynn and Craig and 2 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10 AM in the New Covenant United Methodist Church, The Villages.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN (stjude.org).