Christa Jean Atkins

Chris married Thomas E. Atkins, a respected Williamson jeweler in 1960. Tom’s father established LB Atkins Jewelry, a longtime business in downtown Williamson. Tom eventually took over the leadership of the business and Chris later came along side him in the operation of the jewelry store as well as a second store, Atkins Gift Gallery, also located on Second Avenue in downtown Williamson.

In 1984 Chris turned her attention to a new career. She became a real estate agent and in 1987 she established herself as a broker and in 1989 she opened Atkins Realty. She served the Williamson and surrounding communities for 35 years prior to retirement. She was a member of the National Association of Appraisers and she was CREA certified. She was a member of Better Homes and Gardens Realty and she had been a Realtor of the Year Nominee.

Chris devoted herself to many church ministries and community service organizations over the course of her life. She was a member of the Regional Church of God at Delbarton, WV and a former member of the First Baptist Church of Williamson where she was very active with American Baptist Women and served as the president of the Viola Randolph Mission Society along with serving as coordinator of church and community ministries in the Logan-Mingo Association and at the state level with West Virginia American Baptist Women. Chris was very instrumental in the establishment and operation of the highly successful summer Bible basketball camps sponsored by First Baptist Church. She was the outstanding director of the annual church Christmas play for many years and she was very involved in various capacities with vacation Bible school. She was the vice-president of Women’s Aglow Fellowship, a woman’s interdenominational faith group, and the vice-president of leadership development of the Logan-Mingo Association of American Baptist Women.

Chris was a strong supporter of the Salvation Army and served on the local advisory and Christmas boards. She served on the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Foundation Board and served as the Mingo County Area Fundraiser Chairperson. She was the first female president of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors. She was the first female president of the Williamson Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Rotary Fellow. She was a member of the WV State Democratic Executive Committee, a member of the Williamson Women’s Club, was a member of the Magnolia High School Reunion Committee, president of the Laureate Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, a civic and social sorority and she was the chairperson of the Economic Restructuring Committee for Williamson Main Street. She was awarded the King Coal Festival Community Service Award in 1997. She was a Kentucky Colonel and a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization.

Chris’ love of community is evidenced by the many worthwhile organizations and activities in which she participated and shared her skills and talents. Chris loved and cared about people and their needs and their circumstances. She viewed community service as her way of serving humanity. Chris was a devout Christian and an undeniable servant of Christ. She supported many missions and missionaries, both domestic and abroad. Chris was quick to share her faith and to impart a word of encouragement. She simply loved God.

Chris loved her family and she drew strength from her husband Tom, her son, Kenny and her grandchildren, Christopher, Kaitlyn and Kendyle. She was so proud of her family and she was a tremendous supporter of her grandchildren. They each meant the world to her.

Chris leaves an amazing legacy of love of family, service to others and steadfast faith. While she will be sorely missed, she will be pleasantly remembered for her vivacious personality, quick wit, her laughter and her easy smile.