Vivian Atkins

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Vivian Elaine Atkins died on December 4, 2023, after an extended illness. She passed away peacefully as her family and pastor surrounded her, singing songs of praise as she entered into her heavenly rest through faith in Jesus Christ.

Vivian was born in Jonesville, Virginia, on August 24,1947. Her family moved to the Anderson area in the mid-1950s. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1965, attended Asbury College, and later graduated from Anderson College. She went on to have a teaching career for 30 years in Georgia and Indiana, retiring from Pendleton Heights High School in the early 2000s. During her teaching career at Pendleton, she sponsored Sunshine Society, high school classes, cheerleaders, and Kids to Kids. She then worked as a project assistant at Church of God Ministries until her retirement in 2012.

Vivian served in the church her entire life. She had the gift of music and enjoyed using her gift in church, particularly at North Christian Church in Markleville, which she attended from the late 1970s until her death. She played the piano for church services, groups, soloists, choirs, weddings and funerals. She was a member of two gospel quartets: The One Way Singers and The New Life Singers. Vivian served as a leader and counselor for youth groups and church camps – in particular, Camp Co-Be-Ac, where she first introduced Herman the Worm. During her service in school and in church, she inspired countless youth who remember her fondly.

The joy of Vivian’s life was her family, with whom she loved to have celebrations, attend concerts, and travel. She and her grandchildren, Savannah, Logan, and Calvin, had a special bond and loved each other “to the moon and back,” or to “infinity and beyond.” Vivian also loved reading, gardening, and fishing (where she had a special talent for catching large catfish!).
Vivian is survived by her son Chris Atkins (wife Shallen); grandchildren Savannah, Logan, and Calvin Atkins; brothers Glen Howard (wife Jan) and Ronnie Harvey (wife Luisa); sister Regina Jackson (husband Dwaine); sister-in-law Karen Atkins Rose (husband Gary), several very special nieces and nephews, and others who loved her like a mom.

Vivian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dale Atkins; father, Burl Howard; father and mother, Lundy & Irene Harvey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cecil & Ruby Atkins, and step-sister, Judy Harvey.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.