Mr. John Atkins Jr.

John Atkins, Jr., was born on August 18, 1935 in Seale, Alabama to the late Solonie Jordan Atkins and the late John Atkins, Sr. John answered his heavenly father's call and transitioned to be present with the Lord on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 7:24 pm with his mother and siblings and peacefully transitioned on July 22, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. John, along with his mother and siblings, relocated to Pompano, Beach, Florida in 1946 at the age of eleven. John accepted Christ at an early age joining Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Pompano Beach, Florida in the 1950's. John matriculated through the Broward County School System graduating in 1957 from Blanche Ely High School. Upon graduation, John accepted a band scholarship to Florida AM University. While at FAMU he majored in mathematics and marched in the incomparable Marching 100 as a trumpet player. In 1962, John graduated with a BS degree in Education and accepted a teaching position in Riviera Beach, Florida at Lincoln High School. In 1962, John graduated with a B.S. degree in Education and accepted a teaching position in Riviera Beach, Florida at Lincoln High School.

On June 28, 1964, John married Bettye Ruth Blackshear. To this union three (3) children were born: Juan, Reginald, and Tijuana. Mother's Day 1965 John joined Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Riviera Beach, Florida where he faithfully served for 50 plus years until his health failed. John served in several capacities at Mount Calvary, including Treasurer, Member of the Executive Board, Member of the Trustee Board, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, and President of the C.H. Groce Special Choir.

John was a dedicated teacher in the Palm Beach County public system for more than thirty-five years, during which time, he took many hours of continuing education courses. He was a member of the Delta Delta Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Incorporated. Along with his wife, John entered into the childcare business in 1971 and later established Atkins Tender Loving Care (TLC) in June 1976. During his active years at Atkins TLC, John served in many capacities, including management of staff, photographer, bus driver, facilities maintenance engineer-i.e., a "jack of all trades" and master of most. He will forever be remembered for his wisdom (e.g., "common sense is not common these days"), genius, caring attitude (especially towards children), Love and dedication toward his family, friends and church members. John had an infectious smile that would light up the room, patience, gentle nature, frugality (he could squeeze a penny and make it holler), and many other endearing characteristics. His children will always remember him as a loving, caring but no-nonsense dad.

John leaves to cherish his precious memory: his wife of 56 years (Bettye Ruth Blackshear Atkins), two sons, Juan K. Atkins (Teresa) of Riviera Beach FL, Reginald L. Atkins of West Palm Beach; daughter, Tijuana A. Williams (Keith) of Lake Worth FL; five grandchildren, Kennedy E. Williams and Keith H. Williams, Tyson K. Atkins, Keanna A. Rodgers (Shay) of Pooler, GA, and Taylor A. Mims of Dallas TX; One great-grandson Timothy A. Mims; four sisters Mary Atkins Morris (Willie) and Helen Atkins Sanders, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Ellen Atkins Judson of Zephyrhills, FL and Maebell Akins Walker (Donald) of Deerfield Beach FL; two Sister's-in-law, Dr. Viceola Sykes and Evangelist Linda Blackshear Smith (Wilbur) both of Tallahassee, FL, two Brothers-in-law. Lester Blackshear (Evelyn) of Laurelton, NY and David L. Blackshear of Tallahassee, FL; several godchildren (including Cindy M. Raiford-Small, Amira D. Grice, Cassandra Jakes, Candace Woodward (Mack), Michelle Jakes, Michelle Gibson, Cyla Duncan, Roderick Thurston (Tiffany), Jasmine Coleman, Imonica Jennings, Shaundra Watson, Sharna Amos and many others, special adopted daughter, Evangelist Evangeline Rentz of West Palm Beach, FL and a host of other relatives and friends.