Born on October 3, 1962, in Birmingham, Alabama, Tammy's life was marked by unwavering dedication to others. After she graduated from Homewood High School in 1980, she went on to the University of Alabama, where she pursued her passion for education. She earned her Masters in Education and fostered a lifelong love for Alabama football. She taught at Tuscaloosa Academy for 27 years, where she made countless students’ lives and their characters immeasurably better, before she retired and moved to Birmingham.
The defining trait of Tammy Atkins is that she always put others first. She was the very definition of love.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Keith Atkins. She is survived by her daughters, Haley Katherine Atkins and Lindsey Atkins Chambers (Tyler), her parents Bobby Lee Brown and Shirley Long Brown, significant other Jim Daniel, and her latest and favorite addition, her granddaughter Harper.
Tammy’s family extended well beyond blood. Tammy leaves behind many of her own close friends who became her family, her daughters’ close friends that she treated like her own, and the church community of North River Church, which she and Jeff were founding members of.
In early 2022, she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. She battled fearlessly for two and a half years. During that time, her granddaughter, Harper, was born. This, according to Tammy, gave her a special reason to keep fighting. Her courage never wavered. She continued to put others before herself by continuing to fight until God called her home.
Tammy’s legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength will forever live on through her family, her friends, and the numerous lives she impacted as an educator.
We will never forget her, our lives are infinitely better because of her, and we will always miss her.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 30, at North River Church at 4215 Rice Mine Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama with visitation starting at 12 pm and a service to follow at 2 pm. A private burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.
Pallbearers will be Jim Daniel, Tyler Chambers, Mark Gatewood, Brooks Adams, Morgan Becker, Tommy Johnson, Mark Johnson, and John Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Woods and Kareem McNeal.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any the following: American Cancer Society, North River Church, or Tuscaloosa Academy.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1