James M. Atkins

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Descendants

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Biography

James M. Atkins was born in Tennessee.

Rev. James M. Atkins served in the US Army in World War II
Service started:
Unit(s): 82nd Airborne Division,
Service ended:

James M. Atkins has English ancestors.

James M. was a Southern Baptist Minister.

The Life Summary of James M. Atkins:

I am a grand-niece of Uncle James. I remember him all his life as being a man of God. His father, Horace Atkins, (my great-grandfather) Horace James Atkins was a man of God as well. Because of Horace's Christian influence, most of the decendents became Southern Baptist Ministers. James's sons, Gerald and Ricky did. I did not realize Uncle James served in WWII. No one in the family ever mentioned that. The obituary is a great summary of his life. He was the only son of Horace James Atkins and Ella Lawson Tate.^[1]

James lived in his father's household in 1940.^[2]

He was born in 1927 and should be mentioned in the 1930 Census as being two (2) years old, but is not. I also wanted to know what 82nd Airborne Division in the US Army was, and this is what I found: "The 82nd Airborne Division is an airborne infantry division of the United States Army specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas[1] with a U.S. Department of Defense requirement to "respond to crisis contingencies anywhere in the world within 18 hours".[2] Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division is part of the XVIII Airborne Corps. The 82nd Airborne Division is the U.S. Army's most strategically mobile division.[3] More recently, the 82nd Airborne has been conducting operations in Iraq, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.[4] (WWII)

The division was constituted, originally as the 82nd Division, in the National Army on 5 August 1917, shortly after the American entry into World War I. It was organized on 25 August 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia and later served with distinction on the Western Front in the final months of World War I. Since its initial members came from all 48 states, the division acquired the nickname All-American, which is the basis for its famed "AA" on the shoulder patch. The division later served in World War II where, in August 1942, it was reconstituted as the first airborne division of the U.S. Army and fought in numerous campaigns during the war.^[3] I found this also: The Army’s 82nd Airborne Division is an elite division that can rapidly deploy in just 18 hours’ notice. The soldiers of the 82nd are able to conduct forcible entry parachute assaults, as well as other key military operations.

Based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 82nd Airborne soldiers are easily recognizable by their maroon berets and “AA” arm patches. This unit has been involved in virtually every U.S. military conflict since World War I.^[4] This is very impressive. I encourage you to read about these brave soldiers who can be deployed in eighteen (18) hours notice.

Obituary

Grandchildren: Keren & Adam Smith, Christy & Dr. Derek McCosh, Rev. Eric & Cindy Atkins, Dennie & Julie Perrine. Dusty & Julie Perrine, Rev. Brad &Tabitha Atkins, Forest Atkins, Rev. Steven & Lacey Stone, Dakota Stone, 17 Great-grandchilldren Atkins, Rev. James M., age 90, of Tellico Plains, passed away 2:15 a.m., Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at his home. He was a member of New Providence Missionary Baptist Church of Tellico Plains. During his 61 years of ministry, he pastored several churches in the Blount, McMinn and Monroe areas including: Union Grove Baptist of Tellico Plains, New Providence Missionary Baptist of Tellico Plains, Watson Chapel Baptist of Madisonville, Liberty Baptist of Maryville, Oak Grove Baptist of Madisonville, North Sweetwater Baptist, Calvary Baptist of Etowah and Rural Vale Baptist of Tellico Plains. He held hundreds of revivals spanning Georgia, Illinois and ten different counties in Tennessee. Millions of miles were traveled and countless souls were saved for the cause of Christ. He was also a member of The United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II.

Preceded in death by wife, Stella Bradford Atkins, parents, J.H. and Ella Tate Atkins, grandson, Jamie Atkins, sisters, Beulah Atkins, Eula Lee, Lula Hawkins and Eva Cardin.

Survivors, daughters and sons-in-law, Rita and Rev. Ron Miller, Debbie and Dennis Perrine, Angie and Rex Stone, sons and daughters-in-law. Dr. Gerald and Vivian Atkins, Rev. Rick and Kathy Atkins, grandchildren and spouses, Keren and Adam Smith, Christy and Dr. Derek McCosh, Rev. Eric and Cindy Atkins, Denny and Julie Perrine, Dusty and Julie Perrine, Rev. Brad and Tabitha Atkins, Forrest Atkins, Rev. Steven and Lacey Stone, Dakota Stone, seventeen great-grandchildren, sisters, Ethel Holder and Lena Cooke, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, New Providence Baptist Church, Rev. Rick Atkins and Dr. Gerald Atkins officiating. Interment 11:00 a.m. Thursday, New Providence Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army, Sweetwater VFW Post 5156, DAV Chapter 93 and American Legion Post 106. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Providence Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 1008, Tellico Plains, TN 37385. Family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at New Providence Baptist Church. Arrangements by Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Tellico Plains.

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183089450/james-m.-atkins
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100789565/stella-atkins

Sources

1. ↑ Kimberly Whitt Lindsay
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4ZD-MV5 : 11 January 2021), James Atkins in household of Horrace Atkins, Civil District 4, Monroe, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 62-14, sheet 5B, line 66, family 90, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3922.
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Airborne_Division
4. ↑ https://www.uso.org/stories/2034-8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-army-s-82nd-airborne-division-on-its-birthday