Jerry Atkins

Mr. Jerry Howard Atkins, 81, of Mocksville, NC passed away Friday, February 4, 2022. He was born June 16, 1940 in Raleigh, NC to Melvin and Eloise Whiteheart Atkins. He was a 1958 graduate of Hanes High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and was a member of Freedom Baptist Church. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in 1978. Later he attended Piedmont Bible College in W-S, NC. During Jerry’s life he worked hard and enjoyed working various jobs throughout his lifetime. Jerry worked for R.J. Reynolds in the drafting department. Then he owned and operated the Esso (Exxon) Gas Station in Clemmons and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jerry surrendered his life to the gospel ministry in 1973 at Midway Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was passionate about the bus ministry and preaching and always followed where God called him. Over 44 years of his life,  preaching the gospel he pastored the following churches: Victory Baptist Church in Pryor Oklahoma, New Bern Baptist Church in New Bern, North Carolina, Beacon Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in East Bend, North Carolina, Joy Baptist Church in Chilhowie, Virginia, and Berean Baptist Church in Glade Spring, Virginia. Jerry found so much joy in preaching God’s Word and leading others in their faith, and sharing Jesus with anyone that would listen.

Jerry loved his wife, Elaine, of 62 years. His love for his children, Melissa and her husband Don and Chris and his wife, Robin and their families was a highlight in his life. He loved being a grandfather and supporting each of his grandchildren, Leslie Kay Scroggins (Norman), Timothy Bendure (Tori), Matthew Bendure, Meredith Atkins and Will Atkins. Papaw left an impression on his great grandchildren Caden, Karson, Kenzlie and Cohen Scroggins and Daniel and Noah Bendure even though he wasn’t able to see them regularly. Jerry is also survived by a sister, Jean Harmon Sidden.

We love you and we will miss you. We will miss you teaching us about Jesus. We are thankful for the many memories we made and we will always hold them close to our hearts. You touched our lives and so many others. Thank you for the example you set and the life you lived.

A Celebration of Life Service to honor Jerry will be held at the Robert F. Miller Center at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022.