Funeral services for Winfred Andrew Atkins will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Mary C.M.E. Temple.  Rev. Diane Neal is the officiating minister. Interment will be in the Howell Hill Cemetery. Wake services will on Friday evening, September 9, 2016 from  6 – 8 at the St. Mary C.M. E. Temple.  Funeral services are under the direction of  Loche’s Mortuary. For a detailed obituary and/or to send condolences, flowers, or to light memory candles, go www.lochesmortuaryinc.com.

                                       Winfred Andrew Atkins (Breezy)

For most of the residents of this small community, August 31, 1940  was just another typical Saturday. Most had worked all week and looked forward to the weekend for some much needed rest and relaxation. Nothing special, just the last Saturday in August. BUT, for Winfred Oville and Louise B. Smith Atkins this would be a very special day because God was about to bless them with their 7th child! To this 7th child was given the name Winfred Andrew Atkins. On Saturday, September 3, 2016 at approximately 10:30 a.m. Winfred quietly stepped from mortality to immortality and joined those who had gone on before him including his parents, Winfred and Louise,  and two siblings; a brother, Poncy and a sister, Alice.

As the seventh of the ten children of "Oville" and Louise, Winfred was never without company. He was the younger brother to six and the older brother to three. They grew up in a home filled with love and strong Christian principles. His elementary and high school education was completed in schools of Morehouse Parish. After graduation, he attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduating in 1963. A talented and gifted artist himself, he  served as Supervisor of the Graphic Arts Department at Grambling State University for many years; encouraging and training students in the art of graphics and design; a job he LOVED.

On May 14, 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army. He faithfully served his country and received the Good Conduct Medal and awards in Rifle Sharpshooting. He received an honorable discharge on May 13, 1969. After his military stint he moved to Oakland,  California.  

In 1979 he relocated to Bastrop, LA and  reunited with the family church home. Mt. Sinai Williams Temple CME Church where he was a faithful member.  He served as Chairman of the Trustee Board and President of the Steward Board.

He loved outside and enjoyed grilling, traveling, spending quality time with his grandchildren, watching football, and gardening.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wise counsel, quick wit, and his never ending kindness to those he met:his devoted wife, Deller, three grateful children, Zanetta Estelle, Douglasville, GA, Alexis Tillman, Lithonia, GA, and Winfred Andrew Atkins, II (Bo), Bastrop, LA; six sisters, Sarah Atkins and Princella Thaxton, Bastrop, LA, Emma Atkins Kidd, Shreveport, LA, Ruby Atkins Noble, Oakland, CA, Annie Atkins and Joyce Atkins, Lee, Bastrop, LA, and one brother, Michael Atkins, Bastrop, LA. four grandchildren, Lauryn, Eryn, Thaddeous, and Jeremiah, a sister in law, a sister-in-law, Carolyn Ignont-Williams of Modesto, CA,  and many many cousins and friends.

His Guiding Philosophy was "The Serenity Prayer."

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