Dafna Atkins

Published 12:01 am Thursday, September 25, 2014

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Sept. 18, 1925 – Sept. 23, 2014

NATCHEZ — Services for Dafna “Polly” Atkins, 89, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at noon Friday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Nance Hixon officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Atkins was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Wilkinson County, the daughter of John E. Flowers and Vera Leake Flowers. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Polly loved the Lord and served Him by serving others. She worked as a nurse for Dr. Edwin Benoist and Dr. Bruce Kuehnle. After retirement, she was actively involved with Catholic Charities.

In 1988, she was listed as one of Natchez’s “Unsung Heros.” She enjoyed sewing, gardening, attending Sunday school, church activities and spending time with family and friends. Much of her life was spent unselfishly and lovingly caring for family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jimmy Atkins; three sisters, Wilna Scott, Velee Henderson and Earline Carter; and three brothers, Murel Flowers, Joe Flowers and John E. Flowers Jr.

Survivors include one stepson, James Leonard Atkins; two sisters, Thoris Stutzman of Natchez and Earnestine Beattle of Baker, La.; one brother, George Flowers of Woodville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Paul Allen, Shelby Carlisle, Bill Scott, Ronald Stutzman Sr., Ronald Stutzman Jr. and Spencer Stutzman.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.