Sue LaVerne (Ward) Atkins was born to Frank Edward Ward and LuEllen (Bertschi) Ward on November 18, 1950 in Hood River, OR while residing in Glenwood, WA. After her parents decided to sell the ranch, they moved to Goldendale WA, to Bellingham WA for degrees in education, to The Dalles OR for teaching positions, and to State College PA for an advanced degree. Sue graduated from State College Area High School, before returning to The Dalles OR. Sue attended Western Washington State University, Bellingham WA where she met her future husband Alan J. Atkins (USN).
They were married at the First Presbyterian Church, The Dalles OR on September 5, 1971. Sue followed Alan's Navy career for 22 years across the globe being stationed in: Homestead FL, Keflick Iceland, Skaggs Island CA, Augsburg Germany, Ft. George Meade MD., Kami Seya Japan and San Angelo TX. They have resided in San Angelo since 1988 and following Alan’s retirement in 1993 have remained in San Angelo. Sue, an Executive Secretary, worked for Fireman's Fund Insurance, Northwest Division, San Rafael CA, City College of Chicago, Augsburg, Germany, and was Civil Service in Atsugi, Japan. In San Angelo, Sue worked at Goodfellow AFB in several Administrative positions including Naval Security Group Detachment, 316th Training Squadron before becoming the Executive Secretary to the 17th Training Group Commander. She retired in April 2004. Sue was the recipient of many awards during her career including Civilian of the year and Woman of the year at Goodfellow, AFB.
Sue is survived by her husband Alan Jay Atkins of San Angelo TX, daughter Tamra S. Roberts [Bret] of Leander TX, granddaughter Jessica L. Deckers of Lubbock TX, grandson Jared A. Deckers of Leander TX, step grandsons Blake and Cole Roberts of Austin TX, brother Darold Edward Ward [Janet] of White Salmon WA, brother-in-law James A. Atkins [Alberta] of Richmond IN, brother-in-law Kenneth R. Atkins [Arlene] of Indianapolis IN, maternal aunt Hazel R. Parsons of White Salmon WA, brother-in-law Leonard C. Rolph of Glenwood WA, 4 nephews and 4 nieces. Sue was preceded in death by their son Nicholas J. Atkins, paternal grandparents Timothy James Ward and Rosa F. (Kuhnhausen) Ward Surface, maternal grandparents Viola and Cassie Bell (Leaton) Bertschi, parents Frank Edward and LuEllen (Bertschi) Ward, sister Juanita Lu (Ward) Rolph, niece Laurie Ann Rolph; nephew Timothy Peter Ward; and brother-in-law Daryl Atkins.
Sue was a devoted Christian and was an active member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church in San Angelo. She was an elder and volunteer for various church and non-church programs. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, local chapter Xi Alpha Nu, from 1994 to the present, and served as Secretary and President. Along with the social aspects, she enjoyed being part of Beta Sigma Phi activities in San Angelo including donation of coats to the pre-head start program, stuffed animals to children (police dept. and children's advocacy) children's fair, fund raisers for the local food bank and sponsoring a family in need during the holidays. Sue truly adored and loved her sorority sisters. There were many passions in Sue's life among them her devotion to God, family, travel and collecting. One of her greatest joys was retiring and being able to travel and attend her grand children's activities.
Family visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 5th at Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, May 6th at St. Paul Presbyterian Church with Rev. Glenda Harbert officiating under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Glenwood Community Cemetery near White Salmon, Washington.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff, especially Kacci Jacoby and Jenny Fierro, with Hospice of San Angelo and Dr. Kenneth Leckie at San Angelo Community Hospital for their compassion and special care for Sue.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriner's Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org) or Hospice of San Angelo.
