Susie Albena Harris Atkins

Mrs. Susie Albena Harris Atkins, 82, of Chase City, VA entered eternal rest on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in Woodbridge, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Harris and Rosa Greene Harris. “Bena”/”BB,” as she was affectionately known, was born in Mecklenburg County, VA and joined Williams Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She attended Thyne Institute and later furthered her education at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA. There, she met and later married Albert Daniel Atkins and to this union, three children were born. After her husband was hired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), she, and often the children, accompanied him on his various assignments in Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, California and Hawaii. They also lived in Antigua, West Indies and Africa (Kano, Nigeria and Dakkar, Senegal) and visited France, Spain, The Netherlands and Holland, to name a few. “Bena/”BB”” was a Homemaker and always hospitable. As such, she became “Grandma” to many children. She loved to cook and is best known for her sweet potato and coconut pies. She also volunteered helping medically fragile children at a hospital in Africa as well as at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Although not formally active with religious and civic organizations, “Bena” was active in her community by providing “hands-on” support to those in need. She had an easy-going, forgiving spirit and exhibited Christian values throughout her life. In addition to her parents and husband, “Bena,” was preceded in death by one son, Alton Atkins, Sr., and her brother, John Harris, Jr. Cherishing her memories are her children, Rufus Atkins (Lisa) of Red Oak, VA, and Albertine Atkins-Childress of Woodbridge, VA; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Atkins, of Jacksonville, FL; one sister, Martha Jones, of South Hill, VA; two sisters-in-laws, Venoy Barbour of West Babylon, NY and Lucy Harris of North Chesterfield, VA; seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of cousins and friends. Also cherishing her memory are her special girlfriends: Eva Forest of Pittsburgh, PA; Dr. Debra Boyd of Winston-Salem, NC; Evelyn Hutchens of Daniels, WV; Inez Rainey of Richmond, VA; Angela Edwards of Ontario, Canada; Christine Long, Rose White, Bessie Hector and Virginia “Ardell” Powell, all of Chase City, VA. Funeral services for Mrs. Susie Albena Harris Atkins will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 9, 2019 at North View Baptist Church, South Hill, VA with Rev. George A. Wilson, Jr. delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Public viewing will be held on Sunday from 12:00 noon until 6:00 P.M., with the family receiving friends on 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Giles-Harris Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.