Joe Stanley Atkins Sr. formerly of Glencoe, Alabama passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, in LaGrange, Georgia. He was 93 years old.
Joe was born October 30, 1929, to Bessie and William T. Atkins in Glencoe, Alabama. In 1950,he married Phyllis Rollins. They had two children: Pam Atkins Darden and Joe Stanley Atkins, Jr. Joe worked at Goodyear for 17 years. He went on to establish A&;E Hardware and Construction. He worked there until his retirement. During retirement, he spent five years performing mission work, including many volunteer hours building a retreat center at Camp Sumatanga. His hard work was honored when the camp named the retreat center after him, McKinney-Atkins Building. Joe enjoyed traveling and went on many adventures with his family and friends. Joe and his wife Phyllis shared a long happy marriage. He put God first and shared that love with his wife, family, and friends. Joe lived out his deep faith in service to others.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents. Bessie and William T. Atkins and his son Joe Stanley Atkins, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Phyllis Atkins; his daughter Pam Atkins Darden (John); 5 grandchildren Dee Adkins (Drew), Joey Atkins, Chase Darden (Beth), Lori Atkins, and Tyler Darden (Katie); and 7 great-grandchildren Grace Whidby, Quinn Darden, Josh Whidby, Noah Adkins, Anne Marie Adkins, Josie Darden, and John Henry Darden.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held at Crestwood Chapel at 3pm on Sunday July 23, 2023. Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Camp Sumatanga Summer Camp Scholarship Fund in memory of Joe Stanley Atkins, Sr. Memorials can be mailed to Camp Sumatanga, 3616 Sumatanga Road, Gallant, AL 35972.