Obituary of Sharon Sue Atkins

Sharon Sue Rongey Atkins went to be with the Lord on August 18, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family and her unwavering faith in God supported her journey that ultimately gave her peace. She was born to the late Ira and Elva Lou Rongey of Kiefer, OK on December 21, 1946 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, OK. She graduated from Kiefer High School in 1964. She later married Robert Charles Atkins, Jr. on August 3, 1974. Sharon and Robert (Bob) had two children, Avery and Bobby. Their family lived in New England, Maryland, and Minnesota before ultimately residing in Rockwall, TX in 1991 and then Newman, GA in 2000. She worked in Child Education throughout most of her life and retired from Discovery Point in Newman, GA in 2012. "Miss Sharon had a way with children that is indescribable. She was strict and no-nonsense with staff and students, but you always knew she loved you. She treated everyone as if they were her own children/grandchildren", said longtime friend Diane Daniel. Although loving teaching and school directing, her favorite "job" was being mother and grandmother, or so fondly nicknamed, Nana. Her four granddaughters were her most special blessings. Sharon enjoyed reading her Bible, fishing and boating, watching football, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family. Anyone that knew Sharon, knew one of her best attributes was her cooking. If Sharon came for a visit, everyone put in their orders for their favorite dishes: her Chicken Tetrazzini, Sausage Gravy, her Spicy Party Mix, her Christmas Candies, or her New England Clam Chowder...the list went on and on. Everything she cooked was cooked with love!! She enjoyed holiday traditions and quality family time. Her favorite visits with her sisters and brother were always so happy and filled with laughter. She loved to laugh. An active member in her churches, Central Baptist Church, Newnan, GA and Kiefer Christian Church, Kiefer, OK, she enjoyed attending Sunday service regularly. She is survived by her husband, Bob Atkins of Newnan, GA; daughter, Avery Warren and husband, William, of Allen, TX; son, Robert Charles Atkins, III (Bobby) and wife, Cathy Atkins, of Newnan, GA, and her grandaughters, Caroline and Callie Atkins and Hadley and Sheridan Warren. She's also survived by her sisters, Linda Surmont and husband, John; Joyce Rongey; Janette Ashford; Mary Shadowens and husband, Mike; and brother, Edward Rongey, and wife Tashia, all of Kiefer, OK, as well as brother-in-law Steven Atkins and wife, Elaine, of Eads, TN, and sister-in-law, Lacy Atkins of Annapolis, MD and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Elva Lou Rongey; father-in-law, Robert Charles Atkins, Sr.; mother-in-law, Elizabeth "Cookie" Atkins; brother Don Edward Rongey; brother-in-law, Donald Ashford; and close friend, Rick Rogers. The family will accept visitors on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Green Hill Funeral Home in Sapulpa, OK. Funeral services will occur on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church of Sapulpa with Interment at Green Hill Memorial Gardens following after. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in honor of Sharon's memory to Nana's Santa, an outreach prorgram to benefit underprivileged families during the holidays. This was a cause that was so near and dear to "Nana's" heart. Donations accepted via PayPal: nanassanta1@gmail.com or checks payable to Nana's Santa, can be mailed to: Cathy Atkins, 129 Lake Forest Drive, Newman, GA 30265. The family would like to thank her pastor, Joel Richardson and all of the caregivers and staff at Cancer Treatment Center of America, in Newnan, who helped in Sharon's treatment. Your time, efforts, and love were so appreciated, and you were equally as moved by Sharon as she was you. The family has entrusted the services to the directors at Green Hill Funeral Home. 9182242312/www.greenhillok.com