Jean Goodwin Atkins

Jean Atkins, 89, died September 2, 2010, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Jean was born on June 16, 1921, in Bristol, Tennessee, and grew up in Butler, Tennessee. She spent most of her adulthood in Bristol and Kingsport, Tennessee. As a young adult, she was the wife of Dr. Al Oxford and mother of Linda and Brantley Oxford.

A lifelong learner, Jean was the salutatorian of her high school class and a 1962 graduate of King College in Bristol. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport. Jean had a variety of experiences in life, including being an educator, an entrepreneur, a generous volunteer in the Big Sisters Program, and accomplished vocalist, and an avid golfer. She was a worldwide traveler and remained current her entire life.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Atkins, and her parents, Paul and Lee Goodwin. She is survived by her children, Linda Oxford, of Tallahassee, Florida, and Dr. Brant Oxford, of Sedona, Arizona. Her grandchildren are Staci Thomas Duggar, of Tallahassee, FL, Kelly Simon Rosenberg, Pittsburg, PA, Bo Paula Oxford of Phoenix, AZ, and Randy Oxford, of Flagstaff, AZ. Her great-grandchildren are Elisabeth, Madelynn, Emma Cate, and Thomas Walton Duggar, Collin Rosenberg, and Braden Oxford. She is also survived by her sister, Jo Petersson of Houston, TX, nieces, and great-nieces.

Jean spent her last few years in Tallahassee and passed away after a brief illness. While in Tallahassee, she was the beloved Jeanie to her great-grandchildren and was lovingly attended to by her children.

The family held a memorial in Tallahassee. An entombment service will take place at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee, at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Dr. David A. Cagle officiating.