Kate Atkins

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Mrs. Kate Atkins, 75, of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Sunday afternoon, February 3, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.

Kate entered this life on October 17, 1943, in rural Southwest City, Missouri, born to the union of the late Everett and Verna Pearl (Himegartdner) Cooper. She was raised in Anderson and Goodman, Missouri and was a 1961 graduate of Goodman High School. She resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma for several years before moving to Joplin, Missouri, in 1981.

On June 25, 1995, she was united in marriage to Wayne Atkins and together they shared eighteen years before his passing on July 6, 2013. Kate was employed by St. John/Mercy Hospital for eighteen years and most recently by Tarsco in Anderson. She had a love for music; although no formal training, Kate played the piano beautifully by ear. She enjoyed singing, gardening, canning, baking and antiquing. Kate was a member of Celebration Church in Joplin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne Atkins; two sisters, Effie Long and Esther Lewis; two brothers, Ivan “Bud” Cooper and Keith Cooper; and a great grandson, Hunter Cunningham.

Kate is survived by her two daughters, Marvetta Cunningham and husband, Myron, of Joplin and Jan Smiley and husband, David, of Indialantic, Florida; seven grandchildren, Jason Latimer (Kali) , Josh Cunningham (Anita), Justin Cunningham (Tosha), Nikki Cunningham, Karissa Smiley, Brock Smiley and Kamryn Smiley; fourteen great grandchildren; Hailey, Shiloh, Monte, Bree, Cooper, Abby, Archer, Gunner, Valor, Jeffery, Benjamin, Ashlynn, Callen, and Harper; three sisters, Kay Eberle (Glen) of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Sue Schroeder (Mike) of Pryor, Oklahoma and Verna Mitchell also of Collinsville; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Celebration Church (1301 S. Duquesne, Joplin 64801) with Pastor Brandon Dorris officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being directed to Celebration Church c/o the address mentioned above. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.