Gilbert Mars Atkins, age 76 of Hiwassee, Virginia passed away Sunday, February 7 ^th , 2021. Born February 17, 1944 he was the son of the late Eugene & Ruth King Atkins. His wife of 52 years, Linda Jewel Viers Atkins, brother, Raven Atkins and sisters, Joy Ann Scott, Bertha Pentecost and Carol Jones also preceded him in death.

Gilbert joined Hiwassee Volunteer Fire Department in 1969 and was an active member for 52 years and 31 of those years he served as chief. Gilbert loved his family, and he was a great husband, dad, paw paw, great paw paw, brother, uncle and friend. He retired from Xaloy after 44 years. After his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. He also enjoyed hunting with his sons and son-in-law, gardening and sitting on the front porch.

He is survived by his

Sons & Daughters-in-law - Todd (Stacey) Atkins, Justin (Tessa) Atkins

Daughter & Son-in-law - Valerie (Neal) Huff

Grandchildren - Regean Arnold and MaHayle (Matt) Mabry

Great Grandchildren - MaKenna & Millie Mabry, Jaxon Arnold

Step Grandchildren - Stacie (Josh) Yaunsem, Eric Huff

5 Step Great Grandchildren

Brother & Sister-in-law - Alvin (Mary) Atkins

Sister – Janie (Mike) Gregory

Brother-in-laws – AJ Pentacost, Cecil Jones

Brother-in-law & Sister-in-law – John (Mildred) Viers

Many special nieces and nephews

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM – Friday, February 12, 2021 at the Bower Funeral Home-Chapel, Pulaski with Pastors Bobby Lewis and Don Scott officiating. Entombment will follow at the Highland Memory Gardens – Mausoleum, Dublin. The family will receive friends one hour before service time Friday at the funeral home.

The family extends its appreciation to the staff at Lewis Gale Hospital-Pulaski as well as Pulaski Health and Rehabilitation Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Hiwassee Volunteer Fire Dept. (P.O. Box 188, Hiwassee, VA 24347. To sign his online guestbook, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the family.