It is with regret we announce the passing of Bessie Bee Gamble Atkins, age 98, of Fayetteville, TN. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Carter Hills Cemetery with Michael Dean and Russell Dean officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm on Saturday at Higgins.

Bessie was born July 9, 1923, at home in the Wood Springs community near Logansport, LA. She retired in 1985 as a bookkeeper for B&B Outdoor Advertising in Shreveport, but Bessie remained a hard worker throughout her life. She enjoyed painting and loved gardening, and even maintained her own garden in 2021. Bessie was very independent and lived on her own until just two weeks ago. She passed away January 12, 2022, at Lincoln Medical Center.

Survivors include her daughter, Janice Atkins (David) Dean of the Coldwater community; son, Allen Carey Atkins, Sr. of Shreveport; grandchildren, Michael Stephen (Patricia) Dean, Russell Alan (Elizabeth “Biz”) Dean, Allen Carey Atkins, Jr., and Brian Christopher Atkins; nine great grandchildren; many beloved great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bessie was preceded in death by her father, Johnnie Foster Gamble who she lost when she was 12; her mother, Effie Elizabeth Bryant Gamble Connell; stepfather, William Raymond Connell; husband, Allen N. Atkins; sister, Mamie Thomas; brother, Johnnie Gamble, Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Linda Atkins.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Coldwater United Methodist Church, 618 Old Railroad Bed Road, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334, or the charity of your choice.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Bessie Bee Gamble Atkins.