Jennings Carlton "Pete" Atkins age 90, of Martinsville, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2014 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville. He was born July 14, 1923 in Penhook to the late Alfonza F., Sr. and Vaughnie Sue Smith Atkins. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by five brothers, Lawson, George, Herman, Garland and Alfonza "Junior" Atkins, Jr., and three sisters, Vivian Poindexter, Elizabeth Hundley, and Rachelle Atkins.

Mr. Atkins was a World War II veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy and saw action in the Pacific Theater where he participated in the New Guinea Campaign. He was a member of Kearfott Memorial Baptist Church, and retired from Martinsville Concrete Products where he was a diesel mechanic. Pete loved to raise a garden, and was always looking for ways to help his neighbors. He loved Fords, and was an animal lover who was especially fond of his cat "Ozzie".

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Nellie Chitwood Atkins of the home, three daughters, Sue and her husband, Tom Kinack of the Woodlands, TX, Jean Shifflette of Midlothian, and Sarah DiGregorio and Charlie Andrews of Nashville, TN, two sisters, Barbara Brooks of Glade Hill, and Flora "Marie" Waesch of Dallas, TX, and three grandchildren, Kera Kinack of Austin, TX, Nathan Shifflette of Richmond, VA and Savannah DiGregorio of Nashville, TN.

The funeral service will be Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Roselawn Chapel with Joey Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. Military honors will be by the Martinsville Henry County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Roselawn Chapel on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, and at other times at the home on Greyson Street.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Mr. Atkins may be made to the SPCA Martinsville-Henry County, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy., Martinsville, VA 24112.
Online condolences may be entered at www.roselawnchapelfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home