Freddie Atkins

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  A Time to Be Born

Deacon Freddie Atkins was born on August 23, 1933 in Beaufort, South Carolina to the late Willie and Viola Atkins. He was a mighty man of valor who prayed earnestly and sincerely from his heart. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who committed his life to Christian service by being a Deacon and mentor to many.

   A Time to Live

Freddie received his early education in the local schoolhouses of Eustis and Warsaw, South Carolina. After his schooling, he was enlisted to the United States Air Force, where he served for many years and was honorably discharged. Upon leaving the Air Force, Freddie relocated to Brooklyn, New York in . Shortly thereafter, he obtained employment at the Brooklyn Veterans’ Affairs Hospital. There, he met the love of his life, the former Mary M. O’Bryant. On December 26, 1964, Mary and Freddie were joined in holy matrimony. From this union, two children were born– Beverly and Debra Atkins.

After his service at the Brooklyn VA, he gained employment with the New York City Transit Authority and the United States Postal Service as a porter. He worked both jobs diligently and faithfully until his retirement in 1992.

   A Time to Enjoy and Believe

                Freddie enjoyed fishing, traveling, cooking, shopping, family gatherings and watching baseball. Above all else, he loved the Lord. He accepted Christ at an early age at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in St. Helena, South Carolina. After relocating to Brooklyn, New York, he joined the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Daniel Webster Batts. At Greater Free Gift, Freddie served as the Chairman of the Deacon Board for many years under Dr. Batts and also under the leadership of Bishop William Raymond Whitaker, II. Everyone knew Deacon Atkins for his no-nonsense disposition as he believed everything must be done in decency and in order. He was also part of the culinary staff at the church that provided delicious meals for the saints in between services. He was most known for his famous Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Don’t serve it on paper, though - Deacon Atkins did not eat off of plastic or paper silverware as he believed that he was worthy of class and honor.

After serving the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church for many years, Freddie was named Deacon Emeritus by the church at large, which was a great honor. In his later years, Freddie joined the Friendship Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Craig B. Gaddy, Sr. He was a faithful member and Deacon of Friendship until he could no longer attend. In addition to serving God through the diaconate, Freddie loved to travel to the National Baptist Conventions yearly where he was able to network with different churches and pastors. He also expanded the scope of his Christian faith by being a Mason.

 A Time to Say Farewell

Deacon Atkins would often say, “When God calls your name, you have to answer.” He answered his Master’s call on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 1:19am at the Brooklyn Veterans’ Affairs Hospital, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his loving memory and mourn his loss: one son: Timothy Hayes, of Staten Island, New York; two daughters: Beverly Atkins of Staten Island, New York and Debra Atkins of Brooklyn, New York; his grandchildren: Timothy, Daniel, Michael and Elijah Hayes of Atlanta, Georgia; Zhanaya (Michael) Gurganious-Perez, of Brooklyn, New York; Charles Hinton, Jr. of Brooklyn, New York; John Hayes of Atlanta, Georgia; and Cornell Gurganious, II of Brooklyn, New York; one sister; Lucille Gaddy of Brooklyn, New York, one sister-in-law; Minnie Atkins of Brooklyn, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Deaconess Mary M. Atkins, who departed one month and a day before him; his son, James Cummings;his brothers Harold Taylor, Ernest Atkins, Willis Atkins and Ellis Atkins; and his sisters Bessie Frazier and Pearl Howard.

Humbly Submitted,

The Family of Deacon Freddie Atkins

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