Diama Atkins

On Monday, June 27, 2011, Diama Joy Atkins passed away peacefully in her flower garden. She was 82 years old.

Diama was born February 2, 1929 to Elwood and Orma Skaggs in Avoca Hollow, Arkansas. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Herb Atkins, on February 6, 1947, four days after her 18th birthday.

Diama and Herb moved to Odessa in 1950 and both became involved in the community. After Herb passed away in 1972, Diama took over KBZB radio station and the full time job of mother to her two youngest boys. The three oldest children were continuing their educations and already pursuing their chosen careers. Diama eventually sold the radio station and became a licensed realtor. She ultimately became a licensed real estate broker and owned her own real estate firm for a number of years.

Diama later attended Odessa College and U.T. Permian Basin where she was on the Presidents List.

Diama worked as a journalist for The Odessan magazine for over 20 years. Diama loved writing, talking, cooking, talking, reading, talking, redecorating her home, talking and working in her garden.

She considered a host of Odessans to be valued friends, but her true joy was her family. She relished every family gathering.

Diama was preceded in death by her husband, Herb her parents, Elwood and Orma Skaggs sister, Bobbie Wilbanks sister and brotherinlaw Junior and Dorothy Jo Ross brotherinlaw Ray Williams, Sr., inlaws Harmon and Pearl Porter, and her soninlaw, Vernon Bradford.

She is survived by her sister, Peggy Williams of Cabot, Arkansas brother and sisterinlaw, Gary and Judy Skaggs of Fairbanks, Alaska son Mike and wife Barbara Atkins of Odessa daughter Betty Bradford of Ft. Worth son Donny and wife Barbara Atkins of Granbury son Tommy Atkins of Waco son Billy and wife Myra Atkins of Austin grandson Mike Atkins, Jr., wife Julie and greatgranddaughter Katie of Midland granddaughter Amber Atkins of Austin granddaughter Vickey and husband Rick Ward and son Brad of Hurst granddaughter Susie Schooler of Kemp grandson Travis Howell, wife Melissa and greatgrandson Ben of Ft. Worth Grandson Brian Howell and wife Deanna, greatgrandson Brendan and greatgranddaughter Lauren of Ft. Worth as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Roger Maggard who was the very definition of a good and caring neighbor.

Her family will miss her thoughtfulness, storytelling and great sense of humor.

Visitation with the family will be 68 PM Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Thursday, June 30, 2011 at Second Baptist Church with Randy Duckett officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
68 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Second Baptist ChurchHa
711 East 17th
Odessa, TX  79761
Thursday, June 30, 2011
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762