Obituary of Beth Atkins

Beth Wheeler Atkins, 50 of Blue Ridge, left on her heavenly journey Friday, September 30, 2011 after a long and very courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Wednesday, September 6, 1961 in Bedford County, a daughter of John Edd Witt and Elizabeth Ann Duncan Spradlin, both of Bedford. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jr. Wheeler. Beth was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and cousin. She liked surf fishing, Nascar racing, her cat, Spike, her dog, Sasha as well as feeding hummingbirds. In addition to her father & mother, she is survived by her husband, Howard Hughes Atkins; her son, Anthony C. Wheeler of Bedford, her step-son, Elijah Bacchus & wife, Kate of Japan, her sister, Teresa Roberts & husband, Odell of Bedford, a step-sister, Jolanta Leigh Moore, Roanoke; her niece, Amanda Renee Roberts of Bedford; her step-grandson, Shawn McNeil of Salem, several aunts and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Terry Shaw officiating. Interment will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, and other times at the home of Ann Spradlin, 915 Woodhaven Drive, Bedford. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.