Margaret Atkins, volunteer and arts patron, dead at 82

Margaret Elmira Martin Atkins, longtime community volunteer and supporter of the arts, died Wednesday. She was 82.

A rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, with funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, both at Christ the King Catholic Church. Services are under the arrangement of Smith Funeral Home in Sapulpa.

Born in Water Valley, Miss., Atkins married Dr. Paul N. Atkins Jr. The couple lived in Tulsa for more than 55 years before his death in 1987.

She was co-chairwoman of the Cinderella Ball in 1960. She also was involved in the Children's Day Nursery, Tulsa Garden Center, Philbrook Art Center, Tulsa Philharmonic, Tulsa Opera, Broadway Theater League and Hillcrest Medical Auxiliary.

She is survived by three sons, Paul N. Atkins III of Sapulpa , John C.M. Atkins of Spavinaw and W. Thomas Atkins of Denton, Texas; three daughters, Susan Atkins of San Diego, Mary V. Atkins of San Francisco and Patricia Atkins of Eugene, Ore; one sister, Martha Barnett of Memphis, Tenn.; two brothers, Chester B. Martin of Paducah, Ky., and William H. Martin of Memphis, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Friends are making memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.

Complied and transcribed by Marti Graham, 2011.