Margaret Elizabeth (Pate) Atkins

June 5, 1932 – May 6, 2025

With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Margaret Elizabeth Pate Atkins. Margaret was a lifelong devoted Christian and member of the Church of Christ. Besides being a dutiful and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Margaret was loved by everyone who knew her. Margaret passed away peacefully at age 92, on May 6, 2025, in her home of 68 years on the family ranch south of Abilene.

Margaret was born June 5, 1932, in Breckenridge to Letice Walker Pate and Mamie Alice Parkhurst Pate. Margaret spent all of her childhood in Breckenridge. She met the love of her life, Dick Atkins, in first grade, although she did not know it at that time. Margaret and Dick never dated until their senior year in high school.

After high school graduation, Margaret attended Texas Tech, where she was a member of the Las Vivarachas, a sorority that later became known on campus as Zeta Tau Alpha. Knowing she was the one, Dick followed her to Texas Tech. During their junior year, Margaret and Dick were married on October 3, 1952, in the Chapel of the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock.

While Dick spent two years in the U.S. Army in Germany, Margaret returned to Breckenridge and worked as an Executive Assistant for the Chemical Process Company. In 1957, Margaret and Dick moved to their ranch and raised a family. They had three children: Laura, Linda, and David.

Margaret knew her way around the kitchen and was known for her delicious food and hospitality. She was a “10-2-4 girl” as she loved to drink Dr. Pepper! She found joy being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She also devoted her time and energy to her children and their interests, church activities, teaching Sunday School, and preparing meals for those in need.

Margaret was recognized several times for volunteerism by the Jim Ned schools, the Girl Scouts, Rescue the Animals, and the Grace Museum, just to name a few. Margaret was an animal lover and doted on her pets. In her free time, Margaret loved playing the piano, reading, gardening, bird watching, and traveling, especially RVing with friends and family.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 72 years, Dick Atkins; her sister, Carolyn Sumrow; daughter, Laura Atkins Fields and her husband, Daryl; daughter, Linda Atkins; son, David Atkins; grandchildren, Brandon Atkins Boyer, Lindsey Fields Van Hoose and her husband, Reece, Brady Fields, Lacey Fields, Amily Zhang, Bradley Hambright and his wife, Sarah, Stephanie Bradford and her husband, Josh, Dylan Atkins, Denver Atkins, Kaylie Durham and her husband, Seth; great- grandchildren, Silas, Noah, Evelyn, and Henry Bradford, and Charlotte Hambright; as well as nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made in her name to the charity of your choice. A Funeral Service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the Elmwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park located at 5750 U.S. Highway 277, Abilene, TX 79606.