Nancy Lillis Atkins

Nancy Lillis Atkins

Nancy Lillis Atkins of Wichita, Kan., died early Wednesday morning June 18, 2014. She was in the care of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. Her son David was at her side when she went to sleep.

Nancy was born on Jan. 19, 1936 in Fort Scott, Kan., to Garland Martin Atkins and Lillis Winette Harkey Atkins. She was born into one of the earliest and most distinguished pioneer families in Fort Scott. Her family who arrived in Kansas in the 1850s included Dr. John Harrod Couch, one of the first surgeons and physicians in the town, and also Judge Jacob Andrick. Each man had an addition to the City of Fort Scott named for him.

Nancy was educated in Fort Scott schools beginning with Miss Mary's Kindergarten, Eugene Ware, Main Street School, Junior High School, Fort Scott Senior High School, and Fort Scott Community College. She also attended Pittsburg State University. She had a life long interest in learning and in recent years continued taking classes at Wichita State University in Art and History.

She was baptized and confirmed in St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Scott. She was an active member of the Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita and enjoyed participating in the church community.

During her later years in Wichita she served as a volunteer for the Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Society Gift Shop.

She was predeceased by her parents and one son, Garland Sean Dodson. She is survived by her son David L. Chosewood of Wichita who has been at her side during her last illness and provided constant loving care and concern for her welfare. She is also survived by her daughter, Lillis Atkins Werder, and grandson Samuel David Werder of Manassas, Va. Also surviving are her sister Martha Ann Atkins and brother-in-law Joseph Ken Rippetoe of Ames, Iowa and cousins Karen Atkins Epps of Fort Scott, Kent Atkins of Wilmington, N.C., Keith Parks of Wyoming, and Nancy Parks Stokes and Patrick Joe Parks of Australia.

Burial will be near her parents on the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, Saturday June 28, 2014 at 2 pm. Rev. Jared Witt of the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, will conduct her graveside service.