Mr. Virgil "Gene" Atkinson, Jr., age 83, of Adel, Georgia, passed away on January 15, 2025 at Southwell Health and Rehabilitation Center in Adel.  Mr. Atkinson was born on August 14, 1941 in White Springs, Florida to the late Virgil Lee Atkinson, Sr. and the late Margie Atkinson Burnsed.  He lived most of his life in Cook County and was a retired electrician with Weyerhaeuser.  He attended the Lenox Church of God.

Mr. Atkinson is survived by his wife, Joleta Barker Atkinson of Adel; his son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Stacey Atkinson of Eatonton, Georgia; one daughter, Kim Atkinson Adams of Adrian, Georgia; two step-sons and their wives, Clark and Connie Wheeler of Ashburn, Georgia, and Greg and Pam Wheeler of Alabama; five grandchildren: Caleb and Becky Atkinson of Nuremburg, German, Sarah Atkinson of Tifton, Georgia, Seth Atkinson of Eatonton, Zachary Larrimore and Harley Adams, both of Adrian, Georgia; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Winfred Atkinson of Orange Park, Florida; and one sister, Willa Merle Brinson of Moniac, Florida.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jenice Pettyjohn Atkinson, and granddaughter, Jinifer Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the chapel of Boone Funeral Home (1804 S. Hutchinson Ave.) with Rev. Junior Dees officiating.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.  Active Pallbearers will be Caleb Atkinson, Seth Atkinson, Zachary Larrimore, Bud Barker, Steve Dickerson, Brandon Wheeler and Richard Wheeler.  Honorary Pallbearers will include Elton Folds, Ronnie Purvis, Tommy Crosby, Ray Wilson, Jimmy Dickerson, Raymond Ray and Wayne Barker.  "Peace in the Valley" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain" will be played at the service.  Visitation will take place at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.boonefunerals.com .  Boone Funeral Home is serving the Atkinson family.