Ellis Atkins, Sr., 86, departed this life and entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 1, 2026. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1 pm at Community Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Griffin Mortuary. 

Ellis Atkins, Sr. was born in Marlon, Texas on October 22, 1939, to the parentage of Frank Sr. and Arlena Atkins. He moved to Lubbock with his family in 1948, where he went to public schools. He attended Dunbar High School where he played football and met the love of his life, Eddie Green, they married in 1958 and to that union six children were born. He worked at Bigham Sheet Metal and Farm Pack for many years until the closing of the business. Ellis was very active in the lives of many youth while coaching little league baseball and YFL football. He loved to fish, hunt, and one of his favorite pastimes was BINGO. He was a founding member of the Community Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and a member of the Usher Board, and was very protective of his family.

Ellis is preceded in death by his parents Frank Sr. and Arlena Atkins, two brothers Frank and Frank Charles as well as three other brothers, five sisters Lessie Fields, Izana Allen, Cora Jamison, Ceola Walker, and Lucille Rose, two sons Ellis Atkins Jr. and Avery Atkins, two great grandsons Martreal Walker Jr. and Braylen Green.

Ellis is survived by his wife Eddie Lee Atkins, two sons Mitchell (Margaret) Atkins of Lubbock, TX and Leland (Mornique) Dinwiddie of Austin, TX, three daughters Lisa (Mark) Culver, Antranette Petties, and Shanna (Donald) Walker all of Lubbock, TX, one brother Donald Ray Atkins of San Antonio, TX, 30 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.