Carlos Vernon Atkins

CARLOS V. ATKINS   DAYTON, VA…             Carlos Vernon Atkins, 79, of Dayton passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital, following a year long, courageous battle with cancer.             He was born in Bridgewater, Va. on February 11, 1939, a son of the late Timar Arnold and Doris Caracofe Atkins.             In addition to his parents, Carlos was predeceased by a brother, Melvin Atkins; half-brother, Woodworth Atkins; and half-sisters, Mildred Payne and Jean Good.             Survivors include his three daughters, Edy C. Long of New Market, Carla C. Monger of Elkton, and Cara C. Atkins of Fulks Run; grandchildren, Laura Waldron of Elkton, Kyle Monger of Arlington, Cole Monger of Elkton, Tyler Long of Luray, and Dillon Long of Fairfax, VA; and five great grandchildren, Rebecca Long of Luray, Henry Waldron, Ellenora Waldron, Walter Waldron, and Hattie Belle Waldron, all of Elkton.  Survivors also include his brother, Wayne Atkins of Wilmington, NC and a half-sister, Twyla Heatwole of Bridgewater.             Carlos was a member of Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren.             He leaves behind some very special friends, who were there to help him in every way, especially in the last year of his life, Jack and Sandy May of Dayton, Doug Kiser of Dayton, Rebecca Eberly of Dayton, and Charlie Caracofe of Harrisonburg, also Myron and Christa Conner of Weyers Cave.             Surviving also is his “very best” friend of 36 years, and his caregiver during his illness, Maxine Conner of Weyers Cave.             Carlos proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy.  He was on active duty aboard the U. S. S. Shenandoah AD-26 from 1962-1964 and completed his tour of duty in the Naval Reserves from 1965-1968.             Carlos was quite an athlete in his younger days. He played fast-pitch softball for the Mt. Crawford League and baseball for the Rockingham County League. While home on leave from the Navy, on May 10, 1963, Carlos played in a game for Heatwole TV in the Mt. Crawford League. He hit a pair of grand slam homers in the second and sixth innings, winning the game against the Hinton team, 25-2. In addition to his bases-loaded blasts in the second and sixth innings, he had a two-run double to drive in a total of 10 runs. He remained an avid sports enthusiast after his many years of playing ball.  Carlos also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and wood-working in his spare time.             He retired from Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op in 2001 after 35 years of service.             Carlos had many friends.  He was quick to lend a helping hand.  He was a kind and generous man, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.             To Carlos, my dear and best friend, life is a journey, and I am so blessed to have shared 36 years of my life with you.  I am so sad and I miss you so much.   Always your friend, Maxine.             A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Harold W. “Pete” Campbell.  Burial will follow in Thornrose Cemetery.  There will be no public viewing.