ATKINS, Leona Johnson Age 85 of Nashville, TN, died on October 21, 2009. Born in Willliamsburg, OH, September 12, 1924 to H.C. and Merle Johnson. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and avid golfer. In the early 40's, Leona and twin sister Lois, made up singing duo "The Johnson Twins". While performing on radio station WLW in Cincinnati, she met Chet Atkins and they married in 1946. Preceded in death by her husband, Chester Burton Atkins; parents, H.C. and Merle Johnson; brothers, Walter, Elton and John Johnson; sisters, Lois Burns, Dorothy Fomorin, Betty Riggs, Evelyn Adamson, Ann Phillips and Ruth Marie Riggs. Survived by daughter, Merle Atkins Russell; granddaughter, Amanda Sawyer (Chad); grandson, Jonathan Russell (Carrie) and great-grandsons, Jamie & Will Sawyer; brother, Earl Johnson of Hamilton, OH; sisters, Norma Jean Fox of Dayton, OH, Virginia Komo of Milford, OH, Catherine Smith of Milford, OH, Shirley Kautz of Dayton, OH and Florence Ritchey of Mt. Orab, OH; sister-in-law, Billie Rose Shockley, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Bruce Richards and the wonderful caregivers for their tireless work and dedication. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, followed by Memorial Service at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in the Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are Shannon Bare, David Conrad, Vince Gill, Jonathan Russell, Chad Sawyer, Tim Shockley, Steve Wariner, Harry Warner and William Russell. Honorary Pallbearers: Gary Atkins, Chris Anderson, Gloria Bass, Pat Bergeson, Don & Phil Everly, Garrison Keillor, Kevin King, Nina Sivek, Ray Stevens, Bonnie Taggert, Brandon Taylor, Cindy Taylor, Matthew Taylor and Paul Yandell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Willowbrook Hospice, 381 Riverside Dr., Suite 440, Franklin, TN 37064; or the Chet Atkins Music Education Fund, P.O. Box 440225, Nashville, TN 37244; www.cfmt.org. HARPETH HILLS FUNERAL HOME, 9090 Hwy. 100; (615) 646-9292; www.harpethhills.com
ATKINS, Leona Johnson Age 85 of Nashville, TN, died on October 21, 2009. Born in Willliamsburg, OH, September 12, 1924 to H.C. and Merle Johnson. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and avid golfer. In the early 40's, Leona and twin sister Lois, made up singing duo "The Johnson Twins". While performing on radio station WLW in Cincinnati, she met Chet Atkins and they married in 1946. Preceded in death by her husband, Chester Burton Atkins; parents, H.C. and Merle Johnson; brothers, Walter, Elton and John Johnson; sisters, Lois Burns, Dorothy Fomorin, Betty Riggs, Evelyn Adamson, Ann Phillips and Ruth Marie Riggs. Survived by daughter, Merle Atkins Russell; granddaughter, Amanda Sawyer (Chad); grandson, Jonathan Russell (Carrie) and great-grandsons, Jamie & Will Sawyer; brother, Earl Johnson of Hamilton, OH; sisters, Norma Jean Fox of Dayton, OH, Virginia Komo of Milford, OH, Catherine Smith of Milford, OH, Shirley Kautz of Dayton, OH and Florence Ritchey of Mt. Orab, OH; sister-in-law, Billie Rose Shockley, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Bruce Richards and the wonderful caregivers for their tireless work and dedication. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, followed by Memorial Service at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in the Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are Shannon Bare, David Conrad, Vince Gill, Jonathan Russell, Chad Sawyer, Tim Shockley, Steve Wariner, Harry Warner and William Russell. Honorary Pallbearers: Gary Atkins, Chris Anderson, Gloria Bass, Pat Bergeson, Don & Phil Everly, Garrison Keillor, Kevin King, Nina Sivek, Ray Stevens, Bonnie Taggert, Brandon Taylor, Cindy Taylor, Matthew Taylor and Paul Yandell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Willowbrook Hospice, 381 Riverside Dr., Suite 440, Franklin, TN 37064; or the Chet Atkins Music Education Fund, P.O. Box 440225, Nashville, TN 37244; www.cfmt.org. HARPETH HILLS FUNERAL HOME, 9090 Hwy. 100; (615) 646-9292; www.harpethhills.com
Inscription
Loving Wife, Mother
And Grandmother
