Bobbie Ruth McFall Atkins—Bobbie Ruth ended her battle with Pancreatic Cancer on March 10, 2011. She was born in 1940 and graduated from Alcoa High School in 1958 and then began studying her life calling as a nurse. An example of her love of nursing was seen by the way she graduated top of her class from Fort Sanders Nursing School while having two young daughters and she never believed being a nurse was work rather a calling. She was still answering the call when she found out she was sick. She considered it her highest honor to work with the extraordinary staff at Mercy Hospital. To all of you, we thank you for loving her and providing joy in her life beyond understanding.

To give insight into her life you must know where she came from and it was from the bedroom of her mother's house in Alcoa on a cold day in February 1940. Bobbie was the older of two girls born to James D. and Betty McFall. Her younger sister, Billie and she shared a lifelong bond that was based on unconditional love and respect. They spent many days of their childhood at Springbrook pool or riding a bus to visit one of their Mothers nine siblings in Monroe County where they learned about farm life and possibly just life, either way there were plenty of laughs and tons of tall tales before the end of their trip. When Bobbie faced the fight of her life with Pancreatic Cancer, Billie and her husband Dan were on an adventure in Costa Rica and came home immediately after hearing the news. They never left her side and supported her every wish as to what treatment plan was best. Many days during treatment, Bobbie said, "I can never repay "my sister" for everything she has done for me." The family members who saw the love they shared will be blessed forever.

Bobbie was a great daughter, sister, mother, friend, nurse, and a sports fanatic. Many of her younger days were spent either at Neyland Stadium or Stokely Athletic Center where she understood every play and knew more about the players than many fans. She went to a couple of Super Bowls and Final Fours which she considered the greatest moments of her arm chair athletic life. Her favorite football game ever was the AFC Championship in 1972 between the Steelers and Raiders which goes without saying her favorite play was inside that game, The Immaculate Reception. Terry Bradshaw was her favorite athlete because he was the underdog. Plus, he loves his Mother.

Bobbie was preceded by, grandparents; James Daniel McFall, Sr. and Bessie Badgett McFall; Earl and Betty Peace; parents, Betty Peace McFall and James Daniel McFall, Jr.; father of her children, William Trent Richey; second husband, Bowden H. Atkins, Sr., who passed just a few weeks earlier than Bobbie. These family members will have all the angels in heaven ready to have a big welcoming event as they loved her dearly and she carried each of them in her spirit.

She is survived by loving and caring sister and brother-in-law, Billie and Daniel Holloman, daughters, Judy Richey Potter and Robin Richey Flenniken. She had four grandchildren and three great grandchildren with one more on the way and each of us will miss her love, listening and laughter. She adored her niece, Debra Turner and leaves several aunts and cousins. When Bobbie made the decision to travel to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, she took her little pug, Sasha who brought a smile to her face on some otherwise difficult days.

Bobbie would say thank you and give a big hug to Dr. Robert Alley whose medical care and friendship she cherished for many years. She would say to Melissa Evans, Director, Mercy Halls Hospice, "we got things straight and you are an exceptional nurse whose skills are only out done by the size of your heart."

The family will receive friends from 7-8 pm Saturday and will celebrate her life at 8:00 p.m with Pastors Rick and Maggie Turner officiating at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville. Family and friends will meet on Sunday at 2 pm at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for the interment service with Sammy Sawyer officiating.