On March 7th, 2025, Mary Jacquelyn Peden Atkins, affectionately known as “Miss Jackie” to friends and family, completed her last twirl around the sun. She will be best remembered as a shining, vibrant force of nature. For her children and grandchildren, she was the brightest star.
Born in Midnight, Mississippi on May 23rd 1939, Jackie always considered herself a Delta girl, even after she married and moved to “the Hills”. She raised her four children in Corinth, MS where she was an active member of the community – attending First United Methodist Church, teaching dance to hundreds of young people in her studio, choreographing the CHS Follies and participating in numerous productions of Corinth Theater Arts.
Miss Jackie’s love of the arts was as legendary as her deep southern drawl and infectious laugh. She encouraged talent wherever she saw it, introducing new generations to great books, classic films and Broadway musicals. That legacy will continue as her loved ones aspire to do the same, although her dramatic flair will never be equaled.
After her own children left the nest, Jackie moved to Memphis where she worked for Hilton hotels. Upon her retirement she returned to her beloved Belzoni and enjoyed her later time amongst her family and treasured friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Edna Earle Peden and her brother, Mickey Peden.
She is survived by her brother, Sam Peden (Ann, Clinton MS); her sister, Melanie Peden Bell (Parker, Belzoni MS); her daughters, George Atkins (Andy Sharp, Oxford MS), Ashley Atkins Pirkle (Robert, Alpharetta GA), and her sons Neal Atkins (Melanie, Olive Branch MS) and Jack Atkins (Karissa, Savannah GA). Her grandchildren are Mason Atkins (Zaynee, Senatobia MS), Morgan Atkins Nelson (Silas, Washington DC), McKinley Atkins (Olive Branch MS), John Pirkle, Emily Pirkle (Alpharetta, GA), Sam Sharp (Oxford, MS), Alex Sharp (Greenville, MS), Jack Austin Atkins, and Noah Atkins (Savannah, GA).
There will be a private family graveside service on March 21, 2025 in Belzoni, MS. The family would appreciate any gifts in Miss Jackie’s name be directed to the American Heart Association. Take Action | American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/.
