Bobby Ray Atkins

Bobby Ray Atkins, 79, of Troy, NC passed away December 18, 2012 at First Health Montgomery Memorial Hospital. He was born February 15, 1933 to Howard and Ora Blake Atkins of the Love Joy community in Troy, NC and was married to Sara McIntyre of Ellerbe, NC in 1954. Bobby Ray graduated from Troy High School in 1950 and drafted to serve in the United States Air Force for four years achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant before being honorably discharged in January 1957. He then began his lifelong career as a farmer at what is known today as Roads End Farm on Atkins Dairy Road in Troy. He formerly owned and operated one of the first registered All-Jersey dairy farms in North Carolina. During his 35-year farming career, he received numerous honors for outstanding performance. Among them were Outstanding Young Dairyman Award by the American Jersey Cattle Club, Outstanding Grassland Award, Outstanding Young Farmer, Conservation Farm Family of the Year, Distinguished Service Award by the North Carolina Jersey Breeders Association, and Marvin E. Senger Distinguished Dairy Farmer Award presented by North Carolina State University Animal Science Department. The Atkins dairy herd ranked among the best in the nation, resulting in national and international marketing opportunities. Presently, Roads End Farm consists of registered Black Angus beef cattle, swine production for Murphy Brown (a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods), and poultry production for Perdue Farms Incorporated. Mr. Atkins was elected member of the Carolina Farm Credit Bank Board of Directors where he served for over 29 years and is currently a Director Emeritus. He was an active member of Love Joy United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Council. Bobby Ray was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Troy Masonic Lodge #718. He was presently serving on the Montgomery County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Montgomery County Cattleman's Association and the AWARE Committee of Randolph Electric Membership Corporation. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sara McIntyre Atkins, daughters, Sherron Harris and husband, Ken, Ronda Haywood and husband, Billy, Cynthia Ziccarelli and husband, Alan, and son, Dereck Atkins, all of Troy. Grandchildren are Josh Harris and wife, Tiffany, Sara Ceneskie and husband, Eric, Austin Harris and wife, Stephanie, Ana Haywood, Meredith Haywood, Ivy Ziccarelli, Casey Ziccarelli, Courtney Atkins, and Garrett Atkins. Brothers are John Lewis Atkins and wife, Edith, Doyle Atkins and wife, Faye, both of Troy, and Royce Atkins and wife, Joyce of Biscoe. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 20, 2012 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Pugh-Troy Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Street, Troy; other times at the home. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 pm at Love Joy United Methodist Church, Substation Road, Troy with Dr. Ron Hamilton and Rev. Judy Drye officiating. Burial, with Military Rites provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard and Masonic Rites will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Love Joy United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 219 Dast Drive, Troy, NC 27371. Pugh-Troy Funeral Home is serving the Atkins Family. On-line condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com