Obituary of Evelyn P. Atkins-Ifill

Evelyn Patricia Atkins-Ifill was born on June 14, 1925, in Barbados West Indies to Kathleen Cox and Jimmy Robinson. Evelyn “Maa” was the oldest sister to Phyllis Elaine Cox (deceased)Barbados. Evelyn married Cyril Atkins (deceased) in 1942 and they had six children together. Evelyn came to America in 1969 and sent for her four children shortly after. When Evelyn first came to America she worked in Wayland and after disliking her position she got a job at Mass General Hospital in 1971 and then a part time job at Mass Eye and Ear. During these years Evelyn was able to purchase a home by herself, and then purchased a car with cash. After retiring from Mass General Hospital and Mass Eye and Ear in 1988, she started a day care and foster care business, some of those kids are here today as part of our family. She loves children and cared deeply for those children during her day with her daycare and foster care business. She showed them how to love and what it was like to live in a household with loving parents. Martin was the love of her life. They were sweethearts for over fifty years. They traveled to numerous places together and shared many plans and dreams. They always talked about the good old days. In 2018 they would take they last trip to Barbados together where they spent their time travelling the Island and viewing all the places, they would refer to as “use to be cane fields”. The excitement of it all was a pleasure for others to intake, and what a history lesson. They went to all the beaches and traveled the countryside from one end of the Island to another. When they were apart, they wrote many love letters to each other. You could feel the exuberant love they shared in the way they referred to each other as darling or sweetheart. Maa was a long-time member of Morning Star Baptist Church, from the days of the small church. She was in attendance every Sunday with all the children in tow. She was a faithful member and loved Bishop Borders teaching, she was also fond of Deacon Gray and Deacon chance for their devotion to her. In 2007 Maa tried to move back to Barbados to live. While in Barbados her and Martin meet another pastor named Reverend Paul Leacock, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Bridgetown, Barbados. Reverend Leacock would end up officiating their marriage at First Baptist Church. He watched over and looked out for them as well. Evelyn was a God-fearing woman and loved the Lord. In passing Evelyn leaves behind her husband Martin Carlyle Ifill. Her children Anita M. Johnson (Boston Ma), Glendene Graham(deceased) (UK), Malcome Atkins (Barbados W.I) Mitchinson W. Atkins (Lawrence Ma) Winslow D. Atkins (Boston Ma) Roseann Atkins-Tyler (Boston Ma). Evelyn also leaves grandchildren, Princess Tashea Tyler with Terry Gerald (Atlanta Ga) Clifford J. Tyler with Rosemary Tyler (Quincy Ma) Shaquon A. Atkins (Brighton Ma) Denita M. Johnson (Boston Ma), Andrea Johnson (Boston Ma). Philicia Graham (UK) and Troy Graham (Barbados) Maa recognized Johnathon Vo (Fall River Ma) and Mathew Vo (deceased) like her own family. Evelyn had 22 great-grandchildren. Mother Kathleen Cox (1976), Daughter Glendene Cox-Graham (1976) Son-in-law Charlie H. Johnson (2021) and grandson Saleen H. Johnson (2017) went ahead of Evelyn. May they lead the light and rest eternally in peace with love from your family. POEM There is a land of pure Delight 1.There is a land of pure delight where saints immortal reign, Eternal day excludes the night and pleasure banish pain. 2. There, everlasting spring abides, and never -withering flowers, death, like a narrow stream divides this heavenly land from ours. 3. Sweet fields beyond the rolling flood stand dressed in living green, as once to Israel Canaan stood while Jordan flowed between. 4. But trembling mortals fear, and shrink to cross the narrow sea, they linger shivering on the brink, afraid to launch away. 5. If only we could all remove those gloomy doubts that rise, and see the Canaan that we live with clear unclouded eyes! 6. If we could climb where Moses stood and fear that view no more, not Jordan’s streams, nor death’s cold flood, would keep us from the shore. Jubilate Hymns version of ‘There is a land of pure delight’, Isaac Watts (1974 -1748) Jubilate Hymns Ltd