BRIAN C. ATKINS – A Life in Pursuit of Excellence
The Newtown community suffered another recent loss in the person of Mr. Brian Atkins, dedicated community supporter and a son of Newtown. Atkins passed away suddenly of natural causes, ending a full and vibrant life of service and faith on earth. Brian Atkins is the son of the late Henry and Gwendolyn Atkins, both pillars of the African American community in their own rights. A product of Sarasota County schools, he was a graduate of Sarasota High School, and a proud alum of the University of South Florida. Brian secured an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in political science/public policy. Local political candidates in Sarasota and Manatee counties benefitted from his desire to make a difference on governmental levels. Whether it was business or community service, Brian Atkins – or “B.A.”
offered his expertise on every level through his church, his career and his fraternity. He served on the executive branch of the Sarasota County NAACP, and as first vice president of the Manatee Democratic Black Caucus. A member of the Pi Beta Beta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Brian served as Keeper of Finance. For many years, he was instrumental in raising scholarships for high school seniors; Brian appreciated opportunities to mentor students, as he was mentored by men in the Sarasota community.
Brian Atkins took every opportunity to help people. During over 25 years in the banking industry, he was most recently branch manager at the Regions Bank Gulfport branch. He was most recently branch manager and business development officer; he also received the company’s highest award – Chairman’s Club – multiple times during his tenure at Regions. Brian’s positions included community development officer, mortgage loan officer and premier banking client manager. A certified budget and credit counselor, he was passionate about helping people improve the quality of their lives through personal finances. Teaching financial literacy to small businesses, nonprofits and churches gave opportunities to mesh his professional and personal worlds. Brian served in every county in which he lived or did business, giving countless hours to community service. He was appointed by the Manatee County Commission to serve on the Citizen Advisory Committee of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. In Pinellas County, he served on the board of directors of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, the advisory board for the College Reach Out Program at St. Petersburg College, and the advisory board for Academy Prep. A man who loved the Lord, Brian was a proud member of Shining Light Church, where he supported the food pantry program started by his mother. In addition to his parents, Brian’s brother, Henry V. Atkins, preceded him in death. Brian is survived by his sister, Amy E. Atkins; stepsisters, Linda McClendon, Brenda K. Alston and Annamaria Atkins Toller; aunts, Martha Shaw and Vivian Shaw. A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Shining Light Church, 8500 Fruitville Road in Sarasota.
