Helen Marie Atkins, 84, of Biloxi, MS, passed away Monday, August 31, 2026, in Gulfport, MS.

Helen Marie was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ivory Melson. She loved going to the Louisiana Hayrides and watching Elvis perform in his early years. She even received a kiss on the cheek after one of his shows.

She soon married and had two sons, David & Paul. She enjoyed teaching in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School while they were young.

She moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the mid 1970’s with her two sons. Her family soon grew to include eight grandchildren. She had a passion for photography. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren at various notable landmarks along the Coast.

She worked for several cleaners here on the Gulf Coast and for Deep South Motel until August 2005. Helen Marie enjoyed meeting new people. She never met a stranger. She was always ready to tell a story and share her life experiences.

Later in life she found herself in church again. She had a passion for serving her Savior. She spent many hours singing in the choir and rocking babies in the nursery. She had very robust letters and cards ministry to church members.

She will be profoundly missed by her loved ones and friends.

Helen Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Ivory Beatrice Melson and Albert Page; her step-father, A.E. Melson; her sister, Ann Howard; her nephew, Chance Coon; and her aunt, Nelda Peters.

She is survived by her sons, David (Natalie) and Paul; daughter-in-law, Janan Atkins; grandchildren, Timothy (Brooke), Alicia Lozada(Derek), Katherine (George Nutall), Rachel, Jesse, Jared, Julisa, and Joshua (Joselyn); great-grandchildren, Dawn Jenkins (Walker), Kaitlyn Monroe, Annastasia Atkins, Sadie Lozada, Thomas Lozada, Emerson Lozada, Tobias Atkins, Rosaleen Nutall, Jabari Sabiti Sefu, Juan Carlos Argote Atkins, Jabriel Miguel Argote Atkins, and Anderson Mark Atkins; great-great-grandchild, Wyatt Jenkins; siblings, Otis Melson (Dorothy), Rex Melson (Peggy), and Tommie Sue Coon (Orlando); and many nieces and nephews.

The family is so very grateful for the care that she received while living at Gabriel Manor for many years. The Staff at Greenbriar made her transition to their care seamless and the family is thankful for the care she received there. The family would also like to express gratitude to the wonderful nursing staff and doctors at Memorial Hospital, Gulfport. They made her last days comfortable and peaceful as she transitioned from this life to her eternal life with Christ. Thank you to the members of Bay Vista Baptist Church who have surrounded her and her family with love and care through this time of loss.

Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Bay Vista Baptist Church, 2485 Pass Rd., Biloxi Mississippi. Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 10:00 AM with the funeral service at 10:00 AM. Mrs. Atkins will be laid to rest at Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is honored to serve the family. Please sign the guest book and share memories at www.riemannfamily.com.