Apostle EvaNell Diane Atkins

Obituary EvaNell Diana Atkins, a resident of Fruitland, Maryland, departed this life at the age of sixty-nine (69) on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Tidal Health. She was born to the late Johnnie Carter, Sr. and Pastor Ollie Mae Carter on April 7, 1955 in Delray Beach, Florida. “Diane”, as she was affectionately called, attended schools in Fruitland, Maryland and later attended James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury, Maryland. Diane was employed at Jody’s Shirt Factory and Miss Rina’s Café in South Bay, Florida. She later retired from Salisbury University’s Dining Service in 2008. Diane was married to Alex for over forty (40) years. She was a faithful and proud member of St. John’s House of Deliverance in Fruitland, Maryland. There she served as an usher, on the kitchen committee, the pastor’s aide, the adult choir, the Ministerial staff and later became an ordained Apostle on the Apostle’s Panel of Signs, Wonder and Restoration Umbrella Ministries. Although she was affectionately called Diane, when it came to the kitchen she was best known as “Lady D” or maybe even the “GOAT” lady. Lady D expressed her love and passion through her cooking. Though anything she ever cooked was always finger lickin’ good, she was best known for her famous curry goat, oxtails, and her homemade SWEET POTATO PIES (and Patti’s don’t have nothing on hers). In addition to cooking, she also enjoyed crocheting in her spare time and loving her family. Diane leaves to cherish loving memories: her husband, Alex; two daughters, Lakisha Snead Showell (Doug) of Salisbury, Maryland and Nykeetra Atkins of Fruitland, Maryland; a stepson, Morris (Samantha) Atkins; a son-in-law, Marvin Ames; five grandsons, Marquis, DaQuantre, Trendon, Joseph and Jeremiah; two great granddaughters, Paris and Kelis; two special nieces (granddaughters), Zynalah and Kylee; three sisters, Patricia (James) Butler and Ruby Brown, both of Salisbury, Maryland and Lisa Franklin of Florida; four brothers, Pastor Daryl Carter of Fruitland, Maryland, Lawrence Carter of Princess Anne, Maryland, Johnnie, Jr. (Anna) Carter of Salisbury, Maryland and Alfonso Carter of Florida; one uncle, Harry Hunter; special cousins, Angie and Elaine; special friends, Betty Barnard, Rose Allen, Rita White, Anne Carter and Elaine Copeland; her mother-in-law, Diane and her father-in-law, Leroy, both of Florida; sisters-in-law, Sophia (Reginald) Jernigan of Port St. Lucia, Florida and Sonia Booker Orlando, Florida; a brother-in-law, Amos (Chasity) Welch; and special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by a daughter Trina Lockwood-Ames, a sister Jacqueline Carter-Spence and her maternal and paternal grandparents. LOVINGLY SUBMITTED ~ THE FAMILY

Apostle EvaNell Diane Atkins

April 7, 1955 - February 23, 2025