Nykeetra Alisha Atkins

Nykeetra’s Journey Nykeetra Alisha Atkins-Shockley, a resident of Fruitland, Maryland, departed this life at the age of thirty-six (36) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Tidal Health Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland. She was born to Alex Atkins and the late Diane Atkins on August 20, 1989 in Pahokee, Florida. Mona, as she was called by family and friends, attended Fruitland Primary and Intermediate Schools, and graduated from James M. Bennett High School as a licensed cosmetologist. She then attended Salisbury University for two years. As a youth, Mona was involved in the Girl Scouts and participated in programs for many years at the Fruitland Community Center, Mona was employed at Super Cuts in Walmart, later opened her own home day care center, and worked at the Citi Trends Department Store in Fruitland, Maryland for over nine years. There, she made long-life friends with her co-workers whom she adored and shared many experiences. Mona gave her life to Christ as a child at Weeping Mary Baptist Church and later joined St. John’s House of Deliverance in Fruitland. She participated in many church activities, and was an usher, pastor’s aide society, oversaw youth activities, the youth praise dancers, was a prayer warrior, served on the kitchen committee, often praying and reading scriptures during the services, and was a member of the St. John’s Prayer Line for over twenty (20) years. Her HOBBIES included traveling, especially going on cruises with family and friends, reading, dancing and shopping. Nykeetra leaves to cherish loving memories: her father, Alex Atkins; her sister, Lakisha Snead Showell (Doug) of Salisbury, MD; brother, Alexander Atkins (Samantha); brother-in-law, Marvin Ames; her children, twins Jermiah and Joseph Gale, and Zynahla Cottman; nephews, Marquis, DaQuantre, Trendon, and great nieces Paris and Kelis; great nephew, Amir grandparents, Diane Atkins Mullins and Leroy Atkins of Ft. White, FL; great uncle, Harry (Margaret Anne) Hunter of VA; aunts, Patricia (James) Butler of Salisbury, Ruby Davis of Eden, Lisa Franklin of Delray Beach, FL, Sonia Booker of Orlando, FL and Sophia (Reginald) Jernigan of Port St. Lucia, FL; uncles, Daryl Carter of Fruitland, MD, Lawrence Carter of Princess Anne, MD, Johnnie (Anne) Carter and Timmy Spence, both of Salisbury, MD, Amos (Chasity) Welch of Texas and Alphonso Carter of Delray Beach, FL; special friends, Kia Cadejuste, Brittany Powell, Patrae Butler, Beverly Dennis, Jr. Jessica Purnell, Adrienne Cannon and co-workers at Citi Trends and godchildren, Kaniah Briscoe, Kylee, Damire, and Betty Cottman, godmother, Rita White, special aunt, Betty Barnard. In addition to her mother, Nykeetra was preceded in death by her grandmother, Pastor Ollie M. Carter, her sister Trina Lockwood-Ames, brother, Alex Atkins, II and aunts, Jacqueline Carter-Spence and Learleen Mentor. SUBMITTED WITH LOVE ~ THE FAMILY

Nykeetra Alisha Atkins

August 20, 1989 - September 10, 2025