Twyla Atkins Heatwole
Twyla Atkins Heatwole, age 92, passed peacefully on Sunday morning January 7, 2024 at Bridgewater Home. Twyla, or Grammy as she preferred to be called, was very blessed with a long life where she was able to enjoy the love and support from her children, grandchildren and the precious next generation, the great grandchildren.
Grammy was born on May 12, 1931, daughter of Timer and Mildred Marshall Atkins and was raised in Bridgewater Virginia. She attended Bridgewater High School where she was a star player on the girls' basketball team. Also, as a young girl she loved going fishing on North River with her father Tim Atkins. She often talked about those days and was happy to share fishing tips with her sons and nephews and would assure them that she was much better at catching fish than they could ever hope to be.
After high school Grammy worked at the Celanese factory in Bridgewater where she met and fell in love with the love of her life Dwight D.C. Heatwole. They married in July of 1951 and began their life together with D.C. starting and building a very successful business in Harrisonburg, and Twyla becoming a stay-at home Mom raising their four children.
Grammy was an avid collector of Elvis Presley and Gone With the Wind memorabilia. She loved growing and arranging flowers and was a life long New York Yankees fan. Grammy was an extremely caring and loving woman. She had a heart of gold and was willing to help anyone out who needed assistance. She was always there for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love and support will be greatly missed by her family. She was a member of Garber's Church of the Brethren.
Twyla was preceded in death by husband, Dwight D.C. Heatwole; daughter, Lisa Heatwole Copley; siblings, Mark Atkins, Mildred Payne, Jean Good, Melvin Atkins, Carlos Atkins and Woody Atkins.
Twyla is survived by children, Gayle Packett and husband Larry, Mike Heatwole and wife Emily, and Chris Heatwole; grandchildren, Matthew Heatwole (Lydia), David Heatwole (Sarah), Adam Packett (Lauren), Corinne Elgert (Billy), Laura Copley, Annie Slowinski (Eric), and Grant Copley; great-grandchildren, Olivia Elgert, Harper Heatwole, Eli Packett, Piper Elgert, Cole Heatwole, Owen Packett, William Heatwole, Lincoln Elgert, Willow Copley, Bryce Heatwole, Cameron Slowinski, Taylor Heatwole, Bryn Heatwole, and Charlotte Slowinski;brother, Wayne Atkins, sister, Jackie Botkin, numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Twyla life will be held on Saturday, January 20th at 2 PM at Garbers Church of the Brethren. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship Hall.
Friends may pay their respects at Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater. The casket will be closed.
The family would like to thank the very special staff of Serenity House at the Bridgewater Home for the wonderful care Twyla received while there.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that contributions be made to the Bridgewater Home Foundation, 302 N Second St., Bridgewater, VA 22812.
Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com.
