Today, we lost a truly exceptional human being. Covid-19 claimed the life of Andrew Atkins. Andrew was an amazing Nurse Practitioner who exemplified what it means to help others. He was blessed to have a loving wife Shelly and one-of-a-kind daughter, Sydney. Andrew was a person who touched others not only in his work life but also through his personal life example. For more than two decades, Andrew and Shelly were part of the Alabama Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Family. They spent countless hours working with tenth grade high school students from all over the state of Alabama.

Andrew had a true passion for life and wanted to share that joy with others. In 1993, Andrew received a liver transplant that forever changed his life. He received the liver from an anonymous donor and later said “this gave him a second chance at life.” Andrew would go on to become a nurse, husband, father, and eventually a Nurse Practitioner. Andrew’s goal was to always provide the best life possible for Shelly and Sydney. If that meant working long hours, taking on multiple jobs or whatever it took he meant that they were going to live each day as if it was the last.

Being a transplant recipient, Andrew was not able to obtain life insurance. Therefore, as friends of this amazing man, we want to honor his memory and the incredible legacy he leaves by assisting Shelly and Sydney during this time of need. We want to show our love and hope that others will join us in donating whatever you can. All of the funds donated will go directly to Shelly to assist with funeral and other related expenses.  I can’t imagine what it is like to go through something like this, but I know that Shelly and Sydney will now join over 300,000 other families who have suffered an unthinkable loss due to the Coronavirus. There are no words. But the words that say it best are those of Shelly herself.

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My sweet husband who fought as hard as he could against Covid suffered a massive stroke and severe brain hemorrhage last night. Per the neurosurgeons, there is no recovery due to the severity of it and the location of it being at the brain stem. I was unable to go to the hospital due to having Covid myself. Sydney, his Mom & brother got to see him and I thank God for that. I also thank God that Andrew was able to FaceTime me right before he went on the vent to tell me that he wanted to see my face one more time and to tell me how much he loves me and Sydney. He was very worried he would not come off the vent. He had a liver transplant earlier in life which made it scarier when he contracted Covid. He went into medicine though due to being saved back in ‘93 from a stranger donating their liver. I am thankful that I got to look him right in the face on that last FaceTime call and express my love to him and he heard me loud and clear.  I am numb and in shock.  I do plan on concentrating on my daughter. Her Dad is her best friend and always will be. Please pray to God to give Sydney and I the strength and courage needed to carry on our lives without the most important person of our little family. I will love you forever.

I would not go back and change a thing about our wonderful relationship. I have no regrets. We lived life to the fullest because we knew neither one of us were guaranteed tomorrow. You are no doubt my soulmate which means I will see you again. Thank you for being a terrific husband, provider and wonderful Dad to our Sydney. You had a wonderful career too as a very talented Nurse Practitioner where you saved many lives yourself. You are going to a better place. Please watch over me & Syd. 

Your loving wife,
Shelly
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