20 in George Washington Hospital,

20 in George Washington Hospital, Washington, D.C.

A well-known Realtor in Culpeper, he was bom Jan. 20, 1944, in Paris, France. ,

He is survived by his mother, Genevieve Perdereau of Boston, and his father, Edouard Francois of Paris, France.

A memorial mass will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 25 at Precious Blood Catholic Church, Culpeper.

As an advocate for the protection of wildlife worldwide, memorial contributions may be made to: In Memory of Gerard J-C. Francois, do World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

Frank Atkins

Frank Ernest Atkins, 91, of Sperryville died Jan. 17 at his residence.

A native of Rappahannock County, he was the son of the late Ernest and Mary Dodson Atkins, and his wife was the late Freda Dodson Atkins.

Mr. Atkins was a retired farmer, sawmiller and tanner. He was employed as a sawmiller for many years by John Swindler. He worked at Luray Tannery in later years. He was a deacon and the oldest surviving member of Thorton Gap Regular Baptist Church near Sperryville.

He is survived by three daughters, Mary Beal, Helen D’Arienzo and Ella Mae Looney; three sons, Frank Atkins Jr., Charles Atkins and John Atkins; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Clyde Atkins; a sister, Daisy Rosenberry; three half-brothers, Virgil Atkins, Lynwood Atkins and Wilson Atkins; and two half-sisters, Virgie Atkins and Pauline Alther.

A funeral was Jan. 21 at Thornton Gap Regular Baptist Church, the Rev. Kirby Shenk officiating, with interment in Sperryville Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Thomas R. Taylor, Walter M. Jenkins, John Atkins, Douglas A. Mills, Woody Parks and Steve Alther.

Geest-Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

John H. Nelles

John H. Nelles, 72, of Culpeper, died Jan. 17 in Fauquier Hospital.

Mr. Nelles was a native of Gary, Ind., and was a retired director of Fleet Management & Operations in

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