Lana Charlene Quesenberry Atkins
Lana Charlene Quesenberry Atkins, 79, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026, after a long and courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Myeloma.
Born on February 2, 1947, in Pulaski, Virginia, Lana was the daughter of Lillie Alice Quesenberry and Luther Earl Quesenberry. She was raised in the close-knit community of Hiwassee, Virginia, and graduated from Dublin High School.
In 1968, Lana married Charles W. Atkins, and together they welcomed their son, Charles “Chip” P. Atkins, in 1971. Lana valued education and lifelong learning. She attended New River Community College before continuing her studies at Virginia Tech, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1985.
In 1986, Lana and her family moved to Roanoke, where she began a successful career with Shenandoah Life Insurance Company as an actuary. Her intelligence, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit soon led her in a new direction. In 1989, Lana and her husband founded RapidSign, a business that became a respected fixture in the Roanoke community. Through hard work, vision, and perseverance, Lana helped build and grow the company for three decades before selling the business in 2019, bringing to a close an accomplished 30-year chapter of entrepreneurship.
Lana will be remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for her resilience, independence, generosity, and unwavering dedication to those she loved. She faced life’s challenges with strength and grace, inspiring those around her through both her determination and her kindness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie Alice Quesenberry and Luther Earl Quesenberry; her older sister, Wilma Dawn Quesenberry Covey; and her baby sister, Shelby Jean Quesenberry Kimbler.
She is survived by her son, Charles “Chip” P. Atkins and Ann S. Hardy of Varina, Virginia; her life partner, James Drew Alexander of Roanoke, Virginia; step-granddaughter Sally R. Ledford; step-grandson Henry B. Ledford; great-step-grandson Louis R. Gilliam of Richmond; nephew Keith Covey and wife Alice Covey; nephew James Covey of Pulaski; niece Teresa Covey Parker, her sons Arthur Parker and Preston Parker of Atlanta; and nephew Mike Covey of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Unity of Roanoke Valley at a later date.
Lana’s family and friends will remember her as a woman of intelligence, courage, and determination, whose love, accomplishments, and generous spirit leave a lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.