Atkins, Lana Quesenberry
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 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. Though her 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 Valley. Through hard work, vision, and perseverance, Lana helped build and grow the company for three decades before selling the business in 2019.
To her friends, Lana was known for her ready laugh and the joy she found in life. She loved adventure and discovery and took every opportunity she was offered for travel including, in her later years, to Italy, France and England.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie Alice 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 (Ann) of Varina, Virginia; her life partner, Drew Alexander of Roanoke, Virginia; nephew Keith Covey (Alice) of Pulaski; nephew Jimmy Covey (David) of Pulaski, Virginia; niece Teresa Parker of Atlanta, Georgia; and nephew Mike Covey of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and beloved friends.
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, great style, 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.
Gifts in memory of Lana may be directed to The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, or the Good Samaritan Hospice Shelia S. Strauss Hospice House.
