THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406070284
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: NORFOLK
DATELINE: 940607 LENGTH: Medium
He was the recipient of several academic degrees, including a master's degree in secondary school administration from Columbia University. He was also a candidate for a doctorate in education. He decided early in his professional work that teaching school and missionary work should be his goal.
{REST} He taught school in the Richmond area, for 19 years where he was well known for his educational professional work and his contributions to the Third World for Impoverished Student's Education and Hungry Children of the World. He referred to them as his international family.
His philanthropy was well known and documented. Having adopted nine children from the Third World whom he helped support and educate (and feed) for the past 20 years. Five of his adopted students have finished high school and graduated from college and are now working. These are from various countries such as China, Indonesia, Somalia and Africa.
Mr. Atkinson also was involved in missionary work in Denver, Colo. He was a member of several educational and professional organizations on a local and national level.
He was a very modest and versatile personality. He enjoyed growing exotic fruits and vegetables in his home garden.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Ann Matthews of Norfolk and Jake Hardison and family of Virginia Beach and Juliet S. Lloyd-Jones of Georgia and his beloved adopted foreign children.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 1994, at 2 p.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, presiding clergy will be Dr. William L. Lumpkin, the Rev. Wayne Blythe and the Rev. Jasper Morris.
The family will be at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
{KEYWORDS} DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB