Joseph Edward ‘Joe’ Atkinson, Jr. - Tuesday, June 9, 2009

St. Charles, SC

Joseph Edward “Joe” Atkinson, Jr., age 80, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2000 at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Mr. Atkinson was the son of the late Joseph Edward Atkinson, Sr. and the late Mary Brabham Atkinson.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Shepard Atkinson of the home; three sons, Charles Wade Atkinson (Julia), Joseph Edward Atkinson, III (Joyce), and David Shepard Atkinson (Julia) all of St. Charles; a daughter, Ann Atkinson Cooper (English) of Bishopville; a sister, Mary L. Barber of Columbia; 11 grandchildren, Richard Norman Atkinson, Jr., Teal Ann Atkinson, Dabnee Grace Atkinson, Haley Erin Atkinson, Jordan Turner Atkinson, Kacie Elizabeth Atkinson, Amber Nicole Atkinson, Leanna Marie Atkinson, Lauren Elizabeth Atkinson, David Taylor Atkinson, and Sarah Shepard Cooper; and three daughters-in-law, Gee Turner Atkinson, Teri G. Smock, and Tammy B. Tyler.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Norman Atkinson; three brothers, Thomas A. Atkinson, Clifton E. Atkinson, and Lionel Mims; and a sister, Julia A. Logan.

Mr. Atkinson was a cotton farmer in the St. Charles area of Lee County for more than 60 years where he was active in cotton farming and ginning. He was a lifetime member of Elliott Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home in Bishopville from 5 until 8 P.M. and other times at the home, 3652 Manville-St. Charles Road.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11 A.M. in the Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be in the Wells Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his three sons, Wade, Joe, and David Atkinson; his son-in-law, English Cooper; and his two grandsons, Taylor and Richard Atkinson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Davis, Grady Brown, Archie Chandler, Dale Player, Pete Player, Arthur Beasley, Gayle Kerr, Fred Sandy, Manning Richardson, Jacob Jennings, Roy Atkinson, Tyson Eckley, Richard McCutchen, and the men of Elliot Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Elliott Baptist Church, P.O. Box 117, Elliott, SC 29046, the Wells Cemetery Fund, 2289 Dog Island Road, Bishopville, SC 29010, the S.C. Cotton Museum, 121 W. Cedar Lane, Bishopville, SC 29010, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.