Obituary of William Tracy Atkinson Jr. WILLIAM TRACY ATKINSON JR Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - March 25, 2004 William Tracy "Smiley" Atkinson Jr., 83, died March 24, 2004. Born in Conway, S.C., he was a son of the late William Tracy and Ada Ruth Armstrong Atkinson. He was a retired co-owner of Accents by Rachel, owner of Franklin Wholesale Co. Rachels Fashion Jewelry and Accessories in Carolina Beach, N.C., and was the former owner of Virlina Homes of Franklin. A Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, Mr. Atkinson was a member of the American Legion and a past member of the Lions Club. He was a member of Franklin Baptist Church and a charter member of the Franklin Kiwanis Club. He was an avid golfer and loved fishing and crossword puzzles. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rachel Hinson Atkinson; two daughters, Ruth "Cookie" Drake and husband Wilson and Patsy Bridges and husband Glenn, all of Franklin; two sons, William T. "Billy" Atkinson III and wife Susie of Richmond and Thomas Michael "Mike" Atkinson and wife Allene of Franklin; a sister, June Sansbury and husband Allen of Columbia, S.C.; a brothers, Thomas Atkinson and wife Lynda of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Rachel B. Blythe and husband David, Glenda Bridges, Michalene A. Bauer and husband Tim, Phillip Atkinson, Ashley Atkinson, Tracy Atkinson IV and Angie Atkinson; four step-grandchildren, Tim Drake and wife Jenny, Cindy Drewry, Betty Anne Beard and husband Loren and Terri Wigley and husband Steve; two great-grandchildren, Mollie Patricia Blythe and Clay Blythe; nine step-great-grandchildren, Sam, Victoria and Megan Drewry, Amanda, Ashley and Adam Beard, Ethan Drake, Stephen and Jessica Wigley; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mr. Atkinson was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Atkinson. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Franklin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. A. Richard Childress and the Rev. Dr. Ira D. Hudgins officiating. Burial will be private. There will be a visitation and reception at the church following the service. Memorials may be made to Franklin Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 208 N. High St., Franklin, VA 23851. Wright Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Edition: FINAL Page: B9 Copyright (c) 2004 The Virginian-Pilot William Tracy “Smiley” Atkinson Jr. was buried in Poplar Spring Cemetery, Franklin, Virginia] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ––– Narrative Summary of the Obituary ––– William Tracy "Smiley" Atkinson Jr., 83, died 24 Mar 2004. He was born in Conway, S.C., son of William Tracy and Ada Ruth Armstrong Atkinson, and was a businessman, Navy veteran, and member of Franklin Baptist Church. A memorial service was held 26 Mar 2004 at Franklin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. A. Richard Childress and the Rev. Dr. Ira D. Hudgins officiating. Burial was in Poplar Spring Cemetery, Franklin, Virginia. ––– Transcript ––– WILLIAM TRACY ATKINSON JR William Tracy "Smiley" Atkinson Jr., 83, died March 24, 2004. Born in Conway, S.C., he was a son of the late William Tracy and Ada Ruth Armstrong Atkinson. He was a retired co-owner of Accents by Rachel, owner of Franklin Wholesale Co. Rachels Fashion Jewelry and Accessories in Carolina Beach, N.C., and was the former owner of Virlina Homes of Franklin. A Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, Mr. Atkinson was a member of the American Legion and a past member of the Lions Club. He was a member of Franklin Baptist Church and a charter member of the Franklin Kiwanis Club. He was an avid golfer and loved fishing and crossword puzzles. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rachel Hinson Atkinson; two daughters, Ruth "Cookie" Drake and husband Wilson and Patsy Bridges and husband Glenn, all of Franklin; two sons, William T. "Billy" Atkinson III and wife Susie of Richmond and Thomas Michael "Mike" Atkinson and wife Allene of Franklin; a sister, June Sansbury and husband Allen of Columbia, S.C.; a brother, Thomas Atkinson and wife Lynda of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Rachel B. Blythe and husband David, Glenda Bridges, Michalene A. Bauer and husband Tim, Phillip Atkinson, Ashley Atkinson, Tracy Atkinson IV and Angie Atkinson; four step-grandchildren, Tim Drake and wife Jenny, Cindy Drewry, Betty Anne Beard and husband Loren and Terri Wigley and husband Steve; two great-grandchildren, Mollie Patricia Blythe and Clay Blythe; nine step-great-grandchildren, Sam, Victoria and Megan Drewry, Amanda, Ashley and Adam Beard, Ethan Drake, Stephen and Jessica Wigley; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mr. Atkinson was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Atkinson. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Franklin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. A. Richard Childress and the Rev. Dr. Ira D. Hudgins officiating. Burial will be private. There will be a visitation and reception at the church following the service. Memorials may be made to Franklin Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 208 N. High St., Franklin, VA 23851. Wright Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. William Tracy "Smiley" Atkinson Jr. was buried in Poplar Spring Cemetery, Franklin, Virginia. ––– Vital Statistics ––– |----------------------------------------| | Name | William Tracy Atkinson Jr. | | Age | 83 | | Birth | 1920 (estimated); Conway, S.C. | | Death | 24 Mar 2004 | |----------------------------------------| ––– Table of Relationships ––– |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Name | Relationship | Residence | |---------------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------| | William Tracy Atkinson Jr. | Decedent | Franklin, Virginia | | Rachel Hinson Atkinson | Wife | Franklin, Virginia | | William Tracy Atkinson | Father | Deceased | | Ada Ruth Armstrong Atkinson | Mother | Deceased | | Ruth "Cookie" Drake | Daughter | Franklin, Virginia | | Wilson Drake | Son-in-law | Franklin, Virginia | | Patsy Bridges | Daughter | Franklin, Virginia | | Glenn Bridges | Son-in-law | Franklin, Virginia | | William T. "Billy" Atkinson III | Son | Richmond, Virginia | | Susie Atkinson | Daughter-in-law | Richmond, Virginia | | Thomas Michael "Mike" Atkinson | Son | Franklin, Virginia | | Allene Atkinson | Daughter-in-law | Franklin, Virginia | | June Sansbury | Sister | Columbia, South Carolina | | Allen Sansbury | Brother-in-law | Columbia, South Carolina | | Thomas Atkinson | Brother | Murrells Inlet, South Carolina | | Lynda Atkinson | Sister-in-law | Murrells Inlet, South Carolina | | Ray Atkinson | Brother (predeceased) | — | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| ––– Publication Details ––– |--------------------------------| | Field | Value | |----------|---------------------| | Location | Norfolk, Virginia | | Name | The Virginian-Pilot | | Date | 25 Mar 2004 | | Edition | FINAL | | Page | B9 | |--------------------------------| ––– Other Relevant Information ––– • Also known as "Smiley" • Navy veteran of World War II and Korea • Co-owner of Accents by Rachel • Owner of Franklin Wholesale Co. • Owner of Rachel’s Fashion Jewelry and Accessories • Former owner of Virlina Homes of Franklin • Member of Franklin Baptist Church • Charter member of Franklin Kiwanis Club • Member of the American Legion • Spouse's birth name was Rachel Hinson [See also: www.findagrave.com/memorial/228272938/william-tracy-atkinson www.findagrave.com/memorial/228272939/rachel_eva-atkinson (spouse) www.findagrave.com/cemetery/51709/poplar-spring-cemetery https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vaschs/pscindex.txt ] [Contributed by Bruce Saunders, bs4403@verizon.net Formattinng and references by the Southampton Transcription Project] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may have contributed to the creation of this text. Please verify critical information, as AI-generated content can include errors.] [This file is https://go-stp.com/BruceObituaries/ShowText.html?Atkinson, William Tracy Jr.txt]