Obituary of Alvin Paden Atkinson

Alvin P. Atkinson Mr. Atkinson, 87, of Charlotte, NC passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center. Funeral services will be 10:30AM Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Sharon United Methodist Church, 4411 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 with Dr. Robert William Sturge officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday prior to the service at 9:30AM. The graveside service will be private. Mr. Atkinson was born May 6, 1926 in Atlanta, GA, a son of the late Archie Winn Atkinson and Katie B. Scott. His wife of 53 years, Frances Allene Atkinson, and a sister, Virginia Lindsey, preceded him in death. He was a World War II Navy veteran serving in the Pacific setting up shore communications with Marine/Army landing forces. He was slated for the invasion of Japan. He graduated from the University of Georgia and was employed as Office Manager/Car Distributer for 40 years with Buick Motor Division in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Atkinson is survived by his three children, Tony Atkinson, Dreda Debnam and her husband, Roger, and Jeff Atkinson and his wife, Kim, all of Charlotte; and four grandchildren, Natalie Mason and husband, Matt, Taylor Powell and husband, Joey, Logan Debnam and wife, Katie, and Paden Atkinson; and two great grandchildren, Sterling Mason and Finley Powell. Two sisters, Barbara Woitkoski, and Connie Turner and husband, Pat also survive him. Mr. Atkinson was a strong, proud man who believed in the God who loves us all, and in doing what he believed was right in every circumstance regardless. Actions speak louder than words, and in every way he demonstrated his love for his children. His marriage was not without its problems, but over time a love and closeness grew that few experience. After his wife Frances passed away in 2002, he visited and cared for her resting place until he could no longer drive in 2011. Family and honor were his hallmark, and he fully anticipated the day he would be reunited with Frances in the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation, PO Box 20256, Sarasota, FL 34276 or to Sharon United Methodist Church, 4411 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211.