Alice Patricia King Atkinson: Obituary

Alice Patricia King Atkinson, 78, of Hart County and Blue Ridge, Georgia, died on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27, 2014, at her home in Blue Ridge, Georgia.Pat was born in Washington, DC on April 11, 1936. Pat was the oldest of five children who were all separated when she was six years old. Pat was married to Owen Alfred “Red” Atkinson on October 24, 1951. They made their home in Hartwell, where they were married for 55 years until Red’s death in 2007. Shortly after their marriage, Pat was reunited with her two brothers when Pat and Red built a home in the Reed Creek community and both boys came to live with the couple. Her desire to find her sister was never quelled, thinking of her often. Only when court records were unsealed by her sister, Kathy, fifty years later, were the sisters and brothers reunited, igniting an extended family who have remained close. In addition to maintaining a loving and nurturing home for her family, she worked outside the home during her marital life. Working for the majority of her life, fifty-six years of those in Hartwell, Pat left her mark as a skilled seamstress at both Gipps and Bellcraft, and as loyal clerk at Economy Drug Store.

She is survived by her children: Kathy and Darrell Mann, Sheryl and Chip Baggett, David and Tina Atkinson, and Robin and Dan Parr. Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Joseph and Jennifer Mann – Noah, Faith, and Owen; Audrey Leigh Baggett and Bob Williams – Bobby; William and Lauren Mann – Wyatt, Bishop, and Rebecca Kate; John Baggett; Ann Marie Baggett; Daniel and Ashley Parr – Jaidyn and Izzy; Katherine Baggett; Adam Atkinson, Michael Parr, and Thomas Atkinson. Pat is also survived by her brother, Albert King of Clermont, GA; sister, Kathy Payne of Easton, MD; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Herbert and Ann Atkinson of Hartwell, GA, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Red and brother, Wayne.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2014, at the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville, Georgia. Visitation will be from1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Denise Caldwell officiating. Strong in her faith, Pat was a member of Harbor Ministries and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Harbor Ministries, P.O. Box 388, McCaysville, GA 30555