Georgia R Atkins, who as a widowed mother of three growing children campaigned for the NAACP's causes in the 1940's and continued her relationship with the organization for decades, died of pneumonia Saturday at St. Joseph Hospital. She was 97.
R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home has charge.
Mrs. Atkins once brought home a toaster as a prize for soliciting the most memberships in the local NAACP branch. It is one of the early memories Maxine Smith. Who retired a year ago after 33 years as the NAACP's executive secretary, has of her mother's work in civil rights.
"She started it all", said Smith, 67.
The NAACP was "Almost like a church" in the Atkins household, she added. "It's always been part of our lives".
Mrs. Atkins was born February 26, 1899, in Coffeeville, Miss. She studied and played tennis at Rust College in Holly Springs.
She taught school in Memphis before marrying Joseph P. Atkins, a postal worker. She then became a mother.
Her husband died in 1939 after a long illness. Mrs. Atkins went to work for the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she spent 40 years as the administrative assistant.
She also "Took the responsibility-and did it well-of being a mother and father", said Smith, Mrs. Atkin's youngest daughter and a member of the Memphis Board of Education for 24 years before retiring from the board.
Mrs. Atkins was a charter member of the missionary society at Metropolitan Baptist Church. She also worked with the Girl Scouts at the church.
Mrs. Atkins retired in 1970. She enjoyed cooking and staying active in civic groups in retirement, Ramsey said.
In addition to her two daughters, she leaves a son, Dr. Joseph P. Atkins of Louisville, Ky., seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Atkins's three children were preparing a 98th birthday party for their mother, Smith said.
"God decided otherwise".
The Commercial Appeal, February 9, 1997
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home has charge.
Mrs. Atkins once brought home a toaster as a prize for soliciting the most memberships in the local NAACP branch. It is one of the early memories Maxine Smith. Who retired a year ago after 33 years as the NAACP's executive secretary, has of her mother's work in civil rights.
"She started it all", said Smith, 67.
The NAACP was "Almost like a church" in the Atkins household, she added. "It's always been part of our lives".
Mrs. Atkins was born February 26, 1899, in Coffeeville, Miss. She studied and played tennis at Rust College in Holly Springs.
She taught school in Memphis before marrying Joseph P. Atkins, a postal worker. She then became a mother.
Her husband died in 1939 after a long illness. Mrs. Atkins went to work for the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she spent 40 years as the administrative assistant.
She also "Took the responsibility-and did it well-of being a mother and father", said Smith, Mrs. Atkin's youngest daughter and a member of the Memphis Board of Education for 24 years before retiring from the board.
Mrs. Atkins was a charter member of the missionary society at Metropolitan Baptist Church. She also worked with the Girl Scouts at the church.
Mrs. Atkins retired in 1970. She enjoyed cooking and staying active in civic groups in retirement, Ramsey said.
In addition to her two daughters, she leaves a son, Dr. Joseph P. Atkins of Louisville, Ky., seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Atkins's three children were preparing a 98th birthday party for their mother, Smith said.
"God decided otherwise".
The Commercial Appeal, February 9, 1997
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
Georgia R Atkins, who as a widowed mother of three growing children campaigned for the NAACP's causes in the 1940's and continued her relationship with the organization for decades, died of pneumonia Saturday at St. Joseph Hospital. She was 97.
R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home has charge.
Mrs. Atkins once brought home a toaster as a prize for soliciting the most memberships in the local NAACP branch. It is one of the early memories Maxine Smith. Who retired a year ago after 33 years as the NAACP's executive secretary, has of her mother's work in civil rights.
"She started it all", said Smith, 67.
The NAACP was "Almost like a church" in the Atkins household, she added. "It's always been part of our lives".
Mrs. Atkins was born February 26, 1899, in Coffeeville, Miss. She studied and played tennis at Rust College in Holly Springs.
She taught school in Memphis before marrying Joseph P. Atkins, a postal worker. She then became a mother.
Her husband died in 1939 after a long illness. Mrs. Atkins went to work for the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she spent 40 years as the administrative assistant.
She also "Took the responsibility-and did it well-of being a mother and father", said Smith, Mrs. Atkin's youngest daughter and a member of the Memphis Board of Education for 24 years before retiring from the board.
Mrs. Atkins was a charter member of the missionary society at Metropolitan Baptist Church. She also worked with the Girl Scouts at the church.
Mrs. Atkins retired in 1970. She enjoyed cooking and staying active in civic groups in retirement, Ramsey said.
In addition to her two daughters, she leaves a son, Dr. Joseph P. Atkins of Louisville, Ky., seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Atkins's three children were preparing a 98th birthday party for their mother, Smith said.
"God decided otherwise".
The Commercial Appeal, February 9, 1997
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home has charge.
Mrs. Atkins once brought home a toaster as a prize for soliciting the most memberships in the local NAACP branch. It is one of the early memories Maxine Smith. Who retired a year ago after 33 years as the NAACP's executive secretary, has of her mother's work in civil rights.
"She started it all", said Smith, 67.
The NAACP was "Almost like a church" in the Atkins household, she added. "It's always been part of our lives".
Mrs. Atkins was born February 26, 1899, in Coffeeville, Miss. She studied and played tennis at Rust College in Holly Springs.
She taught school in Memphis before marrying Joseph P. Atkins, a postal worker. She then became a mother.
Her husband died in 1939 after a long illness. Mrs. Atkins went to work for the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she spent 40 years as the administrative assistant.
She also "Took the responsibility-and did it well-of being a mother and father", said Smith, Mrs. Atkin's youngest daughter and a member of the Memphis Board of Education for 24 years before retiring from the board.
Mrs. Atkins was a charter member of the missionary society at Metropolitan Baptist Church. She also worked with the Girl Scouts at the church.
Mrs. Atkins retired in 1970. She enjoyed cooking and staying active in civic groups in retirement, Ramsey said.
In addition to her two daughters, she leaves a son, Dr. Joseph P. Atkins of Louisville, Ky., seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Atkins's three children were preparing a 98th birthday party for their mother, Smith said.
"God decided otherwise".
The Commercial Appeal, February 9, 1997
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
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