Richard Atwell

Richard Dickinson Atwell, age 66, of Lawrenceville, GA., passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. Richard is survived by his wife of 44 years, Libby Atwell; daughters, Shannon Elizabeth Atwell of Lawrenceville, Alisha Atwell Boger and her husband, Brian, of High Point, NC; granddaughters, Elizabeth Garland Boger and Caroline Vance Roger; brothers William Levener Dickinson, and wife Betty, of Suffolk, VA; Paul Alexander Atwell, Jr., and wife Rebecca, of High Point, NC; and dear friends, Pat and Hartley Falbaum, of Loganville, GA. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Alexander Atwell and Bertha Vance Dickinson Atwell. Formerly of Thomasville, GA, Richard was born in Hickory, NC on September 19, 1941, and was a manager of Belk Department Stores for 30 years and most recently worked as a lab technician at Scientific Games in Alpharetta, GA. Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved classical music, reading and playing with his granddaughters. A man of character and dignity, he believed that “the best way to love his children was to love their mother well” This he did so beautifully that Libby's 40 years of students learned from him how to love completely with respect and devotion. Richard often sent Libby gorgeous roses, and they invariably came to her school when she was teaching Anne Bradstreet's poem, “To My Dear and Loving Husband.” Richard was the consummate gentleman, articulate and well-read, and a true friend who always “did the right thing.” Richard loved his brothers, Bill and Paul, with a lifetime of gratitude for teaching him how to be a man of courage and responsibility. He also loved his sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Family was everything to Richard, and he was very proud of each member of his and Libby's families. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2008. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. Samuel Oscar Clardy, brother-in-law of Richard, officiating. Interment will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park in Lawrenceville. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 16, 2008, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 770-277-4550. Memorial donations may be made to Peachtree Christian Hospice (Duluth, GA).