RICHARD KEITH ATKINSON

R. Keith Atkinson BRITTONS NECK - Richard Keith Atkinson, 59, died Monday, December 14, 2009 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born October 23, 1950 in Marion, S.C., a son of the late Benton Lavern Atkinson and the late Flora Avant Atkinson. Keith retired from Bell South as an assistant manager of CPO operations. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was a Mason and a member of Centenary Lodge #312. Keith was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Surviving Keith are: his wife: Annie Ruth "Missy" Atkinson; 3 Daughters: Kelly A. Sauls and her husband Donnie of Lake City, Rachel Brooke Atkinson of Myrtle Beach and Ashley Nicole Atkinson of Brittons Neck; a Stepdaughter: Melissa W. Taylor and her husband Leon of Monks Corner; a Stepson: Jonathan Walters and his wife Tiffany of Pennsylvania; 9 Grandchildren; 3 Brothers: Jimmy Atkinson and his wife Sherry of Centenary, Benton Lavern Atkinson, Jr. and his wife Audrey of Rains and Van Atkinson and his wife Marie of Rains; and 3 Sisters: Shirley Hunt of Sumter, Rosemary Bethea and her husband Marcus of Dillon and Beth Collins of Knightdale, N.C. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 18 at Reedy Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Darrell Floyd and Rev. Scott Collins officiating. Burial, with Masonic rites, will follow in Centenary United Methodist Church Cemetery, directed by Smith-Collins Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Smith - Collins Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.