Edward Delano Atlas

Edward Delano Atlas made his grand entrance into the world on January 31, 1938, in the town of Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, State of Louisiana. He was warmly received by his parents, Francis Joseph and Willie Mae Atlas. He was child number eight joining seven other siblings.
Growing up on the family farm had its challenges and rewards. Edward experienced both. He learned how to work and was an outstanding farmer. "If a task is once begun, never leave it 'till it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all." That speaks to Edward's character growing up. Edward, the engineer, liked to fix things. He was gifted with many talents: an artist, a tremendous basketball player, and he had a knack for doing work on the farm- doing it well or not at all. One day, Edward and an older brother were playing around after they had finished a task, and he broke his leg. His father took him to the doctor, and the doctor put a cast on it.
Attending school was a positive, exciting experience for Edward. To mention one, he was six feet three inches tall and a very talented athlete, especially in basketball. One day during his eleventh-grade year, the Varsity Basketball coach saw him playing and asked him to join the Varsity Team. The coach worked with Edward on his game, and Edward developed a hook shot long before they became popular.
In addition to his artistic and athletic skills, he took pride in his appearance and was very dapper as a young man which translated through his adulthood. Once, as the children were leaving for school, Edward complained about the way his mother was ironing his shirt. She told him to iron his own shirts and he did this with great efficiency.
With his talents, skills, and abilities Edward looked at attending college after high school. Grambling College was having Basketball "Try Outs." He attended and tried out. The coach was very impressed and wanted him to play. The challenge was that the coach had given out all of the scholarships. He proposed that Edward pay for his freshman year and come the sophomore year, he would award Edward a scholarship. That was not a possibility. Since college was no longer an option, Edward enlisted in the United States Army where he spent three years serving his country.
Edward's life consisted of several components: God, Family, Education, and Recreation or Physical involvement, working on the farm and playing sports, etc. He attended Sunday School every Sunday. Because of his artistic ability, he drew the "Picture Roll" for Sunday School. He could capture and draw what he saw that was live or in print.
After being discharged from the United States Army he pursued and received an Engineering degree from Tennessee State. Edward was employed by IBM for the better part of 30 years where he worked until his retirement. He was a proud man and liked to see things done well and to fruition.
As the final curtain closed, January 8, 2025 and Edward took his final bow. We can imagine these words being heard: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord. " Matthew 25:21 Edward will be missed on earth and welcomed in Glory.
Preceding him on this journey are his siblings, Phillip King Atlas; Susie Lee Atlas Ammons; Ethel Mae Atlas Sparrow; Francis Joseph Atlas, Jr.; Nora Louise Atlas Jefferson; Lawrence Atlas; Charles Atlas; Florence Marie Atlas; and Willie James Atlas. He leaves to mourn his passing: Annie Elizabeth Atlas Chatman and John W. Atlas (Arthurlean) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.