Obituary published on Legacy.com by Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge on Dec. 9, 2025.
Frieda Pearl Atkinson, age 86 of
San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on December 3, 2025. Frieda was born on September 5, 1939 in
San Antonio, Texas, to her mother Dorothy and father Lonnie. Frieda, an only child, grew up in San Antonio on the Southside and attended Harlandale High School. Frieda enjoyed spending summers in Mississippi with her Grandma Mallette and numerous cousins. Unfortunately, Frieda's father, Lonnie, was killed tragically in a car accident when she was only 9 years old. Frieda's mother, Dorothy, remarried John Ciochon, and they raised Frieda together.
In 1958, Frieda met her soulmate, Dewitt, at a rooftop dance at Hermann Sons in downtown San Antonio. On that fateful night, they both knew they would marry each other, and they married three months later on January 31, 1959, and remained married 63 years until Dewitt's passing in 2022. Frieda and Dewitt started their family and had three little girls, Lisa, Laura, and Lonna, and then there were five.
While raising her girls and taking care of her home, Frieda was also a girl scout leader, PTA President, and Avon Lady and Manager. She loved spending time with family and friends celebrating birthdays and holidays. She loved playing cards and games and she especially loved fishing. She and Dewitt bought a boat in their 50's and went fishing in Rockport, Texas all the time. She loved nothing more than catching fish. Frieda also loved cooking. She was an excellent cook and made dinner every night for her family. Once she was no longer able to stand and cook, she cooked through others instructing and teaching them how to make her special dishes. Frieda also loved spending time gardening, especially growing her roses in front of her pink and white home that her husband had built especially for her. Frieda was very active in her church, House of Prayer, and she enjoyed attending church, bible study, quilting group, bunco, and many other activities with her treasured church family. Frieda loved watching sports and was a huge Spurs fan. Frieda watched every game for many years and even recently as much as she could.
Frieda was a wonderful mother to her three girls, Lisa, Laura, and Lonna. Frieda also cared for her stepson Dee over the years. Frieda's five grandchildren meant the world to her. Frieda and Dewitt were especially helpful in caring for their twin grandsons, Christian and Dylan, who lived across the street from Grandma and Grandpa and took the twins to numerous doctor or physical therapy appointments and helped with many school activities.
In 2023, Frieda welcomed her sweet little Chloe, a white furry little malshi, into her home. Chloe and Frieda were best friends and enjoyed every moment together.
Frieda also loved her caregivers who helped her so much over the years and allowed her to continue to live in her home at the end of her life. The family gives special thanks to Connie, Eva, Celeste, and Lisa Ann, for all of their love and support over the years.
Frieda is preceded in death by her husband, Dewitt Talmadge Atkinson, Jr.; her mother and stepfather, Dorothy and John Ciochon; her father, Lonnie Mallette; and her in-laws, Dewitt and Winnie Atkinson.
She is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Robert), Laura, and Lonna (Jason); her son Dee; sister-in-law Cathy (Glenn); grandchildren, Christian, Dylan, Erin, Leonard, and Daniel; nieces, nephews, and many other dear friends and family; and her sweet little Chloe.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 14, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 15, 2025 at House of Prayer Lutheran Church with funeral procession to follow to Mission Burial Park North.