Ronald Earl "Ronnie" Atkinson Sr.

Ronald Earl "Ronnie" Atkinson Sr., of Victoria, Virginia, passed away in Richmond on Thanksgiving morning, November 24, 2005 following a lengthy illness. Born June 9, 1939 in Mullens, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James Edward Jr. and Thelma Collins Atkinson. At age eight, Ronnie moved with his family to Victoria where he grew up in the small town atmosphere that he loved. He graduated from Victoria High School where, as a student, he was a member of the Panthers football and basketball teams through which he was often recognized and awarded for his athletic abilities. He went on to attend VPI, was a member of the cadet corp, and later attended Virginia Commonwealth University. Ronnie worked briefly for the Virginian Railway and the Norfolk & Western Railroad and in 1964 accepted a position with Ford Motor Company to which he would remain devoted until illness forced him to retire in 1994. As a youth, Ronnie belonged to the Victoria Baptist Church. He later became a member of the Victoria United Methodist Church where he treasured his participation in the men's choir and the John Lew Gallion Sunday School Class. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America, the Victoria High School Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Victoria High School Monogram Club, and the "coffee table" at the Victoria Restaurant. Ronnie is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jane Gatling Atkinson; his children, Ronald Earl "Butch" Atkinson Jr. and wife, Melissa, of New Kent, William Gatling Atkinson and wife, Susan, of Richmond, Sarah Jane Atkinson Pendleton and husband, John, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; his brother, James Edward "Pete" Atkinson Jr. and wife, Maude; and brother-in-law, William Howard Gatling, all of Victoria; grandchildren, Sarah Kathryn Atkinson, Steven Henry Atkinson, William Gatling Atkinson Jr., Jessie Laura Atkinson, Allison Weston Pendleton, Richard Caleb Pendleton, Christian Anthony Costa and Colin Emery Costa; a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many valued friends. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, November 26 at Staples Funeral Home, Nottoway Boulevard, Victoria, Virginia. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 27 at Bethel Church Cemetery, Alberta, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Victoria United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 547, Victoria, Va. 23974 or the Victoria Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box T, Victoria, Va. 23974.