Mary Elizabeth Perkins Atkinson Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Perkins Atkinson, 78, departed this life on December 28, 2017 at Vidant Inpatient Hospice in Greenville. The funeral service will be held in the Smith Funeral Service Chapel at 2PM, on Monday, January 1, 2018. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private burial will take place at Homestead Memorial Gardens.
Mary was born on September 11, 1939 to the late Rev. Leroy and Hattie Perkins. She was united in marriage for 61 years to Willie Atkinson. From their union, three children were born: one daughter, Joan, and two sons, Burtis and Jeffery. Her sons preceded her in death. After more than 15 years of service, she retired from the ECU Joyner Library.
She is best remembered for her love for singing. She attended Cherry Lane Free Will Baptist Church and served as an usher. She is survived by her husband, Willie Lee Atkinson of the home and daughter, Joan Staton (Clarence "Clyde") of Greenville; three grandchildren, Teon (Melisa) Staton of Greenville, Tracee (Jermel) Roberson of Charlotte, NC and Tarence Staton of Wilmington, NC; five great-grandchildren.
She leaves to cherish her memory, one brother Charlie Joyner, Jr of Wilson, NC; one aunt, Delores Adams of Greenville; and one close friend, Alice Floyd of Greenville.
