Leo Wise Atkeison

August 5, 2011

Leo Wise Atkeison, 95, was born in McCullough,  traveled extensively throughout the US and Central America, lived in Atmore  since 1980, and died August 01, 2011 at Jay Hospital.

“Miss Leo” as she was affectionately known, was active in the choir of the First United Methodist Church; the United Methodist Woman on the local, state and national levels; and the garden club wherever she happened to live. Energetic, cheerful and loving, Miss Leo was known for her wide, generous smile.

From her roots in the sacred harp music of the Primitive Baptist Church, through performing opera and classical vocal music, to the loving ditties she sang to her children and grandchildren, her beautiful singing voice was her signature. Even in the fog of 13 years with Alzheimer’s Disease, Miss Leo charmed her caregivers at Century Care Center, angels all, with her singing.

Throughout her career as the wife of an itinerant Methodist preacher, Miss Leo ensured that her children knew their Southern roots, and “home” was wherever she was. Simple stories told in response to the nightly pleas of “Mamma, tell us about when you were a little girl!” reinforced the demonstrated concepts of family and clan, love, loyalty, honesty, and hard work.

Miss Leo was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, the Revered GordonAtkeison.

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Emma Elmore, Tallahassee,  Eleanor Purser Pt. Charlotte, FL, and Ruth Vickery Atmore; her children, Sarah Atkeison, Atmore, Bill and Kathy Atkeison, Semmes, AL and John Atkeison, Lincoln, NE; her grandchildren, Billie and Stacy Dooms and their two children in Richmond, VA, and Jessica and Clint Woods and their three children in Albuquerque, NM; and innumerable nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday August 05, 2011 6-8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home on South Main Street in Atmore. A service in celebration of Leo Atkeison’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday August 06, 2011,  at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim eece officiating. Interment  in Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, will be at a later date after cremation.

Although Miss Leo dearly loved flowers, the family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Alzheimer’s Family Services, The Alzheimer’s Foundation, Covenant Hospice, or the Atmore UMC Music fund.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Atmore.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries