Mrs. Ruth Martin Atkinson

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

Viewed: 856

Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: Dec 27 2022 8:42 AM

Ruth Martin Atkinson passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on December 22, 2022 at 95 years of age. Formerly a resident of Dothan, Alabama, Ruth had been a resident of Camellia Place, an assisted living community in Woodstock, Georgia, at the time of her passing. 

Ruth was the second of two children born to Ruth and Roger Martin in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1927. Her parents and her older sister, Beth Dean, precede her in death. Ruth’s formative years were spent in El Dorado, Arkansas, where her father operated a pharmacy until she graduated from high school. It was there that she met Gordon Atkinson in middle school. They became high school sweethearts and married in 1949 following her graduation from the University of Texas in Austin. As Gordon began medical school Ruth worked in the Pathology Department at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock. After Gordon’s completion of his residency in general surgery in St. Louis they moved with four children to Dothan, Alabama in 1958, where he practiced for the next 30 years. Together they raised six children and numerous pets, while hosting many more who frequented their home on Rosemont Drive. In 1991 Ruth and Gordon retired to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed many a sunset on the beach and continued their roles as parents and grandparents nearly 11 years until Gordon’s passing in 2002.

Ruth once more made Dothan her home for 7 years before relocating to Camellia Place in 2016, where she added life to her late years under the loving care of her daughter Lauren, who owned and operated the community with the support of her husband, Brad.  Throughout her long life Ruth remained young at heart, loving her children as they were, nurturing them through countless joys and challenges. In spite of her illness she never quit being a concerned mother and grandmother. She loved animals as if they were family and remained fascinated with wildlife and nature. These traits endured through her final years until her passing. Her family greatly benefitted and was most fortunate because of her steadfastness of purpose and devotion.

Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her children: Gordon Allen Atkinson, Jr. (Kay), Martin Elliott Atkinson, Clayton Williams Atkinson, Lauren Atkinson Clifton (Brad), Stuart Leland Atkinson, and Todd Manning Atkinson (Colleen); her 7 grandchildren: Clinton Elliott Atkinson (Jessica), Heather Atkinson Granger (Anthony), Lynsey Atkinson Cook, Gordon Allen Atkinson III, and Audrey Atkinson Moreno (Daron), Kate Manning Atkinson, and Stuart Leland Atkinson, Jr.; and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Emily Atkinson Woods, and brother-in-law, Elliott Williams Atkinson, Jr. (Susan); and numerous extended family and friends. The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Camellia Place who enhanced Ruth’s life and extends special recognition with enduring gratitude to Ruth’s caregivers responsible for her 24/7 care in her final years: Mina Cataline-Brookshire, Roseline Thadal, Ann McKenzie, and Marie Benjamin.

Ruth will be laid to rest next to Gordon on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in a graveside service at Ward-Wilson Memory Hill.  Ward-Wilson Funeral Home of Dothan will be handling all funeral services. Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr. will be officiating. Memorials for Ruth may be made to First Baptist Church in Dothan where she was a member and taught the Adult Women’s Sunday School Class.

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

 

www.wardwilson.com

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