Ernest Edwin Atkinson, 89, passed from this life to his new home in Heaven on Sunday, March 3, 2013, from Tyler, Texas. Ernest was born in Jessup, Georgia, on July 15, 1923, to James Nicholas and Ruby (Bass) Atkinson. He grew up in Baxley, Georgia, and graduated from Baxley High School. On August 21, 1948, he married Martha Sheffield in Pelham, Georgia. After moving to Texas, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University; a Bachelor and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; a Doctorate of Ministry from The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served in the United States Navy from 1941-45. As a missionary for 40 years with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, he served as pastor of Spanish speaking churches both in Texas and Florida and also served as professor, librarian, and Dean for the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute from which he retired in 1988 after 28 years of service with the school. He is survived by his wife, Martha Atkinson; two daughters: Elena and husband, Benny Petty of College Station; and Becky and husband, Ray Davis of White House; along with three grandchildren: Jim Davis and wife, Emma; Elizabeth Petty; and Joshua Davis. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, from 10 am. until 11 a.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 6, 2013, in the Myrtle Cemetery of Ennis with Dr. Ray Davis officiating under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations be made to the Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler, Texas, in memory of E.E. Atkinson. www.jekeevermortuary.com
