Georgia V. Atkins September 2, 1945 – August 23, 2020

Georgia V. Atkins, 74 of Brinkley, passed away on Sunday morning August 23 at her son’s home in Benton.

Georgia was born September 2, 1945 in Wheatley, Arkansas to James “Buck” Swanigan and Lorsie Watson.

Georgia was a lifelong member of the Wheatley Church of God in Christ in Wheatley, Arkansas. During her tenure, she served as a Licensed Missionary, President of the Home and Foreign Mission, Chairperson of the church program Committee, member of the board of Trustees, Assistant Church Secretary and District Secretary of Home and Foreign Mission. She enjoyed serving the Lord and being helpful in her church.

Georgia received her education from the Wheatley/Brinkley Public School Systems. She was a 1964 graduate of Marian Anderson High School in Brinkley. She went on to further her education by attending AM&N College (currently, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), where she received her Bachelors of Science in Education Degree in 1968.

Georgia was a former Educator at the Brinkley Public School District in Brinkley, where she taught second grade for more than 20 years. She had previously taught for one year at the Cotton Plant Public School District in Cotton Plant.

Georgia was united in holy matrimony to Wilson Atkins Jr. in 1973 and to this union a son, Kendel was born.

Her father, husband, grandparents: Reverend Milton Watson Sr. and Easter Mae Watson, father and mother in law, Wilson Atkins Sr. and Izola Atkins three brother: Willie L. Swanigan, Isiah Swanigan and Lemoyne Swanigan all preceded Georgia in death.

Survivors are: her son Kendel (Litisha) Atkins Sr., of Benton, AR; four grandchildren: Imani Atkins of Pine Bluff, AR; Taylor Banks of Benton, AR; Kendalyn Atkins and Kendel Atkins Jr. both of Benton, AR; four great grandchildren: Londyn Hawkins, Lekevious Hawkins, Lelah Hawkins and Logan Hawkins all of Pine Bluff, AR; her mother Lorsie Watson-Reed of Brinkley, AR; four brothers: Glenzell (Teresa) Swanigan of Hillside, Ill; James (Elaine) Matthews Jr., Darnell Swanigan and Larry (Carol) Geans all of Chicago, Ill; six sisters: Dora Mae “Sue” Reed of Brinkley, AR; Lorraine Swanigan, Lenora (Eddie) Hunt, Verdell Swanigan (Paul) Taylor, Gloria (Kenneth) Spires and Dinah (Khizkeyahoo) Peterson all of Chicago, Ill; extended family members: Monica “San” Reed, Chadwick “Chad” Reed, Rashad Yancey and Traylon “Tray” Reed all of Brinkley, AR; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A walk-through visitation will be held on Friday evening August 28 from 5 until 7 PM at Branscumb Funeral Home Chapel, 911 North Main Street in Brinkley. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 1:30 PM at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1501 Weatherby Drive in Brinkley with Superintendent Ransom Smith officiating. Internment will take place at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery in Wheatley by Branscumb Johnson & Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley (870) 734-2772 email: branscumbfuneralhome1928@yahoo.com and Facebook: Branscumb Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are: Stacey Calahan, Greg Atkins Jr., Floyd Swanigan Jr., Jason Glass, Claude Carr and Anthony Swanigan.