Former Secretary-Treasurer Walter P. Atkinson Passes Away
November 1, 2011– The family of Dr. Walter P. Atkinson, former member of the Church of God Executive Committee, announced his passing late this morning at a Chattanooga, Tennessee hospital surrounded by his family. He was 77.
Atkinson, a member of the Church of God International Advisory Council, was elected to serve on the Church of God International Executive Committee as General Secretary-Treasurer from 1994-1996. He also served as an elected member of the International Executive Council of Eighteen, three separate terms: 1986-1988, 1990-1994 and 1998-2002.
He was born in Lake City, Florida and graduated from Columbia County High School. He began his ministry in 1952 at the age of 18. He attended Lee University from 1953-1957 and later earned a Master’s Degree at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. He accepted his first pastorate in Columbia, Mississippi in 1958 and served in successive pastorates in Smithville, Tennessee (1960-1966), Anderson, South Carolina (1973-1980) and North Cleveland (Tennessee) Church of God (1984-1988). Dr. Atkinson served as a State Youth and Christian Education Director in Alabama (1966-1970) and South Carolina (1970-1973).
Atkinson was well-known for his leadership as a State Administrative Bishop in: Mississippi (1980-1984), Kentucky (1989-1991), Alabama (1991-1994), Western North Carolina (1996-1998) and Tennessee (1998-2002). From 1988-1989, he was Director of Media Ministries. His final leadership role with the Church of God was National Evangelist. For the past seven years, he continued to encourage, love, counsel, and mentor through the ministries of Metropolitan Tabernacle church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Throughout his ministry, Pastor Atkinson served on several boards, including the board of directors for the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and was president of the Ministerial Association in Smithville, Tennessee as well as Anderson, South Carolina. He was honored in 1994 by his alma mater, Lee University, with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
Dr. Atkinson was a sought-after speaker for camp meetings and prayer conferences, and was well known for his strong Pentecostal preaching and Bible teaching. He has many “spiritual sons and daughters” whom he mentored and developed over the last six decades. Many will remember Walter Atkinson as a true “statesman,” world-class leader, and gifted Bible scholar. His love for God, his family, the Church, his friends and “ordinary people” ran very deeply and was easily observed in his everyday life. He and his wife of 54 years, Oleda, were truly a “team” in all of their ministry and life experiences.
General Overseer Dr. Raymond Culpepper said, “Walter P. Atkinson was a Church of God champion. During his 59 years of ministry, he served the church in more leadership roles than I have time to mention. He was a faithful family man, visionary leader, excellent preacher, and to me, a mentor, and friend. I loved him. I will miss him.”
Dr. Atkinson is survived by his wife, Oleda, and three daughters, Reita Ball (Steve); Renea Medlin (Don); and Rhonda Parris (Randall). He was also a proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Brittni Ball, Taylor and Victoria Medlin, Clayton and Alysse Parris.
Visitation will occur on Friday, November 4, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by the Celebration of Life and Legacy service of Dr. Walter Atkinson at 7:00 p.m. at the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in Chattanooga. Heritage Funeral Home in Chattanooga will facilitate arrangements. A private family interment will occur Saturday morning.
Because of his love for training spiritual sons and daughters, in lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make donations to “Destiny Ministries” to continue the legacy of Dr. Walter Atkinson at the Web site www.walteratkinson.org .
Service Location:
Metropolitan Tabernacle
2101 West Shepherd Road
Highway 153 @ Airport Exit 1A
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-894-3377
