Notes for Lois Rixey Gilliam

Notes for Lois Rixey Gilliam

!Obituary: Online at Parr Funeral Home:
Lois Saunders Atkinson, 86, of Suffolk, VA passed away February 21, 2008. She was born November 16, 1921 in Hamilton, VA the daughter of the late Rev. Otis Levi Gilliam and Louise Wise Rixey Gilliam. She was predeceased by her first husband, William S. “Billy” Saunders and second husband, Paul Tulane Atkinson. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Carol Anne and William H. Blessing of Cincinnati, OH, Barbara S. and Michael G. Smith of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren, David Blessing, Wren Blessing and husband, John Hanto, and Rixey Gray Smith; and brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Otis Randolph Gilliam and Dorothy R. Gilliam of Storrs, C
Lois graduated from Amelia, VA high school and Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA. She began teaching French, Economics, History, and Government in Charlotte Court House, VA and continued her teaching in Elementary School and High School for many years in Smithfield, VA until her retirement. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional teaching sorority. During her retirement she studied art and became quite skilled at painting scenes in watercolor. She was well recognized as a watercolorist, and belonged to the Brush and Palette Art Club. She displayed her paintings in art shows and exhibits in Tidewater and Nags Head area.
She enjoyed traveling in Europe, Canada, western U.S. and attended many art workshops along the East Coast. She is remembered for her love of teaching in public school and for her ability to motivate her students by her enthusiasm and creativity. She was a member of Windsor Congregational Christian Church and enjoyed weekly Bible studies at Hillcrest Retirement Center.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Windsor Congregational Christian Church with Rev. Stephen W. Broache and Rev. Basil “Buzz” Ballard officiating. A private burial will follow the service at Ivy Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at c/o Frona Colker, Treasurer, 1702 Bramsford Court, Richmond, VA 23238 or Windsor Congregational Christian Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 407, Windsor, VA 23487. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk, VA is serving the family. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.