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Submitted: 5/9/17 • Approved: 5/13/17 • Last Updated: 5/16/17 • R1185144-G1185144-S3
Joe
SECOND LIEUTENANT US Army
World War II
Korea
August 3, 1927 - March 20, 2017
*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Joseph Warren Atchison, 89, passed away surrounded by his family on March 20, 2017, in Franklin, Tenn. "Joe" was born in Harlingen, Texas, on Aug. 3, 1927, to Mary Youree Atchison and Joe Bailey Atchison.
After graduating from Brownsville High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII from 1945-46. In 1949, Joe finished a B.S. degree in business from Texas A&M, and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
While pursuing business and attending First Baptist Church of Dallas, Joe answered the call to vocational ministry; but first, served his country once again as an Army commander during the Korean Conflict.
After returning from military service, Joe was married to Bettye Jane Winternheimer on May 3, 1952. Joe and Bettye began serving churches together in Marble Falls and Sweetwater, Texas, while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees of divinity in 1955 and 1973, respectively.
Joe's ministry as a pastor included Haltom Road Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, First Baptist Church, McAllen, Texas, First Southern Baptist Church, Glendale, Ariz., and Southside Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Ark. Later, he served the Northwest Arkansas Baptist Association as director of missions in Rogers, Ark, served as a trustee on the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and was trustee chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission for eight years.
Those who know Joe best, know that his pride and joy wasn't in achievements, but his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife of 55 years.
He will be missed by his brother Bill Campbell Atchison (Martha) of McAllen, Texas, his three children: Deborah Ann Hammond (Geoff), Columbus, Ga., David Warren Atchison (Elaine), Franklin, Tenn., and Dawn Susan Keller (Rick), Franklin, Tenn. Joe was especially devoted to his eight grandchildren: David Blake Atchison, Nashville, Tenn.; Joel Matthew Atchison, Ukiah, Calif.; Amanda Brooke Hanks (Jeremy), Brentwood, Tenn.; Timothy Lewis Hammond (Megan), Columbus, Ga.; Nicholas Bailey Hammond (Lauren), Phenix City, Ala.; Richard Zachary Keller, Franklin, Tenn.; Rachel Danielle Keller, Franklin, Tenn., and Joshua Warren Keller, Franklin, Tenn., two great-grandsons: David Rainor Atchison, Nashville, Tenn., and Abner Joseph Hammond, Columbus, Ga., and a number of nieces and nephews and their children.
Joe Atchison leaves a rich legacy as an engaging Bible teacher and effective soul-winner, poured his life into protecting the inerrancy of Scripture as an active leader in the conservative resurgence of the SBC. He will be remembered for his abiding patriotism, colorful storytelling, and lifelong loyalty to "his" Texas Aggies and Dallas Cowboys.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, 2448 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, Ark., 72758.
Visitation will precede the service at 9 a.m. and interment will follow at Rogers Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of The Hearth at Franklin, NHC Place of Cool Springs and Williamson Medical Center for their attentive and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the International Mission Board, www.imb.org, or a ministry of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers, www.rollinsfuneral.com.
Bettye
December 2, 1922 - June 19, 2007
*Obituary
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Bettye Jane Winternheimer Atchison, a woman of great faith, a strong prayer warrior. Bettye lived her life to the glory of her Lord and Savior for 84 years strong. She began her life on Dec. 2, 1922, in Evansville, Ind., and completed her God appointed time on Earth June 19, 2007, in Rogers, surrounded by her family.
She was an accomplished musician. Early in her career, she became the first female trombonist in the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra as well as being the winner of many state and national contests involving her trombone. Bettye graduated from Evansville University and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bettye's Storybook was an early accomplishment she was so proud of. It was a radio broadcast she did daily for children, sharing about Christ's love for them.
Her unique style as a pianist was used across the nation in statewide evangelistic crusades, revivals and church services to touch many lives through the years. She also had a passion for teaching others how to build confidence and improve their skills both in piano and vocals. Bettye's most distinct talent lay in her singing. She had a divine gift for taking a song and allowing others to see Christ clearly through her singing.
For many years she used her gift teaching school, working with private students and serving the local church as pianist; her most recent being at Lakeside Baptist Church. She also developed a burden for senior adult ministry, and along with her beloved sister, Iris, wrote 15 musicals for senior adults. Several things Bettye Atchison was very proud of were that she served on the Southern Baptist Convention Committee on Resolutions, received the Director of Missions wife award, organized and led the first ever statewide women's conference in Arkansas and three other areawide women's conferences, worked with Hispanic church plants in Texas, and taught children's Sunday school for 33 years.
But after all was said and done, Bettye Atchison's greatest accomplishment was being the pastor's wife of Joe W. Atchison and being blessed with three wonderful children, Debbie Hammond, David Atchison and Dawn Keller.
She was abundantly blessed with eight grandchildren, Blake, Joel and Amanda Atchison, Timothy and Nick Hammond and Zack, Rachel and Josh Keller, as well as anticipating her first great-grandchild later this month.
Her proud family wanted everyone to know that their loved one gave all her days to loving and witnessing to others and serving the local church. Jesus Christ was her foundation and seeing others coming to Christ was her goal. Welcome home, Mom! We'll miss you forever.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, June 21, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Church at Pinnacle Hills. Bettye requested donations be made to the American Bible Society or the Gideons in lieu of flowers.
Contributed on 5/9/17 by wfields55
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Record #: 1185144