Connie R. Atkinson

Connie R. Atkinson, 65, of Houston, Ark. passed from this life on Feb. 5, 2015. She was born on Nov. 7, 1949 in Conway to the late Wayne Junior Sowell and Fern Marian Rablin Sowell. Connie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in which she proudly served for over 40 years. During that time, she served as the local president to the Jesse Grisham VFW Auxiliary No. 2259of which she was a life member. She served as district president, as well as state president. Connie later was elected to the National Guard, which put her in position to be a National President of the Ladies Auxiliary in 1997-1998. After serving a year as the National President, she continued her dedication to the Ladies Auxiliary by serving as National Chairman on the Southern Conference Safety and Rehabilitation Programs and as the Southern Conference Meeting Chairman. Connie was appointed in 2006 as the National Secretary/Treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW. She served in that capacity until November 2011. Connie also worked for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management from 1986-2006. While holding that position, she was named outstanding State Employee and was promoted to Chief Fiscal Officer before becoming the Associate Deputy Director. Connie was named to the Governor's Purchasing Quality Management Team. Connie was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward C. Atkinson; her sisters, Linda Rayder and Doris Watson. She leaves behind three sons, Sonny Cotton, Richard Atkinson (Rachel), Johnathon Paul Atkinson (Jackie); her three brothers, George Roy Sowell, Wayne "Dub" Sowell, Glenn Sowell; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Celebration Service will be held in her honor at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 at Friendship Baptist Church, 767 Rocky Point Road, Conway, Ark., with Bro. Ken Jordan Officiating. The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Arkansas Hospice for all their support and guidance and a special thanks to Billy York for making sure that Connie's last days were peaceful. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Hospice Foundation at 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116. Online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.