Joseph Warren Atchison

Joseph Warren Atchison, 89, passed away surrounded by his family on March 20, 2017, in Franklin, Tennessee. "Joe" was born in Harlingen, Texas on August 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 as 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, Ft. Worth, Texas, First Baptist Church, McAllen, Texas, First Southern Baptist Church, Glendale, Arizona and Southside Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 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 was not in achievements, but his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife of fifty-five 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; and 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 on 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 (SBC) https://www.imb.org or a ministry of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. www.rollinsfuneral.com.