Frank Atkinson
January 9, 2020
Retired Hickman County Sheriff Franklin D. "Frank" Atkinson passed from this life on December 29, 2019, four days away from his 87th birthday. He was born in Shipp's Bend on January 2, 1933.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Quillen Atkinson, his wife of 66 years, Maxine Thompson Atkinson, and six brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his two daughters, Pam Morgan and Susan McNabb of Centerville; two grandchildren, Nicholas McNabb and Lindsey Bailey; three great grandchildren, Lily McNabb, Knox and Sloan Bailey; and two sisters, Helen Deen and Shirley Staggs.
Frank started working at a young age and worked hard his entire life. He was a wonderful provider for his family. He was a member of the local Iron Workers Union #492, Centerville Masonic Lodge #618, and a charter member of the Hickman County Rescue Squad.
In 1964, Frank was elected as Sheriff of Hickman County at the age of thirty-one. He was elected to eleven terms and served for twenty-eight years as sheriff. He spent a total of thirty years in law enforcement. He retired as Sheriff of Hickman County in 2002 at the age of sixty-nine.
Frank was also a member of the Centerville Church of Christ for over six decades. He served as a faithful usher and head counter on a weekly basis. He loved his church family.
He was a fine Christian man, husband, daddy, grandfather, leader, and friend. He enjoyed serving others and spent his life doing so. Frank was famous for saying, "If there is ever anything I can do for you - let me know." And, he followed through with that promise on countless occasions. According to a family member, "Frank believed 'every day was a good day.' And, he went about his life doing good for others. The world is a better place because he was in it."
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. January 1, 2010 in the McDonald Funeral Home chapel. Interment followed in the Oakmont Cemetery in Centerville.
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