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Bishopville, SC A memorial service for Annie Laurie Bell Atkinson, 103, wife of the late Reverend Dr. Samuel Marvin Atkinson will be held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church on Monday, April 17 at 2:00 in the afternoon. The family will receive friends in the Dr. S. M. Atkinson Center following the service. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Atkinson died on April 13, 2017, at home in Murrells Inlet, SC. Born in 1913 in the Wampee community of Horry County she was the daughter of the late Joseph Lay Bell and Della Bellamy Bell. She was the only surviving sibling in her family. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by brothers Elfred, Joe, William and Glenn Bell, sisters Bernice Clardy and Marguerite Lewis, son Samuel Marvin Atkinson, Jr., and son-in-law Dr. Chuck May. She was a graduate of Wampee High School, Pineland Junior College and Columbia College, Class of 1934. She was married for 61 years and served along with her husband numerous Methodist churches in South Carolina. She taught in church school kindergarten for more than thirty years. Through out the years, she was a member of garden clubs, book clubs, United Methodist Women, and Columbia College Founder’s Society. She was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, as well as a wonderful cook. Mrs. Atkinson lived at the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee in Florence, SC for 11 years, where she enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. Even at 103, she never forgot a name or face. Survivors include daughter Margaret Ann Atkinson May of Murrells Inlet, SC. Grandchildren include Charles Raysor May, IV (Emily) of Columbia, SC; Lauranne May Auster (Neil) of Davenport, FL; and Nelle May Stephenson of Murrells Inlet, SC; Katherine A. McInnis (Jeff) of Ft. Walton, Florida; Sandra A. O’Rourke (Peter) of Greenville, NC; Elizabeth A. Bing (J.R.) of Ormond Beach, Florida; Christopher Atkinson (Charlotte) of Charlotte, NC. Great grandchildren are Matty and Chas May; Maggie May Stephenson; Miller, Bradley and Morgan McInnis; Andrew Brown, Sam and Jack O’Rourke; and Russell and Henry Bing. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church PO Box 167 Bishopville, SC 29010 or the charity of your choice.

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Mrs. Annie Laurie Atkinson

August 6, 1913 - April 13, 2017