Mark David Atkinson

Mark David Atkinson passed away on July 17, 2023 at the age of 68 in New Bern, NC, where he had lived for the past 5 years. He was born in Weirton, West Virginia to Carl and Ruth Atkinson. Anyone who has ever asked him for his date of birth would have heard him respond with "the penultimate day of 1954" - or as it's more commonly known, December 30.

Mark's funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 5 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in New Bern, NC. Visitation will be at 10 am and the service at 11 am. A live stream will be available from the church website.

The tapestry of Mark's life, determined before the foundation of the world, was woven together by the strands of his faith in Jesus Christ. He was baptized as a child, and as he grew, his parents took him to worship every week. Mark made his own commitment to the Lord in high school. He attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for his undergraduate degree in psychology. After graduating he worked for Intervarsity Christian Ministry for several years before he began his studies at Princeton Seminary to receive his Masters of Divinity. It was at Princeton that he met his wife, Lois Ann.

Mark's first position as an ordained minister was for First Presbyterian in Rockford, IL, followed by a long and fruitful time as a pastor in many different places - Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Turkey, Poland, and Peru. Being able to live and serve the Lord internationally was one of the highlights of his life. In addition to his Masters of Divinity, Mark received an Honorary Doctorate from Faith Theological Seminary in Gujuranwala, Pakistan and in 2005 he completed a Doctorate of Ministry degree at Covenant Theological Seminary. He concluded his time as a pastor when he retired in 2017.

Mark's understanding of the grace and mercy shown to him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave him the ability to connect with anyone and everyone. He was well-loved by the members of his various congregations as well as by those he met in the different areas of his life. He was known for his love of cigars, his eclectic taste in music, a deep and widespread knowledge gained from reading countless books, and his excellent cocktails. In the final 10 years of his life, one of his greatest joys was being Papa to his grandchildren.

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Ruth Atkinson. He is survived by his sister Pennee. Mark leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Lois Ann, and their children Benjamin Atkinson, Aaron (Misty) Atkinson, and Rebekah (David) Gernhard, as well as his grandchildren Charlotte, Sophia, Eleanor, Roland, Henry, Iris, and Cyrus.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to one of the following organizations.

Theology Matters

PO Box 50026

Greenwood, SC 29649

First Things

9 East 40th Street, 10th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tabernacle Baptist Church

PO Box 1510

New Bern, NC 28563