Frederick Pendleton Atchley

Frederick Pendleton Atchley of San Antonio, Texas went home to be with the Lord on April 30, 2016 at age 89. He was born on November 17, 1926 in Melvin, Alabama, Choctaw County. His son Frederick Vaden Atchley preceded him in death, as did his brother William Harrell Atchley and his parents, William Vaden Atchley and Mattie Pendleton Harrell Atchley.

He is survived by his adoring wife of over 66 years, Lillis Rae Fuller Atchley, whom he married May 23, 1949. Also surviving him are his son Roderick Pendleton Atchley, 3 granddaughters: April, Kelly and Erin, 4 great-grandsons, a sister Betty Ann and her husband Bobby DeWitt Brewer of Quitman, MS.

Mr. Atchley attended Livingston State Teachers College (now University of West Alabama) where he met his bride, Lillis Rae Fuller and where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. He earned his Master’s Degree at Incarnate Word.

Mr. Atchley served in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas before he was sent overseas to Japan during the Korean Conflict after which he received an honorable discharge.

Mr. Atchley worked a few years at American Hospital and Life Insurance Company in San Antonio and afterwards a year or so with National Life of Nashville, Tennessee.

For most of his career, Mr. Atchley was a Biology teacher, teaching at South San Antonio High School in South San Antonio School District, teaching at Lee High School, Roosevelt High School and MacArthur High School all in North East Independent School District. He retired in June of 1990.

During his retirement, he served as docent for 15 years at the Institute of Texan Cultures, was a life member of both North San Antonio Retired Teachers and Texas Retired Teachers Association, and, with his wife, joined the Greater San Antonio Quilt Guild, and continued membership in San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society.

Mr. Atchley was a member of the Huguenot Society, both national and the local Languedoc chapter and he was also a member of the Presidential Families of America.

Mr. Atchley was ordained a deacon in Government Hills Baptist Church in January 1954 and served as an active deacon in Highland Hills Baptist Church as well as serving in Harmony Hills Baptist Church until his accident and brain surgery in 2013.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 3 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in the Military Section. Condolences may be given at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com .

Speaking at the funeral will be Interim Pastor of Harmony Hills Baptist Church, Rev. Allen Cearley; Rev. Mike McClung, hospice chaplain; Rev. Will Covington, retired pastor of Harmony Hills Baptist Church and Joe DeLeon, former member and deacon of Harmony Hills Baptist Church.