Uda Marjory Hays Atkinson

Uda Marjory Hays Atkinson of Columbus, IN, formerly of Galesburg, IL, died Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 6:42 PM at the Hospice Center in Columbus, IN. Mrs. Atkinson was born on 09/09/1919 at a birthing home near Burke, SD where her parents, Luther Roy Hays and Reva Otoma Shafer Hays were homesteading. She grew up in Adair County, MO and graduated from high school in Kirksville, MO in 1937. She met her husband, Dr. Ellis M. Atkinson in Kirksville, MO where he was studying at the Osteopathic College and living in an apartment building next door. They eloped and were married June 5, 1941, just before he left for WWII service in the Army Medical Corps. After the war in 1946 they moved to Galesburg, IL where they lived for more than 50 years. Dr. Ellis preceded her in death on March 9, 1993. A wonderful mother and homemaker, she enjoyed her family and friends, antiquing, crosswords and word jumbles and playing bridge. She was a 30 year Life Master at duplicate bridge. Mrs. Atkinson was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Galesburg and the Abingdon Church of Christ. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Lakeview Church of Christ in Columbus, IN. She is survived by her son David and wife, Lana of Columbus, IN and her daughter, Sharon K. Atkinson of Loveland, CO. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Carrie Marie and husband, Dr. Kevin Britt of Madison, IN, Elizabeth Anne and husband, Ronnie Joiner of Flatrock, IN and Christian Atkinson Nyga of Loveland, CO and three great grandsons, Jesse Britt, Cade Britt and Rider Joiner. The graveside service will be held at the South Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee, IL at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 10, 2011 where she will be buried next to her husband and near many other Atkinson family members. On-line condolences to the family of Mrs. Atkinson may be made at www.myers-reed.com.