Dr. Charles Atkins

DR. CHARLES ATKINS

Dr. Charles Edward Atkins, Jr. passed away on May 6th, 2020, at UAB hospital. Dr. Atkins was born July 9th, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Charles Edward Atkins, Sr. and Louise Smith Atkins. He graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated from the University of Kentucky Dental School in 1967. Upon graduation, he entered the Navy and served as a dentist on the carrier U.S.S. Randolph. Dr. Atkins was in private practice until 1977 at which time he decided to return to the University of Kentucky to receive his speciality in Orthodontics. Dr. Atkins practiced in Columbus, Mississippi, until he retired.
Dr. Atkins was President of the Exchange Club, the Columbus Sertoma Club, the Mississippi Association of Orthodontists, and the Board of the Golden Triangle Regional Medical Foundation. Charles served on the Heritage Academy Board of Directors three separate terms. He was also a member of the Board of the Columbus-Lowndes County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and on the Advisory Board of the Trustmark National Bank. He was the Mississippi delegate to the American Association of Orthodontics for five years. Dr. Atkins was a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the World Federation of Orthodontists. Charles served as an assistant professor of Orthodontics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. He was a Mason as well as a Shriner and taught literacy to adults at the Greater Columbus Learning Center. Charles thoroughly enjoyed being a member of Magowah Gun and Country Club.
Dad was an avid reader who often had an “upstairs” book and a “downstairs” book going at the same time. He enjoyed going to the movies, and never missed a Trivial Pursuit question. Dad loved to tell corny jokes and sing to his patients. He will be remembered for his honest opinions and dry wit. You could always spot his TINGRIN car tag all over town. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Libby Atkins, and his three children Susanne, Trey, and Lindsey, as well as his four grandchildren, Stella and Elizabeth Nichols, Charlie and Sam Noto, and his brother, Chester Atkins of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pallbearers include Larry Summerville, Leslie Baucom, Ralph McLain, Jim Davidson, John Barron, Tommy Vice, Bart Wise, Len Morrow, Meredith Johnson, Bill Daugherty, David Shelton, Chance Laws, Scott Perkins, and Stevan Black.
Funeral arrangement will be a graveside ceremony at Friendship Cemetery on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11:00 am.