“…But what is man, oh, what is man

That you are mindful of him?

O Lord, our God 

The majesty and glory of Your name

Transcends the earth and fills the heavens.

O Lord, our God

Little children praise You perfectly.

And so would we,

And so would we.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

The majesty and glory of Your name!

Alleluia, Alleluia.”

--From “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” 

Words by Linda Lee Johnson from Psalm 8

Music by Tom Fettke

On November 26, 2024, Jacquelin “Jackie” Atkinson stepped into eternity with Jesus. She breathed her last on this earth right at the crescendo of this favorite choral song of hers—"The Majesty and Glory of Your Name”—and now she can worship God with her sweet soprano voice forever. 

Jacquelin Deanna Connell Atkinson was born April 7, 1938, in Washington, DC, to Hilda Louise Mathews Connell and Eugene Branson Connell. Jackie was big sister to her brothers, William (Bill) Connell and Michael (Mike) Connell. Her family lived in various places before moving to Roanoke, VA, when she was in seventh grade. In Roanoke she met Charles Edgar Atkinson, her high school sweetheart and future husband of more than 61 years. They graduated together in the Class of 1955 from William Fleming High School. 

The first in her family to attend college, Jackie was a 1959 Phil Beta Kappa graduate of Westhampton College, part of the University of Richmond. Because Jackie had a solo singing voice and played the flute in the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, her mother wanted her to major in music. She chose instead to major in history, minor in biology, and then later to teach high school math. She was a Renaissance woman who loved learning and teaching no matter the subject matter.

Jackie married Charles Atkinson on June 25,1960, and they made their first home in Clearwater, FL, where their two children, Melissa (Missy) and Mark, were born. After a brief stay in Waynesboro, VA, the family settled into Alexandria, VA, near Mount Vernon. For decades, Jackie taught math at Edison High School and then Mount Vernon High School. In her teaching career prior to marriage, she was also a sponsor and director for high school plays. Later in her teaching career, she sponsored the math team and was chairman of the math department. At various points during those years, she was an at-home mother and Girl Scout leader. Above all that, she was a loving and encouraging wife and mother. Charles, Missy, and Mark knew they could count on her kind and strong presence always. 

When Jackie and Charles retired, they built a riverside home in Gloucester, VA, that they called “Holly Harbor.” Their children and grandchildren have many fond memories of visiting “PaPa” and “GeeGee” at Holly Harbor---boating, hiking, doing crafts, playing touch football, “helping” with yardwork, sleeping in “Narnia,” and just spending time with them. They opened their home to many other family members and friends from church and work.

No matter where they lived, Jackie and Charles were involved in their local church: Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA; First Baptist Church of Springfield, VA; Newington Baptist Church in Gloucester, VA; and First Baptist Church of Durham, NC. Jackie sang in the choir, co-taught Sunday School with Charles, and helped with Vacation Bible School. While in Gloucester, Jackie and Charles were involved with prison ministry, showing care to some young men in prison and then upon their release. They also did disaster relief work with the Virginia Baptists in Wheeling, WV, and Picayune, MS. 

In 2006, Jackie and Charles moved to Croasdaile Village, a continuing care retirement community, in Durham to be near their eight grandchildren. For eight years they ran a weekly exercise program for the older residents in the Pavilion, Croasdaile’s nursing facility. Up until very recently when her health prohibited it, Jackie played the flute in Croasdaile’s “Rusty Pipes” band and sang with the Croasdaile Chorale and CV Singers.

Jackie was Charles’ caregiver during the pandemic when he passed away in 2021. Their strength and love for each other was inspirational to all who knew them well. After his death, she missed him dearly. Still, she continued doing what he would have done as well. She loved God and went to church and to a Croasdaile Bible study. She loved and prayed for her children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and yet-to-be-born great-grandchildren. 

Jackie is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Missy) Williams married to Randy Williams; son, Mark Atkinson married to Helen Parker Atkinson; eight grandchildren: Benjamin Williams married to Anna Gates Williams, Rebecca Williams, Kevin Atkinson, Matthew Williams, Sarah Atkinson engaged to Wilson Brace, Joanna Williams Dickson married to Zachary Dickson, William Atkinson, and Stephen Atkinson; one great grandchild: Riley Jane Williams; two brothers: Bill Connell (and Kathy) and Mike Connell (and Hillary); and beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Croasdaile Village. In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Jackie’s memory to either:

The Edward C. & Betty M. Matthews Employee Scholarship Fund for Croasdaile Village Employees: https://www.umrh.org/donate-online/

Or Duke HomeCare & Hospice: https://www.givetodukeathome.org