Dr. Charles David Atkinson

Married 44 years to the love of his life, Patricia Hughey Atkinson, Dr. Atkinson was born in Greenville, South Carolina to the late Thomas Benson Atkinson and the late Louise Campbell Atkinson. He took great pride in being the son of two educators -- a teacher and high school principal.

Dr. Atkinson was a man of great faith. He grew up as a member of Buncombe Road Baptist Church and later became a member of First Baptist Church Greenville -- serving as a deacon and teaching Sunday School with his wife for several years.

Dr. Atkinson graduated from Furman University and was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta honorary fraternity. He earned a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and a Master of Science in Dentistry degree from New York University (NYU) where he received his special training in Orthodontics. After graduating from NYU, Dr. Atkinson returned to Greenville where he opened two thriving orthodontic offices and practiced for over 30 years. He found purpose in helping others as an orthodontist and loved bringing smiles to his patients and staff.

Dr. Atkinson was a Diplomate on the American Board of Orthodontics, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the Dental Association of Orthodontics, and the Psi Omega dental fraternity. He also served as an associate clinical professor in the Department of Orthodontics at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry.

Throughout Dr. Atkinson's life, his precious wife, whom he adored, daughters, sons in law, and grandchildren brought him great joy. He enthusiastically bragged about each of them at every opportunity.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia Hughey Atkinson, two daughters, Anne Louise Yarbrough (Spence) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Cameron Atkinson Preston (Jeff) of Palm Beach, Florida.; and four grandchildren, Anne Marshall Yarbrough, John Charles Preston, Emerson Preston and Robert Yarbrough. He is also survived by one brother, Dr. James Thomas Atkinson (Sherry) of Greenville, South Carolina.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 14 at 11:00 am in the Carpenter Chapel of First Baptist Church Greenville. The church requires that masks be worn in the building. A private burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, 847 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Atkinson family.