Charlene Atkinson

Charlene Preuett Atkinson, 78, of Paducah died Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Western Baptist Hospital.

Charlene was born in Hornbeak, Tenn., on August 5, 1932, to the late Charles Floyd and Sophronia Catherine Ferrell Preuett. She graduated from Cayce High School, where she was a cheerleader. Charlene retired from Bellsouth after 40 years of dedicated service (1951-91), first as an operator then as an engineer clerk. She was a devoted member of The Telephone Pioneers. For many years, Charlene was dedicated to stuffing the heart pillows for Western Baptist Hospital cardiac patients. Also, she was a longtime member of Broadway Baptist Church.

Charlene was devoted to her sons and treasured her twin granddaughters, spending time with them on a daily basis since their youth. She is survived by her sons, Zane Atkinson and his wife, Sandy, and Kit Atkinson and his wife, Alisa, all of West Paducah; her beloved twin granddaughters, Heidi Atkinson and Holly Atkinson (fiancé' Brian Turner), all of Paducah; stepgrandchildren, Aaron Koenig and Tiffany Johnson, both of Paducah; her brother, Jimmy Preuett and his wife, Maxine, of Prospect, Ky.; nephews, Jimmy and Mark Preuett; and niece, Maria Wagner; and three great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. "Bill" Atkinson, who she dearly missed.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Maplelawn Park Cemetery with Rev. Steve Gorham officiating. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at milnerandorr.com.