Atkinson, Claudia Ficklen (Mrs. Charles D.)
4/1/1965
MRS. CHARLES D. ATKINSON
October 29, 1881-April 1, 1965
Claudia Ficklen was born October 29, 1881 at Washington, Georgia, where she spent her childhood years attending elementary schools near her home. She attended Breneau College, Gainesville, Georgia for three yeas, then came to live with her sister and brother-in-law, the Reverend and Mrs. A. G. Shankle, who at that time was serving as pastor of Trinity Methodist Church, Ruston, Louisiana. While living in Ruston Claudia Ficklen met and later married on June 16, 1910 the Reverend Charles D. Atkinson, who preceeded her in death on July 24, 1955. To this union were born two children, a son, Charles A., who died when only thirteen months of age, and one daughter, Frances Ruth, now Mrs. James I. Roby of Lecompte, Louisiana.
For thirty years she labored beside her husband in the Methodist Church sharing in the romance, the toil and tears of the itinerant Methodist ministry. With dignity and poise she served well as minister’s wife wherever they were called to serve. The influence of this dedicated couple is still being felt in the following places where they served the church: Parker Memorial, New Orleans; First Church, Crowley; the Monroe and Shreveport Districts; State Superintendent of Sunday School Work with headquarters in Alexandria; LeCompte; DeRidder, and Opelousas. In 1940 they retired from the active ministry to Lecompte and moved to a little home which they had provided for themselves to be near their daughter and grandchildren.
Following her husband’s death she moved into the home of her daughter, Mrs. Roby, where she made her home until she was called to her heavenly home. During the years of her retirement from the active ministry she still continued to do all the church work that her strength would allow. Her participation in the work of Woman’s Society, her concern for the total work of the church, and her prayer life was an inspiration not only to her immediate family but her pastor and the church. Her love for the church and its work never waned, as was evidenced by her presence at the services of the church when she was able, her regular tithes to the church, her concern for its entire program of work throughout the church, and her continued interest in the work of the ministers she knew. She was an avowed reader of the Louisiana Methodist which helped her keep up with the work she so much loved.
After a short period of confined illness she was called suddenly to her heavenly home on the evening of April 1, 1965. Memorial services were held in Lecompte Methodist Church by her pastor, the Reverent Robert I. Galatas, in the afternoon of April 2, 1965 and her body tenderly laid to rest beside her late husband, Dr. Charles D. Atkinson in Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville, Louisiana. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Frances Ruth Roby; two granddaughters, Mrs. T. C. (Frances Ruth) Brooks of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, and Miss Claudia Roby of Lecompte, Louisiana; two great grandchildren, Frances Ruth Brooks and Charles Thomas Brooks, both of Hazelhurst, Mississippi.
Mrs. Atkinson was a woman of strong Christian convictions, an inspiration to her family, and a dedicated Christian. She was a dear friend of the writer whose own life has been encouraged and strengthened by her spirit and faith. The Master called and she answered.
Source: Journal Louisiana Conference, 1965; p. 219 By Chas. H. Giessen
