June Atkinson

Carrie June Joyce Atkinson, 86, of Crane, Texas, went home to be with her Savior in the early morning hours of September 3, 2014 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. She was born March 22, 1928 in Memphis, Texas to A. J. and Jonnie Joyce. She attended Alpine High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1949 from Sul Ross State Teacher's College in Alpine.
On June 26, 1951, she married Jackson B. Atkinson, and they moved to Crane in 1953. During the next 61 years, she taught music in Crane Elementary School, gave private piano lessons, assisted in the First Baptist Church office, and made friends with everyone she met.
For over 30 years, June played the church organ for worship services at First Baptist Church. She began playing piano at about age 2 and played her first organ service at age 16. She was a talented pianist and performed numerous accompaniments for UIL soloists. She is known for her “perfect pitch” and ability to play almost any level of music, even without sheet music.
She was an avid bird watcher, loved her cats, enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, and was an accomplished online shopper for over 15 years. Her favorite activity was remembering family birthdays with little surprises, and spoiling her grand kids.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jackie and Billy Joyce, and one sister, Sara Joyce Davis of Helena, Montana. She will be missed terribly by her loving husband of 63 years, Jackson B. Atkinson of Crane; her son, Tim Atkinson of Plano; her daughter, Jonna Atkinson Craft and husband, Steve of Houston; her four grand-daughters, Brandy Atkinson Taylor of Mesquite; Carrie, Katy, and Rachel Craft, all of Houston; her great-grandson, Benjamin Jack Taylor of Mesquite; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will be receiving friends at the Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home on Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM
A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Crane, officiated by Mr. Tommy Parker. Burial will follow in the Crane Memorial Cemetery.