Dawn Atkinson Thomas

Dawn Atkinson Thomas

Dawn Elaine Atkinson Thomas, 89, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on May 16, 2017. Born September 11, 1927 to parents Harvey & Dorris Mason Atkinson. Dawn had 1 sister, the late Anne Atkinson Crusselle.

Dawn grew up in Atlanta, where she graduated from Girls High School (1945), Georgia State College for Women – B Ed. (1949), and Emory University, M.Ed. (1953). During her undergraduate years, Dawn was the Editor of the college yearbook (Spectrum), and was inducted into the “Who’s Who” of American Colleges and Universities. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school for over 20 years in Atlanta and Knoxville, Tennessee; retiring from Fulton County’s Esther Jackson School in 1989.

Dawn truly loved music and was accomplished as a pianist, organist, and vocalist. She sang with the church choir wherever she was a member, and sang with the Decatur Civic Chorus (DCC) for some 40 years. The 2013 DCC spring patriotic concert was dedicated in her honor due to her long tenure and her sons and husband’s military service.

Being the mother of five sons, Dawn led a very active life. She volunteered for many organizations, often in leadership roles, and some well into retirement. In addition to the DCC and her church, Dawn served the PTA, Boy Scouts, Telephone Pioneers, USO, and numerous school athletics programs.

Above all, the most important thing in Dawn’s life was her family. She loved dearly and was extremely proud of her sons, their wives, and her 10 grandsons. Dawn and her husband of 62 years provided a living example of a strong marriage to everyone they encountered. They never failed to put family first and gave encouragement and counsel to the many who sought it out. Dawn will be dearly missed by those who were fortunate to have known her.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Hodgson Thomas; sons (wives), Bill (Mitzi), Jacksonville Beach, FL; David, Atlanta, GA; Bob (Debbie), Suwanee, GA; Stan (Robin), Hidden Hills, CA; and Steve (Bethany), Woodstock, GA, and grandsons, Derek, Sam (Alexandra); Chase, Caleb; Kyle, Logan, Peyton, Dillon; Christopher and Clayton.

Visitation will be held Friday May 19, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033. Additional visitation will be held at 1:00 PM and a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM, on Saturday May 20, 2017 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033. Members of the Seekers Class are requested to be seated as a group. The service will be conducted by Dr. Gil Watson and Dr. Glenn Etheridge.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made the Decatur Civic Chorus, P. O. Box 1361, Decatur, GA 30031 or Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Music Fund (Traditional Choir).