Lois Marie Atkinson Henson left this world on Sunday, December 4, 2022. She and her sisters used to sing a song with the refrain, “I’ll leave without saying goodbye,” and that is what she did. She died 6 weeks to the day after the passing of her husband of 77 years, Edward B Henson.

She was born just over the Floyd Co line in Virginia on August 8, 1923. Her parents were Goldie Gaines Jewell and Robert Demarcus Atkinson. Her siblings were Freda Cooper, Maurice Atkinson, Ruth Willis, Cline Atkinson, Billy Atkinson, and Joseph Atkinson. They all preceded her in death except Ruth, who turns 105 this month.

She grew up in the house where she was born. She attended a one-room school in Otey, Shawsville High School, Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia, and Central State University in Oklahoma. She majored in childhood education but first taught shorthand and typing in high school. She then taught elementary grades at the Elliston School, and first grade at Belleview and Christiansburg. After she and her family moved to Franklin Springs, Georgia in 1968 she continued to teach first grade until she retired. She loved her students and she knew how to show love, fairness and firmness when discipline was necessary. For much of her teaching career she was able to start the school day with a Bible story and prayer. And there was always singing!

Lois loved God first, and loved her family, church and community. She cherished her heritage and told countless…