Selvelda Hucks Atkinson

Sevelda Hucks Atkinson was escorted to her heavenly home early Saturday, December 8. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Lester “Bud” M. Atkinson, her son, Steven L. Atkinson, and her parents, Rev. James Arthur Hucks, Sr. and Hattie Jordan Hucks. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Clark Candler, her three grandchildren, and her great-grandson: Clark (Allison) Candler II, and their son, Clark Candler, III; Laura (Dan) Hampton; and Blake (Mallika) Candler. Sevelda’s siblings who predeceased her are Evelyn Mercer Churchill, Cranston Hucks, W. Jennings Hucks, Bobby Joe Hucks, and Paul David Hucks. Her surviving siblings are Mack W. Hucks, Shirley (James) Miller, James A. Hucks, Jr., Mary Floyd Cranston, Martha Suggs Payne, Rachel (Johnny) Allen, and Debbie Clemmons Dawsey. Her surviving brothers-in-law are Marion (Marlene) Atkinson and Bennie (Jaronie) Atkinson. She has numerous surviving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sevelda was born on June 10, 1930, the third of thirteen children. Prior to her marriage, she worked for Southern Bell as a telephone operator in Florence and Anderson, SC, where she enjoyed attending functions at Clemson University, but it was a USC engineering student from Brittons Neck, SC who captured her heart. They spent most of their married life in Marietta, Ga., where her husband worked as an aircraft design engineer with Lockheed. This job took the family to California and England in the 1960s. She traveled to many countries, including a special trip to Jerusalem and Jordan in the 1970s. Sevelda loved her family and dedicated her life to taking care of others, always taking time to offer a kind word, a homemade meal, a personally crafted holiday decoration, a bible lesson, a call or visit to a friend, a shower or party honoring a special occasion, a song played on the piano, or a thoughtful poem. She took a cosmetology course in the 1960s for the purpose of doing volunteer work, then assisted elderly residents at a low income facility in Marietta for 30 years. She taught adult Sunday School for many years and served as church hostess and school volunteer, though her priority was always her role as an incredibly loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a sympathetic and uncomplaining caregiver for her husband for many years prior to his death. Whatever she had, she would willingly share, and she remained a beloved individual among those who cared for her even as her mental awareness diminished in her later years. Though she became unable to communicate her thoughts and needs, she never failed to say “I love you,” usually followed by, “You are beautiful,” and “I am proud of you.” She was the epitome of a godly woman and a friend to all who met her. She would have appreciated any memorial in her honor to a charity of your choice.

Selvelda Hucks Atkinson

June 10, 1930 - December 8, 2018