On Sunday, January 24, 2016, Mary Gene Kelley Atkinson of Richmond, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born in Longview, Washington on November 21, 1925 to parents Beatrice and Maurice Kelley. She graduated from Central High School in Pollok, Texas and attended Satterwhite Commercial College in Lufkin.

Visitation will be Tuesday night, January 26th from 5-7 pm at Garmany and Carden Funeral Home, located at 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 27th at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Rosenberg, 1117 First Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Burial will follow at Davis-Greenlawn Cemetery in Rosenberg.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Christopher Atkinson, Taylor Atkinson, Clinton Atkinson, Jeremy Atkinson, Mason Bonham and grandsons-in-law, Andrew Barbe and Jonathan Iversen.

She is survived by her sons, Billy M. Atkinson, Jr. and wife Donnelle and children Christopher Atkinson and wife Stephanie, Shannon Barbe and husband Andrew; Joe M. Atkinson and wife Suzanne and children Angie Cao and husband Chris, Jeremy Atkinson and wife Jennifer; Jerry L. Atkinson and wife Patricia, and sons Taylor Atkinson and wife Chanel, and Clinton Atkinson; daughter Kelleye A. Bonham and husband Joe, and children Brooke Iversen and husband Jonathan, and Mason Bonham. She is also survived by brother Claude Sherrard and wife Rose, numerous great grandchildren, including one due in February. She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Billy M. Atkinson, Sr.; her mother Beatrice Marshall and Maurice Kelley; and sister Jerry Blount.

In her earlier days, she was active for many years in the Women's Department at the Fort Bend County Fair. She owned an antique shop for several years called The Shack in Rosenberg. She was a member of the Rosenberg Garden Club which led her into her lifelong love of flower arranging. She was known in the community as a very talented floral designer, owning her own flower shop for many years, called Mary's Flower Shop. Her first love beside her family, was her activities for many decades at the First Baptist Church in Rosenberg. She particularly enjoyed participating in the fun the Seniors had in the Joy Club. Her mother introduced her to the Texas Hill Country; all her children and grandchildren have inherited her love for its beauty. Most of all, she was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Mary was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Cambridge Health and Rehab in Richmond for their loving care of her over the past four years.

Memorials may be given in her memory to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 1117 First Street, Rosenberg, Texas, 77471.

Condolences messages may be written for the Atkinson family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth St, Rosenberg,TX 77471 (281)342-4671.