JAY, Fla. – Leo Wise Atkeison, 95, was born in McCullough, Al. traveled extensively throughout the US and Central America, lived in Atmore, Al since 1980, and died August 01, 2011 at the Jay, Fl hospital.

“Miss Leo” as she was affectionately known, was active in the choir of the First United Methodist Church; the United Methodist Woman on the local, state and national levels; and the Garden Club wherever she happened to live.  Energetic, cheerful and loving, Miss Leo was known for her wide, generous smile. From her roots in the Sacred Harp music of the Primitive Baptist Church, through performing opera and classical vocal music, to the loving ditties she sang to her children and grandchildren, her beautiful singing voice was her signature.  Even in the fog of 13 years with Alzheimer’s Disease, Miss Leo charmed her care-givers at Century Care Center, angels all, with her singing. Throughout her career as the wife of an itinerant Methodist preacher, Miss Leo ensured that her children knew their southern roots, and “home” was wherever she was.  Simple stories told in response to the nightly pleas of “Mamma, tell us about when you were a little girl!” reinforced the demonstrated concepts of family and clan, love, loyalty, honesty, and hard work.

Her husband of 61 years, the Revered Gordon Atkeison preceded her in death.

Survivors include her sisters, Mary Emma Elmore of Tallahassee, Fla., Eleanor Purser of Pt. Charlotte, Fla. and Ruth Vickery of Atmore; her children, Sarah Atkeison of Atmore, Bill and Kathy Atkeison of Semmes and John Atkeison of Lincoln, Neb.; her grandchildren, Billie and Stacy Dooms and their two children in Richmond, Va. and Jessica and Clint Woods and their three children in Albuquerque, N.M .and innumerable nieces and nephews.

A Service in celebration of Leo Atkeison’s life will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 6, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will be held in Magnolia Cemetery in; Mobile will be at a later date after cremation. Visitation was held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Although Miss Leo dearly loved flowers, the family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Alzheimer’s Family Services, The Alzheimer’s Foundation, Covenant Hospice, or the Atmore UMC Music fund.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, INC in charge of all arrangements Atmore.