Earnest Calvin Atkins, Md

Earnest Calvin Atkins, M.D., age 85, of Decatur, Georgia died on Saturday, March 22, 2008. A graduate of Emory University and Emory University School of Medicine, he completed a four year general surgery residency at the Veterans Administration in Atlanta under the skilled direction of Dr. James C. Thoroughman. Admitted to the practice of general surgery in 1955, he continued healing patients for 44 years until retiring January 1, 1999. He served his country as a U. S. Naval Officer from 1942 to 1948, including service aboard the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Langley. His professional accomplishments were many, including Chief of Staff and Chief of General Surgery at DeKalb Medical Center; associate Clinical Professor in Surgery at Emory; Medical Association of Georgia Secretary and President; Diplomat American Board of Surgery; Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the Executive Committee of the American Cancer Society. Although receiving many other honors his proudest achievements were his loving wife and family. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Mariana Costa Atkins; sons, Charles, Gary and David; and daughter Cathy; five grandchildren Daniel, Mariana, John, Josh and Rebekah. He was preceded in death by his son Bob. The family will receive friends at A. S. Turner & Sons, 2773 N. Decatur Rd. on Monday, March 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Tuesday, March 25th at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be made to the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 465 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. A. S. Turner & Sons