"Ben" Benton Frank Atkison peacefully closed his eyes and left this world shortly before midnight March 1, 2021.  He was 92 years old, born December 16, 1928 in Leake County, Mississippi where he was raised.  As a loving father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend to many, he will be greatly missed.  We are comforted that he now resides in heaven as his eternal home where we will one day see him again.

He is preceded in death by his mother Bertha Newsom Atkison, and father George S. Atkison.

Ben leaves behind his only on son, Benton Shane Atkison, his daughter-in-law, Resa, and 3 grandsons Drew, Kadin, and Blake; and Sister Laudean Swope.

Ben loved his family and loved to brag on his grandchildren.  He was a good friend to many and loved to make people laugh.  He always had jokes to share and loved to make his daily rounds to visit.

Ben always enjoyed the outdoors and acquired a degree in forestry from Mississippi State University.  Upon graduation he accepted a position with the U. S. Forest Service working out of the Holly Springs and Oxford area of North Mississippi.  He later accepted a position as County Forester in Smith County, Mississippi where he worked until retiring in 1992.  He loved Smith County and made it his home for the remainder of his life.  He loved to garden and loved his pets.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church, Raleigh, MS.  Funeral services will follow the visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the burial to follow at the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in the Renfroe/Marydale community of Leake County near Carthage, MS.

Pallbearers are David Bryant, Ricky Bryant, Hollis Blackwell, Lanny Holder, Terry Ashley, and John Mark Sullivan.

Honorary pallbearers are Sammy Bryant and John Chandler.

Services are entrusted to the care of Colonial Chapel of Raleigh, MS.