Julien S. Atkins

Julien S. Atkins died Thursday, April 27 after a lengthy illness. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 1 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he was a lifetime parishioner.

Born February 26, 1923, he was one of the two sons of Kate Smith and Victor B. Atkins, who owned and operated V.B. Atkins Wholesale Grocers in Selma.

After graduating from Albert G. Parrish High School in June 1940, Atkins entered Virginia Military Institute. However, before his senior year at VMI, he was drafted with members of the ROTC program and sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for training.

After completion of the basic training requirements, Atkins returned to VMI to await assignment to Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery and later was stationed in Germany. After release from active duty he enrolled at the University of Alabama, studied business administration and returned to Selma and the family business.

In December 1950 Atkins was recalled to active military duty with the 1st Calvary Division in Korea. After release from active duty he resigned his commission and returned home.

Atkins was general manager of Alabama Metallurgical Corporation in Selma and also took an active role in civic and community affairs. He was a member of the board of directors of New Vaughan Memorial Hospital, former board chairman and a director of the Paul M. Grist YMCA.

For nine years he served on the Vestry of St. Paul’s church and also as Junior and Senior Warden. As a member of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce he served as a director and as vice president. He was also a member of the board of the Selma Country Club and at one time, a vice president.

He also served as a member of the board of the Selma and Dallas County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center.

Atkins is survived by his wife of 52 years, Emily Henry Howell Atkins of Selma; a son, Richard Howell of

Austin, Texas; a grandson, Richard Howell Jr. and his wife Emily; and a granddaughter, Adaline Howell. His other son, John Howell, deceased, is survived by his wife Cindy, their daughter Valorie Stewart and their son John. Atkins is also survived by his brother, Victor Bethune Atkins Jr. of Selma and his wife, Fredreica Atkins; a niece, Fredreica Atkins Speyer, her husband Paul, their children Julien and Kate Speyer, all of Birmingham; and a nephew Victor Atkins III, his wife Jennifer, and twins Elefare and Victor, and Archer Hairston Atkins, also of Birmingham.

Burial will be in New Live Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the Vestry of St. Paul’s.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Selma YMCA or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Elease Dobyne Shelton

Elease Dobyne Shelton, age 36, formerly of Michigan, died in Atlanta, GA.

Funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 in Atlanta, GA. Graveside service will be Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 12pm at the Provewell Cemetery. Rev. Psalmond will officiate. Lee & Rollins Funeral Home directing.

Robert Lee Watkins

Robert Lee Watkins, age 48, of Brent, AL died on April 24, 2006 in Priston Baptist Hospital, Birmingham, AL.

Funeral was Saturday, April 29, 2006, 12:35 pm at The Pine Grove Baptist Church, Brent, AL. Rev. James C. Moore officiated. Directed by Lee & Rollins Funeral Home.

William Clarence

Sawyer Jr.

William Clarence Sawyer

Jr., age 35, formerly of Marion, AL, died on April 22, 2006 in Citizen Baptist Medical Center Hospital, Talladega, AL.

Funeral was Saturday, April 29, 2006, 2 pm at Marion Baptist Academy. Rev. Clifford Coleman officiated. Burial was in Marion City Cemetery directed by Lee & Rollins Funeral Home.