Mary Hersey Atkinson, 78, of Valdosta, died Tuesday December 21, 2021 at SGMC.

She was born October 10, 1943 in Lowndes County to the late George Hersey and the late Sara Studstill Hersey. She was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church of Lakeland. She loved doing volunteer work with South GA Hospice and the Pregnancy Support Center. She was preceded in death by a sister: Martha Watson.

She is survived by her husband: F.W. "Billy" Atkinson III of Valdosta; daughter: Mimi (Daniel) Merrett Kennesaw; 2 sons: George (Kathie) Atkinson of Concord and William Monroe (Virginia) Atkinson of Lake Park; sister: Sara (Joe) Davis of Thomasville; brother: George Hersey; 7 grandchildren: Corey Henkles, Taylor (Matt) Shamlee, Halie (Josh) Snodgrass, Wyatt Atkinson, Cami Atkinson, Ben Merrett and Charlie Merrett; 4 great grandchildren: Channing, Holland, Marlowe and Charleston.

Funeral services will be held Thursday December 23, 2021 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Stanley Luke officiating. Interment will follow in the Cherry Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday one hour prior to the service.