Mr. Cleo Atkinson

~Honoring His Life~ 

Cleo Atkinson, 73, of Zebulon, North Carolina, passed on November 24, 2020. Cleo was born on July 10, 1947 to Minnie O'Neal (Atkinson). He was raised in the home of his mother and later step father, Wilbert Atkinson.

Cleo enjoyed attending school at Cooper Elementary in Clayton, North Carolina. But had to cut traditional education short in order to work to provide for his family. Cleo was known for helping to raise his siblings and caring for his mother. Cleo was not just a big brother but a father figure as well. Cleo always thought more of how others were doing than of himself. He was a very selfless person and a compassionate and caring person he would give you the shirt off his back.

Cleo was known for being an excellent cook and enjoy sharing his recipes with his family and friends. He would love to provide a recipe and then find out how the food tasted. He would boast that the old way is the best way. Also, he loved playing card games especially Uno and Dominos.

But most of all he was a person of faith and enjoyed speaking to others about Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ. In June 2016 he was baptized and dedicated his life to serving God.  One of the last things that Cleo said was, “I’m not worried about a thing”. This is because of his strong faith and belief in God's promises of a reward of the resurrection.

On June 20, 1986, Cleo married Ramona Jiles and they lived together in Riley Hill area of Wendell, NC. Together they raised their daughter Kristal Atkinson.

Cleo was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona Atkinson, parents Wilbert and Minnie Atkinson and siblings Troy Atkinson, Willie Earl Atkinson, Minnie Jean Atkinson, Leon Atkinson and Irene Thorpe.

Cleo is survived by daughter, Kristal Atkinson; step daughters Anastasia Dennis (Clifford) and Fallon Robertson; siblings Wilbert Atkinson Jr., Elbert Lee Atkinson (Annette), Thad Atkinson, Elsie Pearl McPherson (James) Dorothy A. Lee (John Thomas), Rosa Marie Atkinson, and Daphne Smith. Cleo is also survived by six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Services Entrusted to  Richard Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. Zebulon, NC 

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