Kathryn Irene Lineberry Atkinson Seeley, of Pulaski, died Sunday, July 9, 2006. She was the daughter of the late Buford C. and Rose J. Lineberry, of Galax, Va. She was also preceded in death by her two husbands, Ira S. "Pete" Atkinson, Jr., and Richard W. "Doc" Seeley; two sons, Gerry J. Atkinson and Rodney L. Atkinson; and by one brother, Bolling B. "Bo" Lineberry. Surviving her are her beloved son and daughter-in-law, David W. Atkinson and Mary D. Atkinson, of Pulaski; daughter-in-law, Sybil S. Atkinson, of Pulaski; seven grandchildren, Aaron Atkinson, of Snowville, Sonya Atkinson, of Pulaski, Shannon Atkinson, of Roanoke, Kimberly Evans, of New Church, Va., Heather Atkinson, of Pulaski, Brian Atkinson, of Seattle, Wash., and Crystal Carpenter, of Roanoke; five great-grandchildren, Abby Atkinson, of Pulaski, Andy Atkinson, of Pulaski, Aeryanna Atkinson, of Snowville, Kasie Carpenter, of Roanoke, and Kalob Carpenter, of Roanoke; stepdaughter, Thora Jo Cliff; five stepgrandchildren, Mike, Rickie, Adam, and Kimberly Cliff, of Decalb, Ill., and Jeremy Bowles, of Snowville; one nephew, Justin Lineberry, of Richmond; two special cousins, Major Eugene Slusher, of Jacksonville, Miss., and Helen Carter, of Roanoke; and many special friends.
She grew up in Galax and after high school she attended Hollins College/ University to continue her music studies. She was a government employee in Washington, D.C. for several years and worked for the secret signal service at Arlington Hall, a division of the Pentagon. When she and Mr. Atkinson came to Pulaski, they opened Atkinson Motor Company. She was manager of Catos Ladies Ready to Wear and in 1969, she and her husband opened Highland Manor Nursing Home. At his death in 1974, she became the president of Mediaid of America, Inc. and administrator of Highland Manor until her retirement in 1996, after which the facility was sold. The facility was family-owned and operated, beginning with 82 beds, and in 1975 an additional 50 beds were built. It was at that time the largest facility between Roanoke and Bristol. Her son, David, who also was an administrator, chose to help make it "your home away from home."
She was of the Baptist faith and played the piano and organ for both First Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church for some 30 years. In 1980, she and Mr. Seeley became members in the Christ Episcopal Church. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Community Christian Church in Newbern, Va., where she also played the organ for both Sunday morning services. She volunteered her services to many churches. She formed a youth choir at Trinity Baptist, of which she was most proud, also the advent choir. She was a member of the Virginia Health Care Association (VHCA), National Health Care Association (NHCA), and was a Virginia delegate for several years at the national conventions. She was also a member of Thorn Spring Golf Club, U.C.T. Auxiliary, Ladies Auxiliary of Roanoke Moose, a member of Pulaski Merchants Association, Chamber of Commerce, Fine Arts Center, and The Order of the Easter Star, where she also played the piano and organ. She was a mentor for aspiring new nursing home administrators, member of the vestry, served on the alter guild, and belonged to civic organizations, but most of all, she loved her family and friends. She doted on her grandchildren and adored her great-grandchildren. Her joy was the family dinners on Sunday. Hers was a happy, full life. She loved to golf, bowl, boat, swim, fish, she traveled extensively, cooked, entertained, as well as played bridge and bingo.
The funeral service will held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 from Stevens Funeral Chapel with Minister Ernie Depew officiating. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Dublin. An Eastern Star Memorial Service will be conducted at Stevens Funeral Home on Monday night at 9 p.m. Visiting will be Monday evening from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. It was her wish that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution make them to either the Community Christian Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 356, Newbern, Va. 24126, to the Pythagoras Masonic Lodge, 33 Fourth Street, N.W., Pulaski, Va. 24301, or to the charity of your choice. She requested that a "celebration of her life" meal be served and received by all those wishing to attend after the service, and this will be held at the Community Christian Church in Newbern. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home in Pulaski.
Published in The Roanoke Times on July 11, 2006 page B5
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