Everett Atkinson

Graveside services for Everett E. Atkinson, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 20 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Atkinson passed away at 6:57 a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born December 12, 1927, in Howell County, Missouri, to O.L. (Red) Atkinson and Ruth Dean Atkinson. On May 20, 1950, he was married at the Methodist Church, Hardy, Arkansas, to Betty Ann Bailey, daughter of John (Henry) and Ruth Crow Bailey. Betty preceded him in death on July 30, 2016. Mr. Atkinson was of the Methodist faith and had been a member of the First United Methodist Church for over fifty-seven years. He attended West Plains schools and was a veteran, having served with the United States Army and received WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Japan Medal.

Everett was employed with the Missouri Highway Survey Department and the U.S. Geological Surveying, Contour Mapping Division of Central United States; was employed with McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft as Preservation and Packaging Planner; obtained his Real Estate License in 1949 and was the oldest Real Estate License Holder in West Plains and Howell County of 53 years until his retirement in 2002; was co-owner with his wife, Betty Ann, of Atkinson Real Estate and Investments, Inc. and A & A Realty, Inc; was a Certified Real Estate Appraiser for many years; was an organizer and Charter member and served as the first President of the West Plains Board of Realtors; past President of the Ozark Trail Board of Realtors; past President and Director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce; a Rotarian for over 25 years; member of Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge for over 61 years and was past Worshipful Master; life time member of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars; served on the Advisory Committee of the MSU West Plains Campus for several years; and served on the Board of George D. Hay Society. He was a supporter of the West Plains Industrial Corporation since its inception and was instrumental in obtaining for West Plains the National Health Care and Beverly Health Care and many other community projects. Everett enjoyed spending time with his wife, watching and filming the wildlife and streams on the farm of her parents and grandparents and playing Bluegrass music on the dobro at the West Plains Senior Center.

He is survived by one brother, Thomas L. Atkinson, Middleton, Ohio; one sister, Opal Massey and husband, Boyd, Sedalia, Missouri; and one nephew, Ray Atkinson, Middleton, Ohio.

His parents, wife, two sisters-in-law, Doris and Maveen Atkinson and one nephew, Mark Atkinson, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com