FROM MICHAEL BIRD
MUSIC TEACHER FOR TALLASSEE CITY SCHOOLS
Note: This appeared in the TALLASSEE TRIBUNE in 2012 and I would like to share it in honor of local car dealer Ben Atkinson, who passed away last week at the age of 77.
Frigyes Karinthy was a Hungarian poet, playwright, and theorist – his “six degrees of separation” theory, espoused in the 1920s and 1930s, is well-known today by the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game.
It’s true –Tallassee is indeed the center of the universe. Everyone seems to know someone else who is related to or knew someone from our town.
To wit: as our students were unloading the buses at our downtown Chicago hotel back in 2010, a man approached our group, recognized the purple and gold uniforms, and informed us that he was a native Tallasseean. This past weekend, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose origins are traced directly to this area, were in town for the Tecumseh at Tuckabatchee play held at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. There are probably situations where there may be one or two degrees of separation between a Muscogee and a Tallassee citizen. And there are numerous other examples.
Last Friday, I was getting my Ford Econoline serviced at Ben Atkinson Motors.
Ben Atkinson saw me waiting and mentioned a name – Daisy Kizziah.
I hadn’t heard her name in over 30 years, but immediately recognized it as the name of my grandmother’s best friend.
My grandfather, Cecil Joiner, drove a Trailways bus for 40 years and made it three million miles without any accidents or tickets in a career that spanned from World War II through the Civil Rights-Freedom Rider era and beyond. My grandmother, Grace Joiner, was a Realtor but stayed home with my aunt Sandra and mother Sherril. Cecil wanted Grace, Sandra, and Sherril to have the best of everything, and they did.
Daisy Kizziah and her husband, Stanley, a State Trooper, moved to Montgomery from Tuscaloosa at some point in the late 1940s or early 1950s. They shared a duplex with the Joiners on the corner of Alabama and McDonough Streets in downtown Montgomery.
Mr. Ben invited me into his office and explained that he called Daisy often and sent her a letter each week. He said he’d been friends with Stanley back in his State Trooper days on Coliseum Boulevard and became close with the family. Stanley died many years ago, but Daisy still lives in the same house on Bradley Drive behind Robert E. Lee High School.
Miss Daisy is now 88 years old, but I couldn’t have predicted what happened next.
Ben called Daisy and put me on the telephone. Not only did Daisy remember who I was, she knew where I worked. Daisy also said, “your grandmother was my best friend.” At that point, I started tearing up. It was like a voice from beyond.
“Your grandfather made sure your grandmother had the first television in the neighborhood,” Daisy said, and “Your grandmother and I got together every day to watch it. Everyone went to the Joiners’ house because they had a TV.”
In Ben Atkinson’s office that day, something truly special took place. As Ben said, “We blessed her because we’re the only people she will talk to all day.” He continued, “But she blessed you when she told you those stories.”
My fondness for my grandparents’ generation only grows. Miss Daisy reminded me how fortunate I was to have grandparents who fought through the Depression and World War II, and made sure their Baby Boomer children would have the best and brightest of everything. And the fact that they raised my mother is their greatest accomplishment of all, because she is the best and brightest person I will ever know.
Author’s note: I didn’t know, but Mr. Ben would foot the bill when Daisy moved to assisted living several years later. And he continued to look out for her. Our town is a lot better off because Mr. Ben was here.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools and a disc jockey on WACQ-AM 580 & FM 98.5/101.1 in Tallassee.
Obituary for Joseph Benton “Ben” Atkinson, Jr., 1944 to 2021
Ben Atkinson, a businessman, farmer and friend to all, died peacefully September 21, 2021 at his home in Tallassee, Alabama at the age of 77.
Born April 12, 1944 in Montgomery, Alabama, to JB and Helen Atkinson, Ben was a cowboy from beginning to end. Ben loved cattle and his farm in east Tallassee. He and his wife, Gwen, purchased Town and Country Motors in Tallassee in 1987 and built a successful business and brand for Ben Atkinson Motors until they retired in 2015.
Ben Atkinson Motors was not only a successful business that Ben launched after beginning a career in the automobile business, which began with Clanton Motors. Ben Atkinson Motors was a family, made up of great employees, that he put his heart and mind into building and customers alike who he loved to serve by treating them as family.
Ben was a graduate of Chilton County High School. He was wise beyond his education and many of all ages and stages in life sought his counsel. He served his community in various facets and loved his church, First Baptist Tallassee. Ben worshiped God, through his love of people, with his words and good deeds. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Tallassee where he served as a deacon. His greatest desire was for no one to be lost and all would come to a saving relationship with Jesus.
He will be remembered for his loyalty, work ethic, teasing, testimony and willingness to come at any time for a friend in need. In his last few years, his failing heart robbed him of strength and stamina. However, it gave him a softness we treasured.
His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring eternal wife and favorite red head, Gwen Atkinson; Children, Julie Reynolds (Hugh), Marcie Atkinson, Ben Atkinson (Girlfriend, Amanda Danford); Brother, Ray Atkinson (Gwyn); Grandchildren, Erica Wilbanks (Zach), Gina Reynolds, Samuel H. Reynolds (Erin), Bella Bice, Clementine Atkinson; Great-Grandchildren, Aymee, Ansley, Conner Reynolds, Aiden, Collier Willbanks; Extended family and friends.
Friends and family came to pay respects Sept. 24, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Tallassee. A service followed, and then a private family graveside service.
The family wishes to thank all of the friends who have called, dropped by, or shared time with Dad these past few months. They request no flowers and contributions be made to First Baptist Church Phase IV Building Fund or Benevolence Fund, 1279 Friendship Road, Tallassee, Alabama 36078.
Martin Funeral Home directing.
