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Life’s Reflections
ophia Elizabeth Coger Atkins was born on December 7, 1937. She was the first of six children born to the late Mr. James Edward Coger Sr. and Mrs. Orangella Tuggle CogerHarris in Memphis, Tn. She along with her five siblings grew up in the White Station Community and she attended White Station Colored Elem. School, Woodstock Boarding School and graduated from Melrose High School in 1956. She graduated from Tennesee State University in 1959, and was a Lifetime Alumni Member. During her study at TSU she pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. She served as Basileus of Omicron Sigma Chapter. Sophia retired from the Memphis City Schools System, after 36 years of teaching Social Studies and American History. She was a teacher at Lincoln Jr. High, Colonial Jr. High, and many more. Sophia Elizabeth professed a hope in Christ at an early age, at the New Philadelphia M.B Church under the leadership of J.A. Thompson. She was a member of Mount Moriah MB Church and later joined Beulah Baptist Church, where Rev. Anthony Henderson was her Pastor. Sophia Elizabeth was a trustee, chairman of Grounds and Maintenance, chairman of the Scholarship Fund and many more. Sophia Elizabeth was a courageous woman,and touched many lives. She was respected and admired by many. Sophia Elizabeth Coger Atkins HELPED EVERYBODY, and her living was not in vain! HER WORD WAS HER BOND. SOPHIA ELIZABETH was our QUEEN ELIZABETH! She made her transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home, on July 14, 2021 at 10:30 pm at Methodist Hospice Residence. Sophia Elizabeth held many many titles and was a part of numerous organizations. She was married to Floyd Atkins Sr. who preceded her in death. Three Children: Edna Atkins Thomas(Val) of Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa; Dr. Floyd Atkins, Jr. (Pamela) of Houston, Texas and preceded in death by Edgar Freeman Atkins(Daisy) of Conroe, Texas. Nine Grandchildren: Floyd Lee Atkins III (Elisa)of Roatan Honduras; Edgar Thomas(Carrie) of Boston, Massachusetts; Marcus Atkins of Las Vegas, Nevada; Victor Thomas(Renny) of Berrien Springs, Michigan; Ashil Kyles Atkins of New York, New York; Dr. Jordan Atkins (Yvena) of St. Louis, Missouri; Dr. Sterling Atkins of San Diego,California; Wesley Clarke Atkins of Phoenix, Arizona and preceded in death by Dorsey Dela Rama Atkins. Sophia has eight Great Grandchidren who are were very special to her. She leaves cherished memories in the hearts of her three siblings, Cathryn Ragland of El Dorado Hills, Ca; Robert Coger; and Richard Coger (Jennifer), two siblings, James Edward Coger Jr, and John Walter Coger, who preceded her in death. four nieces, two nephews, and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
“Sophia’s” Way
If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can help somebody, with a good word or song, If I can tell somebody that he is not traveling alone, Then my living shall not be in Vain.....
O rder of S ervice Sunday, July 25, 2021 • 3:00 P.M.
New Philadelphia Baptist Church 533 South Mendenhall Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38117 Rev. Eric Blake ~Officiant & Pastor~
Rev. Anthony Henderson ~Eulogist ~ Beulah Baptist Church
Musical Prelude Processional...................................................................................................................The Family “Going Up Yonder”
Musical Selection......................................................................Beaulah MBC & New Philadelphia “I Still Have Joy”
Scripture Reading: Old Testament.....................................................................................Dr. James E. Delaney New Testament...................................................................................................Rev. McNeil Prayer..............................................................................................................Rev. Harvey Jackson Musical Selection...........................................................................................................Ester Jones Words of Comfort......................................................................................................Rev. Eric Blake Musical Selection.................................................................................Nathan Boyd & Loretta Cox “I Know The Lord Will Make A Way”
~ Expressions of Love ~ (Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)
Friend Melrose Class of 1956 Church Student Sorority Corner Club Member Neighbor (Kirby Trace Cove) AARP Mt. Moriah/Ridgeway Police Precinct Orange Mound Progressive Club
Musical Selection...............................................................................................Annette Henderson Resolution & Acknowledgements....................................................................Beulah M.B. Church Musical Selection.................................................................................Nathan Boyd & Loretta Cox “Move Upstairs”
Eulogy.......................................................................................................Rev. Anthony Henderson
Beulah M.B. Church
Recessional
~Acknowledgement ~
The Family of Sophia Atkins expresses sincere gratitude and appreciation to you for your kind deeds of love. We especially thank you for your presence here today. You have comforted us with the words of faith, encouragement, love, telephone calls, cards, prayers, gifts and other expressions of sympathy. A special thank you to Enola Griffin of Griffin Gifted Hands, for taking care of her, Chuck and Wendi Shoffner, The West Cancer Center & Research Institute, Methodist Germantown/Hospice Staff and a very special thank you to her sister in law, Jennifer Brown-Coger, who she loved dearly and was there every step of the way. ~The Family
~Honorary Pallbearers ~
Robert Coger Floyd Atkins, Jr. Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. New Philadelphia MBC
Richard Coger Melrose Class of 1956 Beulah MBC Corner Club Members
~Active Pallbearers ~
Edgar Thomas David Parker Lorenzo Brown Chris Hendrix Ralph Hill
Antwuan Washington Emmett Brown, Jr. Marcellus Brown Robert Murray Calvin Doty
~Committal Rites & Interment ~ Monday, July 26, 2021 • 10:00 A.M. West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road Memphis, Tennessee 38125
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