Paul Wayne Atchley, 77, died on Saturday, March 21, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Paul was a faithful member of Boynton Baptist Church where he served as Deacon Emeritus. He was a 50-year member of Quitman Lodge 106, where he was a past master; and the Ringgold Order of the Eastern Star 245, where he was a former worthy patron.
His strong belief in Jesus drove him to teach Sunday school for more than 40 years and to take as many people with him to heaven as possible.
He retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier and was Ringgold’s first walking postman, delivering mail on a walking route through Ringgold. He also worked for several years at Wallis Funeral Home.
Mr. Atchley owned the Baxter Addition of Anderson Cemetery and loved helping people with their needs there.
He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Jeffrey Atchley; parents, Samuel Walter and Frances Copeland Atchley; and brother, William Lee Atchley.
Mr. Atchley is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce Eslinger Atchley; daughters, Marsha (Larry) Brumlow, Chattanooga, and Beverly Stewart, Ringgold; beloved grandsons, Thomas Paul Stewart, Athens, Ga., and Dustin Lance Stewart, Chattanooga; and his dear sister, Allie Mae Randle (Randy), of Crandall, Ga.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home chapel with friend and pastor, Dr. Keith McLeod officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Boynton Baptist Church and Masons of Quitman Lodge 106.
Interment will be at Anderson Cemetery in Ringgold.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to view memorial tribute and share condolences.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boynton Baptist Youth Fund or Christ Chapel and Share of Ringgold.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Sandra Whaley of Hutcheson Home Health, Hutcheson Hospice, and Drs. John McCravey, George Gilmore, and David de Lorenzo, for their excellent care.
The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday and after noon on Monday at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.