UPDATE: Charlie J. Atkins, a veteran of World War II who earned the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged, passed away peacefully on his birthday, Aug. 22. He had been wonderfully cared for by doctors, nurses and other personnel at Erlanger and Memorial hospitals and HealthSouth in Chattanooga, TN; North Georgia Home Health Care Agency in Fort Oglethorpe, GA; Hospice of Chattanooga; and especially NHC of Fort Oglethorpe, where he died. Wilson Funeral Home, J. Avery Bryan Chapel, of Chickamauga, GA, was in charge of the arrangements, featuring a beautiful funeral service and an emotional and inspiring military ceremony at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Chattanooga. The following was written before Mr. Atkins passed away and before the writer, his son, appreciatively received more messages of sympathy, prayers and encouragement from more white and black acquaintances alike:
BY TONEY ATKINS For The Daytona Times
I can't do anything but send a big shout-out of heartfelt thanks to the Black community of Daytona Beach, FL.
As I have written before, much to the chagrin of some of my white "friends" and acquaintances, most of my real friends are in the Black community, and that has been proven in recent weeks. (Incidentally, I am white, and many whites simply have never understood why I would want to work for a minority newspaper.)
After being forced to stop working in the Daytona Times office several months ago because of a serious back injury and trying to do some things from home, my earthly father in northwest Georgia suddenly faced some truly serious health challenges in mid-June. No second thoughts were needed in my decision to return to the area where I grew up to be whatever help to him I could.
He had suffered numerous health issues in recent years, but none were quite so dramatic as when a Veterans Administration physician finally ordered tests to determine why his legs and feet were swollen to almost twice their normal size. He had not been back in his home more than five minutes when he received a phone call from the doctor telling him that a taxi was en route to the house to take him to the hospital.
Naturally, he was alarmed and frightened. He notified a lady friend but ordered her not to call me unless his condition was truly serious. I suspected something when I tried to call him several times and got no answer. When I called his friend, she was frantic because she didn't even know to which hospital he had gone and she hadn't heard from him. More than six hours after he had gotten the fateful call, I learned where he was and that he had been admitted.
Doctors at the Chattanooga, TN, hospital found blood clots in his legs and feet. They were having problems getting his medical records from the VA and had to ask me the name of his primary physician so they could learn more about his background.
Angioplasty was performed to block the clots from going to his heart and lungs. But that was only the beginning. They discovered a condition in which his heart would race as high as 180 beats per minute and go as slow as 55 beats per minute. They began monitoring him and treating him for that. In the meantime, there was unexplained bleeding and his thinning skin was purple, especially on his arms and legs, from what to most of us would be simple bruising. To add to his woes, it was determined that prostate surgery was necessary. Doctors had to go back in a couple of weeks later and repair whatever was still wrong with the prostate. His bladder would not function. Within the period of a month, he went through a hell that a lot of people never suffer in a lifetime.
More than one doctor told me his heart could stop beating at any time. His once strong body was weakening and unable to heal properly. He was already taking enough medication to stock a pharmacy, or so it seemed. He now requires professional care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The prognosis is not good, although Dad is ready to die, having made peace with God quite some time ago.
He took a turn for the worst on Friday, Aug. 19, and could pass on at any time.
I share this because many readers have had to endure watching their loved ones suffer and pass away. Being the only child and only close relative, I have experienced it only twice, with my grandmother in the 1960s and my mother about ten years ago. A miracle could still occur and Dad could be with me for years to come, but that isn't expected. One miracle, though, has been that we are closer as father and son than we've ever been, and I'm grateful for that.
Why the shout-out of thanks to my friends in the Black community? I have been tremendously moved by the e-mails and verbal communications that I have gotten from my co-workers and the management at the Times, from two of the Black and two of the white members of the Daytona Beach City Commission, Daytona Beach Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden, Volusia County-Daytona Beach NAACP President Cynthia Slater and several other members of the branch, along with some residents of the Black community.
I have heard from only three white friends in the Daytona Beach area, and have gotten a great deal of support locally from my cousin, Linda Newberry of Walker County, GA, my only close relative in this northwest Georgia area.
All of your prayers and words of encouragement and support have meant more than any words I can write at this time can express.
In my nearly 15 years of active duty with the Daytona Times, I felt concern, empathy and love for those I met, interviewed and wrote about. The issues impacting the community are still vital and important to me. And you, in the community, have rewarded me, without even having to, with your recent actions. I love you for it.
Charlie Atkins, my father, will be 84 years old on Aug. 22 if he lives. An honorably discharged Army veteran of World War II, he received a Purple Heart for the injuries he suffered, which have plagued him to this day. He is a good man, loved by most who know him, and I am proud to call him Daddy. He, too, thanks you, and he has seemed surprised but as delighted as he can be that anyone cares.
Again, thank you and God bless you. I hope to be writing again soon about the good folks in Daytona and the problematic issues facing the community, but at the moment, one man is my priority, and I pray that you understand.
-- Toney Atkins is a former assistant editor and senior writer for the Daytona Times in Daytona Beach, FL.
SPREAD LOVE! Tell someone you love them today. They'll feel good, and you will,too! Check out my blog at http://toneyatkins.blogspot.com/ . The Daytona Times is online at http://www.daytonatimes.com/ .
