Obituary of Shirley Atkinson Owens Hunt

Shirley Atkinson Owens Hunt, 85, died Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Jolly Acres in Orangeburg, S.C. Born in Marion, SC, she was a daughter of the late Benton Atkinson and Flora Avant Atkinson. Mrs. Hunt was a member of Grace Baptist Church and the Faith Sunday School Class for 65 years. A graduate of Rains High School, where she lettered in basketball for four years. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was an avid bridge player for many years, belonging to several bridge clubs in the Sumter area. She was a retired administrative assistant with Santee Baptist Association for over 44 years. She was twice married, first to the late Ansel Owens and later to the late J. D. Hunt. Surviving are a daughter, Celeste Owens Shelley (Don) of Eutawville; two brothers, Jimmy Atkinson (Sherry) of Centenary, SC Van Atkinson (Marie) of Marion, SC; two sisters, Rosemary Bethea (Markey) of Florence, SC and Beth Collins of Raleigh, NC; three grandsons, Ethan Shelley of Eutawville, Chance Shelley of North Charleston, Ansel Owens (NancyHayes) of Sumter and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by a son, Will Owens, two brothers, Lavern Atkinson and Keith Atkinson. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday at Grace Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Harris officiating. Private burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the church. The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers at Jolley Acres Healthcare Facility of Orangeburg and Magnolias of Santee. Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 219 W. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150 or to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.