DR. WILVERIA B. ATKINSON
Died Feb. 29, 2008
Dr. Wilveria Bass Atkinson, an internationally renowned science scholar and educator from Winston-Salem State University died Friday morning at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, N.C.
A native of Goldsboro, N.C., she enrolled in Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned her B.S. degree in biology and chemistry. Her continuous desire to learn led her to Spain where she took graduate courses for two years. When she returned to the United States, Dr. Atkinson enrolled in New York University as an NIH Pre-Doctoral Fellow and received her Ph.D. in immunology. Subsequently she earned certificates in molecular biology at Clark-Atlanta University, radioisotope handling and liquid scintillation counting at North Carolina State University and lung morphometrics at Harvard University.
Dr. Atkinson served Win-ston-Salem State University for 30 years as professor of biology, founder and director of Project Strengthen, and chairperson of the Depart-ment of Life Sciences. Several of her students left WSSU to receive their degrees as medical doctors (M.D.), doctors of Dental Science (D.D.S.), and other professions from nationally renowned universities throughout the United States.
Dr. Atkinson also established an international scientific and medical training visitation program at universities in the United States, Japan, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and other countries.
Dr. Atkinson was named Professor Emerita by Winston-Salem State University in 2000, and in 2005, the Wilveria Bass Atkinson Science Building was named in her honor.
Dr. Atkinson leaves to cherish her memory her son, George Bradley Atkinson of Morehead City, N.C.; her brother, Marshall B. Bass of Winston-Salem, N.C.; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008, 1 p.m., at her home church, Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 318 Denmark St., Goldsboro, N.C. 27530, with burial following in the family plot at Stevens Chapel Church Cemetery, Stevens Chapel Church Road, Grantham, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be sent to Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Inc. in Goldsboro, N.C. Condolences may be faxed to 919-735-4725 or e-mailed to Hamiltonfc@Bellsouth.Net.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 6, 2008 1:48 PM