Barbara Jean Atkeison Vernon

Barbara Jean Atkeison Vernon, age 87, resident of Oakland, Tennessee, departed this life Tuesday morning, July 15, 2025 at National Healthcare Center in Somerville, Tennessee.

Barbara was born May 19, 1938 in Moscow, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Samuel Garrison and Mavis Marie Hoskins. She graduated from Fayette County High School in 1956 and continued her education at State Technical Institute in Memphis and received her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis.

Barbara was employed in administration at the Fayette County Board of Education for over 20 years, was the Director of Grants at State Technical Institute, was a realtor for Crye-Leike and was the property assessor for Fayette County before her retirement in 1992. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Somerville for over 60 years.

Mrs. Vernon was a member of the Red Hat Club and the Forward Group – a meeting of recent widows and widowers of the Germantown Methodist Church. She was a selfless person who loved her grandpuppies, Rocky, Fritz and Smokey. She loved shopping, traveling and going out with her friends and family.

Mrs. Vernon is survived by her son, Ed Atkeison of Oakland, TN; her sister, Eleanor “Sis” Gaither of Moscow, TN; and her brother, James Jones (Celia) of Oakland, TN.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Atkeison, Sr. in 1992; her son, Ernest Atkeison, Jr.; her stepfather, Orville Jones; and two brothers, John W. Jones and Paul M. Jones.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Vernon were held at 12 noon Friday, July 18, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Somerville with Bro. Stan Smith officiating. Remarks were given by her son, Ed Atkeison. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Mike Atkeison, John Michael Atkeison, Geramie Unson, Dale Gaither, Paul Gaither and Tommy Webb. Honorary pallbearers were Glen Atkeison, Preston Douglass, David Fortune and Tom Minor.

The family requests that memorials be directed to First Baptist Church of Somerville – Women’s Ministry, 12685 S. Main Street, Somerville, TN 38068.