Obituary of Vadis Bland Atwell

Funeral service for Mr. Vadis Bland Atwell is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 3, 2016, in the chapel of Golden Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmie Yocum officiating. Interment will follow in Bonne Idee Cemetery under the direction of Golden Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 2, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Golden Funeral Home. Vadis Bland Atwell was born on March 9, 1932 in Neelyville, MO, and passed away January 30, 2016, in Mer Rouge, LA, at the age of 83. He is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, Norma Atwell; grandson, Joshua Little; parents, John and Lillie Atwell; five brothers and four sisters. He was the last surviving child of John and Lillie. Mr. Atwell managed the family farm in Missouri at the early age of 13. He retired from International Paper Company after thirty-two years of service. Mr. Atwell served on the board of directors of the Bonne Idee Water System from 1975 to 2005. He was a Deacon for Bethany Baptist Church and instrumental in the planning and building of the physical building. He also served as Men's Sunday School teacher and past superintendent of S.S. Mr. Atwell was a mentor to numerous people whose paths crossed his. He enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. In his later years, his love of nature was shown by turning his farm into a conservation preservation reserve. Mr. Atwell is survived by his three daughters, Bonita E. Sliger and husband James H., Rhonda K. Little and husband Stephen B., Anita J. Furgason and husband Clint; one son, Harold L. Atwell and wife Joan; six grandchildren, Brad Atwell, Jason Sliger, Amy Sliger Ware, Justin Atwell, Rachel Little, Seth Church; and seven great grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons and sons-in-law.