Rick Atwater

Tupelo – Richard Stephen Atwater, 78, departed this life for his life in eternity on Saturday, March 19, 2022 from Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo after a period of declining health.  Born in Wakefield, Mass on January 20, l944, to the late Edward David Atwater and Eleanor Hatch Atwater, he grew up there graduating from Wakefield High School.   Later in life, he studied at the Unity School of Religion in St. Louis, Mo.  He spent much of his working life in National sales for Schering-Plough Company living in Memphis several years. He married Pamela Ann McDowell Shields on Nov. 9, 2005 in Collierville, Tn.  They moved to Tupelo in 2006 where he and Pam were active in Wesley United Methodist Church where Rick sang in the Chancel choir.  In retirement, Rick became a home renovator using his many talents of strong hands and a steely mind to return many homes to a state of splendor. He enjoyed house flipping to the max. He and Pamela enjoyed their last years at the Cottages at Traceway Manor, where they enjoyed many good times and friendships.

A memorial service honoring Rick’s life will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Emily Sanford officiating.  Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time on Sunday.  Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.

Rick is survived by his wife, Pam McDowell Shields of Tupelo;  2 daughters, Lori Atwater Robertson (Drew) of Tupelo and Amy Atwater Garcia (Ryan) of Piperton, Tn.;  5 grandchildren whom Papa Maddell loved; Mamie Clark, Carson Clark, Audrey Robertson, Mason Garcia and Avery Garcia; a brother, David Atwater of Wakefield, Mass; three sisters, Cynthia Paul of Danville, N.H. and Ellie Brown of Concord, N.H. and Carol Handrich of Wakefield, Mass. several nieces and nephews and their families.  Rick was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eddie Atwater.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 2434, Tupelo, MS 38803, or to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38803.  Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net