Joel Elvin Atkins (d. October 5 1997) was the Senior Pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for 42 years until his death in 1997. He was a church leader and local president of the Winter Haven, Florida chapter of the NAACP [1] [2] before becoming the NAACP's statewide leader. [3] He was an organizer on integration and civil rights efforts in the state.
Theodosia Sarah Owens Atkins was his wife of 50 years. [4] His longtime friendship with Jack Young led to his involvement in advocating on behalf of James Joseph Richardson. [5]
He died in Miami on Sunday the October 5, 1997, at the age of 75. [6] He left behind his wife and four children. [6]
Joel Elvin Atkins was president of a local chapter of the NAACP in Winter Haven, Florida He became president of the state chapter and challenged Florida governor Claude Kirk's obstruction and delay attempts of school busing. [3] [7] He advocated for social action over confrontations at rallies as the solution to ongoing troubles in 1967. [8] In 1970, he highlighted concerns that for most instances of death by law enforcement officers the victims were black. [9]
He was photographed with Tal Rutledge and Rev. Omega F. Neaman at an NAACP convention. [10]
Joel Elvin Atkins (d. October 5 1997) was the Senior Pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for 42 years until his death in 1997. He was a church leader and local president of the Winter Haven, Florida chapter of the NAACP [1] [2] before becoming the NAACP's statewide leader. [3] He was an organizer on integration and civil rights efforts in the state.
Theodosia Sarah Owens Atkins was his wife of 50 years. [4] His longtime friendship with Jack Young led to his involvement in advocating on behalf of James Joseph Richardson. [5]
He died in Miami on Sunday the October 5, 1997, at the age of 75. [6] He left behind his wife and four children. [6]
Joel Elvin Atkins was president of a local chapter of the NAACP in Winter Haven, Florida He became president of the state chapter and challenged Florida governor Claude Kirk's obstruction and delay attempts of school busing. [3] [7] He advocated for social action over confrontations at rallies as the solution to ongoing troubles in 1967. [8] In 1970, he highlighted concerns that for most instances of death by law enforcement officers the victims were black. [9]
He was photographed with Tal Rutledge and Rev. Omega F. Neaman at an NAACP convention. [10]