Robbie Ray Atkinson

PINE BLUFF — Dr. Robbie Ray Atkinson, DDS., MD., 77, of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on December 18, 2023. Robbie was born to Martha Betty Atkinson, née Vick, and Cecil Ray Atkinson in Pine Bluff, Ark. He was the eldest of four, with three sisters. He attended elementary and high school in Star City, graduating in 1964. He received recognition in football, the Danforth Award for excellence in character and leadership, and was vice-president of the FFA Parliamentary team, which won first place in the district competition. He completed his pre-med studies, in 1966, at Arkansas A&M College at Monticello (now University of Arkansas at Monticello), graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry at Memphis in 1970, and served in the U.S. Army Dental Corp. Rank First LT from 1971-1972, stationed in Savannah, Ga. Following his service in the U.S. Army, he interned in general anesthesia at Bexar County Hospital in San Antonio from 1973 - 1979, where he also held residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from 1973 - 1976 and was Chief Resident in 1976. He graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio Medical School in 1979. As an oral surgeon, he opened his first private practice in 1979, and continued to serve the Pine Bluff and Little Rock communities throughout his life until 2022. Robbie had a love for and talents in music, and he blessed many with his voice by singing in choir, at weddings, community events, and casually with family, and a trio of sister-performers around the living room. He loved sports, especially golf and the Razorbacks. He truly found a second home and family in the Pine Bluff Country Club where, in recent years, when his health allowed, he often served as unofficial pro shop greeter. He was an avid reader of westerns and action adventure stories and loved all the classics in the movie world. He blessed his children and grandchildren with a love for “lake life”, horse-racing, and snipe hunting. He took his BBQ seriously, and especially enjoyed sharing it with friends and family. Robbie is survived by his first wife, Jeanie Scarzafava; and their three daughters: Angela Atkinson Duina (Francesco), Raye Atkinson Pietruszka (Todd), and Amber Atkinson; his second wife, Evangelina Atkinson; and their sons, Wayne Cristi Atkinson, and Evan Ray Atkinson; his sisters, Kathy Bryan (Jim), Jill Lassiter (Sonny), and Candy Crow; his five grandchildren: Gianluca, Sofia, Alana, Olivia and Alexa; his most immediate cousins, Adam Vick (Kim) and Brady Vick (Denise); his many loving nieces and nephews, and many close friends, whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, Cecil Ray and Martha Betty Atkinson of Star City, Ark.; his aunt, Sue Dell Black; and uncle, Earl Wayne Vick (Lynda); his son-in-law, Kevin Kraft; and brother-in-law, Neil Crow. The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the Pine Bluff medical community for their friendship and care over a lifetime, to the staff at Trinity Village and Hospice Home Care for their loving care during his final months, and to Ralph Robinson and Son for their support and understanding during this difficult time.

A private burial will take place in Star City prior to the memorial service, which will be held at Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, Ark. at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2023. A reception will follow with light refreshments at Pine Bluff Country Club, following the service, about 2:30 p.m. We welcome you to join us in remembering and celebrating Robbie’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jefferson Regional Foundation, 1600 West 40th Avenue, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603, Garland Tynes Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 30250, Little Rock, Ark. 72260, or First Tee at www.firsttee.org Online register: www. RalphRobinsonandSon.com.