Clifford "Chip" Allen Atkins, 64, died Oct. 10, 2009, at Pepperhill Nursing Center in Aiken, after a battle with brain cancer.

A private graveside ceremony was held Oct. 13 at the Barnwell County Memorial Gardens. Mole Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Atkins was born on June 17, 1945, in Oak Hill, West Virginia. He was the son of the late Clifford Lawson Atkins and Blanche Cale Atkins. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Barnwell.

Mr. Atkins was a lifelong educator and coach for over 30 years. He gave his life to working with children both on and off the basketball court as well as in and out of the classroom. He lived his lifelong dream at various schools including: Jackson High School, Allendale-Fairfax High School, Barnwell High School, Williston Elko High School and Lower Richland High School.

Mr. Atkins was fourth on the All-time Wins list for South Carolina boys basketball coaches. In 2004, he was recognized as the National High School Basketball Coach of the Year by the National High School Association and as the State Boys Coach of the Year by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association.

Mr. Atkins had 637 career wins in basketball. Over the course of his career, he was honored with numerous accolades including: 21 region championships, 30 Coach of the Year awards in basketball and golf, two golf state championships, 5 golf state runners-up, and 2 basketball state runners-up. He lead teams to numerous championships including: 2A basketball lower state champions 1989 Barnwell High School, 2A basketball state finalists 1989 Barnwell High School, A.A.U. basketball state champions 1986, A.A.U. basketball runners-up, lower state champions 2004 Lower Richland High School, and 4A basketball state finalists Lower Richland High School. In addition, he was recognized as the SC State Boys Coach of the Year by the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association (1992).

Mr. Atkins was a member of numerous professional organizations including the: South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA), National Association of Secondary Principals, National Education Association, South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association, South Carolina Athletic Directors Association, South Carolina Golf Coaches Association, and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association.

Mr. Atkins was predeceased by his parents and brother, Danny Eugene Atkins.

Survivors include his former wife of 39 years, Anne Brant Atkins; two daughters, Stephanie (Chuck) Shick of Aiken and Kim (Rusty) Rhoad of Barnwell; one sister-in-law, Joan Atkins (David) Berry; six grandchildren; one nephew; one great niece and one great nephew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Walker Sports Group Foundation, Attention: Maurice Walker, 2308 Partridge Drive, South Hopkins, SC, 29061. The Walker Sports Group Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports and fosters the development of underprivileged student athletes.
The People-Sentinel 10/14/09