Tressie May Atkins, 92, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Hondo. She was born July 26, 1918, in Cooksville, IL. She earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois State Normal University and her master's degree in education from Ithaca, N.Y. She was an elementary schoolteacher for 44 years, starting in a one-room schoolhouse, and spending the last 33 years teaching fourth grade at Tri-Valley in Downs, IL. In retirement, she became a consummate crochet artist, afghan maker and could "cook up a storm!" She loved to eat out, to go to group sales, and to watch Spurs basketball games. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin; parents, Gertie (Janes) and Marion Austin Hutson; and brother, Lyle Austin Hutson. She is survived by her beloved nephew, Miles Austin Hutson, MD, and wife Sandy of Hondo, and Miles' children, Luke Austin and Dinah Jane. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Calvert Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington-Normal, IL. Memorials can be sent to Cooksville (IL) Methodist Church or Medina Regional Healthcare Fund in Hondo. Arrangements are by Calvert Metzler Memorial Funeral Home.