Camy Russell Atkinson

Camy Leigh Russell-Atkinson was born August 6, 1970 at Southwestern General Hospital in El Paso, TX. As she was put into the incubator, she tried to kick the top off with her feet—she went strong everyday of her life after that. Her “Grampa Russell” loved her dearly as she would play around him when he ventured outside at the family farm in the lower valley. They both had red hair. Anything she put her mind to, she could do. When she quit high school in Krum, TX, it broke her mom’s heart but Camy was ready for the world. A couple of years later, Camy gave the GED she had earned, (unbeknownst to her mother) to her mom. Camy was married to Lester Paul Tieben in McGregor, TX and of this union, a daughter, Heather Nicole was born. Four years later, Kimber Leighann was born. It became the Three Muskateer-ettes!. Camy and her girls eventually moved to Cloudcroft, NM. While there, she met & married Jerry Don Atkinson. Once on a road trip, Camy & J.D. saw the mountains of Colorado and KNEW that is where she belonged. They initially lived in Estes Park, Greeley, and Fort Collins, CO. She often said, “As long as I can see the mountains, I am OK”. It was while they were living in Greeley that she was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an auto-immune disease. She fought this incurable disease for 6 long years. It finally got the best of her on July 6, 2014, as she made her heavenly journey to meet up again with Grannie & G-pa Helton, Granddad (W.T., Jr) Russell, Gramma Bobbie and her Grampa Russell. She will finally get to meet Mary Helen Atkinson, J.D.’s mother and his grandparents, Elmer & Melba Swope, who preceded her. She leaves behind her husband, J.D., her parents, Tommy & Inez Russell and Carole & Ted Arnold. Also to cherish her memory are her daughters, Heather Tieben-Gonzales (Robert) and grandson, Johnathan Paul, and Kimber Russell. Also left behind are aunts; Dorian Brewer (Mark), Cindy Burson (Frank) and Kathy Yearwood (John), and her uncle Rob Helton, Jr., and numerous cousins, friends and two half-brothers, Billy & Jay. While in the Greeley/Fort Collins area, she worked for Gerard’s Bakery in Loveland & US Digital in Windsor. A Memorial Service is planned for a later date, August 9, 2014 in Estes Park, CO. The family would like to thank Windsor Health Care (Windsor, CO), especially Heidi, Jan, Lori, Tom, Anna, Ashley, Chelsea, Joan, Laura, Lexi, Kelly, Kristie, Charlene & all the others that worked so hard to keep Camy as pain free & comfortable as possible. Also, a VERY large thank you to Halcyon Hospice (Mead, CO)-Denise, Michelle, Len & Denise. You were a great comfort to Camy as well as to her family. As per Camy’s wishes, she was cremated in Fort Collins and her ashes will be added to J.D.’s when his time comes. Memorial contributions can be made to Carole Arnold, 14521 Montana #2, El Paso, TX 79938 to help with her final expenses. Or, the Scleroderma Foundation 1-800-722-HOPE, www.scleroderma.org. Please put Camy’s name on your check.

Camy Russell Atkinson

August 6, 1970 - July 6, 2014