Marie Coley Atkinson Middleton Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship

Maire Coley Atkinson was a gifted coloratura soprano and sang in the choir of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville for more than fifty years. She Sang innumerable solos for weddings, funerals and Sunday services. In 2007 Marie moved from Huntsville to The Hallmark in Houston, Texas, where she lived until she passed away on April 4, 2014 at the age of 90.
Linda, daughter of Marie, graduated from Am Houston State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in English. While at Sam Houston, Linda was a member of the Orange Keys, the official ambassadors for the University. In 1976, she received her law degree from the University of Houston. In 1977, Linda began working as an Assistant District Attorney for Harris County, Texas. She is a Life Member of the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association.
Linda married Cliff M. West, Jr. in 1978. Cliff graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a major in geology. He then obtained his Masters in Geology from West Virginia University. Cliff is a petroleum geologist and the chief operating officer of Cub Entergy, Inc. He and Linda have three children and three grandchildren.