for July 5, 2001



Virginia Elizabeth (Shaw) Girardin

FORT MYERS — Virginia Elizabeth (Shaw) Girardin, 89, of Fort Meyers, died Monday, July 2, 2001 after living a full life dedicated to her family and helping others. Born in Valdosta, she completed a bachelor’s degree in 1934 at Randolph Macon Women’s College, Lynchburg, Va., and earned a master’s degree in medical social work in 1936 from Case Western Reserve, Cleveland Ohio, before marrying Alphonse Louis Girardin II on March 25, 1937. In 1941, Dr. and Mrs. Girardin moved to Fort Myers where he later established the city’s first pediatric practice and the couple raised three children. In 1972, Mrs. Girardin went to work for the The Children’s Home Society and later one of the founding employees of the first Fort Myers office. She retired in 1979, but returned to work part time for the agency in 1981 and 1983. In 1981, she was recognized as a Florida Social Worker of the Year, and in 1987 she was awarded the R. David Thomas Child Advocate of the Year award. Mrs. Girardin was active in many aspects of the community including the United Way, Community Coordinating Council, Edison Park PTA and her sons’ Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops. She also maintained a lifelong association with her college sorority, Phi Mu. Mrs. Girardin was a founding member of the Lee Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, a founding member and past president of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society and founding member of the Coccoloba chapter of the Native Plant Society. She taught Sunday School for 50 years at First United Methodist Church of Fort Meyers. Mrs. Girardin was preceded in death by her husband and her sister, Meta Coleman. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Alphonse Louis Girardin III “Jerry” and Sherlene of Lakeland, Peter Girardin and Carol of Naples, and David Girardin and Linda of East Palatka; grandchildren, Lou Girardin and Wendy, Ed Girardin and Pam, Lynn Girardin, Christine Girardin and Katherine Girardin; and great-grandchildren, Clark, Rachel and Garrett. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 2644 First St. A reception with the family will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Children’s Home Society or the charity of your choice.



Kathleen Vann

VALDOSTA — Kathleen Vann, 76, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2001 at a local nursing home after a lengthy illness. She was born in Echols County to the late Daily and Margaret Pittman Carter and had been a lifelong resident of Lowndes County. Mrs. Vann was retired from SAFT and was a member of Sardis Baptist Church. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Pat Vann; five daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Johnny Witherspoon, Cathy and Jody Copeland, Nancy and Ronnie Fletcher, Becky and Ray Marcantel, Judy and Clinton Carter, all of Valdosta; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Oscar Carter of Valdosta. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Burton Vann Sr.; a grandson, Benjamin Carter; one sister, Ruth Corbett, and two brothers, Lewis Carter and Guy Carter. Services for Kathleen Vann will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Sardis Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Carter Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Carson McLane Funeral. — Carson Mclane Funeral Home