Obituaries for Thursday, March 23, 2006

HAHIRA

JoAnn Smith Butler

JoAnn Smith Butler, 61, of Hahira passed away March 17, 2006 at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1944 in Grady County to the late Clifford and Eula Mae Sellers Smith. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse and member of Union Grove Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, David Butler of Hahira; two daughters and son-in-law, Paige Butler Luttge and husband Will of Gainesville, Fla., Tess Butler of Hahira; one grandson, Gavin Luttge of Gainesville, Fla.; and one sister, Eula Bell Beckwith of Pelham.

Graveside funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006 in Pelham Cemetery with Dr. Kim Grueser officiating. — Jamerson-Braswell Funeral Home, Pelham, Ga.





HOLLY HILL, Fla.

Arthur O. Houle

Arthur O. Houle, age 73, of Holly Hill, Fla., passed away Monday, March 20, 2006, in Volusia County. Houle was born in Lowville, N.Y., and was a former resident of Valdosta, Ga. He retired from Owens-Illinoise in Clyattville, Ga., after 20 years and was of the Catholic faith. Houle was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Gladys Latrelle Houle and a son, Larry A. Houle.

Survivors include his wife (formerly of Hamilton County) Margaret Drury Houle, Holly Hill, Fla.; three children, Jerome Houle (Kathy), Chula, Ga., Steven Houle (Kelly), Oklahoma City, Okla., Sandra Houle Hagin, Jacksonville, Fla.; four stepdaughters, Denise Depew (Mike), Jennings, Fla., Connie Moore (Jimmy), Lakeland, Ga., Donna Deas, Valdosta, Ga., and Mary Wachob (Nathan), Tallahassee, Fla.; one sister, Terry Boas (Leonard), Titusville, Fla.; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25, in the chapel of Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla.

Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Jasper, Fla.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Harry T. Reid Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.





VALDOSTA

Thomas Whitney Gandy

Thomas Whitney Gandy, 86, of Valdosta, Ga., died at his home March 20, 2006, following an extending illness. He was born in Foley, Ala., and was the son of John William and Amye Daniel Gandy.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Theodora (Theda) Nettles Gandy; one daughter, Suzanne; a granddaughter, Anna Whitney Akers; and a grandson, Steven Christian Akers, of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Josef Lewis Gandy, and wife, Jean, of Birmingham, Ala.; a number of nieces and nephews, and in-laws, Ann and Frank Downer, Georgia Nettles, Elizabeth Lauderdale, and Sara Gandy.

Tom was educated in Alabama, receiving his bachelor’s degree from Berry College, a master’s degree from Auburn University, and a Doctorate from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbanna, Ill. His senior year of college was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the US Navy, from Athletic Training Officer, in Norfolk, Va., to the Pacific Arena, as gunnery officer, surviving the sinking of the heavy cruiser, The Chicago. He served as a communications officer in New Calendonia, returned to Norfolk, to the Port Director’s office as Lt. Senior grade until the end of the war.

Tom Gandy then returned to his educational goal of teaching at Beauregard High School in Alabama, then to Auburn University, The Woman’s College of Georgia, as an administrator, and then to his alma mater, Berry College, as the college’s first Vice President. In 1971, he came to Valdosta State University, as Director of Public Services and interim Dean of the School of Education, and retired in 1986.

Tom was a lover of music. He sang tenor in musical groups and concert and church choirs, beginning the age of 15, and continuing over 70 years. He was a nature lover, a bird watcher, gardener, an avid reader, and loved to travel. Tom and Theda traveled and explored the wonders of the world, in each of our 50 states, and throughout Europe, and other countries, and lived their philosophy of “Living Each Day to its Fullest.”

As a member of First United Methodist Church of Valdosta, Tom’s service extended in many capacities. A Bible scholar, he taught Sunday School and a Tuesday Bible Study for over 20 years. With a special interest in Missions, he led and worked on teams of Volunteers In Mission here and overseas. With South Georgia Volunteers in Mission, he received the coveted, Golden Hammer Award.

Community service was a significant element of his life. He served on The American Heart Association, on the local, state, and conference levels, and worked with Habitat for Humanity from its inception in Valdosta. He was a Board member of Magnolia Manor. He was a past president of Valdosta Rotary Club, and was voted Man of the Year.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on today, March 23, 2006 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thomas Mason, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Alabama at a later date. The family received friends on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Contributions can be made to: Habitat for Humanity, Vashti Center for Children, Thomasville, Georgia, or your favorite charity.

Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the Obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices..com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



VALDOSTA

Thomas Richard (Dick) Nisbet, Jr.

Thomas Richard (Dick) Nisbet, Jr., 87 of Valdosta, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman. Born on Oct. 5, 1918 in Waxhaw, N.C., he was the son of the late Eunice Robinson and Thomas Richard Nisbet, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret Meares Davenport Nisbet of Valdosta; son, Thomas E. Davenport and wife, Buff of Peachtree City, Ga.; his grandchildren, Dawn Davenport of Richmond, Va. and Dane Davenport of Peachtree City, Ga.; nieces and nephews, Bill Coffey of Charlotte, N.C., Jane Ann Fuches of Orangeburg, S.C., Tom Coffey of Pfafftown, N.C., Elizabeth Miller and Lucinda Lucas both of Charlotte, N.C. He was preceded in death by his sister, Pauline Coffey and his brother, James Robinson Nisbet.

He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Valdosta and served his country during World War II and the Korean War as an officer in the U. S. Army. He worked with the Belk organization for over 50 years working as a buyer in New York City to being promoted to the manager of the Belk store in Valdosta for 33 years. He served as President of the Downtown Merchants Association as well as Five Points Merchant Association and was presented an Award of Recognition for his service to the retail industry and contributions to the success of the Valdosta Mall. The city of Valdosta proclaimed “T.R. (Dick) Nisbet, Jr. Day” in March of 1990 for his service and leadership in the community.

He was a member of the Jaycess, President of the Civic Roundtable, President of the Valdosta Kiwanis Club, Chairman of the Merchants Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership for his contribution to the Distributive Education Club.

One of his major interests was the Boy Scouts of America. Dick served as member of the Alapaha Area Council. He was a scout. Scout Leader and received the Silver Beaver Award.

Dick was a steward of many philanthropic organizations. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Quitman Presbyterian Home and was Chairman for two terms. He was Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was Chairman of the Annual Support Committee for the South Georgia Medical Center Foundation. He and his wife, Margaret have several scholarships set up for students of need. Dick was an avid sportsman his entire life. After his retirement in 1990, he was also active in tennis, golf, his motorcycle gang, breakfast buddies as well as taking numerous cruises all over the world with his wife, Margaret.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Matthew 26:21.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nisbet Scholarship Fund at Valdosta State University, The Presbyterian Home of Quitman or the First Presbyterian Church of Valdosta.

Entombment will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2006 at the Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum followed by a Celebration of Life service and reception at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Don Stanley officiating. The family will receive friends this evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.



DEATH NOTICES:



Mrs. Nina Coleman, age 93, of Boston, Ga., passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Madison, Fla. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced later by Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Mrs. Myrtice Hart Hampton, 83, of Madison, Fla. passed away Tuesday in Madison. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2006 at Beggs Chapel Madison. Burial will be held in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Madison, Fla. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2006 at the funeral home. — Beggs Funeral Home, Madison, Fla.



Juanita G. Hyatt, 86, died at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman, on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Mr. Stanley F. Kwasney, 85 of Adel passed away March 22, 2006 at his residence. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25, 2006 at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain L.C. Hughes officiating. In keeping with Mr. Kwasney’s wishes, he was cremated. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to United Hospice; 101 Northside Drive, Building C, Valdosta, GA 31602 or DAV Memorial Program; P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel