|
| |
|
Coach
Robert "Big Bob" Fowler
October
1, 1932 -
June 17,
2011
Mr.
Fowler was born in Albany and lived here most of his life.
He retired from the Dougherty County School System after 33
years and DOCO Credit Union after 10 years. He received his
education at Westtown School , West Chester, PA and Earlham
College in Richmond, IN with graduate degrees from Florida
State University, Tallahassee, FL. He was inducted into the
Earlham College Hall of Fame in 1995. Mr. Fowler was past
president of the Southeast Association of School Business
Officials. He was a member of the Dougherty County Kiwanis
Club where he held most all offices and was a Lt. Governor.
He received the Legion of Honor Award from Kiwanis
International. He was also on the Board of the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes and the Dougherty County Stadium
Authority of over 25 years.
Mr.
Fowler served on the Board of the Albany Sports Hall of Fame
and was inducted as a member in 1997. He was an active
member of Avalon United Methodist Church where he sang in
the choir, was a member of the Church Council, and taught
the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class. Mr. Fowler was the
line coach of the 1959 Albany High School State Championship
Football Team. He enjoyed fishing and volunteering in the
community. Mr. Fowler was preceded in death by his parents,
Earl and Ada Fowler, a son, Dan Fowler, a daughter, Robin
Fowler, and a brother, Wayne Fowler.
He is survived by his wife: Ida English Fowler; his
children: Robert (Bob) Fowler (Beverly), Nancy Fowler Newman
(Eric), Susan Fowler Hammond, all of Albany, Julie Fowler
Cook (Cary), Cordele, GA; grandchildren: Missy Whitney
(Drew), Rebekah Griffin (Jason), Mae-Mae Fowler, Samuel
Newman, Dani Newman, Noel Newman, Jeffrey Hammond, Maggie
Hammond, Joshua Hammond, Jared Hammond, all of Albany, Ellie
Cook, Hannah Cook, John Cook, David Cook, all of Cordele;
great grandson: Elijah Whitney; brothers: Earl Fowler, Sandy
Springs, MD, John Fowler, Silver Springs, MD, Jim Fowler,
New Canaan, Ct.
|
Nancy Castleberry Garrison (1957)
(English Teacher)
February 09, 1939 - May 29, 2004
Albany, GA
A native of Columbus, GA, Mrs. Garrison lived in Albany
most of her life and was a retired English Teacher at Albany
High School. She was an active member of First United
Methodist Church, the Littleton Sunday School Class, the
Disciple Bible Study and taught Sunday School for many
years. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Albany
Garden Club, past president of the Junior Woman’s Club and a
bridge club member. She was also very active in the Habitat
for Humanity program at First United Methodist Church. She
was a 1957 graduate of Albany High School, attended Wesleyan
College in Macon and received her Bachelors and Masters
Degrees in Education and Drama from Georgia Southwestern
College in Americus.
She was a devoted wife to David Garrison, Jr., and loving
mother to Lucy Garrison Thompson (husband Woody) of
Thomasville, Lynne Garrison Johnson (husband Chris) of
Charlotte, NC, and David Garrison III (wife Allyson) of St.
Simons, as well as grandmother to Emma Garrison Thompson,
Will Thompson, Annabel Johnson, and Grace Garrison.
|
Sue
Woodall Murdock
(English Teacher/Guidance
Counselor/Dance Instructor)
1928
- July 25, 2007
Albany, GA
Sue Woodall Murdock, wife of the late Harry B. Murdock
and daughter of the late Coleman and Gladys Westbrooks
Woodall, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 25,
2007.
A memorial service will be held at her home, 710
Meadowlark Drive, Albany Ga. on Sunday, July 29th at 4:00
p.m.
Better known as Nanu by those closest to her, Sue was
born in Albany, Georgia in 1928. She had a love of dance
from an early age and excelled at her passion. At the tender
age of 16, she ventured to New York City to pursue further
study in ballet. Nanu was invited to join the famous
Rockettes; however her hopes were daunted when her Daddy
told her to COME HOME!
Sue came back to Albany and began teaching dance. At one
time she had her own studio, and taught lessons in Albany,
Camilla, and Moultrie.
At 21, she married Harry Benjamin Murdock and gave birth
to one daughter, Debbie Sue Murdock. When asked why she did
not have anymore children, she would often say, ”I stopped
when I reached perfection.”
While managing a marriage and a child, Sue commuted to
Valdosta State University where she received a Masters
degree in Guidance and Counseling. Beginning her career
teaching English at Albany High School; she was soon asked
to take over as Dean of Girls. When she retired, she was a
guidance counselor at the high school. Nanu would often run
into her former students in Albany, and they would all
describe her as tough, but fair.
Nanu was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and
friend to many. Her sharp wit and no nonsense personality
will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors include her dog, ”precious little Winston”, one
daughter, Debbie Murdock Shiver of Albany, one sister,
Vickie Zolomy of Albany, four grandchildren, Steve and Susan
Shiver of Camilla, and Albert and Amy Etheridge of Albany,
numerous nieces and nephews including Niles Zolomy of Albany
and Lindsay Zolomy of Albany.
She is also survived by one grand dog, Dynamite, three
great grand dogs, Roscoe, Mikey, and Gabby, and two great
grand cats, Callymae and Caseylou.
|
|
Paul B. Robertson
Principal, Albany Junior High from 1947
- 1970.
February 16,
1917 - June 21, 2004
A native of Brooklet, GA, and a
graduate of Brooklet High School, Mr. Robertson received his BS
degree from Georgia State University and his MA degree from
Peabody University. He served four years in the United States
Air Force during World War II and was honorably discharged as a
1st Lieutenant. Mr. Robertson moved to Albany in 1938 where he
began coaching and teaching in the Albany School System. He
served as principal of Albany Jr. High School from 1947 – 1970,
assistant superintendent from 1971 – 1972 and superintendent
from 1972 – 1986. Mr. Robertson was chosen as Outstanding
Superintendent in Georgia from 1978 – 1979 and received
Distinguished Service award in 1986 by the Georgia Association
of Educational Leaders. He was a member of First United
Methodist Church and the Hudson Malone Sunday School Class. Mr.
Robertson also served as Chairman of the Administrative Board at
First United Methodist and was also a Youth Director. He was a
member and former president of the Albany Lions Club, former
chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Health and a member
and former president of the Albany Men’s Garden Club. He also,
served as member and president of the Albany Sports Hall of
Fame, and was an avid tennis player and hunter.
|
|
Coach John E. Tillitski
(Football Coach)
Clipping from Albany Herald (click to
enlarge)
by Frank Romeo
by Loran Smith (Class of 1960)
Athens - John E. Tillitski, of
Athens, died July 22, 2006. He was born in Canton, Ohio, son of
John E. and Helen Tillitski, and he was preceded in death by his
siblings Mildred, Mary, Rita and Robert. His sister Doris lives
in Canton. John graduated from St. John's High School lettering
four years in football and basketball. He served in World War II
in the Pacific Theater. John then lettered three years on an
athletic scholarship at the University of Georgia in football
and was honored to appear in Who's Who Among Students. He
completed a BS, M.Ed., and Ed.S. He was active in the UGA
Letterman's Club and served as vice president.
John coached football at Athens High School and then Albany High
School. John's 1959 Albany Indians won the State Football
Championship. He was then named Coach of the Year by Georgia
Athletic Coaches Association. Albany's mayor awarded Coach
Tillitski the Key to the City. John then returned to Athens and
coached football at the University of Georgia (1960-63). He was
a school administrator in the Clarke County School System until
his retirement (1964-1990).
John served as President of the Athens Kiwanis Club. He was a
member of St. Joseph 's Catholic Church and the University of
Georgia Catholic Center where he was in the Knight's of
Columbus. "Big John" was a fixture at the Athens YMCA.
John is survived by his wife Joan, their three sons and
families: Michael and wife Matilon, Alpharetta, and their twins
Michael and Melissa, Stephan and wife Jane, Athens, and their
children Jonathan & wife Suzi, Zech & wife Melinda, and
Laura-Jane & husband Martin Arkansas, Chris of Macon and his
children John-David, Catherine & Christopher. His four
great-grandchildren are Emma & Luke Tillitski and Emily & Eli
Arkansas.
Calling hours are at Bernstein Funeral Home Tuesday, July 25,
7-9 p.m. A Mass of Celebration will be held at the University of
Georgia Catholic Center Wednesday, July 26 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to The Hospice House
Foundation in care of St. Mary's Hospital, 1230 Baxter Street,
Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on
7/25/2006.
|
Catherine
Olivia DuVall Beck
ALBANY — The graveside funeral service of Mrs. John J.
Beck (Olivia) of 3607 Old Dawson Rd., Albany, who passed
away of cancer on Saturday, November 26, 2005, was held
at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Morgan Baptist Church Cemetery
in Morgan. The service was conducted by her pastor, the
Rev. Tony Haefs of Gillionville Baptist Church, Albany,
GA. She was preceded in death by her husband, John
Jacques Beck in 1992.
|
|
Livy
Beck
by
Hamilton Jordan
Growing
up in Albany in the 1950s, I would check our mailbox at 907 4th
Avenue regularly at the end of the month in hopes of finding the
family copy of
The Reader's Digest
and turn quickly to my favorite section, "My Most
Unforgettable Character,” written by different people about
great, not-so-great and even ordinary people who had made a
memorable difference in someone’s life.
One wrote about visiting
Dr. Albert Schweitzer in his African clinic where he lived and
dispensed medical treatment to the locals, another about a
favorite teacher who had inspired the gift of learning or a
coach or war hero who had changed their lives. I often wondered
who would be
my most
unforgettable character in my life? Where would I encounter
him? Maybe in New York? Or Washington? Or even on foreign
soil?
Much later, I found my
most unforgettable character – not half way around the world or
even just across the country or state, but just down the
street. And it wasn't a “him” but a “her” – Olivia "Livy" Beck,
the mother of Jay Beck, my best friend.
Mrs. Beck was a bundle
of wonderful contradictions. Raised a Southern lady, she was
fast-talking with a high-pitched voice and a thick, syrupy
drawl.
Although she was born in
Atlanta, lived most of her life in South Georgia and was buried
in Morgan, Georgia, she went to school in Washington, D.C.,
graduated from Parson’s and New York University where she
studied art.
Although a “young
Southern lady” through and through and raised in the segregated
South, she taught school in New York, taking the subway every
day to Harlem where she taught art to black children.
She married the love of
her life, John Beck, in 1942 and moved to Albany, Georgia, where
she taught school until she had her son, Jay. Livy and John
were married for fifty years until he passed away in 1992.
Mrs. Beck often said –
after he was grown – that Jay was the “perfect son.” Whenever
she said this, Jay would counter that she had been “the perfect
Mother.” They were both right.
Although she enjoyed a
college education and was born to an Atlanta family of social
prominence and wealth, there were no "little people" in Livy
Beck’s world. Every person was a child of God and deserving of
love, respect and understanding. Her heart poured out
particularly to those who were poor and disadvantaged or had
fallen on hard times. When someone was down on their luck, sick
or had an illness or death in their family, Livy Beck was the
first one there with a big hug, words of advice and reassurance,
a meal for the family or a beautiful floral arrangement.
Because she loved life
so much, I worried about Livy when her indomitable spirit
collided with a very stubborn and aggressive cancer. But I was
wrong.
Mrs. Beck quickly
dismissed chemotherapy as an artificial way to try to extend her
already wonderful life. She said she was "ready to die,” and
she meant it. Her only regret was leaving Jay.
She spent her last days
and weeks not fretting about herself but worried about the other
people in her life, Jay, her extended family and friends, and
her “best friend,” Ira Watkins, a wonderful old gentleman who
had delivered her floral arrangements and helped around the
house.
The last time I saw
Mrs. Beck, she was in the hospital following a "bad spell" with
her cancer. Livy complained that her "dear nurses are keeping
me alive when they could be helping really sick people."
She was not one to leave
anything to chance. She met with her dear friend, Tony Haefs,
Pastor of her beloved Gillionville Baptist Church several weeks
ago to make plans. Mrs. Beck made it plain that she wanted no
“high-faluting,” expensive funeral but a short and dignified
graveside service. With her time drawing near, the good
preacher advised that it would probably be very, very cold
outside for those attending her graveside ceremony. Livy
responded, “It won’t be cold for me!”
On Thanksgiving Day,
after an enjoyable visit with Jay and family members, Livy
exclaimed, “I didn’t know dying could be so easy!” She died
peacefully last Saturday – on Jay's birthday and was buried in
Morgan, Georgia, alongside her beloved John.
Olivia Beck taught us
all how to live a good and unselfish life. At the end, she
showed us how to die with courage, grace and unqualified love
for others.
The mere mention of her
name, “Livy Beck,” will always bring a smile to my face,
followed by a cascade of warm and wonderful memories of this
remarkable woman.
Livy Beck was easily the most
unforgettable character in my life. |
Back to Top
|
|
