The Participants for the Celebration
Pallbearers
Jimmy BarnesCharles Gifford
James CampbellFrank Lewis
Jimel CarpenterKevin Peterson
William FordRonnie Spry
Honorary Pallbearers
A Service of Love and Memory
of
Lorena Young Gandy
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Missionary Society of C.M.E. Church
Paine College Class of 1949
The Augusta and National Paine College Alumni Associations
Women’s Civic Club
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So live, that when thy summons comes to join
the innumerable caravan, which moves
to that mysterious realm, where each shall take
his chamber in the silent halls of death,
thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Excerpts From
THANATOPSIS by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
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Acknowledgement
The Gandy family, wishes to greatly acknowledge all acts of kindness and comforting expressions
during our hours of illness and bereavement. – The Family
W. H. Mays Mortuary
“Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922”
1221 James Brown Boulevard
Augusta, Georgia 30901
(706) 722-6401
Design/Printing By: Augusta Blueprint * Augusta, Georgia * (706) 722-6488
www.augustafuneralnotices.com
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
1:00 PM
Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church
1630 Fifteenth Street
Augusta, Georgia
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The Reverend Dr. Paul W. Gardner, Sr., Officiating
Lorena Young Gandy
Order of Service
Lorena Young Gandy was born in Columbus, Georgia, on October 30, 1927, to the late Charlie Young and
Ethel Watt Young Barksdale. She entered into rest Friday August 2, 2013, at her residence.
Processional ................................................................................................................ Ms. Christine Crockett
Educated in the public schools of Columbus, Georgia, she graduated from Spencer High School in 1945.
Lorena entered Paine College and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1949, graduating
as Valedictorian. She was an active student at Paine College, where she was a cheerleader and was crowned
“Miss May Queen.” While attending Paine College, Lorena met and married Stewart Bryant Gandy, Jr., in
1948. She was his beautiful and darling “Peanut” and of their union two children were born, Stewart Wayne
and Angela Dawn. She received a Master of Education Degree from the University of Georgia in 1972.
At an early age, Lorena joined First Baptist Church in Columbus. After her marriage to Stewart, she joined
the C.M.E. faith working untiringly holding various positions on state and local levels. Throughout her
life she held subsequent memberships at Bethel C.M.E., Cordele, Georgia; Holsey Temple C.M.E.,
Macon, Georgia; and Trinity C.M.E. and Williams Memorial C.M.E., Augusta, Georgia. She was President
for 17 years of the Augusta-Sparta Women’s District Missionary Society, Secretary of the Georgia North
Conference, Secretary of the General Missionary Society, Lay Council member, Chancel Choir member,
Senior Ministry member, and member of the Stewardess Board.
As an educator, Lorena, taught in the Bibb County Public School System prior to relocating to Augusta with
her husband. She worked as a Dormitory Director at Paine College where she mentored several young
women. In 1966, Lorena, began her tenure with the Richmond County Board of Education, where she
taught at C.T. Walker Elementary for two years. She was one of the few handpicked African Americans in
1968 chosen to be placed at other schools; she was transferred to Forest Hills Elementary. She continued
to teach 3rd grade at Forest Hills Elementary until her retirement in 1987. She was a real “school teacher”
to many young people who still admire her today.
Lorena loved her Alma Mater, Paine College, and was a faithful member of the National and Augusta
Alumni Associations. She often remarked that “I would not be anything if not for Paine College.” She was
devoted to Paine supporting all efforts for academics, athletics, and operational improvements. Her home,
which was near the campus, was a “home away from home” for many Paine College students, especially
the basketball players.
Lorena held offices and chaired committees in the Augusta Women’s Civic Club, Zeta Xi Omega Chapter
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (life member), and the Richmond County Retired Teachers
Association. She participated in conferences, business meetings, service projects, and social events. This
March, she enjoyed the 2013 Alpha Kappa Alpha South Atlantic Regional Conference in Charleston, South
Carolina. Order and rule were her foci, and she believed that if you have rules you should follow them.
Lorena was known as Mama, Grandma, or Mrs. “G” to many because of her loving spirit. Her son-in-law
John Victor and daughter-in-law Jennifer loved her as a mother, and she loved them as her children. She
was an avid sports fan; and it was a known fact not to interfere with her when she was watching her favorite
sport, basketball.
Lorena was preceded in death by her husband, Stewart Bryant Gandy, Jr. Those who will cherish her
memories are: one son, Stewart Wayne (Jennifer) Gandy of Waupaca, Wisconsin; one daughter, Angela
Dawn (John Victor) Gifford of Augusta, Georgia; ten grandchildren, Victoria, Portia and Maya Gifford,
Ayanna (Gary) Burden, Lekisha (Jermaine) Coleman, Ira, Anwar (Stephanie), Stewart Jr., Daniel and
Richard Gandy; eight great grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
“He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with thy God!” – Micah 6:8
Hymn ......................................................................................... Williams Memorial C.M.E. Chancel Choir
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Prayer ........................................................................................................................... Reverend Jerry Poole
Scripture
Old Testament ........................................................................................... Reverend Gene R. Dean
Psalm 23
New Testament ........................................................................... Presiding Elder J. Ronzell Maness
John 14:1-4
Solo ..................................................................................................................... Mrs. Alrena Gifford Garrett
Family Tribute ................................................................................................................. The Grandchildren
Solo ................................................................................................................................. Mrs. Petula Gilmore
Lynwood Holmes, Musician
Eulogy ..................................................................................................... Reverend Dr. Paul W. Gardner, Sr.
Recessional ................................................................................ Williams Memorial C.M.E. Chancel Choir
“It Is Well With My Soul”
Interment .................................................................................................... Mount Olive Memorial Gardens
– Repast –
Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church