A Great Blog

Liston “Lex” Carnie

2012-11-21T19:40:00.000-08:00

Liston “Lex” Carnie, age 89, went home to see his beloved Nancy on November 21, 2012, passing peacefully in the night after a valiant fight.

Lex, a decorated Major in the British army during World War II, was born in Edinburgh, capital of his beloved Scotland, on April 9th, 1923. After completing school at the Royal Academy, he joined the Royal Scots Regiment to save his homeland in theaters of war that included: Europe, India, Burma, North Africa/Middle East/Palestine, Persia and Iraq (P.A.I. FORCE). Posted to Officer training with the Indian Army, he went on to command, in his words, “the best fighters in the world” against the Germans, Italians, and Japanese during six continuous years of dedicated overseas service (with only a single 30 day leave!).

Recovering from wounds in a desert hospital in Iraq, he met a beautiful young English army nurse (Hannah “Nancy” Kirkley Foster) who was the only nurse to volunteer to take care of this ornery Scotsman! Love blossomed, followed by a wedding in an underground chapel in Shuaiba Iraq on December 12th, 1946 and a honeymoon in Baghdad where they met the boy King of Iraq.

After the war, with a young wife and two children in tow, Lex immigrated to Canada and then to Washington DC. He completed a much respected career as a Gift Buyer, and then as a Senior Executive with Woodward & Lothrop Department Stores (now part of Macy’s).

Retiring to Florida and then to Memphis (after losing his beloved Nancy), Lex enjoyed continued world travels (logging a lifetime total of visits to over 80 countries) and time with his family.

Lex leaves behind: sister Betty Carnie Tsichlis (Sam) in Omaha, daughter Heather Lundy (Bob) in Memphis, son Liston “Bob” Carnie (Toni) in Houston, four Grandchildren (Jennifer Enderson (Paul), Bill Lundy (Ashley), Christine Carnie & Seaman Recruit Bobby Carnie), four Great Grandchildren (Dayton, Hannah, Keenan and Avery), and relatives, in-laws, and friends in the US, Scotland, and England.

Lex was predeceased by his father Liston “Lakes” Carnie, His mother Mary (May) McIntosh, and of course his beloved wife Nancy.

Late in life, he became an American Citizen when, as a true Scotsman, he learned of better tax implications for doing this.

To the end he remained loyal to his roots lecturing the Judge during jury duty selections about the inferiority of the American legal system compared to the Scottish system just prior to the Judge throwing him off the jury!

Lex was a member of AARP, Elks (USA), Military Officers of America (Honorary), and Woodward & Lothrop twenty year club (1980).

We’ll all greatly miss Lex, but know he is happy again with Nancy! Life celebration service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at Canale Funeral Directors. Memorials can be sent to the Breast Cancer Fund in memory of Lex’s wife, Nancy. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400 www.canalefuneraldirectors.com.

Obit on Commercial Appeal, along with guest book.

Tom Williams

2012-09-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tom Weyman Williams, 84 of Memphis, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012. He was born on July 1, 1928 at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He is survived by his brother Jerry Williams; ten living children, John, Martha, Tom, Judy, David, Kenneth, Kevin, Douglas, Wendy and Harold D. Williams; one grandchild Brody Williams. In lieu of flowers, all donations can be sent to VAMC of Memphis Volunteer Services , 1030 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 (901-523-8990 ext. 8990) or to Blessed Sacrament Church 2564 Hale Ave. Memphis, TN 38111 (901-452-1543)

Memorial service will be October 6, 2012, Saturday at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Mary Lamey

2012-03-12T20:00:00.002-07:00

Mary Lamey, mother of Memphis Scottish Society Member, Jestein Lamey Gibson, passed away Monday evening, March 12, 2012.

Visitation and Funeral are as follows:

Visitation:
Thursday, March 15th, 2012
6:00-8:00 PM

Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens
3700 N Germantown Pkwy
Bartlett, TN 38133

Funeral Mass:
Friday, March 16th, 2012
10:00 AM

St. Fransis of Assisi Church
8151 Chimneyrock Blvd.
Cordova, TN 38016

Internment will occur immediatly after the Mass at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their love and support.

Contact: Aaron Lamey
(901) 692-1431

John A. Dall

2012-01-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

John A. Dall, a charter member of MSSI, passed away Jan 21, 20l2 in Asheville, NC. Of Scottish descent, John was born in Lancaster County, England. He was a mechanical engineer who lived and worked on all continents, but retained the soft burr of his native country. Recently retired as the director of the Kirkin’ and Parade of Tartans for Grandfather Mountain Games, John and his wife, Flora M. Gammon, received the Agnes McRae Morton award in 2010 for service to the games.

Jim Smoot

2011-07-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

Former Memphis Scottish Society Member, James “Jim” R. Smoot, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2011.

A memorial service and reception to honor his many contributions to the law school and the greater legal community will be held Monday, August 8, with remarks beginning at 5 p.m. at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in downtown Memphis. They extend an invitation to the entire community to join President Raines, Dean Kevin Smith, the Law Alumni Chapter, and the University of Memphis family for the memorial service. Please join Dean Emeritus Smoot’s family and friends to remember his life and achievements.

A fund has been established in Jim’s memory at the Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law. Make checks payable to University of Memphis Foundation and mail to: Department 238, U of M Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148-0001. Include instructions to designate your gift to the Dean Emeritus James R. Smoot Scholarship Fund. Online gifts may be made by clicking here.

The Commercial Appeal reflects on Jim's life and legacy.

William “Morris” Stallings

2011-05-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

William “Morris” Stallings, 70, of Lakeland, TN, devoted brother and son, passed away on May 20, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents Shelly and Pauline Stallings and one brother Hugh Stallings. He leaves his brother Bobby Stallings, three sisters Rachell Meridieth, Elaine Meece, and Lois Smysikal, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Morris worked for Tennessee Pride, and was a member of Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a lifelong member of Bartlett Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., on Monday, May 23, 2011, with funeral services to be held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, all at Family Funeral Care. The family requests that any memorials in honor of Morris be sent to the Bartlett Baptist Church Building Fund.

Joan Gilmer Kelly

2011-05-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry to have to inform you that Joan expired late this afternoon due to injuries she received as the result of an accident that occurred while she was working in her wood turning studio. As some of you already know, Joan was admitted to The Med on Wednesday, May 4th. She was working on a rather large piece of wood in her studio and it fractured while the lathe was turning at high speed. Joan was hit by the flying wood and sustained massive trauma to her head. She received the very best of care at The Med's trauma ICU, but simply could not overcome the damage that had been done. Visitation and service will be at Balmoral Presbyterian Church on Saturday morning. I believe Erin told me that visitation will be between 9:30 and 10:30, with a service to follow at 11:00 am, but you might want to check the Commercial Appeal later this week. Please keep Joan's family in your prayers.

Commercial Appeal Obit

Joan Elizabeth Gilmer Kelly, January 25, 1953-May 17, 2011, daughter of the late William J. Gilmer and Miriam White Gilmer, was a devoted mother, wife, sister and daughter. She is survived by her daughter, Erin Elizabeth Maguire of Huntsville AL, by her husband, Ernest G. Kelly, Jr. and his daughters, Martha and Marian Kelly; by her brother, William W. Gilmer and wife, Martha of Oak Park, IL and her brother, John A. Gilmer and his fiancée, Catherine Willner of Collierville. She was also devoted to her nieces, Laurel Gilmer of Newark, NJ and Emily Gilmer of Memphis and to her nephews, David, Matthew and Jonathan Gilmer of Oak Park, IL. She was a brilliant artist holding a BFA from the Memphis College of Art. After teaching art in the public schools, she specialized in wood turnings, creating works of pure art as well as lovely useful objects. She showed her work at numerous local and regional fairs and galleries. She won the first place award at this year’s Memphis Association of Craft Artists show. Joan was a graceful and enthusiastic dancer who loved waltzing and contra dance. She was a caller for the Memphis Contra Dancers and delighted them with her skill and charm. She was increasingly in demand as a caller at other cities in the region, and the whole contra community will mourn her loss. Joan loved music, sang in the choir at Balmoral Presbyterian Church, and played the piano regularly at facilities for the elderly. She supported environmental and conservation efforts and loved the outdoors, walking in Overton Park, paddling the Ghost River, and skiing and climbing in the Appalachians. She enjoyed travel in Greece and the British Isles, including a horseback ride across the west of Ireland; a five day hike in England to the source of the Thames; climbing in the hills of the Isle of Skye; and hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete. Most of all, she loved the unspoiled beaches and the charming historic town of Ocracoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The sense of community and the folk music culture of Ocracoke were her delight. It had been a magical place for her from childhood. There will be a memorial service at Balmoral Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 21. The family will receive visitors before the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Memorial gifts will be appreciated at any charity of the donor’s choice. Joan especially valued conservation and environmental causes as well as church-sponsored services for those in need. Friends wishing to honor her personal sacred space can do so by contributing to the Ocracoke Preservation Society on Ocracoke Island, 49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke, NC, 27960. Memorial Park Funeral Home, "Behind the stone wall", 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com

Derry Lynn White McAden

2010-09-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Derry Lynn White McAden, after a long and courageous battle against cancer, passed away September 10, 2010. Born July 21, 1942, to Howard and Virginia White. She was a 1960 graduate of Messick High and continued her education at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN. Derry met her future husband, Kent McAden at a pool party in 1967 and they were married in 1969. After a long career as a real estate and legal secretary she retired from First American Title Insurance Co. in 2003.

Derry was preceded in death by her parents, Howard S. White, Sr. and Virginia P. White. She is survived by her husband of 41 years R. Kent McAden a son, Richard K. McAden, II, a daughter, Mindy Elizabeth Grahovac (Frank), a grand daughter Gabrielle Grahovac and her brother Howard S. White, Jr..

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Ralph B. Moffatt

2008-03-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

Rosemark - Ralph B. Moffatt, died March 25, 2008 at the Regional Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 28 at Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel. Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 at Richland ARP Church Rosemark, with interment to follow in Rosemark Cemetery. Mr. Moffatt taught Agriculture at Bolton High School, served as a principal and later as the Director of Vocation Education with the Shelby County Schools from 1956-1985, was active in the Future Farmers of America, Mid-South Fair, the National Education Association, the Memphis Scottish Society, and Clan Moffatt Society. Also active, life-long member of the Richland Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rosemark, TN, where he was a deacon and later elder of the church. He leaves his wife, Emily Cole Clements Moffatt; two daughters, Emily Susan Moffatt of Rosemark and Jan Moffatt Christoph of Front Royal, VA; one sister, Martha Moffatt of Brighton; three grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to the Methodist Foundation - Cardiac Rehab Memorial Fund, Methodist Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 42048, Memphis, TN 38174. Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel 901-873-0123

Eaden Keith

2008-02-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

Eaden Keith died Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 10:40 a.m., at the house with his children around him.

Visitation will be this Friday evening 6-8 p.m.

A Rosary Service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Bartlett Funeral Home, 5803 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN. 901-372-5555.

Graveside to follow at Memphis Memory Gardens on Raleigh-LaGrange in Bartlett.
"Dad is to be buried along side our mother, Shirley Jean Rademacher Keith."
~ Carroll Keith

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle — when the sun comes up, you better be running."

Author, anonymous

John William “Johnny” Wright

2007-07-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that we report that John William “Johnny” Wright, son of John and Margo Wright passed away on July 23, 2007. He was 36. We extend our deepest sympathies to John and Margo. John, Margo, and Johnny had returned from a trip to Scotland, visiting family and seeing friends, just the previous week.

Frankie Atkinson

2007-05-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

It is our sad duty to inform you that long-time member Frankie Atkinson has passed away. Our condolences to her friends and family. (You may remember Frankie’s husband Ed, also a long-time member died in June of 2005.)

Juanita Long

2007-05-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

MSSI offers condolences to the family of Janet Mandana in the death of her mother Juanita Long. Visitation and the funeral will be at the funeral home at Memory Hills on N. Germantown Rd. Visitation 5-8 p.m. on Friday. Funeral 10 a.m. Saturday, reception will follow at the funeral home.

Mary L. Moeldar

2007-02-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

I regret to inform you of the death of Mary L. Moeldar. I work in the facility where Mrs. Moeldar resided. Her copy of your newsletter Grace Notes is still being sent here. Mrs. Moeldar loved being a part of your orginization. She was a dear woman fiercely proud of her heritage. ~ Karol Knowles