Annie Alberta Cobb Canady

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Celebrating the life of
Annie Alberta Cobb CanadyJanuary 03, 1918 - September 04, 2016

SAVANNAH - A loving and generous life came to an end September 4th when Annie Alberta Cobb Canady, a long-time resident of Savannah and Decatur died at the age of 98. She was the oldest living graduate of the Warren A. Candler Hospital School of Nursing.

Mrs. Canady was a native of Macon, GA and graduated from Miller High School. Having grown up in the mill village of Payne City she started working at the Bibb Manufacturing

Company at the age of 15. Two years later she was promoted to the business office, recognized for her exemplary work ethic and outstanding grades, she was put in charge of making payroll adjustments for the newly enacted Social Security Act. In her spare time she volunteered to work in the company’s infirmary. Her interest in nursing and her caring manner did not go unnoticed either and she was offered a scholarship to the Warren A. Candler Hospital School of Nursing in Savannah.

On the campus of Candler Hospital, in the shadows of the historic Candler Oak, she met Hoyt Canady, who became her husband after graduation three years later. While in nursing school she kept scrapbooks in which she chronicled her life as a student nurse giving us a vivid description of her experiences including hardships, classes, home sickness and fun times. At the end of her junior year she added a personal note, “May I always look forward for opportunities and be able to cope with the difficulties that come, and keep in memory the best of what has come”.

As a registered nurse she first worked at Candler Hospital, then as nursing supervisor at the Central of Georgia Railway Hospital becoming their Director of Nursing in 1963 when the hospital became Candler Central Hospital. After moving to Decatur, she worked at DeKalb General Hospital then Crawford W. Long Hospital where she retired in 1980.

Mr. and Mrs. Canady were long time members of Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah. In Decatur, they were members of Scott Boulevard Baptist Church where both were ordained deacons. Mrs. Canady was one of the first two female deacons to be ordained there. She also served for many years as Director of Sunday School, Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) and taught the BYKOTA Sunday School Class. They were members of Hope Baptist Church after returning to Savannah.

In her retirement she continued to serve in these leadership positions becoming Director of the Atlanta Baptist Association WMU having 135 churches in her charge. She and Mr. Canady volunteered at the Stewart Center helping intercity children in their after school activities and homework. She assisted children to develop reading skills at Medlock Elementary School and prepared meals for the World Changers youth group. When Scott Boulevard Baptist Church building was sold in 2014, the Church honored her contribution to missions by establishing the Alberta Canady Mission Fund with a tithe of the proceeds of the sale of the property. Mrs. Canady is Member Emeritus of the Decatur Chapter 148 of the Order of Eastern Star where she served as Grand Chapter Nurse and Worthy Matron. Other organizations to which she belonged included Half Notes and Daughters of the Nile.

Mr. and Mrs. Canady were loving, caring and encouraging parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. They instilled the values of education and a strong faith in God in their family and the children with whom they worked. Their marriage is an example of God’s unconditional love.

In addition to her husband of 69 years, she was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas J. Cobb and Vera Mae Grant Cobb, brothers J.W. Cobb and Thomas J. Cobb, Jr., sisters, Louise Whittle, Hazel Brickle and Elaine Mathews and a granddaughter, Jan Jendrynski Rosser. She is survived by a son, Hoyt P. Canady, Jr. (Marilyn) of Knoxville, TN, daughters, Alberta Fillingim (Dr. John Fillingim) of Savannah and Patricia Canady of Savannah; grandchildren, Rev. Paul Canady (Emily) of New Bern, NC, Emily Ratliff (Britt) of Knoxville, TN, Joseph M. Lane, III (Susana) of Savannah, Maj. James M. Lane, USMC (Stephanie) of Beaufort, SC, and Kevin Rosser (Wendy) of Redbluff, CA, brother-in-law, J. Walker Whittle of Henderson, TN, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Her family will receive friends at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, Wednesday, September 7th at 2:00PM with services to follow at 3:00 PM conducted by The Rev. Paul Canady.

Committal service will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Masonic Section, in Tucker, GA. on Thursday September 8th, at 2:00PM conducted by The Rev. Greg Smith of Scott Boulevard Baptist Church.

Please consider contributions to Scott Boulevard Baptist Church for the Alberta Canady Mission Fund, 308 Clairmont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, Candler Hospital Nurses Scholarship Fund 5353 Reynolds Street Savannah, GA 31405.

Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com

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Offering condolences for the loss of Ms. Canada and praying you are comforted by Jesus' words found in the Bible at John 11:25. Regards, K. Banks

- K. Banks, ,

I am so sorry for your loss! I found this scripture at Revelation 21:3,4 encouraging, I hope it helps you and your family as well. Jehovah's witnesses

- Kelly , savannah, ga

Had it not been for Alberta's involvement in Decatur Chapter OES, I would never have known this wonderful lady. She and my mother, Doris Waller, were two of a kind.....started out keeping books, entered nursing school and became RN's when it was NOT the chosen profession for young women, then entered the business world, all the while maintaining their families and amazing church lives and service to others. When Mom died on May 5th of this year, she was at 106 years of age the oldest living graduate of St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Jacksonville FL. What a surprise to read that Alberta was the oldest living graduate of Candler Hospital School of Nursing. I should have known because they were cut of the same 'cloth'. And still standing on a shelf in Mom's den at her passing was one of her favorite photos....that of she and Alberta behind the altar at Decatur Chapter OES. The world will truly miss these two great ladies, true examples of Proverbs 31!

- Annelle Waller Hammond, Decatur, GA

To The Alberta Canady Family: Our love to all of you. Albert was a special friend and servant of God. Faithful to her church. Regretfully (due to health issues) we are unable to visit with you and attend her Committal service. A contribution in her memory will be made to the Alberta Canady Mission Fund at SBBC. Sincere sympathy... Jane and Crawford Jenkins

- Crawford Jenkins, Stone Mountain, , GA

May Jehovah give your family the needed strength to cope with the loss of your loved one. Isaiah 65:17

- Jehovah's Witnesses , Pooler, Ga

I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Cannady. She has been my next door neighbor at Savannah Square for the entire 4 years that I have been here. When I lost my little doll a few years ago, she gave me one her dolls that still sits on my bed. Please know that I am praying for your family. Love, Mary Freeman

- Mary Freeman, SAvannah, Ga

We are sending love and prayers to all the Canadys. What an amazing woman Annie must have been! May you be surrounded with wonderful memories and fellowship as you celebrate a life well-lived. Love, Ann

- Ann and Rob Shelor, Ben and Grayson, Knoxville, TN

There aren't many people who can say they've had two amazing grandmothers. Both of mine were much the same and polar opposites. MaMa (here) was a devoted servant of her Lord and family. She baked, cooked, nursed, prayed, read, comforted, rocked, chased after, corrected and sung to her grand children and great grand children. MaMa loved her family. She worked hard to help provide for her children and was the prototypical, stereotypical, spoiler grandmother. There can never be anyone else with her strength, Biblical knowledge, loving heart and her ability to lovingly chastise. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with this kind, gracious, loving woman. I learned as much from her after I was older as I did when I was a child. What an awesome example of your son Jesus, here on earth.

- Chip, Savannah, GA

Pat I am sorry about your mother. She sounds like a wonderful mother , grandmother and friend. Prayers are with you and your family. ?? Jewel Dabbs

- Jewel Dabbs , Ststesboro , ga,

We are thinking of y"all and remembering "Mrs. Canady" especially her kindness to us when we married over 52 years ago. Love to each of you, Delle and Patrick

- Delle and Patrick Kelley, Stone Mountain, GA

Our prayers go out to the entire Canady Clan.

- Bob and Linda Graham, Savannah, GA

I feel privileged to have known MaMa and count her as a friend and strong example of love and faith. Prayers and love for her family.

- Janet Lane, Savannah, GA

All my love and prayers to all my cousins and their families at this time. I know aunt Alberta is singing and rejoicing with my daddy and myou moma and uncle hoyt

- Tommye Jane Cobb cauthen, Theodore , Ala

Hoyt and family, we are so very sorry to hear of moms passing. May her memory be eternal. Rest in peace. Our prayers are with you this week. God bless

- Joanie and Charlie shannon, Knoxville, Tn

Mrs. Canady is loved by so many and Proverbs 31:10-31 can be applied to so many aspects of her life--vs. 31 "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." What a privilege to know her and her precious family.

- Jane Crawford, Lenoir City, TN