On Friday, November 22, 2013 shortly after 1 p.m., this town lost a great mother, friend and nurse Mrs. W.C. (Val) McGeary. She left us in a resting and peaceful sleep in her home of Madison with her son and one of their close friends at her bedside.

 

She was born July 30, 1924 as Eunice Eleanor Valentine in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived until after graduating from Landon High School in 1942. Moving to Brunswick, she graduated from Grady Hospital Nursing School in 1945. Since World War II ended before she could complete her R. N. training, she began her nursing career in a position at the Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital in Duluth. She also worked at Grady Hospital as a trauma nurse and on the psychiatric ward.

 

In the months to follow, she met Dr. W. C. McGeary Jr. on a blind date and was married on September 27, 1953 at the home of a close friend Pastor Tucker Singleton who married them, along with a couple of friends who attended the private ceremony. She served at the McGeary Hospital in Madison, alongside her husband as an O.R. nurse as she also did in other hospitals like Covington and Greensboro . After 20 plus years of nursing she then took on a more managerial role at her husband’s office to allow her more flexibility in the raising and education of their son, William Gregg (Bill) McGeary, who was born on December 29, 1964.

 

Val was a charter member of the Morgan County Business and Professional Woman’s Club and had many hobbies, including raising animals and plants, and an avid interest in genealogy and history. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Madison where she also sang in the choir.

 

She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar C. and Cora M. Valentine, her husband, Dr. Clyde McGeary Jr. a brother, Ramah B. Valentine, a niece, Cora V. Newsome, and a nephew, David Valentine.

 

Survivors include her son Bill, a sister Edna V. Latimer of Macon, a brother Edgar George Valentine of Titusville, Fla., and nieces Louise V. Byers Jacksonville, Linda L. Kees Atlanta, Kim V. Marquardt and Amy V. Rouse, both of Titusville, and several great nephews and nieces.

 

A graveside service was held Monday, November 25 at The Madison Cemetery with Pastor Charles Smith and former pastor and longtime family friend Jim Ross officiating.

 

Words of comfort can be left at wmcgeary@ bellsouth.net. or you may stop by their house at any time.

 

A word of thanks to A.E. Carter Funeral Home for all the help and support they have given us with the arrangements in our time of need. She will be greatly missed by all.