Megan-Victorious!

Megan - Victorious!
Posted 1 day ago

Atlanta Journal Constitution – posting Sunday

Many people choose later in their lives to give back, to serve others in some capacity after they have lived their life for themselves. Not Megan Gaddis, whose short, productive life was filled with generosity for others and a joy for living each day with love and laughter.

Megan McQueen Gaddis, 27, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. after a long neurological illness. Megan was born in Atlanta on August 10, 1981 where she grew up and graduated from the Westminster Schools. While attending Westminster, she devoted her extra time to service projects at the school and her youth group at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. During junior high, she would volunteer on Saturdays by riding around in a mission van, handing out food and supplies for Atlanta Children’s Coalition ministry. Dan Hayes, founder of Atlanta Community Ministries, wrote to Megan during her illness, reminding her that she was a founding volunteer for Creative Hearts, an after-school ministry for Hispanic children in the Lindburgh area. She coordinated with friends the gathering of donated Christmas gifts for over 300 children during high school years. At Westminster, she was awarded the Levy Award for Outstanding Service, The Senior Citizenship Award, and was a class officer her senior year.
She went on to graduate from Vanderbilt University where she majored in Child Development and Art History. She was an active member of Reformed University Fellowship and Chi Omega sorority where she devoted her time to raising money for Make a Wish Foundation. The summers during her years at Vanderbilt, she was a counselor at Kanukuk Camps in Branson, Missouri. During her junior year, she was selected to participate in a summer semester at Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was after this experience she changed her focus to education, and returning to Atlanta, earned her Masters of Education at Georgia State University. She taught for two years at Park Street Elementary School in Marietta where she was awarded Outstanding New Teacher her first year in the classroom. Dr. Devonne Harper, who hired Megan as a teacher said, “From the first day I met her, Megan radiated poise, grace and wisdom... well beyond her young age. She was always sensitive to the needs of her students and she was very conscientious about searching for creative ways to better serve them. I often reminisce about my visits to Megan's classroom. She created a warm, engaging learning environment for her students. I have vivid memories of her singing, dancing, reading, and writing with her children. From time to time I see her former students, now first and second graders, and I know Megan would be so proud of how well they are doing. She gave them such a solid foundation!”
Megan was a member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and attended Buckhead Church where she worked with Middle School students. She was a member of the Young Patrons for the Arts at the High Museum and a member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.
She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael O. Gaddis of Atlanta, one brother Michael Owen Gaddis, Jr. and one sister, Kathryn Blair Gaddis, both of Atlanta and her paternal grandmother Mrs. Levettia Hicks of Campbellsville, Kentucky and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will always be remembered as a young woman of many talents and many friends of all ages, but loved most for her joy, her generosity of spirit, and her love of the Lord.

There will be a Memorial Service on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church(prumc.org), 3180 Peachtree Road in Atlanta with a reception following the service in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The CJD Foundation, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334 or Hospice Atlanta 1244 Park Vista Drive, Atlanta, GA 30319.