Louise Marchman McGuire passed away peacefully on September 20th, after 104 years of a wonderful and joyful life. A long time Sandy Springs resident, Louise had been a recent resident of Lenbrook since 2010. Louise was born in White Plains, GA to Guy Hilsman and Bessie Dawson Marchman. The family moved to Atlanta when she was just a few months old.
She married James Hodges McGuire in 1942, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which marked the United States' entry into World War II. Jim was a second lieutenant who would eventually advance to the rank of colonel and served under Gen. Omar Bradley in Europe. Jim and Louise were happily married until his death in 1989. She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Elizabeth Marchman Kessler and her son, John Roger Kessler.
Louise obtained her degree from Georgia State University, majoring in Commerce and was a member of the Phi Chi Theta, National Honorary Society. She worked for a number of years after graduation and was fortunate to have been the private secretary to George W. Woodruff for over ten years. George was the brother of Robert Woodruff, president of Coca -Cola, Co. The families enjoyed a close friendship. Prior to that she had worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company.
Louise and Jim were charter members of the Cherokee Town and Country Club and the Atlanta Athletic Club. They both enjoyed playing golf and in her later years, Louise was active with the '9-holers' at CTCC. They both enjoyed travelling, especially after Jim retired from the Southern Company, where he had been Vice-President. She was a life member of the Piedmont Hospital Auxillary and served as a Pink Lady for many years. Louise and Jim were long time members of the Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and were very active in Sunday School. Her faith, serving others, and her friends were her priorities.
Louise had many friends and was very active with her neighbors in her garden club, The River Shore Estates Garden Club, and had served as a president at one time. Her love of travelling was able to be continued with members of her social sorority from GSU, Kappa Theta, until she moved to Lenbrook.
Although never having children of her own, her adopted family, next-door neighbors of hers for almost 30 years, were William and Barbara St. Amant, and their two sons, Will and Clark. Louise was their 'Atlanta mother' and grandmother 'Ise', to Will and Clark, and shared a special bond that will always be remembered and cherished.
Charitable, loving, empathetic and kind, Louise had a life well lived. There will be a visitation at H. M Patterson & Son --Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 on Thursday, September 27th from 6PM - 8PM and a graveside service at Arlington Memorial Park on Friday, September 28th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the charity of their choice.
