Georgia M. Best

Georgia M. Best, age 90 of Temple, died Thursday, March 28, 2019 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Rev. Elwyn Johnston officiating. Private family burial will be at Bellwood Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors from 6-8:00pm Friday, April 5, 2019 at the funeral home.

Georgia M. Best was born on October 19, 1928 in Conway, Arkansas to Rev. and Mrs. T. T. McNeal. She was a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas in 1950. Georgia met her “husband to be”, Edward Best, when he returned to Hendrix as a Junior after serving in the army during WWII. After their first date, they were planning their future together. They were married on July 29, 1950. Georgia began her teaching career in Little Rock, Arkansas while Ed was in medical school. Georgia and Ed moved to Temple, Texas in 1953 for Ed to train at Scott and White Hospital. She continued her teaching in Troy, Texas until starting a family in 1959. Georgia loved being a mother to her four children. She always said that being a mother was the most cherished and important thing in her life. Georgia continued to excel in her role as grandmother and great-grandmother, being affectionately referred to as “Mimi” by her ever-expanding brood.

Georgia was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Temple, Texas for over 30 years. She was a circle member and was a retired Sunday School teacher, Elder and Deacon. When the last of her children finished high school, she came totally involved with quartet singing. She had always loved to harmonize and she helped charter the local Chisholm Trail Chorus – part of the International Sweet Adeline’s. She was active in Sweet Adeline’s and a barbershop quartet for 24 years. Georgia appeared in several Temple Civic Theater productions. She had a love of music which included not just singing but playing the guitar and piano. Georgia also joined Toastmasters when she was 76 years old. She loved the challenge and was very proud of her blue ribbons. She spent four years giving “attitude” speeches throughout Temple and the surrounding areas. In her “just past 80 years”, she became an associate member of the Contemporaries and Altrusa. Georgia had a joyful and blessed life. She always insisted we have a choice, either negative or positive, sad or joyful. Georgia chose positive and joyful, making her a wonderful example to anyone she encountered.

Georgia was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edward B. Best; her parents, Rev. T.T. and Ocie McNeal; her sisters, Edilda Flanigan and Jerry Weymer; and her great granddaughter, Brinlee Raine Williams. She is survived by her four children, Edward B. Best, Jr. of Temple, Laura Stenman of Temple, Robert B. Best of Covington, Texas and Georgiana Kuban of Temple; 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be given in Mrs. Best’s name to Grace Presbyterian Church, 2401 S. 57th Street, Temple, Texas 76504 or to the Chisholm Trail Chorus, c/o First United Methodist Church, 203 East 3rd Ave., Belton, Texas 76513.

Online guestbook is available at www.scanioharperfuneralhome.com.