Meredyth F. Giddens

Meredyth Smith Giddens (Midge), 70 W Lucerne Circle, Orlando, Florida, Fl. was born in Athens, Tennessee. She had been a resident Orlando since 1951. She was a Methodist. Meredyth had been married to Dr. Leland L. Giddens for 50 years. Meredyth leaves behind two children, Pamela Eubanks (Glenn), John Giddens (Dawn), four grandchildren (Lisa, Jeff, Bethany and Leland) and six great-grandchildren. She was a member and Past President of Sorosis Club of Orlando. She was a member of American Association of University Women, Orlando Downtown Lions Auxiliary, Central Florida Optometric Auxiliary, Mental Health Association of Orange County Board, Orlando Day Nursery, Board of Directors of United Way, Friends of the Library Board, Executive Committee of United Way of Orange County, Women’s Residential and Counseling Center, William P. Duval Chapter DAR, Honorary Member of Lake Mary Women’s Club.

Meredyth attended schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was a graduate of MacMurray College in Illinois with a B.A. degree and from Rutgers University with a M. A. degree. She pursued additional studies in Foreign Languages at Middlebury College and the University of Colorado. Upon completion of her studies she taught French, Spanish and German on the college level. During World War II she worked as a translator for the Office of Censorship in New York City and served as a Staff Aide for the American Red Cross in Europe.

After moving to Orlando she held many positions and offices in civic, community and school organizations. She was a Cub Scout leader, Gray Lady at Glenridge Junior High School. She was President of Orlando Lions Auxiliary, President of Central Florida Optometric Association, Secretary of Mental Health Association of Orange County Board, Orlando Day Nursery and member of Jordan Marsh and Robinson Advisory Boards. She served on Friend’s of the Library Board. She was a Past President of Sorosis Club. She served as District President for Florida Federation of the Women’s Clubs, District VII and held State chairmanships for 12 years. For 23 years she was actively involved in the United Way campaigns and on its Board of Directors and served as Vice President on the United Way Executive Committee as well as member of the Budget Review Committee.

In 1974 she was a recipient of Orlando’s Most Outstanding Women in Community Service and in 1978 she received Orange County Federation of Women’s clubs’ Women of the year award.

Donations may be made to: Independent Transportation Network 988 Woodcock Road, Suite 200

Orlando, FL 32803.

Arrangements under the direction of Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park, FL.