Rev. Dr. Julia Thomas Gary

The Rev. Dr. Julia Thomas Gary of Stone Mountain, Georgia, died on February 19, 2017. Born May 31, 1929, to Richard Collins Gary and Julia Branch Thomas Gary of Henderson, North Carolina, Julia equally valued intellectual growth and faith development throughout her life.

Springing from her deep commitment to faith and learning, Julia had two distinct and successful careers. She earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry at Randolph-Macon Woman's College in 1951, a Master of Arts in chemistry at Mount Holyoke College in 1953, and a Ph.D. in chemistry at Emory University in 1958. She started her academic career as college instructor at Mount Holyoke College and Randolph-Macon College. In 1957 she was appointed assistant professor of chemistry at Agnes Scott College. She became an associate professor in 1961 and full professor in 1971. She went into administration in 1962 as assistant/associate dean of the faculty and was named dean of the faculty in 1969. She retired from Agnes Scott in 1984 as dean of the college and was named Professor Emerita of Chemistry and Dean of the College, Emerita, by the Board of Trustees.

Mildred L Petty, who worked for Julia for more than 10 years at Agnes Scott, said of Julia: "Having chosen and experienced exceptional education herself, Julia never wavered from her commitment to academic excellence. Throughout her career as an academician, her core value of excellence was always apparent. The tone she set for us on her staff engendered uniquely congenial and empowering relationships."
Her second career began when she entered Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where she received her Master of Divinity degree in 1986. A longtime active member of Decatur First United Methodist Church, Julia was the first woman to chair the Administrative Board and served on both the Finance and Pastor–Parish Relations committees. After her ordination, she served as pastor of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in East Point, Georgia, from 1987 to 1992.

Marian Wilder, a longtime friend of Julia's from Decatur First United Methodist Church, described Julia as a friend who made her a better person: "Julia knew where she stood on things, and she was not afraid to stand up for what she believed. She had a keen intellect, which she used to instruct others. She was a generous person who supported things that made life better for others. She was a bold example of courage, dependability, and fairness. I will truly miss her friendship."

Friends admired Julia for all that she accomplished in her two careers and loved her for the laughter she brought into their lives. She will be remembered for how much fun she was to be with and how she could light up a room with her wicked wit and inimitable voice. One friend confessed that she kept a wondrously droll two-sentence voicemail message from Julia on her answering machine for years, until said machine ceased to function: "On a worrisome day, I would replay Julia's quip and giggle. It was my secret solace: I never told her how she made my day time after time"

Julia served on various higher education and community boards. She served on the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon Woman's College from 1976 to 1984 and as National Alumnae Chair for Planned Giving at Randolph-Macon. She was president of her Zonta Club from 1979 to 1981 and a member from 1978 to 1993. In addition, she was named Director Emerita of Global Health Action and was former board chair of the Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM).

Her honors and awards include Phi Beta Kappa, Society of Sigma XI, and the 1990 Alumnae Achievement Award from Randolph-Macon Woman's College. In addition, she was recognized as Woman of the Year by Zonta Club of Atlanta.

Julia is survived by her cousins, Mrs. Luby F. Royall and Mrs. Herbert Coalson, Jr., as well as by her relatives, James Franklin Royall, Cathy Royall and Alice Lee Royall. She will be missed by her former students, former colleagues at Agnes Scott College, friends at Decatur First United Methodist Church, and her many friends at Park Springs retirement community.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Julia Thompson Smith Chapel at Agnes Scott College, followed by a reception in the Baker Atrium of the Bullock Science Center. A graveside service will be held in Henderson, N.C., at Elmwood Cemetery on March 18 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Julia would have appreciated her memory being honored with gifts to Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, Ga. 30030; to the Julia T. Gary Science Fund at Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030; to Global Health Action, Suite 145, 1190 W. Druid Hills Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329; or to DEAM, Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033