Dr. Felix Woodson Sibley, Jr. passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. A visitation will be at the Sibley’s home at 216 North Dawson Street in Thomasville, on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 5-7 p.m.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, also in Thomasville, with a reception following in the parish hall.
Dr. Sibley was born in Atlanta, on May 23, 1936. His parents, both deceased, were Dr. Felix Woodson Sibley and Mary Lou Cranford, of Atlanta. Following in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Sibley graduated from Emory University Dental School after being an undergraduate at Davidson College.
He served as a captain in the United States Army as a dentist stationed at Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Upon the death of his father, he returned to Atlanta to take over his father’s dental practice, which he continued until he moved to Thomasville in 2003. Early in his practice, he was also a professor of dentistry at Emory University.
After moving to Thomasville, he continued to practice dentistry until one month ago, for a total of fifty-five years of service to his patients. He truly enjoyed and took great pride in caring for his patients both in Atlanta and Thomasville.
On August 17, 1968, he married Margaret McGrew Fortney, with whom he remained happily married for 48 years. Together they shared two children and three grandchildren. Dr. Sibley loved his family and his church and had many other interests. He was an avid reader, with an extensive library, and was a very knowledgeable historian.
He loved to travel with his family all over the world — from Africa to Europe to the Middle East and Russia. He had a great appreciation of music and was an accomplished pianist. He collected the works of numerous composers during his travels and he took great pleasure in playing them on his Steinway for family and friends.
In recent years, he enjoyed playing the piano at meetings and events of the Thomasville Rotary Club. He also loved woodworking and created many beautiful pieces of furniture, including a cradle for his children.
In Atlanta, he was a supporter of the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Symphony, and participated in antique and political science study groups. He was a longtime member of the Cathedral of St. Philip.
After moving to Thomasville, he joined All Saints Episcopal Church, where he will be laid to rest in the All Saints Memorial Garden. He enjoyed being a part of the Thomasville Rotary Club and Glen Arven Country Club. He was a lifetime fitness enthusiast, and was passionate about snow skiing and sailing.
He enjoyed time in the mountains of North Carolina and on the beach at Alligator Point, Florida, both places where he shared vacation homes for many years with his family and friends. He will be missed greatly for his wit and storytelling, compassion, kindness, and generous spirit.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; daughters Kendall Sibley Hash and Mary Elizabeth Sibley (Beth); son-in-law, Tom Hash; and grandchildren Maryam Sibley, Sibley Hash, and Thomas Hash.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either All Saints Episcopal Church, or Brookwood School, of Thomasville. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com.
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