Charles Winter Giddings

Charles Winter Giddings, 83, of Valdosta, died Monday, June 13, 2011 at Heritage Healthcare at Lakehaven Nursing Home. He was born on March 10, 1928 in Jacksonville, Florida, to the late Glenn Green and Margaret Winter Giddings. Winter was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Valdosta and in Athens, GA. He attended the University of Florida where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He also attended Garrett Seminary, and Tulane University. He served as a Methodist minister both in Illinois and Florida during in his early career, but after completing a pastoral counseling internship in Boston in 1958, he developed a life-long passion for counseling. He returned to Tulane to complete a clinical social work degree and began a second career. He was employed at the Georgia Mental Health Institute and later was a staff member of the Family Counseling Service in Atlanta. In 1967, he and his family moved to Athens where he became a faculty member in social work, and he was Director of the Psychology Clinic at the University of Georgia. Additionally, he opened a private psychotherapy practice and helped many individuals and families in Athens, and subsequently, in Valdosta, and he provided clinical supervision for many beginning social work practitioners in the state.

Winter was a long-time member of the Athens West and North Valdosta Rotary Clubs. He transferred his allegiance to UGA and became an avid Georgia Bulldog. He was one of the founders of the Family Counseling Service in Athens, the 7-27 Poker Club, a club that has continued for over 30 years, he began the Men's Class at First Presbyterian Church in Athens, and he attended the Men's Bible Class at First Presbyterian Church, Valdosta. Throughout his life he maintained a strong interest in the early Christian Church and the writings of Paul. However, his passion always was the study of psychotherapy and his efforts to understand how to treat human pain and suffering. Winter maintained a pilot's license, and he always loved dogs, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Martha McCullough Giddings of Valdosta, his children and their spouses, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Winter Giddings of Pickens, SC., Stephen James Giddings of Hartwell, GA., Meg Giddings Moore and Greg Moore of Naylor, GA., his grandchildren, Dr. Allie B. Giddings of Charlotte, NC, Sarah B. Giddings of Greenville, SC and Mary Giddings Dunlap and her husband, Ivan Dunlap also of Greenville, one great granddaughter, Eleanor Wiley Dunlap of Greenville. He is also survived by the mother of his two sons, Sarah Gill Giddings of Hartwell, GA., a brother and sister in law, Col. and Mrs. Glenn Giddings of Spotsylvania, VA., a sister and brother in law, Mary Giddings Outlaw and Earl Outlaw of Jacksonville, Florida, numerous nieces and nephews as well as extended family members.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. John Anderson, Dr. Mahmood Eisa, Dr. Jacek Sosnowski, Phyllis Storey, the caring staff of Lakehaven and SGMC Hospice House, and the congregation of First Presbyterian Church for their care and support over Winter's lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10am, Friday, June 17, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, 313 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601 with Rev. Jerry Long officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602