Sherwood Chandler (Woodie) Dennis

Sherwood C. (Woodie) Dennis, 91, of Valdosta died at his home on Monday, July 26, 2005. Born on November 18, 1913, in Onancock, Virginia, he was the second child of Phoebe Thomas Chandler and William Ivey Dennis. Mr. Dennis spent his entire life in Valdosta with the exception of two years in the Navy during WWII. His lifetime business career with C.C. Varnedoe & Co. spanned 63 years from January 1930 until his retirement in 1993. Mr. Dennis was blessed with 3 wonderful wives, who brought him comfort and joy during his life. In 1930 he married Grace Freeman. After Grace died in 1964, he married Emogene Gaskins Orr in 1967. After Emogene’s death in 1999 he married Gretchen Burnette McCoy in 2001.

As part of his goal to leave Valdosta a more attractive city, he was instrumental in preserving the Daniel Ashley Hotel, the McKey Building, and the restoration of the Varnedoe Buildings after the fire in 1979. He was part of the group that developed the Northwood Business Park on North Valdosta Road. His greatest achievement was as Chairman of the Building Committee for the Building Committee for the construction of the Sanctuary for the Park Avenue United Methodist Church where he was a charter member. Mr. Dennis was a member of the Valdosta Rotary Club.

Mr. Dennis is survived by his wife, Gretchen Burnette Dennis; two sons, H. Freeman and Faye Dennis of Tucker, Charles and Tamara Dennis of Valdosta; daughter, Katherine S. Dennis of Marietta; grandchildren, Melanie and Darren Lander of Coweta, Oklahoma, Grace Jones of Savannah, Isaac Dennis of Valdosta, Cliff and Amanda Orr of Columbus, Kris and Dave Brown of Atlanta, Johnny and Kelly Orr of Birmingham, Alabama, Brian and Kathy Orr of Cumming and a great grandchild, Alex Jones of Savannah; an extensive group of relatives in love, Dr. T. R. Freeman of Savannah, Walton S. (Pete) Freeman of Woodville, Wycliffe and Lyn Orr of Gainesville, John and Marsha Orr of Cumming, Robert Orr of Atlanta, Sheila Jeanne McCoy of Rome, Gretchen Young of Powder Springs, Sally and Jim Branan of Macon, Shealy and Betty McCoy of Columbia, South Carolina.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Dr. Craig Rikard and Reverend V. L. Daughtery will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 – 8 p.m. Donations may be made to Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Condolences may be conveyed online at mclanefuneralservices.com at obituaries. Carson McLane Funeral Home.




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