Emily Barkley Searcy

Emily Barkley Searcy
A graveside service for Emily Barkley Searcy of Thomasville is at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, on 7th Street in Laurel Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Dan Spencer and Dr. Milton C. Gardner will officiate. Mrs. Searcy died November 25 at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Virginia, she was the only daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. P.C. Barkley, a Baptist minister. On March 27, 1931 she married Dr. William M. Searcy in Cairo. Dr. Searcy preceded her in death in 1999. A music major from Wesleyan College, she enjoyed a singing career in New York City before moving to Thomasville as a new bride. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was a former choir member. She was a frequent guest soloist in churches throughout the area. Mrs. Searcy quickly immersed herself in the community. Although known in recent years primarily for her work with the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, she has impacted almost every civic and medical entity in the community, and her considerable talents have positively influenced numerous organizations beyond the immediate area. In 1937 she was one of the founding members of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation TEF, serving as the first General Chairman. Subsequently, she served multiple terms as President, as Executive Director from 1980-1997 and as a member of the Board of Trustees for over 67 years. As Program Committee leader for 60 years, she worked with artist management agencies to book outstanding performing artists from all over the world. She devoted her life to making cultural opportunities available to local citizens, enriching lives and encouraging the development of young talent. She helped establish the TEF Education Fund to present concerts for school children; to make student tickets to performances available at reduced fees; and to provide scholarships for talented young musicians. Her generosity has enabled TEF to participate in perpetuity as one of the 20 founding presenters of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award. In recognition of her extraordinary volunteer service and contributions, TEF Trustees dedicated the organization?s 50th and 60th Anniversary Seasons to Mrs. Searcy. On her retirement in 1997, she was named Executive Director Emeritus. The same year the TEF Endowment Trust was established with a gift in her honor. In addition, she has been recognized at numerous conferences of artist management agencies and credited with making TEF one of the most prestigious non-profit concert organizations in the nation. As a volunteer in the medical community, she was not only aware of health issues and needs facing the public, but committed her time and efforts to address those needs. She worked for many years as a Gray Lady, working in the ?closed? psychiatric wards at Finney General Hospital during World War II. She organized the first Thomas County Cancer Drive, and founded the first Venereal Disease Clinic at the Thomas County Health Department, when the topic of sexually transmitted diseases was not openly discussed. At Archbold, she was a charter member of the Pink Ladies and worked for many years in the surgery department. She chaired the Auxiliary Tea multiple times and was the organizer of numerous balls and galas as hospital fundraising projects. She also served for a time as co-manager of the Hospitality Shop, the hospital snack bar and gift shop.Emily Searcy was a founding member of both Landmarks and the Thomasville Cultural Center. She served on both Boards of Trustees and made many valuable contributions as a volunteer. The Cultural Center?s grand piano was given in honor of Mrs. Searcy by friends and family in 1986. She was an early member and president of the Junior Service League and chaired the first Follies which became the League?s major fundraiser for child welfare projects. She was an active volunteer for the Thomasville-Thomas County Historical Museum for many years. In addition, she was an active member of the Boards of Directors of the South Georgia Opera Company, the Georgia Citizens for the Arts, and the Monticello Opera House. She has twice been honored by the community for her extraordinary accomplishments. In 1983 she was named the Thomasville-Thomas County Woman of the Year and in 2004 she received the Thomasville-Thomas County Lifetime Achievement Award. While contributing countless hours toward the betterment of her home community, she was involving herself as a full-time non-paid staff member of the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC. Brevard has earned the reputation as one of the nation?s leading summer music educational institutions. It attracts a staff of internationally-acclaimed professional artists and a student body made up of the country?s top, aspiring young musicians. As an active volunteer for more than 60 years, Mrs. Searcy prepared printed programs for Brevard; served as liaison for the Music Center and guest artists; organized Brevard Orchestra performances in Charlotte and at the White House during the Kennedy administration; assisted with the production of radio broadcasts; and worked with students, instructing them in the finer points of stage etiquette. The Emily B. Searcy Scholarship at Brevard was established by her husband in 1984 as a surprise birthday gift. She was honored with the Brevard Music Center Distinguished Service Award in 1997. She was a 43-year member of the music center?s Board of Trustees and was named Trustee Emeritus following her retirement from the Board in 1998. A prominent campus building was named for her in 2004. Survivors include nephews Floyd H. Searcy, Thomasville; Dr. Ashburn P. Searcy, Kennesaw; and William N. Wick Searcy, Savannah; numerous great-nieces and nephews; Dr. Terry Smith, Thomasville; her loving care-givers; many friends and former students whose lives have been enriched by her influence; and a grateful community whose quality of life has been enhanced by her unselfish service. Allen and Allen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation Endowment Trust, P.O. Box 1976, Thomasville, GA 31792 or to the Emily B. Searcy Scholarship Fund, Brevard Music Center, P.O. Box 312, Brevard, NC 28712. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
ALLEN & ALLEN FUNERAL HOME