Mrs. Marsha Gandy

Mrs. Marsha Carol Watson Gandy, 80, of Sylvester passed away peacefully on Saturday November 29, 2025 at Tift Regional Medical Center. The family will have a private graveside service at Oakfield Cemetery. Marsha Carol Watson was born on June 22, 1945 in Saint Petersburg, FL. She was the daughter and only child of Samuel Marshall, Jr. a War Department Chemist; and Carolyn Bass Watson. The parents of Marsha's families were lifelong Georgia residents. Marsha began public school in Tucson, Arizona, in 1951, during the time her father was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. He was a member of the 509th Composite Group-Most significant: 43rd Aviation Squadron Heavy Bomb Group. When the Watson family returned to Georgia, Marsha spent the remainder of her public school education in the Sylvester, Georgia School System. Sylvester was the home of her maternal grandparents, John Everett Bass and Lillie "Belle" Houston Bass. Her paternal grandparents were Samuel Morgan Watson and Golden Ward Watson of Colquitt, Miller County, Georgia. Marsha's father and mother met in the summer of 1938 in Colquitt at Billy Houston's "Ye Ole Soda Shoppe" on the square. Delicious refreshments were served, and they danced to the music of their day played on a beautiful jukebox. They danced and they fell in love. They were married in April of 1941 in Tampa, Florida, where Marshall was stationed in the Army Air Corps. Marsha's school years were filled with honors and awards, including Miss Worth County High School; Homecoming Queen; Head Majorette; FFA Sweetheart; DAR Good Citizen Medal awarded by the principal and faculty. She received a BETA Club Scholarship and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Marsha began her working career at Walden and Kirkland Realtors and Insurers in Albany, Georgia, as secretary to Mr. George M. Kirkland, Jr. Marsha and her daughter, Jennifer moved to Moultrie, Georgia in 1969. Marsha worked for General Telephone and Electronics as the Public Affairs Assistant. She was Editor of the South Georgia Spirit for five years. She was GTE's Speakers Bureau Chief for their South Georgia Operations. Marsha presented programs for civic clubs and organizations, and for schools throughout GTE's Operating area. She received several honors and awards for journalism accomplishments. During this time Marsha was Heart Fund Chairman for Colquitt County. She excelled at fund raising, and provided public and professional education within the county. Following the end of the Campaign, Marsha received a visit from a representative of the American Heart Association out of the Atlanta office. She was offered a position as Field Program Consultant for West Central Georgia territory, comprised of 18 counties including Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. Marsha accepted and her fund raising career began. Marsha excelled with her first Over Goal New High in the State of Georgia among the State's field program consultants. She raised the top dollar among them her first year. This accomplishment brought Marsha a promotion and a choice of territory. She chose South Central Georgia, because it was close to her mother and her daughter. Once again, Marsha excelled in fund raising. She opened an office in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia and hired a secretary. In 1987 Marsha met and married Rufus Edward Gandy. They were married for 28 years. Mr. Gandy passed away on April 11, 2015 at their home with Parkinson's Disease. In 2004 Marsha Carol Watson authored her autobiography: One Woman's Quest For Truth; still selling on Amazon. In the spring of 2013, Marsha and her beloved husband moved to Sylvester, Georgia, her hometown after living away for 50 years. It was Marsha's Jubilee. After Marsha's husband passed away, her lifetime of reading, stayed with her. She had a large library of books she called her "Treasures". She was happy and content being home in her "little corner of the world". Marsha was a dedicated contributor to Find-A-Grave.com, and Goodreads.com. She loved them both. Marsha declared they were gifts to all humanity, and she wanted to be able to have a small part in both of these worthy endeavors. The very first quote Marsha ever wrote was: "Nothing stays the same-Nothing lasts forever.....But I Remember When---and Now it is all Gone With The Wind." Marsha's lifetime of sweet memories she cherished dearly. She spent a lot of time reliving them in her mind and heart. They brought Joy and Comfort to her. She loved to sing the song: Tomorrowland. "There's a wonderful place called Tomorrowland-----and it's only a dream away....Tell me: How do you get to Tomorrowland? Close your eyes---make a wish---and you're there----Close your eyes---Make a wish ---And you're there. (From the movie: An affair to remember 1957". Marsha is survived by her beloved friends, Luke and Brittany Hagan, Maurice and Deloris Jenkins; , Donna and Davis King, special cousins, Norman Crowe and wife Donna all of Sylvester. In addition to her parents Mrs. Gandy was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Edward Gandy on April 11, 2015 and her only child, Jennifer Lynn Gay on July 17, 2025.

Mrs. Marsha Gandy

June 22, 1945 - November 29, 2025