Georgia Fairbanks
Jerseyville | Monday, November 4 2013
Georgia Lee Fairbanks passed away on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013 at Jerseyville Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born on Oct. 19, 1921 in St. Louis, MO. the only child of Leslie C. and Gladys M. Arnold.
Georgia graduated from Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School in St. Louis and Monticello College in Godfrey. On Oct. 3, 1941 she married John Fairbanks of East Alton. He died in 1998.
Georgia was a strong, kind and patient wife, mother and friend who deeply valued her family and many friends she made during her life. Her home on Clifton Terrace, where she lived for 71 years, was the center of her world. She carried herself with dignity and confidence and stressed the importance of character, respect and courtesy to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Holidays and other family events were very important to Georgia, and she loved big family gatherings at her home. Never a birthday, graduation, confirmation, wedding or anniversary went by without a note from her. For many years, the family’s Christmas tree trimming party was a neighborhood event. When her children were growing up, she participated in Brownies, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and PTAs. She could always be seen at Little League baseball games, swim meets and hockey games.
She enjoyed sports and had a life-long passion for the St. Louis Cardinals, attending her first game in 1926. After her children were grown, she returned to playing golf and won a number of tournaments as a member of Sunset Hills Country Club.
Georgia was a beautiful woman, well-known in the Alton area as a model. She participated in many local charity fashion shows, especially those held by Monticello College. She was active in many civic and social organizations, including the Alton Community Service League, Monticello Alumni Foundation and the Godfrey Women’s Club, and she served for many years as a volunteer at Alton Memorial Hospital. In addition to her volunteer activities, Georgia worked part-time at Breitweiser’s Gift Shop in Godfrey.
Georgia was a loving mother to her five children. They are Leslie Berger (Robert) of Berea, Ky., Judi Keith (Jack) of Godfrey, John Fairbanks (Dawn) of Gaithersburg, Md., Mike Fairbanks (Pam) of Cincinnati, Oh., and Patric Fairbanks (Karen) of Amber, Ok. Patric preceded her in death in Jan. 2008. She had 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Jerseyville Nursing and Rehab Center for their loving care and friendship during her residency there. At her request, the body was cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. and the service at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Alton Memorial Hospital White Cross Auxiliary, the Monticello Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
