Adena Katherine Duggan

In Loving Memory of Adena Duggan Hitch

9 May 1929 - 3 July 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Adena Duggan Hitch of Atlanta, GA died July 3, 1999 from a brain tumor. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, William Henry (Bill) Hitch; a daughter and family, Ann and Mark Turkal, Laura, and Sam of Wilmington, NC; a son and family, William R. (Bill) Hitch and his daughter Jessica of Garland, TX; and a son and family, David M. Hitch and Brenda, Elaine, and Christine of Kingsport, TN. She is also survived by two brothers and their families, Robert Stone Duggan, Jr. of Atlanta, GA and John Benjamin Duggan of Hendersonville, TN.

All three of Adena and Bill's children are engineers from Georgia Tech: Bill and Ann are mechanical engineers, and David has his Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

Adena was born in Macon, GA on May 9, 1929 and graduated with honors from Mercer University in 1949 with her B.A. in mathematics and physics. She taught in the public schools in Waynesboro, GA; Central School in Lubondai, Belgian Congo; and Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA.

In Waynesboro, GA Adena served the Presbyterian Church as Secretary, Choir Director, Organist, and Director of Christian Education. She was later employed by C&S National Bank/Nations Bank in the corporate banking organization in Atlanta. During this time and later, she served as pianist at Atlanta First United Methodist Church, where she and Bill were members of the St. Andrew Class for many years. After retirement, she was organist at H. M. Patterson and Sons, Historic Spring Hill Chapel until 1998.

Retired Dr. Robert V. Ozment at Atlanta First United Methodist said in 1997, "A handsome woman is a jewel; a good woman is a treasure. We have in Adena both a jewel and a treasure."

A memorial service was held Sunday, July 11, at 3 p.m. at Atlanta First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in memory of this very special lady are encouraged to consider Atlanta First United Methodist Church, 360 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 or Visiting Nurse Health System, 133 Luckie St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Adena chose for her memorial service Charles Wesley's "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing", which some of you may hear now:

"O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name."

On May 14, 2000 (Mothers' Day) a Plaque was presented by Atlanta First United Methodist Church for mounting on the Choir Room: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- THIS CHOIR ROOM is lovingly dedicated to the memory of ADENA HITCH Whose many musical talents, selfless devotion to service, and love of the Lord made her a vital part of the music ministry of Atlanta First United Methodist Church for many years. May her spirit continue to inspire us all to greater heights of musical excellence and service to Jesus Christ.

  Events

• Occupation: Organist, 1998, Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA.

Adena married William Henry Hitch, son of Frank William Hitch and Agnes Lou Martin, on 21 Dec 1956 in Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA.¹ (William Henry Hitch was born on 11 Dec 1927 in Ben Hill Co., GA ¹.)