Rev. Dr. Mary Charlotte Lane

The Rev. Dr. Mary Charlotte Lane, retired U. S. Army officer and Dean Emerita, Piedmont College, died Friday, February 16, 2007, at Habersham County Medical Center after a brief illness.

Dr. Lane was the daughter of the late Raymond T. & Mary Cole Lane. Born November 11, 1915 in Corning, NY, she was educated in the public schools of that city, where her mother was for many years a teacher of ancient & modern history. In 1937, at Mount Holyoke, she earned her A. B. degree in classics, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, she pursued graduate work in classics at the University of Chicago and one year teaching at Notre Dame des Prairies, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1942, she entered the U. S. Government as a civilian analyst with the Army Security Agency in Washington, DC.
In 1943, she joined the Womens' Army Corps, U. S. Army, serving in the United States and overseas in Germany, Korea and Turkey until her retirement in 1971 in grade of colonel. In addition to Army Service medals, she was awarded the Legion of Merit with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Commendation Medal.

Following retirement, Dr. Lane earned her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California, which had previously awarded her during her assignment in Turkey the Master's degree in Education.
In 1974, Dr. Lane was appointed to the faculty of Piedmont College, where she served from 1974 to 1978 as professor of education and religion and from 1978 to 1987 as Dean of the College. During the entire period at Piedmont College, she also served as assistant chaplain. In 1988, she was named Dean Emerita. From 1982, she had served as faculty advisor to the Torch Club of Piedmont College. An award in the Department of Education, Piedmont College, is named in her honor.

A lifelong Congregationalist and Unitarian, Dr. Lane was the author of The Melba Years, a history of the School of Education, University of Southern California, published by that University's press, and of The History of Piedmont College, 1897-1990, as well as several historical articles and documents for the U. S. Army and the Womens' Army Corps.

Dr. Lane is survived by her niece, Mary Carol McGrath of Mechanicsburg, PA; and nephews, John Servoss of Park City, UT, Thomas Servoss of Melborne, FL and Christopher Servoss of Clearwater, FL. She was also preceded in death by her brother-inlaw and sister, Dr. & Mrs. Spencer J. Servoss of Williamsport, PA.

Memorial services are 3:00 pm Thursday, February 22, 2007, at the Piedmont College Chapel with Dr. John Bridges, Dr. James F. Mellichamp, Rev. Joyce Acree and Dr. Ashley Cleere officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Holyoke College at 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075; Piedmont College at PO Box 10, Demorest, GA 30535; or the Federated Church of Demorest at PO Box 1871, Demorest, GA 30535. Interment will follow in Corning, NY at a later date.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.