Anita Jane Bidgood Mercer, age 83, passed away peacefully at the residence she shared with her daughter in Gainesville, Ga., on the 2nd day of November, 2010, following a recurrence of cancer.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 at Little and Davenport Funeral Home located at 355 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville, Ga., followed by a graveside service at Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, David Mercer, Sr. Anita was born in Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia on December 19, 1926, the daughter of State Court Judge Grover Cleveland Bidgood of Dublin, Georgia and Henrietta Turner Bidgood, originally of Portal, Georgia.
Anita was one of 8 siblings who were descendants of soldiers of the American Revolution and the American Civil War. After the untimely death of her father at an early age resulting from an automobile accident while on his way to meet Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge, her mother, Henrietta, became the sole support of her family and was one of the first females elected to public office in Georgia, serving as Treasurer of Laurens County for over 25 years. Anita's brother Robert Bruce Bidgood was a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but was subsequently listed as one of the victims of Black Sunday, which was the largest non-combat aircraft loss event of the Air Force in WWII, when 54 airmen loss their lives over New Guinea on April 16, 1944 due to a severe weather front. The B-25 which he co-piloted and his crew have never been found. Anita named her daughter, Bobbie, and her son, Robert Bruce, in honor of her lost brother. In addition to Robert Bruce (Bob), she is preceded in death by her siblings Grover, Billy, and Karlan Bidgood, and Evelyn Bidgood Gabbard and Fae Bidgood Owles Moxley.
Anita was self employed in Dublin, Ga., as the owner-operator of Shop Rite and Anita's Dress Shop. Following the retirement of her husband David from Mercer Brothers Grocery, they moved to Gainesville to be near their children and grandchildren. The couple joined St. Paul Methodist Church, where she frequently played the piano for various church services. She played piano "by ear", never having had formal lessons.
Anita is survived by her three children, David Grover Mercer and Patsy Mercer, of Gainesville, Ga., Bobbie Mercer Girardeau of Rabun County, Ga., and Robert Bruce Mercer and Debbie Mercer of Houston, Texas, and grandchildren, Channing Mercer and Lloyd Chapman of Atlanta, Ga., Brett Mercer and Amanda Mercer, of Gainesville, Ga., Heather Mercer Shaw and Clay Shaw, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., Jann Girardeau Fulp and Jeff Fulp, of Gainesville, Ga., Niki Girardeau Holcomb and Bill Holcomb, of Gainesville, Ga., and Katie Girardeau Nordholz and Kary Nordholz of Atlanta, Ga., and Michael, Christopher and Emily Mercer of Houston, Texas, great grandchildren, Morgan, Caroline and Jack Mercer, Amelia Fulp, and Brady and Camille Holcomb, all of Gainesville, Ga., Reagan, Clay, David and Hampton Shaw of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., Maye Nordholz of Atlanta, Ga., and her sister, Betty Jean Bidgood Mayo of Auburn, Ga., plus a host of nieces and nephews.
One of her favorite activities was taking each grandchild to Las Vegas for their 21st birthday. She enjoyed a healthy and active life until only recently. Laughter, and the love of family and friends were her hallmark.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to either the American Cancer Society, Eagle Ranch of Hall County, Ga., or Northeast Georgia Hospice.
Little and Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at Littledavenport.com.
