Eddie A. George, 82, passed away on October 20, 2023. Eddie was born on March 8, 1941, in Vincennes, Indiana to Paul Erven George and Helen Genevieve (Roberts) George. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Vincennes, earned a B.A. in History from Birmingham Southern College, and went on to attend Methodist Theological School of Ohio where he graduated with a Master of Theological Studies in 1965.
While attending Birmingham Southern College, he met and fell in love with Charlotte Rita Moody, of Cherokee, Alabama, and they married on December 23, 1961. Together they raised two children, Annilee Michele (George) Crim and Alan Edward George and were happily married for 59 years until Rita’s passing on April 18, 2020.
He began his career as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church before transitioning to the field of healthcare administration, fulfilling his desire to make a positive impact on the communities in which he resided.
He was the inaugural CEO of Northside Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee from 1975 to 1986, before relocating to Houston, Texas to serve as CEO of Spring Branch Medical Center. He ultimately returned to East Tennessee where he was appointed CEO of Bristol Regional Medical Center before leading Wellmont Healthcare System as its President and CEO until his retirement in 2005.
He was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the highest level of professional achievement in ACHE and in 2000 he received the Tennessee Hospital Association Award for meritorious service by a chief executive officer.
Eddie was active in sports from an early age and was an avid sports fan all his life, especially University of Alabama football. He was a starting player on both the baseball and football teams in junior high and high school and was a member of the wrestling team at Birmingham Southern College.
What he loved most was spending time with his family, and was a devoted grandfather to his three grandchildren, Aaron, Brandan, and Grace An George. After the death of his wife, Rita, he relocated from Bristol, TN to Columbus, GA to be closer to family. It was while residing in Columbus that he unexpectedly found love again when he met and married Mary Alice (Hallyburton) McCreary of Pine Mountain, GA. The last year of his life was an especially happy one thanks to Mary, her family, and the many friends he made in Pine Mountain.
He was predeceased by his parents, Erven and Jenny George, his sister Paula, his wife, Rita Moody George; and his esteemed brothers-in-law Dennis C. Moody and Warren H. Rutland, of Cherokee, AL.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Mark Crim of Roanoke, VA; his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Kelly An George of Williamsburg, VA; his grandson and soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law, Aaron George and Hannah Roberson of Brunswick, GA; grandson, Brandan George of Palestine, TX; granddaughter, Grace An George of Columbus, GA; and his wife, Mary McCreary of Pine Mountain, GA. He also dearly loved and will be missed by Mary’s daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Jeffrey Long of Tucker, GA; daughter and daughter-in-law, Cindy McCreary and Cecile Coignet, of Oxford, England; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Neild of Sheffield, England. He leaves behind his beloved dog and constant companion, Skylar, his nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, cousins, and many more friends and family members.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Pine Mountain, GA (206 McDougald Ave, Pine Mountain, GA 31822).
In lieu of flowers, honorary gifts may be made to The Salvation Army of Bristol, Tennessee or United Way of Bristol, Tennessee.
