Emily Joyce Kardos

Emily J. Kardos

Emily Joyce Gaddis Kardos, 85, died Saturday, November 7, 2009, in Athens, Georgia.

She was born in Valdosta, Georgia, the daughter of the late Bevy Marshall Gaddis and Effie (Cowart) Gaddis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gus Edward Kardos; and by her brother, Don Abbot Gaddis of Alpine, Texas.

Survivors include two daughters and one son, Barbara K. Ellman (Albert, deceased) of Albany, New York, Beverly K. Montgomery and David of Lexington, Georgia, and John E. Kardos and Faye of Athens, Georgia; and three half-brothers, Marshall Gaddis, Paul Gaddis, and Earl Gaddis. She had 11 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Lara Srour and David of Weston, Florida, Josh Garfinkle and Kerry of Groton, Massachusetts, Beth Mitchell and Bill, of Salem, New York, Michal Moss and James of Athens, Georgia, Josh Kardos and Darrien of Watkinsville, Georgia, Amy Bernard and Jeff of Atlanta, Georgia, David Montgomery Jr. and Kia of Half Moon Bay, California, George Felts and Traci of Memphis, Tennessee, and Shea Bunnell, of Athens, Georgia; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Emily worked for the Bureau of Economic Warfare in Washington, D.C., during World War II and then, after her children were grown, she worked first for the Department of Agriculture in Atlanta in Animal Diseases, and then for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta as a computer programmer for the balance of her career. After retirement in 1982, she and her husband, Gus, moved to the Athens, Georgia area.

A family graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at the Riverview Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emily's memory to either the American Heart Association or to the American Lung Association.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, of Athens, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.