Hugh Stockdell Meredith
1916 - 2019
Hugh Stockdell Meredith
1916 - 2019
Obituary
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BORN
1916
DIED
2019
Hugh Meredith Obituary
He is survived by his children Hugh Jr., Leighton (Pearce) and Robert; grandchildren Jonathan, Meredith (Frank), and Gwendolyn; and great grandchildren Frank, Gwendolyn and Reeve. He was preceded in death by his wife Gwendolyn, brother William and sisters Elizabeth Whittle and Dorothea Fitz-Hugh.
Mr. Meredith graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1940 and joined the law firm of Vandeventer & Black that same year. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy in 1941 and served aboard minesweepers in the North Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans during World War II, including command of the USS Lucid in 1945. He returned to the law firm after the war and became partner in 1949 after which the firm’s name was changed to Vandeventer, Black & Meredith.
Mr. Meredith had a distinguished legal career of nearly fifty years and was regarded as one of the leading admiralty attorneys of his day. Besides being prominent in his profession, he was active in his lifelong membership with Galilee Episcopal Church as vestry and involved with the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, St. Paul’s College, and the Virginia Theological Seminary.
A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Galilee Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances to Galilee Episcopal Church, 3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 or to the Hugh S. Meredith Fund, a component fund of the Vandeventer Black Foundation Inc., 500 World Trade Center, Norfolk, VA 23510. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
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3 Entries
George Meredith
July 15, 2019
Hugh Meredith, great great nephew of James Madison, senior, knew the Constitution and its Bill of Rights in detail. Hugh's lineage dates back to George Meredith who emigrated to these shores in 1634.
Hugh's parents were happy that their youngest child was able to complete his education at Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia's Law School.
Hugh's great uncle, Ruben Meredith was a distinguished surgeon with the Continental Army.
Hugh's relatives included Slaughter Fitzhugh MD, George Meredith MD, Lyn Meredith DMD and Lockey Meredith MD. And Pharmacists George Meredith Sr PhG and William Meredith PhG...and Episcopal Ministers, Scott, Jacqueline and Elliott Meredith. Hugh came from good English stock.
After serving as a Minesweeper commander in the south Pacific during the big war, Hugh returned to Norfolk to practice Admiralty Law for over a half a century..... he had an international clientele.
Hugh spoke with an English accent. I always thought of him a Barrister rather than a regular American Lawyer. I always believed that his accent descended from James Madison through his mother Elizabeth Morrison Madison Meredith.
His contributions are meaningful and will not soon be forgotten!
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Jeremiah Denton
July 15, 2019
I would like to add my voice to the many others to say what a fine gentleman Hugh was. Gwynn was my mother's roommate at Mary Washington and both she and Hugh were always close to the Denton family. Hugh and Dad enjoyed playing golf together and solving the world's problems at the 19th hole. Hugh gave me my first law job in his law firm when I was still at ODU, as a messenger boy. That's where I got my first introduction to the law and litigation at the elbow of such legal legends as Hugh, the wonderful Mort Clark, and the ever garrulous John Ryan. He and his partners were always very kind to me over the years and I still remember the pride I felt when, a few years back, Hugh allowed as to how I had developed into a "damn fine" lawyer. The last time I saw Hugh out and about was not very long ago, when Gwynn was still with us, standing erect beside her in the foyer of the NYCC, deep in his 90's, with an old fashioned in his hand, avuncular and patrician. They don't make them like that anymore. That's the way I'd like to remember him. Jerry Denton
David Ferebee
July 14, 2019
I always knew the Merediths as the parents of my contemporaries Hugh Jr. and Leighton. I also knew Mr. Meredith as a partner in Vandevender, Black, and Meredith. Their firm has always held a special place in my family's heart as my grandmother's father's brother, Robert Morton Hughes, was one of the founders of the firm. Both he and Hugh were distinguished admiralty attorneys. I was always in awe of the supercool house they built on the shore of the Pea Patch! He and his wife were always gracious hosts to our gang of friends who frequented their family room that we hung out in always having a wonderful time! My love and admiration for the Merediths continues for now and ever morel!!! Love, Degie Ferebee
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