Alethea Bigham Segal

Alethea Bigham Segal, 91, died May 1, 2013 in Tallahassee, Florida. She was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on October 2, 1921, the daughter of the late Boyce Hyatt and Sarah Whitesides Bigham. Her South Carolina roots ran deep with all of Alethea’s great grandparents having been descended from pioneer families of Chester and York counties. Alethea graduated from Winthrop Training School in Rock Hill. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Zoology from Winthrop College and later an advanced degree in Medical Technology from Duke University School of Medicine. After completing her education, Alethea moved to Jacksonville,Florida to work with internists Drs. Louis Limbaugh and Karl Hanson where she was employed until 1960. She was later employed by the Clinic for Digestive Diseases, now the Borland-Groover Clinic, until she retired. In 1950, Alethea married William Segal at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, and they enjoyed 45 years of marriage until his death. Since the mid-1950s, Alethea was a devoted member of Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, volunteering countless hours to its ministries. She was a member of the Rebekah Sunday School class. At various times in her life, she taught a primary Sunday School class, sang in the choir, worked to prepare the Wednesday night supper, directed the adults-away ministry, greeted on Sunday mornings, visited sick and shut-ins, and prayed for and sent thousands of cards and notes to members. Alethea was a member of Winthrop University Alumni Association, the Duke University Alumni Association, and an associate member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She was a past president of the Jaycees Wives Club, an active member of the Jacksonville Symphony Guild, and a Friend of the Fine Arts of Jacksonville University. Following a stroke, Alethea moved to Tallahassee in 2008 to be near her daughter. After recovering, she joined the Westminster Oaks community and eagerly participated in many activities. Her family is very grateful to the Westminster Oaks administration and staff for their love and care the past five years. Alethea will be especially remembered, and by many, for her dedication and attention through calls and correspondence to a wide circle of friends and family members needing encouragement or remembrance. She is survived by her two daughters: Janet Fixel (Joe) of Tallahassee, Florida, and Alethea Gail Segal, New York, New York; two grandchildren, Carolyn Fixel Merritt (Keith), Durham, North Carolina, and William A. Fixel (Sarah), Tallahassee, Florida; and two great-granddaughters, Mary Ellis Merritt and Raleigh Gail Fixel, one great grandson, William Wedeles Merritt, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Alethea was preceded in death by her sisters, Lucille Bigham Alsing, Sarah Catherine Bigham, Billie Ethel Bigham, and Faith Cherry Bigham, and two brothers, Boyce Hyatt Bigham, Jr., and George Marion Bigham. A graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville will take place on Tuesday, May 7, at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Westminster Oaks Maguire Center on Saturday, May 11, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Endowment Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 110 N. Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. Bevis Funeral Home of Tallahassee (850- 385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Alethea Bigham Segal

October 2, 1921 - May 1, 2013