In Remembrance …

An “In Remembrance” page has been added to the RBAA website. If you would like to add a notation for a recently deceased Redcoat alumnus, please provide any information, including that related to the obituary, memorial scholarships or fundraising for the family, to info@redcoatbandalumni.com. Going forward, families may notify the RBAA through info@redcoatalumniband.com when a Redcoat alumnus passes away so that Redcoat friends may be made aware. The RBAA will then publish the information to the “In Remembrance” page on the RBAA website.

Saralyn Ridgeway Davis

Saralyn Delois Ridgeway Davis, a beloved wife, devoted homeschool mother, and cherished member of her church and community, passed away on September 29, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 48 years old.

Born on November 4, 1974, Saralyn was the loving daughter of David Ridgeway Jr. and the late Virginia Ridgeway. She was a shining example of humility, simplicity, and meekness throughout her life. Saralyn touched the hearts of those around her with her gentle spirit and unwavering commitment to her family.

Saralyn graduated from the University of Georgia, where she cultivated a passion for learning that she later instilled in her own children. She was a proud member of the Georgia Redcoat marching band, where her talent for playing the clarinet shone brightly.

On January 17, 1998, Saralyn married the love of her life, Scott Christopher Davis, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond for over 25 years. Their love story was a testament to the power of commitment, devotion, overcoming adversity, and companionship.

Saralyn was a dedicated homeschool mother to her two children, Charles “Ridge” Davis and Evangeline “Evie” Davis, who were the center of her world. She nurtured their education and character with selfless love and diligence, instilling in them the values of giving and forgiveness that she held dear.

In addition to her passion for teaching, Saralyn had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening, canning, and tending to her homestead. She delighted in the culinary arts, often cooking and baking for her family and friends, who relished every bite of her delicious creations.

Saralyn was a faithful member of her church community, where her presence and kindness were a source of inspiration to all who knew her. Her love for reading enriched her life and allowed her to share wisdom and knowledge with those she met.

Saralyn Ridgeway Davis was a sinner saved by the grace and mercy of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. She leaves behind a legacy of Christ like love, humility, and tenderness that will continue to touch the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Scott; her children, Ridge and Evie; her father, David Jr; her brothers, Robert (Paula) and William (Teresa); and a host of family and friends who were blessed to have her in their lives.

More Info – Saralyn Ridgeway Davis

Notice added January 28, 2024

Carl W. Bedwell, Jr.

On Friday, November 17, 2023, Carl W. Bedwell, Jr., surrounded by loved ones, passed away at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. He was 78 years old.
Born and raised in Atlanta, he was the only child of Carl W. Bedwell, Sr. and Vera Edwards Bedwell.

At O’Keefe High School, he played basketball, was drum major of the band, and co-president of his senior class. Attending the University of Georgia, he focused on what would become one of the loves of his life, music.

At UGA, he majored in Music Education and was a member and band captain of the Georgia Redcoat Band. He was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

After graduating from UGA, he joined the army and was a member of the US 3rd Army Band stationed at Fort McPherson. There he played the herald trumpet and was the drum major.

During a thirty-five-year career in music education, he was the band director at Southwest High School, Palmetto High School, and McIntosh High School. He also completed his Master’s in Music Education and was a member of the Phi Beta Mu National Bandmasters Fraternity.

In addition to his love of all kinds of music, he enjoyed his cats, Ellie and Ollie, traveling, classic cars, model trains, and DIY projects around the house. He further enjoyed being a life-long supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs, being a season ticket holder for over 30 years. Furthermore, he and his wife enjoyed visiting their condo on Tybee Island, where they could relax from their busy life.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years, Cheryl York Bedwell.

More Info – Carl W Bedwell Jr.

Notice added November 25, 2023

Lourene Plunkett Collins

Lourene Plunkett Collins, age 76, of Stone Mountain, GA, passed away on October 2, 2023, with family at her side. Lourene was born March 22, 1947 to George E. Plunkett and Nell Abrams Plunkett of Conyers, GA. Lourene was a graduate of Rockdale County High School and attended the University of Georgia earning her Bachelor of Education degree, and later earned her Masters Degree in Special Education from UGA. Lourene met her husband Leon while at UGA, as both were members of the Dixie Redcoat Band. She taught for several years in Rockdale County before becoming a mother and homemaker.

Lourenes hobbies included doing needlework and she was an avid knitter and was always knitting blankets for friends new children and grandchildren. She also knitted infant blankets and caps for the hospital NIC units. Lourene enjoyed baking the family recipe pound cake and burnt sugar caramel cakes to share with family and friends. Her grandchildren became the center of her life as they came along.

Lourene is survived by her husband of 50 years, Leon E. Collins, sons Loren C. Collins, Lyle N. Collins and wife Hannah, daughter Lara N. Chambers and husband Heath, and grandchildren, Lynden Collins, Lily Collins, Kara Boyce, Isabelle Chambers, and Jasper Chambers.

Lourene was predeceased by her parents George and Nell Plunkett. She is survived by her brothers G. Ernest Plunkett III, Albert Plunkett and wife Martha Jo, and Taylor Plunkett.

More Info – Lourene Collins

Notice added November 25, 2023

Arthur Harold Middleton Jr

Arthur (Artie) Harold Middleton Jr. passed Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Arthur was born in Georgetown, SC to Arthur Harold Middleton and Marie Pence Middleton on August 22, 1945.

He was a graduate of Perry High School in the class of 1963. He attended the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern College where he received his degree in music. He taught music in several high schools in Georgia for three years before moving to Europe.

Arthur was the principal trombonist for The Munich Philharmonic, The Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic. He has played under the directorship of such notable conductors as Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein and Andre Previn.

After twelve years in Europe, he then moved to Brisbane Australia in 1981 to teach and conduct at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

After moving back to the United States, Arthur sold real estate in the Daytona Beach area of Florida.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Pence and Jon Middleton. He is survived by his mother’s husband Jack Orman, brothers Ron (Kathy) and Lane (Donna) Middleton, sister-in-law Jean Middleton, four nieces and two nephews, three grand nieces and two grand nephews.

His ashes will be interred at Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden in Statesboro, Georgia.

Notice added November 25, 2023

Christopher Fletcher

Christopher Fletcher, 64, of Atlanta, GA, passed on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Celebration of life will held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 11:00 AM at Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree St NE Atlanta GA 30308. Please express your condolences here on our website. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home South Dekalb Chapel.

Facebook – Chris Fletcher

Notice added September 11, 2023

Keith Alan Cavender

Keith Alan Cavender, age 61 of Thompson Station, TN, passed away January 29, 2023, in Nashville, TN. He was born August 23, 1961, in Berwyn, IL, to his parents, Everett and Anna Osborne Cavender, and raised in Roswell, GA. He is preceded by his father, Everett Taylor Cavender, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Gina Smith Cavender; children, Adam Taylor Cavender, Emily Gail Cavender, and Hannah Rae Cavender; mother, Anna Rae Cavender; brothers, Everett Taylor Cavender, III, and Gary Eugene Cavender; sister, Leslie Cavender Satori.

Keith was a long-time member of Berry’s Chapel Church of Christ in Franklin. He was proud that in his 35-year healthcare administration career he was a part of improving the health and well-being of clients. As an alumnus of the University of Georgia and the Redcoat Marching Band, he was an avid Dawgs fan. He loved animals, especially his precious dogs and granddogs.
There will be a private burial in Georgia for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to local rescue We Help Animals via wehelpanimals.net

Once a Dawg, always a Dawg. How sweet it is!

More info – Keith Alan Cavender

Notice added February 6, 2023

Marshall Joseph Hornberger

Marshall Joseph Hornberger, age 59, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022, at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia. He was born in Harrisburg, PA on May 10, 1963, and had lived in Reidsville most of his life. He attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Redcoat Band. After college Marshall joined the United States Army where he was trained to be a medic and after the army, he joined the Georgia National Guard. He was a computer programmer for many years working with several companies and the last one was On Shore in Glennville. Marshall also enjoyed working with the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer and a dispatcher. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing chess and Dungeon and Dragons, researching genealogy, and watching UGA Football.

More Info – Marshall Joseph Hornberger

Notice added September 6, 2022

Heather Mosley Singh

Heather Mosley Singh was generous and kind and always went out of her way to make people feel seen and included. She saw the best in everyone and gave her whole heart to every person she met. She also had a gift for maintaining perspective when things got difficult; she was practicing gratitude before the rest of us knew what that meant.
Heather was also a talented percussionist and never hesitated to help the incoming freshman Redcoats to get up to speed. The Redcoats were an important part of Heather’s formative years, and even decades later, those who knew Heather through Redcoats continue to recognize what a beam of light she was in the community.

Heather Mosley Singh Memorial Scholarship Fund

Facebook – Heather Mosley Singh

Notice added February 4, 2022

Derrick Shaw

To all friends of Derrick Shaw: A GoFundMe Page has been established. I talked with Beth and verified the authenticity of it. Additionally, to help with fundraising, I’ve pointed the www.RedcoatBand.com domain address to it. Derrick’s family would be blessed by your donation to help with funeral expenses, which are not paid by the military. If you have questions, please feel free to PM John Colegrove.

Facebook – Derrick Shaw

Notice added December 9, 2021

Dr. Dennis Weston AsKew

Dr. Dennis Weston AsKew, 56, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital.

Dennis was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, uncle, mentor, and friend who was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert L. AsKew.
Those left to cherish his memory include his adoring wife of 33 ½ years, Kimberly Applebee AsKew; their children, Taylor AsKew Guerra (Jorge); Alexander Weston AsKew (finacee, Emily Lott), and Jessica Willis AsKew; his mother, Sally Curtis AsKew; aunt, Martha Hodge (Royce); brother-in-law, David Applebee; sister-in-law, Stephanie Applebee; sister-in-law, Lenna Applebee; brother-in-law, Chuck Applebee; nephews and nieces, Jonathan Applebee, Jackson Applebee, Katherine Applebee, Nicolas Applebee, and Benjamin Applebee; and other extended family and friends.

More info – Dr. Dennis Weston AsKew