ST. SIMONS ISLAND — Dana Hendricks Blair of St. Simons Island and Americus, Georgia, died on Oct. 18, 2017, at her residence.

She is survived by her husband William E. (Billy) Blair; her two daughters Dana Blair Anderson (Wiffi) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Jincy Blair (Binky) of St. Simons Island, Georgia; eight grandchildren Zachary (wife Tania), Madison, Wilder, Mason Elizabeth, Rosie, Oscar, Garrett and Parker; two great-granddaughters Vayda and Yardley; and her miniature Schnauzer companion, Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Madge Lasseter Hendricks and Roy A. Hendricks of Metter, Georgia, and her husband’s parents, Floy and James R. Blair of Americus, Georgia.

Born on Oct. 17, 1932, in Statesboro, Georgia, Dana grew up in Metter, attending schools there and then Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. At Stetson she auditioned for and was chosen to sing with the renowned Stetson Glee Club. She pledged Zeta Tau Alpha women’s fraternity.

Transferring in her junior year to the University of Georgia in Athens she graduated with a bachelor of science in English and library science. She helped establish the library at the then new veterinary school in the early 1950s. Dana continued her affiliation there as a Zeta which would enrich her life for the remainder of her years.

Following their marriage in 1953, Dana and Billy resided in Athens and then Americus.  She served in positions as a member of First United Methodist Church, the Junior Service League, Green Thumb Garden Club, Sumter Players and Sumter Historic Society.

In 1970, as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, she helped organize and install the Zeta chapter at Georgia Southwestern College and was a chapter adviser.

Dana received her short-wave radio learner’s license which required mastering the Morse code which she considered no small achievement.

She loved the news of the day embracing sports, politics, personalities, the arts and everything about the Georgia Bulldogs. Oil painting was a treasured hobby as were the many visits she and Billy made to galleries — those of note and others discovered in passing.

Many the mornings Dana loved looking out the kitchen window as horses galloped by in the horse pasture.

On the staff of the family-owned daily newspaper (except Sunday), the Americus Times-Recorder, Dana was a valued employee as a columnist, photographer, proof-reader and dark room technician.

In 1991, she and Billy moved to St. Simons Island maintaining a dual residency in Americus.

On St. Simons she was a member of Christ Church Frederica and the Sea Island Club.

At the time of her death she and Billy had been married for 64-plus years.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Americus, Georgia. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at the old Carnegie Library.