In Memoriam

Jane Louise Elza was born Oct. 9, 1943, and died July 1, 2023. Dr. Elza came to Valdosta State University (VSU) in 1974, and was the first woman in the VSU Political Science Department. She helped start the Legal Assistant program, the Women's Studies program, and the first faculty senate. She was one of the founders of the Southern Association of Pre-Law Advisors. While at VSU, she was active in the American Association of University Professors.

She is predeceased by her mother and father, Ruth and Karl Elza, her brother, Karl Elza, and her other mother and father, Lucille and Harvey Gideon. She is survived by her nephew, Dethe Elza, grand-nephews Seth and Azlen (Vancouver, B.C.), her niece, Judy Hale, Esq. (Pittsburgh, PA); and her cousin Mike Elza (Florida). Dr. Elza gave her body to science. There will be a memorial service at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year at Valdosta State University. She asked that you remember her as you will. She had a profoundly positive impact on her family, colleagues, friends, and students, and leaves us inspired to live for justice and love.

Dr. Moses Hardin peacefully left this life on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Dr. Hardin joined our Blazer Nation family in January 1976 and retired in December of 2012, as an associate professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in French from Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, NC), a Master of Arts Degree in French from Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA), and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in French from Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL). A French professor for 36 years, Dr. Hardin embraced his teaching career with a vibrant passion and served as moderator of the local chapter of the French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi and in 2012, he was honored as a "History Maker" for Valdosta/Lowndes County. At the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Integration at VSU in 2013, Dr. Hardin was celebrated as a "Distinguished VSU Pioneer" for breaking barriers and helping to implement online teaching for the University System of Georgia, as well as developing other groundbreaking programs for the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. He was an exceptional teacher, cherished colleague, and a dear friend to so many people at VSU and in the surrounding community.

Dr. Sandra Walker had this to say: “Dr. Moses Hardin was an esteemed and well-loved colleague and professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. His kindness and deep faith, as well as his unwavering commitment to learning and teaching (especially in the field of French Language and Literature), made him a role model and mentor for those who knew him. Moses was also, for me, a good friend whose wise counsel was comforting and whose wonderful sense of humor brought laughter and joy.” 

His memory will remain forever in our hearts, and our deepest sympathies go out to his loved ones as they process their loss. This includes his devoted wife of 45 years, Dr. Shirley Hodge Hardin and their children: Keltrice and Eric Hardin of Valdosta, and Jeremy (Amanda) Hardin of Atlanta. 

Barbara Ann Warren, who died peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. She was well known to friends and family as Bobbie, was 76 years old. She was born on February 8, 1947 in Adel, Georgia, to Joe and Mona Newbern. One of five siblings, she was raised on the family farm and with a large a loving extended family near Chaserville. Bobbie moved to Hahira in the early 1970s and raised four children while running a quilting shop and working part-time at the post office. Bobbie was on the very first Hahira Honey Bee Committee, which created the festival we all know and love. After raising her children she went back to school at Valdosta State University and obtained her Master's degree. Bobbie then taught English there for the last 18 years she worked. She was an inspiration to students and coworkers who remember her love for poetry and classic vinyl record sleeves on her office walls.

She enjoyed many summers volunteering as the camp nurse at Honey Creek, the Episcopal conference center in Waverly. Bobbie is survived by her sons, Jesse (Brandi) of Thomasville, Davy (Kristin) of Hahira, and Patrick (Amy) of Tifton. Bobbie adored being 'Nana' to her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by son Chris. A graveside memorial service will be held at Brushy Creek Baptist Church and condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.purvisfh.com. Her memory will remain forever in our hearts, and our deepest sympathies go out to her loved ones as they process this devasting loss.

Kathe Lowney who died unexpectedly on Monday, January 8, 2024, was a dear colleague, who had a major impact on VSU. The author of five books and numerous scholarly articles, she made many professional presentations and public lectures, and conducted many workshops. She received numerous grants, both from VSU and externally. She served on three doctoral committees and led the dissertation support group that helped numerous students working on their dissertations. She contributed to the university in numerous other ways and was widely recognized for her contributions, including being selected as the first Fellow-in-Residence for the Idea Center. She was very active in her profession and was recognized nationally, including winning the Hans O. Mauksch Award for Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Sociology from the American Sociological Association’s Section on Teaching and Learning. Kathe’s husband is Dr. Frank Flaherty, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences. Their residence is in Brasstown, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 3pm on Friday, January,12 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy, N.C.

Dr. Steven J Kohn, age 65, of Valdosta, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.                          A graveside service for Steven was held Friday, July 28, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY 11003.

Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, President of Valdosta State University shared the following about our beloved Dr. Kohn,“Dr. Kohn joined the Department of Psychological Sciences faculty in August 2004. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Comenius Medal from Palacky University in the Czech Republic for his many years of service to VSU’s “Live and Learn in the Czech Republic” study abroad program. He enjoyed seeing students grow through their time abroad and introducing them to iconic cities like Vienna, Olomouc, and Prague and historical sites like Auschwitz. His students respected him and described him as caring, straightforward, easy to communicate with, and kind. One of his spring semester students shared, “I would take any class with him.”

A college education is more than just the classroom,” Dr. Kohn said upon receiving the award from Palacky University. “These are life-changing experiences. It changes their views on their own future, their ideas about things, how they see themselves, and how they see their home. It’s a pleasurable thing to see.”