Constance Havird Connie Dr. Skalak

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Dr. Constance (Connie) Havird Skalak, age 83 was called home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2018. Connie was the youngest child of the late Oliver John Havird and Kate Melissa Bradley. Connie’s greatest joy and gift in life other than her salvation were her two sons, Victor and Meyer. She was blessed even more when Victor married Christy and they gave her three grandchildren, Owens, Bradley, and Mclean. And two years later Meyer married Trish and they gave her two more grandchildren, Hope and Jennifer. Connie delighted in seeing her sons with the help of their wives mature into caring, compassionate and loving husbands and Dads. Connie considered Christy and Trish to be her own. Connie was also blessed with three more wonderful children when she married Bob in 1970 - Steve (Maryanne) and their two children Kristina and Grant; Lisa and her daughter Deni and Deni’s son, Cameron; and Craig and his son, Matt. Connie’s earnest prayer and desire for her children and grandchildren was for them to love the Lord, their God, with all their being - heart, mind, body, and soul. Other survivors include six nieces, Carol Winn, Kay Pair (Charles), Nancy Tumlin (Bill), Jan Stuntz (Paul), Ann McRae (Bobby), and Pam Havird; six nephews, Ed Havird (Susan), Ed Bryant (Clara), Horace Usry, Brad Usry (Paige), Brad Havird (Tammy), and Col. Ley Havird (Jenn).; many loving great and great-great nieces and nephews; and numerous dear cousins. Connie was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Robert C. Skalak, two brothers, John Havird, Jr. Cmdr. Lloyd Havird, U.S. Navy, ret.; seven sisters, Dora Rivers, Vera Bennett, Katherine Jarrell, Leila Havird, Helen Bryant, Mary Clouse and Carolyn Usry; and two nephews Rogers Havird and Trey Bryant and one Niece Susan Cooper (Tom). The family would like to express gratitude to Lucille Beard and Diane C. Johnson for love and dedication over this last year. We would also like to thank the staff at Stevens Park for their care.

Connie was a member of Lakemont Presbyterian Church. Connie believed and fully embraced the gospel of God’s grace through faith, that grace is a gift from God freely given to all, whether one chooses to believe it or not. She understood that the meaningful action comes from God, not us; that we are all sinners and do not earn or achieve our way into heaven by good works, ceremonies or church affiliations; that God’s grace, delivered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, pays our debt and frees us from the pain of death to eternal life.

Connie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Emory University and her doctorate in education from the University of Georgia. She was an honorary alumnus of the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing. She taught nursing at Emory University, was Chairman of Adult Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, and retired as Chairman and Professor Emerita Nursing from Augusta State University. Connie loved teaching and cared deeply for each of her students which is evidenced by her receiving the 1980 Outstanding Augusta College Faculty Member award and continued to teach as a visiting professor until she was 77 years of age. At age 78, she was asked to serve on the Mosaic Committee for the Augusta University College of Nursing which delighted her and enabled her to continue serving faculty, students and nursing alumni of MCG, AC, ASU, GHSU and AU. Connie also delighted in keeping up with her students, their families, and their achievements and felt honored and privileged to have been a part of their education and life. One of her greatest joys was receiving notes and calls from her previous nursing students and seeing them in person all over Augusta.

Connie had a deep and abiding love for her family and considered each of them a special blessing from God. She also had a wide circle of friends whom she considered special gifts from God. She delighted in each and all of them. In sharing her unconditional love, acceptance, encouragement, and affirmation with those close to her, she was a source of inspiration, refuge, mercy and grace. Her life radiated the love of God and overflowed with joy and peace. Connie’s greatest desire was to live to glorify God and to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” She believed she was abundantly blessed all of her life for which she was most thankful!

Visitation will be Monday, February 12, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Platts on Crawford Ave. Funeral Services will be held at Lakemont Presbyterian Church at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Pallbearers will be Ed Havird, Ed Bryant, Charles Pair, Brad Usry, Horace Usry, Brad Havird, Col. Ley Havird, Paul Stuntz, Bobby McRae and John Rhodes.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Lakemont Presbyterian Church, 1000 Blue Bird Rd. Augusta, GA 30904.