Arlyce J. “AJ” Garth died on Monday, October 12, 2015.
Dr. Arlyce J. Garth, descendant of Elijah Garth of 1795, was the fourth child born to the late Nathaniel Garth, Sr. and Mary McCullough Garth in Courtland, AL.
Dr. Garth was educated in the Chattanooga City School System. After graduating from Howard High School, he attended Morehouse College where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and the 1953 Psi Lambda Scholarship. Later, AJ pursued other degrees - Master of Science Degree from Tennessee Agriculture and Industrial State University; Education Specialist and Doctor of Education from George Peabody, Vanderbilt University.
Garth, as he was so fondly called, met the love of his life, Charlotte Stanson, while attending Morehouse. They were married for forty-five years and blessed with two daughters, Chloé LaJune and Arlycia Jáyn.
During his tenure as an educator, Dr. Garth taught English and Drama at Howard High School, in addition to teaching and serving as assistant principal at Riverside High School. In 1978, Dr. Garth went to teach at Alabama A&M University until his retirement. After retirement, Dr. Garth served as adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was very instrumental in the establishment of the Eta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. He continued to mentor until his homegoing.
Dr. Garth was a faithful member and Deacon of First Baptist Church, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, member of the Morehouse Alumni Association, founding member of the Chattanooga Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, and charter member of the Esquire Social Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel, Sr. and Mary; loving wife, Dr. Charlotte Stanson Garth; brother, Nathaniel, Jr.; sisters, Annie Pearl Little and Mary Rachel Curtis.
He is survived by his daughters, Chloé LaJune Garth-Fielder (Napoleon, III), Arlycia Jáyn Garth Mooty (Jonathan); two grandchildren, Norris Stanson-Garth Elkins (Patricia), and Christian Elkins; great-grand daughter, Alason Chloé Davis; siblings, Jackson Garth, (Margaret), Katherine Garth Gideon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The Homegoing Service will be held at noon on Monday, October 19, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 506 East Eighth Street. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Sunday, the family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m., followed by the Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Service at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.