E. Birnie Florie

Birnie Florie
Augusta, GA – In God’s perfect ending to a true love story, Edward Birnied Florie Jr. entered eternal rest on Sunday April 8, just two short days following the death of his beloved wife of 45 years, Beth, who was his everything. The day would also have been the 107th birthday of his late mother.

Birnie was a native of Augusta. He attended Sacred Heart School, graduated from Aquinas High School and attended Augusta College.

He loved radio and began working part-time at WBBQ radio in 1963. He drove a mobile news car and was known to the city as Car 3. He worked in sales, and completed his more than 35 year career as president and general manager of Savannah Valley Broadcasting, the company that owned WBBQ and later acquired WZNY radio. He was a member of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters and served as president of the association.

Birnie was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He served his community greatly through the many volunteer positions he held through his life. He believed that corporate citizens should repay the support they received from their communities. He served as the Augusta Chapter Chairman of the Red Cross and served on their disaster relief team. He was a member of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit for over 10 years, as well as serving as a volunteer firefighter in the area. He was a member of the Shield Club of Greater Augusta, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Alee Shriners, Social Lodge No. 1, and York Rite Bodies. He served on the University Healthcare Foundation and St. John Tower Advisory Board. He was chairman of the Better Business Bureau, a member of Wachovia Advisory Board and volunteered for the American Heart Association. Birnie was also a member of the Irish American Heritage Society.

He loved the lake and boating with his family. He spent many of his younger years on the waters of the Boating Club of Augusta. He loved taking trips to Hilton Head with Beth, mostly because of the joy that being at the beach brought to his wife. He loved to cook, especially outside on a grill and always joked of having a restaurant named Birnie’s BBQ.

Birnie devoted the last decade of his life to caring for his wife in her illness, placing her well-being far above that of himself and using any means he had to care for her.

In addition to his cherished wife, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Miriam Ann Florie, and his parents, Edward Birnied and Elizabeth Monk Florie.

Survivors include daughters: Katrice Walker (Jason) of North Augusta, SC, Melissa Freitas (Robert) of North Augusta, SC; Amy Tran (Chris) of Columbia, SC, Ashley Rivero (Martin) of Lincolnton, GA; seven grandsons and two granddaughters; and 7 great-grandchildren.

If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

A joint funeral service for Beth and Birnie will be Friday April 13, 11:00 A.M. at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Porterfield officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Westover Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA.