Neill Whitlock Connah

Neill Whitlock “Whit” Connah of Atlanta, GA died on August 28, 2016 after an intense battle with renal cancer.

Whit was born on May 9, 1939 at Emory University Hospital to Douglas Duff Connah Sr. and Caroline Elizabeth “Lit” Whitlock Connah, both of whom predeceased him. He was 77 years old.

Whit was well loved by family and a wide array of friends. He grew up in Buckhead, where he graduated from North Fulton High School in 1957. A talented artist, Whit graduated first in his class at the Atlanta College of Art and received his MFA from Tulane University. He also had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris and Vienna. He spent 30 years of his career as an art professor in the Department of Architecture at Georgia Tech.

Whit’s other creative love was music, particularly old-time hillbilly and blues as he grew up. He led Atlanta’s Hair of the Dog, a well-known Cajun, blues and roots band, formerly known as Hurt Dog. Whit was a powerful, soulful singer and legendary harmonica player. He also played Cajun accordion and guitar YouTube Whit Connah.

Survivors include his beloved fiddler wife and bandmate, Barbara Panter-Connah, two loved and loving daughters, Amy Elizabeth Connah Hudson and Jennifer Whitlock Connah Chancey Byron of Lilburn, GA, and stepson and favorite guitarist, John Ferguson Audrey of Atlanta. Other survivors include a sister, Carol Saville Walter, brothers, Douglas Connah, Jr. Miriam, Paul Connah, Jim Connah Charlotte, former son in law, Warren Hudson, grandchildren Kathleen Hudson, Grace and Lauren Chancey, Ellie, Maya, Asa, and Raina Ferguson, and godsons Mickey and Moses Nelligan.

The family wants to especially thank the many loving caretakers who helped during Whit’s illness. He was amazed by the kindness of so many strangers who made his last days such a comfort. Much gratitude also goes to Whit and Barbara’s wide network of friends who brought food, sang and played music with him, and contributed to make round-the-clock care possible during his paralysis. To the very end, his spirit remained joyful and undefeated.

A service to celebrate Whit’s life will be held on Saturday, September 3, at Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Rd. NE Atlanta, Georgia. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. for greetings, and the service will begin at noon. Reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW Atlanta, GA 30318 www.acfb.org, or East Atlanta Kids Club, a nonprofit after-school program and summer camp, 659-A Gresham Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30316 http://www.eastatlantakids.org/.