Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 10, 2021

CHARLOTTE – Lynn “Skip” Morgan Gantt died peacefully at his home, with his family, on March 10, 2021. Skip was born March 16, 1937, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the first child of Grover Lindley Gantt and Lucy Morgan Gantt. He was raised in Albemarle, North Carolina where some of his dearest memories include sharing a bedroom with his brother, family beach trips to Crescent Beach, earning his rank as Eagle Scout, and playing football for Albemarle High School. Skip was a standout football player who loved nothing more than Friday Night Football with his cherished teammates, and the whole town of Albemarle cheering in the stands.

Upon high school graduation in 1955, Skip received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. While there, he enjoyed playing on the 150-pound football team and making new friends, including Richards Roddey, whom he met as a plebe. Together with Richards’ wife, Gail, this friendship would last for decades and generations with their families spending many summer vacations and holidays together. Skip began his service in the U.S. Navy in 1959 at the Naval Base San Diego.

In 1966, Skip received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He met Elizabeth “Louise” Menefee on November 22, 1963 when she was an undergrad at UNC. It was on that day that Louise, from Durham, was walking across campus with friends when several law students ran out of the law school announcing that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. Divinely, one of those law students was Skip. Louise and her friends joined them in the law school to watch together as the tragic story played out on television. Skip and Louise subsequently began dating and the rest is (family) history. They were engaged in 1966 and married on March 11, 1967.

Skip and Louise lived in Charlotte as newlyweds where Skip worked for North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) and Louise taught courses at Central Piedmont Community College. They joined the Lake Norman Yacht Club and enjoyed many weekends sailing with friends. Skip was subsequently offered the opportunity to start the Employee Benefit Trust Department for First National Bank of South Carolina. They moved to Columbia, South Carolina in 1969 shortly before their son, Matthew Menefee Gantt, was born. Their daughter, Sarah “Sally” Morgan Gantt was born two years later. It was around this time that Ella Mae Whetstone came into their lives. “Mae Mae” would become a member of the family and a second mom to Sally and Matt.

Skip and Louise raised their family and built their lives in Columbia for 47 years, developing enduring friendships with Bill and Betty Cantey and many dear friends on Portobello Road. Three generations of Gantts and Canteys are now lifelong friends and even college roommates. Skip enjoyed a fulfilling banking career until his retirement in 1996, the year both Sally and Matt were married. Louise and Skip moved to Charlotte in 2014 to be closer to their children and grandchildren who were the most important people in their lives. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage together – to the day.

Skip’s life was one of family, lifelong friendships, loyalty, intellect and good stories. He was known for his keen intellectual curiosity (including a lifetime of devouring books about everything from quantum mechanics, to politics, to economic theory) his optimistic spirit, gentleness and patience.

Skip is survived by his wife, friend and devoted companion, Louise “Weesie” Gantt. In addition, he is survived by his son, Matt Gantt and his wife Betsy; daughter, Sally Davis and her husband Ward; his adored grandchildren, Matthew Gantt, Jr., Christopher Gantt, Lucy Davis and Tyson Davis; his brother Jimmy Gantt (Mary Ann); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve. Funeral arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Lynn Morgan “Skip” Gantt to the Augustine Literacy Project, 115 West 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 or the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, P.O. Box 76408, Baltimore, MD 21275-6408.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.