By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

Some in Fayette County know Andy Carden as the executive director of Fayette Senior Services. Some know him through his long involvement with Fayetteville's First Baptist Church. Many others know him as an active member in the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce or have crossed paths with him through the Metro Fayette Kiwanis Club.

However, as Carden is not one to talk about himself or seek credit, most are probably unaware of just how much he actually does in and for Fayette County.

Carden has a strong commitment to community service. He has been active in the Fayette County Democratic Party, served as director and secretary for the Mental Health Association of Fayette County, is involved with the Fayette and Coweta County Horse and Pony Club and the Fayette County 4H (Shooting Sports).

His professional involvements include the Atlanta Regional Commission and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. He is an advisory board member and chairman for the Wachovia Bank of Georgia, Fayette County. He is on the Fayette County Board of Education's Community School Advisory Committee.

He is on the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Fayette Family Branch fund raising committee and served as director of the Fundraising and Building and Grounds Committee for the Fayette Community Hospital Auxiliary.

His list of credits doesn't stop there. He is a member of the Fayette County FEMA board, a committee member of the Tri-County Advisory Council of the Workfare Program and is past president and member of the Human Services Coordination Council.

True to his character, his resume lists “serving others” first under the category of “Personal Interests.” Second is volunteering.

When Carden signs up as part of an organization, it is not something he does to lengthen his resume. He gets involved. He goes to work.

As an example, as a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce through Fayette Senior Services, he is the cochair of the Chamber of Commerce's Ambassadors. He assisted with the Chamber's annual Business Expo and is a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee as well as the Membership Committee.

His face is a familiar one to those who attend the Chamber's many networking events.

As a member of the Metro Fayette Kiwanis Club, he assists with a majority of their fundraising and community service projects. Additionally, he maintains the membership roster and is a regular attendee at the weekly meetings.

The Carden family history in Georgia goes back many generations. In the 1800s Carden's ancestors moved to Putnam County. In 1840 they moved to Meriwether County, where Carden was born and raised.

He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and attended Norman Junior College in Moultrie where he met his future wife, Vivian Thames. From Norman he transferred to Georgia Tech and then to Georgia State University.

His college was interrupted by a stint in the Army. Carden volunteered for the Army in 1966, serving in the Army's Security Agency.

Vivian Thames' family also consists of lifelong Georgia residents with local roots. The family's “home place” was once located where the State Farmers Market now sits.

She is a graduate of Tift College with a degree in elementary education. She taught school until 1973 when the Cardens' first child, Ben, was imminent.

Later the Cardens added two more to the family with the births of sons Josh and Nicholas. All of the children grew up in Fayette County and attended Fayetteville schools.

In 1973 the family moved into the their current home located about four miles from the Fayetteville courthouse.

After his military stint, Carden went back to work with the state of Georgia, where he had been working prior to taking military leave. He worked in the Highway Department, Office of the Comptroller General, Office of Planning and Budget and Department of Human Resources prior to retiring in 1991.

He then served on the board for Fayette Senior Services and increased his volunteerism activities. He got involved in the Fayette County Democratic Party and served on the then Board of the Fayette Mental Health Association.

In 1995 he was hired as the executive director for Fayette Senior Services after first serving as the interim director for a short period. He also served as the interim senior minister for Fayetteville First Baptist Church in 1995.

Although they may be centered in Fayette County, the couple isn't adverse to traveling. When the boys were younger, the family spent time traveling and camping.

Vivian and son Nicholas are both avid horse lovers. They go to horse shows and have own three horses, one which is “show grade.” According to Andy, “Zip [the show horse] does quite well.”

When asked if he liked horses Carden said, “My like is not as deep as Vivian's and Nick's. Vivian can look at a horse and tell you if it's not feeling good. Her dad was the same way.”

The Cardens are part owners of Flintwood Farms, a roughly 300-acre farm in Fayette County. The farm produces hay and beef cows. They also host tours for schools and other groups of children.

Carden's hobbies and relaxation time might sound like work to some. He likes to join in on church projects, “building or repairing something.”

Carpentry and gardening are a couple of areas that occupy his “spare time.” True to his practical nature he says of gardening, “If I can't eat it, I don't want to grow it.”

He and a group of 7 or 8 others assembled the Rolling Hills Baptist Church “from the ground up.” He notes, “I enjoy working and being involved.”

Asked about his guiding philosophy, he immediately quoted Proverbs, Chapter 22, Verse 1: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

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