AUGUSTA, Ga. - Dr. Paul D. Weston of Paul Weston Drive, Clearwater, SC, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at University Hospital after a full medical and surgical career that spanned over 55 years. Funeral Services will be conducted Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. from Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Sam Davis, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Dr. Weston was the youngest son of English Weston, Sr. and Dr. Annie Bell Weston of Columbia, SC. He was born in Columbia, SC and raised in Harlem, NY while his mother worked on her on doctorate degree at Columbia University. Dr. Weston graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School, and continued his higher education at Morehouse College where he received a full academic scholarship and achieved his BS degree in biology and chemistry. After graduating from Morehouse College, he returned home to contemplate the idea of becoming a dentist. After thorough counseling from a white clergyman, Dr. Weston decided to enter the medical field. At that time there were only two Medical schools accepting African Americans, Meharry in Nashville, TN and Howard in Washington, DC. He realized at that time there was a dire need for more black physicians and decided to enter the medical field choosing Howard Medical School. As a soft-spoken man with an unassuming demeanor, Dr. Weston had a direct connection to legendary physician Dr. Charles Drew. While at Howard, he took a surgical course under Dr. Drew who is credited with developing methods to preserve blood plasma. According to Dr. Weston, Dr. Drew left an indelible mark on his career. After graduating from Medical school, he set up a general practice in Gaffney, SC., but soon realized he longed for more challenges in medicine. However, racial discrimination at that time made it difficult for an African American to get into surgical training programs. During this time, he had to refer his patients to white surgeons. As a result, he volunteered his services, but the white surgeons did not want him to help. Determined to become a surgeon, Dr. Weston returned to Washington, DC where he trained at Freeman's Hospital to become a general surgeon, with a keen interest in abdominal surgery. He completed his his surgical residency at Peoples Hospital in St. Louis, MO and at the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, AL. After completing his training he was called to Emory University but chose to come to Augusta, GA to be closer to his family in Columbia, SC. In 1952, he was the first black physician to be appointed to active staff membership at University Hospital, and indeed to any public teaching hospital in the state of Georgia. In 1953, he was appointed to St. Joseph's Hospital staff, which is now Trinity Hospital, making him the first black to be appointed to a private hospital in Augusta. Dr. Weston was the co-founder and former medical director and clinician at the Margaret J. Weston Health Center, where he served on a voluntary basis for more than 20 years. He was married to Margaret J. Weston, RN, for many years until her death. Dr. Weston was the first African American to become chairman of the Aiken County Democratic Party. In addition to his parents, Dr. Weston was predeceased by three brothers, Dr. Ranzy Weston Sr., Albert Weston and English Jr. and one sister, Edith Bowles. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Ida C. Weston; three sons, Paul D. Weston, II. of Raleigh, NC and twins, Ashford D. Weston and Arrington P. Weston of Clearwater, SC; mother-in-law, Mrs. Izenia Cook of Aiken, SC; two sisters-in-law, Angela T. Franks of Columbia, SC and Frances Weston of Augusta, GA; one brother-in-law, Dion Cook of Aiken, SC; one cousin, Jessie Weston of Fredericksburg, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews and many, many, many friends. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, or Howard University School of Medicine, Washington, DC or Alpha Mu Boule' Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 31376, Augusta, GA 30903. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Alpha Mu Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Augusta Morehouse Alumni Association, Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons and Stoney Medical Dental & Pharmaceutical Society. The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at W. H. Mays Mortuary, 1221 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, GA 30901, 706-722-6401.

The Augusta Chronicle-May 11, 2009