In loving memory of James Mathew Weeks
James Mathew Weeks, (Jim, Jimmy, Coco) 81, of Savannah Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on June 16, 2026 at Isle of Hope, surrounded by his loving Family. With courage and dignity, he maintained that twinkle in his eye, even as he battled Cancer and just long enough to welcome his identical twin great-grandsons into the world. Having been an identical twin himself, he passed the torch to the next generation to charm Savannah.
Born on February 21, 1945, to Stephen Elmo Weeks and Olna Elizabeth (Beth) Solana Weeks, Jim was a true Savannah native and loved the place he called home. Well known throughout Savannah due to his unique career and “twin” status, he answered to either Jim or Steve only correcting those when they swore they could tell them apart. As a child, Ardsley Park was his playground where he made lifelong friends and memories that included late-night Basketball games that his mother often times endured long past daylight hours.
It was in eighth grade that a certain young girl named Joyce Tillman would catch his attention. They each attended Savannah High School, where Jim was a standout athlete, eventually being awarded a diving scholarship to the University of Florida. But it was his Junior year in high school that Jim caught a bug, the love bug. He danced his way into the heart of Joyce, where a romance would ensue that would forever change the course of his life.
He attended the University of Florida for his freshman year, pledging Sigma Chi and having roomed with Steve Spurrier. But that wasn’t enough to keep him there; he soon left to pursue Joyce. They were married on September 16, 1967, as he finished up his degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University, where he served as President of the student body. Years later, in 2010, he would receive the AASU’s notable alumni award.
After graduation, Jim and Joyce headed to Dallas, Texas, where he would attend Mortuary School to join the family business, Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors. Joyce perfectly matched Jim’s rhythm and followed his lead. They would go on to have three children, Matt, Holly and Lisa. As a father, the saying is true: the best thing a man can do for his kids is to love their mother well, and that he did with all his heart. Having been married for almost 60 years, their relationship was a rarity. Jim was his wife’s biggest advocate and often said, “My greatest achievement in life was marrying Joyce.”
Jim entered the family business in the year of 1969 serving the community of Savannah for 56 years. It was a calling he felt passionate about, meeting the needs of those walking through a deep valley in life. To Jim, it was not a job, it was his ministry, guiding, comforting, and at times crying right alongside the families he met with. He not only served the community of Savannah, but he would also go on to be appointed President of the Georgia State Board of Funeral Services at the age of 30, with a noted re-election in 1994. He was actively involved in the Funeral Industry Leadership, having been appointed by three different Governors and ultimately serving as President three times.
Those who knew Jim were familiar with his passion for golf. He was an accomplished amateur golfer who competed in local and national events, becoming Skidaway Islands Club Champion in the years ’79, ’82, ’85, and ‘87. He went on to qualify for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship multiple times beginning in 2005 which led to membership into the The Society of Seniors. This enabled him to travel across the country playing elite golf courses and making friends all over the U.S. He served as President of The Savannah Golf Club and helped navigate a renovation of the course that was well received by its members, as well as serving on the committee during the redesign of the Marshwood course at the Landings.
Jim and Joyce’s shared love of golf would lead them around the globe, making friends wherever they went. Joyce often said, “Jim just attracted people who instantly wanted to be in his company.”
As time took its toll on his body and his eight grandsons took all his clubs, Jim traded the golf course for the gin table at the Savannah Golf Club, where he enjoyed many a hand at the expense of his buddies. In addition to being a member of The Savannah Golf Club and Skidaway Island, he enjoyed his memberships at The Country Club of Charleston, The Oglethorpe Club, and The Savannah Yacht Club.
His last few years of life were spent every Wednesday at Bible study, where he became what Danny Falligant, a long-time friend, would say was “his best note taker in class.”
A faithful past member of Isle of Hope United Methodist Church and later The Good Shepherd, Jim was the first to greet you and went up and down the aisle shaking hands each Sunday morning. His smile was infectious and made you feel instantly welcomed.
He was not only adored by his children and his sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, but also his eight grandsons, who affectionately called him Coco and whom he loved dearly and was known for being overly generous with.
He is survived by his wife, of 59+ years, Joyce Tillman Weeks; his son, Matt Weeks (Krista); his daughters, Holly Geriner (Clay) and Lisa Leland (Alston); grandsons, Christian Ready (Kylee), Will Geriner (Sara), Tillman Geriner (Klara), Wallace Geriner, Mathew Geriner, James Leland, Jake Leland, and Brooks Leland; great-grandsons, Isaiah Ready, John “Weeks” Geriner, and James “Strieter” Geriner. And a future great-granddaughter, who brought a large smile to his face, who is due in November. A brother, Carl Weeks; sister-in-laws who worshipped him, Judy Green (Pat), and Janice Karrh; and numerous devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, S. Elmo Weeks and Elizabeth S. Weeks; his identical twin brother, Stephen (Steve) E. Weeks; and a sister, Elizabeth (Beth) W. Sellers.
To know Jim was to love him. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and character, and often said, “As long as I can lay my head down each night knowing I did the right thing, I can sleep soundly.” Let’s just say, he never lacked for sleep. He will be missed more than what can be written here. But we remain confident of this, that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living when we meet again.
We have tremendous gratitude for Dr. Joe Christian and Dr. Michael Hasselle, and for the care and attention given by Charles Peeples and the Coastal Care Partners team, as well as for Erica Lang. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Good Shepherd Savannah, Union Mission, or Hospice Savannah, of which Fox & Weeks has been an advocate and supporter.
A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, with Reverend Scott Tucker of The Good Shepherd Savannah officiating. A private family burial will be held.