Donald Edwin “Donnie” Anderson, Sr., 77, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, at his home on Tybee Island, surrounded by his loving family.

Donnie was born on November 16, 1948, in Savannah, the youngest of three sons of Freddie and Eloise Anderson. He spent his entire life on Tybee Island.

In 1972, Donnie married the love of his life, Nancy Owen, whom he had been friends with since they were 10 years old. Over 54 years of marriage, their family grew to include four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Savannah High School in 1967, Donnie served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972. That same year, he began a 39-year career in law enforcement with the Savannah Beach (now Tybee Island) Police Department, where he became the first member of the department to graduate from the Georgia Police Academy. He quickly rose to the rank of sergeant, and in 1975 he joined the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, where he served until his retirement in 2011. For more than 30 years, he served as Undersheriff of Chatham County under Sheriffs Carl Griffin, Walter Mitchell, and Al St. Lawrence.

Donnie dedicated his life to serving others. He was deeply involved at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, where he served in the Men’s Club and oversaw the CYO. As a member of the Tybee Island Athletic Association, he helped coach youth baseball and managed the equipment for the Tybee Dolphins youth football team. He was also a member of the Savannah Beach Jaycees and the Tybee Island Marine Rescue Squadron, and a longtime member of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.

Through his years with the St. Michael’s CYO and Tybee youth sports programs, Donnie became known as “Uncle D” to generations of Tybeenians.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Eloise Anderson; his brothers, Arte and Freddie; his daughter, Catherine; and his in-laws, Jack and Corine Owen.

In addition to Nancy, his wife of 54 years, Donnie is survived by his sons, Dee and his wife, Linda; Brian; and Fred and his wife, Julie. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Candace Woodward, Amelia Anderson, Ruby Anderson, Parker Richardson, Karla Whittier, Brandi Howell, and Joey Carder; and his great-grandchildren, Jamie York, Brandon York, Zach Bagley, Hannah Bagley, Asher Carder, Greyson Carder, and Haddie Gene Carder.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 27th from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 28th at 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Tybee Island.

Arrangements are by Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.