Celebrating the life of
Dr. Silas Dobbs McCaslin
December 06, 2016 - November 10, 2016
Savannah – Dr. Silas Dobbs McCaslin, age 75, died on November 10, 2016, in Savannah, Georgia.
Born December 6, 1940, in Louisville, Mississippi, he was the son of Alston Jones McCaslin, IV of Grenada, Mississippi, and Mary Margaret (Dobbs) (McCaslin) Ward of Ackerman, Mississippi, and the stepson of Eugene Long Ward, M.D., of Gainesville, Georgia, all of whom preceded him in death.
A 1958 graduate of Gainesville High School, Gainesville, Georgia, he earned the B.A. (1962), D.D.S, (1966), and M.S.D. (1968) degrees from Emory University. He served a residency at both Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and Aidmore Children’s Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Having received his commission in 1964, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1968 to 1970. He and his late brother, Alston J. McCaslin V, began their practice of pediatric dentistry together in Savannah in 1970.
Si had a profound dedication to the dental care of children patients, and that care was shaped by the God that he loved completely and trusted implicitly. His Creator blessed him with skill and knowledge and a deep love and respect for all of God’s people. As a result, he influenced a host of colleagues, parents and especially his children patients.
In his career, Dr. McCaslin was the recipient of the Certificate of Merit, American Society of Dentistry for Children. His professional memberships were the American Dental Society; Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; the Southeastern District Dental Society; Fellow of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry; the Pierre Fauchard Academy; Fellow American College of Dentists; Honorable Fellow, Georgia Dental Association; and Fellow of the International College of Dentists. Si held a number of professional offices; staff of St. Joseph’s and Candler General Hospital; President, Georgia Society of Dentistry for Children; President, Savannah Dental Society; and President, Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Of greatest importance to Si McCaslin was his Christian faith and his love for and service to his church, the Historic Independent Presbyterian Church, where he held various chairmanships and served first as deacon, then elder, and then elder emeritus. Moreover, he believed a Christian emphasis on education was fundamentally important, and thereby served on the Board of Directors, Savannah Christian Preparatory School for ten years, while his two daughters were students.
Other memberships included the Kappa Alpha Order, Epsilon Chapter; Society of the Cincinnati of North Carolina; Colonial Wars in the State of Georgia; Sons of the Revolution in the State of Georgia; the St. Andrew’s Society of Savannah; the Order of First Families of North Carolina, Founding Member and Incorporator, and member of the Board of Directors (1993-97); First Families of Georgia; the Society of the Descendants of Colonial Clergy; First Families of Mississippi; First Families of Tennessee; Clan Campbell Society, North America; Georgia Historical Society; and the Chatham Club.
Dr. McCaslin loved the practice of pediatric dentistry, saying often that he wished to continue “until the Lord retires me.” He certainly did that. As an avocation, he devoted much of his leisure time to genealogy, compiling more than 3,000 pages of research on his family lines. He and his brother published a family genealogy entitled: The Alston Jones McCaslin Family, and The Ancestry of C. S. Lewis. He published an autobiographical work entitled LETTERS TO AND FROM A CHRISTIAN MOTHER AND MORE and a sequel autobiography, REMINISCENCES OF A CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN THE MID-20th CENTURY SOUTH.
His daughter, Nancy Brooks, preceded him in death in 2007. Si is survived by his wife of 51 years, Suzanne Brooks Campbell McCaslin; a daughter, Carey Dobbs McCaslin Murns, and son-in-law, Jeffrey Scott Murns; two granddaughters: Margaret Ella Murns and Adelaide Jensen Murns; a step-sister, Barbara Ward Pattern, and a number of nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel, from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Independent Presbyterian Church.
The interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances to Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401.
Remembering si from trinity bible church Those were such good times Although just a child I remember si Like David was truly a man after Gods own heart . Prayers and sympathy to the family Rebecca Richardson Salamankas
- , ,
I would like to express my condolence to the McCaslin family I'm so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Our children was patients of his and He was a a compassate man who cares for his patient.
- Hager Family, Savannah, Ga
A beloved friend for 47 years. Our lives tangled by God's hand into more than just a special friendship that included our children, grandchildren and a son in law who joined the dental practice 15 years ago. We know that it was a God Blessing. That makes it all more bitter-sweet. To say farewell. What a great guy in al ways possible.
- Lee & Salty Forbes, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry for your loss. May God help you all during this time of sorrow. And help this family to remember all the good times and love, and revel in the fact that because of his faith we know he is always with you. For now he is just on the other side of the wall, in the rose garden.
- Jerry and Dale Sykes, Canton, GA
My prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow.Heaven gained another angel
- Loretta Sanders , Port Wentworth , Ga
Rest in peace Silas. You were a good student and dentist. Your patients and peers respected your dedication to dentistry. Hugh Valentine, classmate, Emory
- Dr Hugh Valentne, Darien, Ga
To the McCaslin family, Si will be greatly missed, he was a good friend. We were blessed to have known him for so long. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom & Joy Moore, Tybee Island, GA
Our hearts are full of sadness. Many fond memories. Prayers for all of the family
- Dianne & Bill Banner, Atlanta, Ga
Remembering si from trinity bible church Those were such good times Although just a child I remember si Like David was truly a man after Gods own heart . Prayers and sympathy to the family Rebecca Richardson Salamankas
- , ,
I would like to express my condolence to the McCaslin family I'm so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Our children was patients of his and He was a a compassate man who cares for his patient.
- Hager Family, Savannah, Ga
A beloved friend for 47 years. Our lives tangled by God's hand into more than just a special friendship that included our children, grandchildren and a son in law who joined the dental practice 15 years ago. We know that it was a God Blessing. That makes it all more bitter-sweet. To say farewell. What a great guy in al ways possible.
- Lee & Salty Forbes, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry for your loss. May God help you all during this time of sorrow. And help this family to remember all the good times and love, and revel in the fact that because of his faith we know he is always with you. For now he is just on the other side of the wall, in the rose garden.
- Jerry and Dale Sykes, Canton, GA
My prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow.Heaven gained another angel
- Loretta Sanders , Port Wentworth , Ga
Rest in peace Silas. You were a good student and dentist. Your patients and peers respected your dedication to dentistry. Hugh Valentine, classmate, Emory
- Dr Hugh Valentne, Darien, Ga
To the McCaslin family, Si will be greatly missed, he was a good friend. We were blessed to have known him for so long. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom & Joy Moore, Tybee Island, GA
Our hearts are full of sadness. Many fond memories. Prayers for all of the family
- Dianne & Bill Banner, Atlanta, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
