Celebrating the life of
Verna Lou Tootle
December 01, 1925 - August 29, 2016
Savannah- Verna Lou Tootle, 90, died in Savannah Monday, August 29, 2016. A native of Tattnall County, she was one of six children of the late Lee and Roxie Tootle of the Oak Grove community near Glennville. Upon graduation from Glennville High School in 1942, she moved to Atlanta to stay with her sister, Estelle, while attending Braughon’s School of Commerce. She also graduated from Armstrong Junior College (A.A.) and earned the Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from John Marshall Law School.
In 1944 she moved to Savannah to live with her brother Francis and sister Betty Jo. Upon the death of her father in 1948 her mother Roxie moved to Savannah to live with her children and continued to live there until her death in 1969.
In July 1944, she began employment with Robert E. Falligant, attorney, and continued to work for him until his retirement from the practice of law. Over her career, she also worked for attorneys Edward A. Dutton, Charles Barrow, Stephen A. Sims and others.
She was a charter member of the Legal Secretaries Association, member of the Women’s Auxiliary of Alee Temple, past president of the Pilot Club of Savannah and district treasurer of Pilot International. She also served as past matron of the Palestine Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and been a member of Calvary Baptist Temple since 1949.
Verna Lou Tootle was a most remarkable woman. In a time when women were not expected to have careers, she rose from a modest beginning to a distinguished career as a legal secretary and graduate of John Marshall Law School. She loved her God, her family, and her friends. Her greatest joy was in doing for others. For all who knew her and loved her, her passing leaves a huge void. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace sweet Verna.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Rubye T. Anderson, Estelle T. Shields, Talmadge Tootle, Francis Tootle and Betty Jo Richards.
Appreciation is expressed to her caregivers, Candice Simplis, Juva Fernandez and Janice Rryant, for their loving care of Verna during her illness.
She is survived by her niece, Roxanne Yuen of Magna, UT; nephews, Steve Shields of San Diego, CA, Dale Anderson of Glennville, GA, Donald Anderson of Savannah, GA, Tony Tootle of Lyons, GA, Lee Tootle of Glennville, GA, Shawn Richards of Magna, UT and David Richards of Savannah, GA.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Calvary Baptist Temple, 4625 Waters Ave., Savannah, GA 31404 or Shriners Burn Hospital, 12502 USF Pine Drive
Tampa, FL 33612-9411
Miss Tootle was a truly remarkable lady. She was a joy to be around. What an honor to have known her. I miss my hugs Toots and that sparkling smile. It"s all glory now sweet lady. Rest well. Sincere condolences to her family and friends.
- megan gandy, savannah, ga
I worked with Miss Tootle and was a member of the Legal Secretaries with her. She was an awesome woman and will be missed by so many. I consider it an honor to have known her.
- Jan Mock, Tybee Island, Ga
Verna Lou was a friend, she enjoyed life and loved everyone she met. I am sorry for your loss and she will be greatly missed.
- The Viar Family,, Savannah, Ga
Verna Lou was not only cousin, but a friend who always visited us on a Glennville trip. Very thoughtful to our family; especially during my parents illness, Birdie and Wilton Tootle. As a little girl, I was always impressed with her nice "cars" Remembering you always!
- Brenda and John Durrence, Glennville, , Georgia
To Verna's family: I have such fond memories of Verna. We were both charter members of the Savannah Legal Secretaries and worked closely together. She had such humor and strength of character. Condolences to you. What a long and fruitful life she had, and now she has earned her reward. God bless.
- Barbara Baker Wright, Goldsboro, NC
May Jehovah give your family the strength needed to cope with the loss of your loved one. Isaiah 65:17
- Kelly, Pooler, Ga
Though I feel greatly saddened by the news of Auntie Verna's passing, I find great joy and comfort in the thought that she can now, once again, find peace and happiness in the wonderful reunion she must surely be experiencing with her parents, siblings and other loved ones who have passed on before. What a thrill that must be! As is always the case, my tears are for those she has left behind here. I love her. I know she will be missed. Thank you, Donald, for putting together such a nice obituary. Thank you for all the help, support, love and care you have given Auntie Verna. I hope you know how much it's been appreciated. And, thank you for letting us know of her passing. I firmly believe we will again have the pleasure of being reunited with Auntie Verna and our other families members who have gone on before. Until such time, may God be with you til we meet again. Sincerely and with much love...
- Roxann Tootle Richards Yuen (niece), Magna, Utah
Dear Auntie Verna - This note is far to late in coming. It has been too long since I have been able to come home and to visit. I remember the last time I visited with you you expressed the same thoughts Mom did as she neared her return to Heavenly Father. She and you were ready to go home. I am sure there is a wonderful reunion in the heavens today and the choirs are singing. Mom would always speak with loving memories of how you and she would play with the baby dolls and how you were each others best play mates. I remember growing up how we would come to visit and spend time with you and Uncle Frances at the house on Duffy. These are memories I will always hold dear. I know you are not here to read this; but, as Angels take note of our prayers I pray that maybe a note is being made where you can read the note on my heart. I could go on for a while longer; but, I won't. I'll keep this short and look forward to seeing you with Mom and Dad and the rest of the family before long. I love you . Thank you for being my Auntie Verna. Take care and We'll all sing in that wonderful chorus before long. - Precious Memories - how they Linger...
- Shawn Tootle Richards, Magna, Utah
Ms. Verna brought such joy to my days working at Savannah Commons. I enjoyed sharing a good laugh with her and she was always nice to talk to when I needed my spirit lifted. She will be greatly missed.
- Sarah Rowe, Guyton, GA
I will always carry your memories within my heart.. You gave me so much to laugh about as your personal caregiver, I just wished I was more emotionally prepared for your departure.. You are truly remarkable and I will love you always.. Candice Simplis Paige
- Candice Simplis, Savannah, Ga
Miss Tootle was a truly remarkable lady. She was a joy to be around. What an honor to have known her. I miss my hugs Toots and that sparkling smile. It"s all glory now sweet lady. Rest well. Sincere condolences to her family and friends.
- megan gandy, savannah, ga
I worked with Miss Tootle and was a member of the Legal Secretaries with her. She was an awesome woman and will be missed by so many. I consider it an honor to have known her.
- Jan Mock, Tybee Island, Ga
Verna Lou was a friend, she enjoyed life and loved everyone she met. I am sorry for your loss and she will be greatly missed.
- The Viar Family,, Savannah, Ga
Verna Lou was not only cousin, but a friend who always visited us on a Glennville trip. Very thoughtful to our family; especially during my parents illness, Birdie and Wilton Tootle. As a little girl, I was always impressed with her nice "cars" Remembering you always!
- Brenda and John Durrence, Glennville, , Georgia
To Verna's family: I have such fond memories of Verna. We were both charter members of the Savannah Legal Secretaries and worked closely together. She had such humor and strength of character. Condolences to you. What a long and fruitful life she had, and now she has earned her reward. God bless.
- Barbara Baker Wright, Goldsboro, NC
May Jehovah give your family the strength needed to cope with the loss of your loved one. Isaiah 65:17
- Kelly, Pooler, Ga
Though I feel greatly saddened by the news of Auntie Verna's passing, I find great joy and comfort in the thought that she can now, once again, find peace and happiness in the wonderful reunion she must surely be experiencing with her parents, siblings and other loved ones who have passed on before. What a thrill that must be! As is always the case, my tears are for those she has left behind here. I love her. I know she will be missed. Thank you, Donald, for putting together such a nice obituary. Thank you for all the help, support, love and care you have given Auntie Verna. I hope you know how much it's been appreciated. And, thank you for letting us know of her passing. I firmly believe we will again have the pleasure of being reunited with Auntie Verna and our other families members who have gone on before. Until such time, may God be with you til we meet again. Sincerely and with much love...
- Roxann Tootle Richards Yuen (niece), Magna, Utah
Dear Auntie Verna - This note is far to late in coming. It has been too long since I have been able to come home and to visit. I remember the last time I visited with you you expressed the same thoughts Mom did as she neared her return to Heavenly Father. She and you were ready to go home. I am sure there is a wonderful reunion in the heavens today and the choirs are singing. Mom would always speak with loving memories of how you and she would play with the baby dolls and how you were each others best play mates. I remember growing up how we would come to visit and spend time with you and Uncle Frances at the house on Duffy. These are memories I will always hold dear. I know you are not here to read this; but, as Angels take note of our prayers I pray that maybe a note is being made where you can read the note on my heart. I could go on for a while longer; but, I won't. I'll keep this short and look forward to seeing you with Mom and Dad and the rest of the family before long. I love you . Thank you for being my Auntie Verna. Take care and We'll all sing in that wonderful chorus before long. - Precious Memories - how they Linger...
- Shawn Tootle Richards, Magna, Utah
Ms. Verna brought such joy to my days working at Savannah Commons. I enjoyed sharing a good laugh with her and she was always nice to talk to when I needed my spirit lifted. She will be greatly missed.
- Sarah Rowe, Guyton, GA
I will always carry your memories within my heart.. You gave me so much to laugh about as your personal caregiver, I just wished I was more emotionally prepared for your departure.. You are truly remarkable and I will love you always.. Candice Simplis Paige
- Candice Simplis, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
