Celebrating the life of
Margaret Wayt DeBolt
August 05, 1930 - July 28, 2009
Margaret Wayt DeBolt, local author, journalist, historian and storyteller, died Tuesday following a prolonged illness. She was 78.
Best known for writing "Savannah Spectres and Other Strange Tales," she was a prolific researcher of Savannah history and a charter member of the Bonaventure Historical Society.
DeBolt grew up in Moundsville, W. Va., the daughter of a teacher, amid the Great Depression on a small farm with no indoor plumbing.
"I think these things contributed not only to her being such a down-to-earth person, but also to her lifelong love of learning," said her daughter, Jennifer Harrington.
DeBolt graduated in 1952 with a degree in journalism from West Virginia University and worked as a freelance journalist while traveling as a Navy wife and raising three children.
Moving to Savannah in 1973, her husband, Frank DeBolt, said, "She really found home."
She was a reporter for the Savannah Morning News' Women's Society Section.
In 1976 she published her first book, "Savannah: A Historical Portrait." That was followed by two collaborative cookbooks: "Savannah Sampler" and "Georgia Sampler." They were later extended into "Georgia Entertains."
"She was a sort of Renaissance woman - extremely intelligent, very interesting and progressive," said Martha Nesbit, a colleague of DeBolt's in 1974.
Ever the journalist, DeBolt had many letters to the editor published in Savannah Morning News in recent years, on topics ranging from politics to historic preservation.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Frank C. DeBolt; sons, Frank Jr., of Charles City, Va., and Brian, of Savannah; daughter, Jennifer D. Harrington of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter-in-law, Marie DeBolt of Charles City, Va., and son-in-law, James Harrington, of Raleigh, N.C., and many extended family members.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church or Hospice Savannah.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah, 311 E. Harris St., Savannah.
Brian and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's death. I remember her as lively and kind and good-hearted. My thoughts are with you and I pray you will have safe passage through this sad time.
- Faustina Smith, Savannah, GA
Dear Mr. Frank Clarke, Julie, Riley, & Mary Lee wish to say that you are in our prayers as you travel through this time of sorrow and sadness. May the Peace, Love, and Comfort that only God can impart be with you each and every day. Sincerely Clarke
- Clarke & Julie Lee, Hoboken, GA
To the DeBolt Family: My deepest sympathy for the loss of Margaret, an inspiration, an extraordinary writer, a great Savannah woman and friend. Phil Sellers
- Phil Sellers, Savannah, GA
A truer friend never existed than Margaret DeBolt. She offered every friend complete support and I shall miss her along with many others. Her laughter, her intelligence and her loyalty.How privileged I was to have her in my life. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences to the family of this outstanding and wonderful lady......and, fellow West Virginian.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
Brian and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's death. I remember her as lively and kind and good-hearted. My thoughts are with you and I pray you will have safe passage through this sad time.
- Faustina Smith, Savannah, GA
Dear Mr. Frank Clarke, Julie, Riley, & Mary Lee wish to say that you are in our prayers as you travel through this time of sorrow and sadness. May the Peace, Love, and Comfort that only God can impart be with you each and every day. Sincerely Clarke
- Clarke & Julie Lee, Hoboken, GA
To the DeBolt Family: My deepest sympathy for the loss of Margaret, an inspiration, an extraordinary writer, a great Savannah woman and friend. Phil Sellers
- Phil Sellers, Savannah, GA
A truer friend never existed than Margaret DeBolt. She offered every friend complete support and I shall miss her along with many others. Her laughter, her intelligence and her loyalty.How privileged I was to have her in my life. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences to the family of this outstanding and wonderful lady......and, fellow West Virginian.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
