Celebrating the life of
John Edward Best, Sr.
August 27, 1932 - June 11, 2018
John Edward Best, Sr., 85, died June 11, 2018. He was the son of Lois Griggs and Charles Leander Best. He was born August 27, 1932 in Savannah, he attended Benedictine Military Academy and Armstrong College. He served proudly in the Marine Corps and worked at Union Camp, co-owned a carpet business, and excelled in sales at Chatham Pipe and Chatham Steel Corporation, then for MacAljon Fabrications. He marched for decades in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a member of both the Irish Heritage Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He belonged to Savannah Golf Club and was a Knight of Columbus. A devout Catholic, he attended St. Peter the Apostle Church. He entertained friends and family with his stories and jokes; he was a skilled craftsman who loved working with his hands. He spent many happy hours in the mountains of North Carolina enjoying golf and the company of friends.
He built a house on Richardson Creek for his first wife Nance (deceased) and raised their four children who survive him: Johnny and his two sons, Joseph and Chris; Greg, his wife Terry, and their children Carolyn and Cory and his daughter Corie Lane; Ann and her husband Craig Miller; and Lisa and her husband Ross Daniel and their children Sid and Liz.
When he married Joanne Osinski Best in 1985, his family doubled in size to include Christopher Best (West Palm Beach); David Best and wife Lori and five granddaughters: Rebecca Best: Libby and Tillman Russell and their children Sophia and Benjamin; Sara Best; Jess Best and wife Leah; and Jillian Best, all of the Augusta/North Augusta area; Mary Catherine (Riviera Beach, FL); and Helen and her husband Steve Thomas and their daughter Morgan (Roswell, GA). Also survived by his sister Patricia Yates (Hampton, FL) and many nieces and nephews.
His happy retirement was interrupted by the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, which destroyed his incentive and the pleasures he took in friends and family.
His legacy is one of love and laughter, with a passion for life and the roads he traveled.
Visitation at 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Fox & Weeks, Islands Chapel. Funeral at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter the Apostle Church.
Remembrances may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Church, Benedictine, St. Vincent’s Academy or Alzheimer’s Association.
Our deepest sympathy is with the Best family. May the love of family and friends as well as the words at “1 Thessalonians 4:14” and “2 Corinthians 1:3” help you get through this most difficult time.
- , ,
My dear JoAnn, So sorry for your loss and ours. We'll remember the good times. Love, Ferris & Bootsie
- P Ferris Dorr, Augusta, GA
Dear Joanne and Best Family, I'm so sorry to hear about the death of Eddie. I know this is a very difficult time for the Family. I pray that you will feel God's love, grace and peace and know that Eddie is at peace. Blessings to you all. Wanda Lucas
- Wanda Lucas, Savannah. , GA
Joanne and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Eddie, first to illness and now. He was always such a bright spot and when he came to school to see his wife he brought jokes, laughter and warmth. May Eddie rest in peace and you, his large family, know that he is in peace and that you are allowed to share that with him.
- Irene Muhvich, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear about Eddie. He was a dear friend to Sissy, Jack and the boys. There are so many good memories. Cookouts, fishing and golf to name a few. Please keep in touch.
- Ruthie Humphries (Sissy's sister) David & Ena, Savannah, GA
Our prayers are with you at this sad time. We both remember the good times at the club. Sending our sincere wishes for peace for both Eddie and family.
- Bob and Susan Oetgen, Guyton, Ga
My condolences to the family. Pray that you have peace knowing he lived a good life.
- Michelle Elam, Aiken, SC
I'm sorry for your loss. Death is very painful to all of us. However we find comfort in Gods Word The Bible. I enjoy Isaiah 25:8 where Jehovah promises to do away with death. This scripture has brought many comfort. I hope it has brought you comfort as well
- R.G, Savannah, Ga
So sorry to hear of Eddie's passing. He was truly a sweet and caring man. Condolences and prayers to all his family.
- Chris Leite, Augusta, ga
So happy we had the opportunity to know Eddie. Our love and prayers to you and your family. Pat and Leard Huggins
- Pat Huggins, Savannah, Ga.,
We are so sorry to hear about Eddie. We've known him for years thru his deceased brother Michael and thru Grace's work. He was a wonderful person and our love and prayers are with all of the family.
- Bob and Grace Arnold, Savannah, GA
JoAnn, Freddy and I are saddened to hear of Eddies passing. Sending prayers for comfort for you and the family.
- Lena and Freddy Meeks , Savannah , Ga
What a Wonderful Man — We will miss Eddie — He was a Wonderful Friend to Everyone He Knew !!! We are sending Love and Prayers to JoAnne and his Loving Family !!!! Love Kathy & Brady
- Kathy and Brady , Greensboro, Ga
Love you Aunt Joanne!
- , ,
Sending love and hugs to each of you! My prayer is that your Faith and many wonderful memories will comfort and sustain you always. With much love, Jan
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Va. Beach, Va
My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 and the website jw. org.
- Niecy, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathy is with the Best family. May the love of family and friends as well as the words at “1 Thessalonians 4:14” and “2 Corinthians 1:3” help you get through this most difficult time.
- , ,
My dear JoAnn, So sorry for your loss and ours. We'll remember the good times. Love, Ferris & Bootsie
- P Ferris Dorr, Augusta, GA
Dear Joanne and Best Family, I'm so sorry to hear about the death of Eddie. I know this is a very difficult time for the Family. I pray that you will feel God's love, grace and peace and know that Eddie is at peace. Blessings to you all. Wanda Lucas
- Wanda Lucas, Savannah. , GA
Joanne and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Eddie, first to illness and now. He was always such a bright spot and when he came to school to see his wife he brought jokes, laughter and warmth. May Eddie rest in peace and you, his large family, know that he is in peace and that you are allowed to share that with him.
- Irene Muhvich, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear about Eddie. He was a dear friend to Sissy, Jack and the boys. There are so many good memories. Cookouts, fishing and golf to name a few. Please keep in touch.
- Ruthie Humphries (Sissy's sister) David & Ena, Savannah, GA
Our prayers are with you at this sad time. We both remember the good times at the club. Sending our sincere wishes for peace for both Eddie and family.
- Bob and Susan Oetgen, Guyton, Ga
My condolences to the family. Pray that you have peace knowing he lived a good life.
- Michelle Elam, Aiken, SC
I'm sorry for your loss. Death is very painful to all of us. However we find comfort in Gods Word The Bible. I enjoy Isaiah 25:8 where Jehovah promises to do away with death. This scripture has brought many comfort. I hope it has brought you comfort as well
- R.G, Savannah, Ga
So sorry to hear of Eddie's passing. He was truly a sweet and caring man. Condolences and prayers to all his family.
- Chris Leite, Augusta, ga
So happy we had the opportunity to know Eddie. Our love and prayers to you and your family. Pat and Leard Huggins
- Pat Huggins, Savannah, Ga.,
We are so sorry to hear about Eddie. We've known him for years thru his deceased brother Michael and thru Grace's work. He was a wonderful person and our love and prayers are with all of the family.
- Bob and Grace Arnold, Savannah, GA
JoAnn, Freddy and I are saddened to hear of Eddies passing. Sending prayers for comfort for you and the family.
- Lena and Freddy Meeks , Savannah , Ga
What a Wonderful Man — We will miss Eddie — He was a Wonderful Friend to Everyone He Knew !!! We are sending Love and Prayers to JoAnne and his Loving Family !!!! Love Kathy & Brady
- Kathy and Brady , Greensboro, Ga
Love you Aunt Joanne!
- , ,
Sending love and hugs to each of you! My prayer is that your Faith and many wonderful memories will comfort and sustain you always. With much love, Jan
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Va. Beach, Va
My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 and the website jw. org.
- Niecy, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
