Obituaries
William Calvert Sires DEC 31, 1936 - APR 23, 2021
William Calvert Sires Sr., 84, died peacefully at his home on Friday April 23rd, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. William was born in Savannah to Earl Wayne Sires and Sarah Saunders Sires, where he was one of seven children. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1955. 1956, he married the former Ann Mincey and they had five children. He began working for the Savannah and Atlanta Railroad in 1958 and went on to the Seaboard Coastline in 1972. He was promoted to Engineer at the New CSX Railroad also in 1972. In addition, he served eight years in the Naval Reserve and served ...
Iverson H. Lord, Jr. JUN 08, 1926 - APR 23, 2021
Iverson H. Lord, Jr, died of natural causes on April 23, 2021, at the age of 94. He was born on June 8, 1926, to Iverson H. Lord and Willie Evans Christie Lord in Savannah, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1944, and then was immediately drafted into the United States Army, where he served in Germany until it fell to the Allied Forces in 1945. After his service he went first to Armstrong College and then to the University of Georgia, where he graduated from the School of Journalism. He began his career as a reporter in Tifton, Georgia, and soon became a ...
Kathryn R. Osborne - APR 21, 2021
Kathryn Rothwell Osborne died April 21, 2021. She was born December 6, 1949, the middle of three daughters to William Wilson Osborne and Margaret Louise Rothwell Osborne, both of whom preceded her in death. She was born in Savannah, GA. She attended Savannah Country Day School and graduated from Brenau Academy in 1967. A member of Phi Mu sorority, after attending Brenau University in Gainesville, GA she returned to her home of Savannah where she raised three children and was a member of the Savannah Junior League. As co-owner, in 1987 she helped establish the first Sylvan Learning ...
Marcella F. Graves APR 30, 1953 - APR 20, 2021
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Marcella F. Graves, 67, passed away on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 after a valiant battle with cancer. Marcella was born on April 30, 1953 in Summerville, GA to James E. Kinsey and Ruby K. Brown. She leaves behind her life partner, Wayne McGowan of Savannah; daughter, Kimberley Edwards of Ringold; son, Christopher (Danielle) Graves, of Savannah; four sisters, Peggy (Bob) Kirk of Americus; Agnes Hellman (John Christian), Shirley Moore of Chattanooga TN, and Sue (Mike) VanPelt of Ringold; brother James R. Kinsey (Kahn} of San Jose CA; three grandchildren: Zack and Braxton Edwa ...
Mary Alice Holcombe FEB 18, 1947 - APR 20, 2021
Mary Alice Holcombe passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Mrs. Holcombe was born on February 18, 1947 in Jasper, AL. From an early age she worked to help the family building supply business. At age 12, she was already driving the company’s truck to make deliveries around town. She graduated from Winfield High School in 1965 and attended the University of Alabama where she graduated early with a degree in Home Economics. While there, she met ROTC and Golf Team member David Holcombe, who would become her husband of nearly 52 yea ...
Elizabeth (Betty) Hatch Henrikson, nee Wight JUL 23, 1925 - APR 20, 2021
Elizabeth (Betty) Hatch Henrikson, nee Wight passed away on April 20th, 2021, in Savannah, Georgia. Born in New York City on July 23, 1925, Betty and her younger brother, John B. Wight, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, raised by their loving parents, Dorothy A. Booth and Goulding K. Wight. She fondly remembered Montclair as a wonderful town, experiencing a happy and secure childhood. Among her vivid recollections were summer family visits to Martha’s Vineyard Island, Massachusetts, sailing up Long Island Sound on the old Fall River Line, transferring at New Bedford to the classic ...
Thomas Fleetwood Hairston - APR 19, 2021
A member of one of the first families of Virginia, Mr. Thomas Fleetwood Hairston was born January 22, 1930, in Martinsville, Virginia, and died on April 19, 2021 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the third son of the late Marshall Smith Hairston and Dixie McCabe Hairston. When he was nine months old, the family rejoined his father, an lnternational Manufacturer's Representative for the British American Tobacco Company, in China. Upon his father's death in 1936, the family returned to Virginia and lived at his maternal grandmother's home in Patrick County, Virginia. Raised on the family ...
David S. Carter, Jr. NOV 11, 1947 - APR 19, 2021
David Stewart Carter, Jr, 73, died peacefully on Monday, April 19, 2021 with his family by his side. David, the only son of the late Margaret Tarratus and David Stewart Carter, Sr. was born on Veterans Day, November 11, 1947, in Savannah. He was a graduate of Savannah High School and Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon. David served in the National Guard from 1970 until 1972. In 1970, David married Joy Joyce of Savannah; they had two children, Cathy and Dolan. David, Cathy, and the children moved from Savannah to Brunswick in 1977 w ...
Arthur Harrell Roberts - APR 18, 2021
Arthur Harrell Roberts, passed away on Sunday, April 18th, at age 89. The son of Arthur Belmont Roberts and Sula Harrell Roberts, he was born in Bainbridge, GA in 1931, and moved to Savannah at age 11. Harrell Roberts was a force to be reckoned with. His larger-than-life personality combined limitless love and fierce loyalty with a wicked sense of humor and a deep, abiding faith. His love of learning provided him with encyclopedic knowledge of a broad range of subjects, and his recall of details was legendary. Roberts enlisted in the USMC Reserves while still in high school, graduating from ...
Mary Evelyn Tomlinson Smith MAR 15, 1930 - APR 18, 2021
Mary Evelyn Tomlinson Smith, 91, died Sunday April 18, 2021. She was predeceased by James R. Smith (Jimmy); her father, George Tomlinson; mother, Ressie Mae Richardson Tomlinson; siblings, Vida Pearl Sheffield, Alice M. Strong, Elizabeth (Betty) L. Johnson, and John Harris Tomlinson, Sr. Born in Lanier County, Lakeland, Georgia to Ressie and George Tomlinson. Her family moved her to Savannah at age ten where she eventually met the love of her life Jimmy. She was a strong-willed, hard working, determined, independent matriarch of the family. Always the favorite relative at family reunions ...
Charles S. Embrey - APR 17, 2021
Charles Steele Embrey (Charlie), 91 years, passed away Saturday April 17, 2021 due to natural causes. He was born March 20, 1930 in Atlanta, GA and grew up in Savannah. He graduated from Savannah High and earned an Associate's degree in Business from Armstrong College following service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Charles valued his military service and enjoyed annual reunions with surviving members of D Company, 10th Infantry Battalion, USMC. The monument to D Company in Emmet Park gave him a deep sense of pride. He was district manager for W.T. Grant company for many years, after which h ...
Janet Kelley Routhier - APR 16, 2021
Janet Kelley Routhier, 76, passed away Friday, April 16, 2021 at Hospice Savannah. She was born December 26, 1944 in Cleveland, TN to the late Harley and Lillian Kelley. Mrs. Routhier was a member of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church. She was an educator for over 30 years, spending 26 of those years teaching English at Savannah Christian Preparatory School. Janet was a kind woman who loved to spend time with her family and friends, and enjoyed watching her two sons and three grandchildren play sports (especially baseball) while they were growing up. She was an ...
Cathy Morton Gay JAN 01, 1961 - APR 16, 2021
Cathy Ann Morton Gay, 60, passed away peacefully in Florida on April 16, 2021. She was the first-born child of the late Leonard Morton and Mary Pledger Powers in Chattanooga, TN on January 1, 1961. Cathy was a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah GA in 1979, and later graduated with high honors from Armstrong Atlantic University with a degree in nursing. She and her husband Gerald married in Savannah and began to build their family. Cathy was a member of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and continued to participate in services wherever she lived. She and her fam ...
Denise Boshier Nusom AUG 25, 1951 - APR 16, 2021
Denise Boshier Nusom passed away peacefully on April 16, 2021, in Savannah, Georgia. She opened her heart to everyone she met. She was always there for family members and friends, and enjoyed many visits and celebrations with her siblings, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Denise strived to help others whenever she could by driving friends to Church on Sundays, tutoring young adults preparing to take the GED, or volunteering at the library. Denise was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to her parents, Mary and Jack Boshier. She attended Holy Trinity elementary ...
Emmet Lamar Bridges - APR 15, 2021
Emmet Lamar Bridges, 93, passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2021 surrounded by family in his home with his breathtaking view. Mr. Bridges was born May 2, 1927 in Louisville, GA, Jefferson County. He graduated from Louisville Academy in 1944 and the Maritime Academy, St. Petersburg, FL, Armstrong College, Savannah, GA and the Ft. Sill Artillery & Guided Missile School, Ft. Sill, OK. He spent 5 years onboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean, Tokyo Bay, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and also from Texas City to New York. Mr. Bridges spent 20 years in the Georgia Army National Guard 118t ...
SMSgt. David Anthony Lee - APR 15, 2021
Click here to view the live stream and to view the memorial video. The death has occurred of SMSgt. David Anthony Lee Savannah Georgia formerly of Carnakib, Headford, Co. Galway, Ireland David Lee Savannah Georgia formerly of Carnakib, Headford, Co. Galway, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital Savannah on the April 15, 2021. David immigrated to New York in March 1993 and entered the United States Air Force on September 10, 1993 where he honorably served for 24 years earning multiple accolades for his valor and excellence. Throughout an outstanding career, ...
D. Scott Overton JUN 09, 1931 - APR 14, 2021
Donald Scott Overton shed this mortal coil with Marolyn, his wife of 45 years, by his side in their home on April 14 following a prolonged illness. He was 89. Scott, as he has been known to his friends since his time at Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL, was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Business. He then served in the U.S. Army and trained to be a pilot near the end of the Korean War, giving him a love of flight that he would have all his life. Scott was an adventurous world traveler before he ever left the country, being ...
Zedna Alicia (Ali) Young AUG 15, 1955 - APR 14, 2021
Captain Ali Young, 65, disembarked on her last cruise on April 14, 2021. Ali grew up in Garden City and attended Cathedral Day School and Saint Vincent’s Academy. Ali and her mother, Zedna moved to Florida where Ali would complete her senior year of high school and graduate from Fort Lauderdale High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After graduation, Ali began working in the food and beverage industry, where she worked her way up to management. She opened and managed several restaurants throughout the southeast United States. After a visit with friends in Savannah, Ali decided h ...
Laurel Shiflett Cavner OCT 18, 1968 - APR 13, 2021
Laurel Shiflett Cavner of Wilmington Island, Georgia passed away April 13, 2021 after a courageous three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Laurel was born in Macon, Georgia October 18, 1968. She graduated from Mt. de Sales Academy, received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, and her Masters degree from Georgia College and State University. Laurel was a devoted teacher for 20 years, teaching at Southwest High School in Macon, then at several schools in Savannah until her retirement in 2019 from Myers Middle School. Laurel was predeceased by her husband, Michael Pau ...
Paul Charles Grassey JUL 27, 1923 - APR 11, 2021
Paul Charles Grassey, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, died peacefully in his sleep on April 11th at the age of 97 after a brief illness. Affectionately known to family and friends as “Big Paul”, Grassey enjoyed a long and rewarding life, including his final 32 years in Savannah, Georgia where he enjoyed retirement with his beloved wife Nancy, their friends, their passion for the game of golf, and a mutual devotion to The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, where Paul served for decades as a Board trustee and volunteer docent, spinning stories and cond ...
Edward Ernest Hale JUL 18, 1926 - APR 11, 2021
Edward Ernest Hale, faithful follower of Jesus Christ and devoted servant of the church, 94 years old, died Sunday, April 11, 2021 after a long illness. Ed was born on July 18, 1926 in Kossuth, Mississippi, the son of Marvin and Lida Mae Hale. Following his graduation from Clinton Mississippi High School, he enlisted as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II to be trained as pilot navigator or bombardier. The war ended and he completed one year of college at Mississippi State (compliments of the Veterans Administration), then moved to Atlanta, Georgia ...
Carolyn Saunders Merritt APR 19, 1960 - APR 11, 2021
Carolyn Saunders Merritt passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was a nurse manager for St. Joseph's/Candler and a team leader for Hospice. She is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie H. Donaldson and sister, Ione H. DeVries. She is survived by her loving companion and step-father to her children of 24 years, Perry Daugherty; her daughter, Sarah Megan Petrea Pappas (Mark); her son, John Mitchell Merritt II; sisters, Holly Hale of Savannah, GA; Melissa Boye (Chris) of Cape Coral, FL, two nieces and a nephew; brother, Franklin Forbes (Barbara) of Statesb ...
Bernice W. Falligant MAR 27, 1941 - APR 09, 2021
Bernice W. Falligant was called to her heavenly home on April 9, 2021 while at St. Joseph’s Hospital following an extended illness. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was born in Saltville, Virginia on March 27, 1941 to her parents, Robert Lee Woodward and Juanita Talbert Woodward, who predeceased her. Before moving to Savannah, she grew up in Saltville where she attended public schools where she excelled in academics and was vice-president of the Beta Club for three years. She graduated from R.B. Worthy High School in 1960. Bernice was a ...
Kathleen Hughes Orr - APR 08, 2021
Click here to view a live stream of the service. Our beloved mother, Kathleen Hughes Orr left her earthly home April 8, 2021 at 82, surrounded by her family. She was lovingly known as Katie Love by her many friends. Katie was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Frank and Matilda Hughes and was one of 6 girls. Mom grew up in Belfast where she met her husband Sydney Orr and they immigrated to the United States to begin a new life together. Through Syd’s work as an aircraft engineer, they travelled the US living in more than 15 states. In 1975, they finally settled in Savannah, Ge ...
Nell Long MAY 10, 1930 - APR 08, 2021
Nell Long, a loving Christian woman, full of selfless devotion to her faith, family and friends, passed away on Thursday, April 8th, 2021. She was 90 years old. Nell is predeceased by her daughter, Tammy Coleman of Savannah. She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Charles (Pete) Long of Flanders, NJ; daughter Renee Kitani of VA; granddaughter, Cristin Badal (Brad) of Mendham, NJ; grandson, Shannon Long of Savannah; granddaughter, Brittney Coleman of Savannah; adopted granddaughter, Farrah Glisson of Hoboken, NJ; and three great grandchildren. ...
Bernard Thomas Blanton, Jr. (Tommy) DEC 06, 1934 - APR 07, 2021
Bernard Thomas Blanton Jr. (Tommy), 86, of Savannah passed away April 7, 2021. Tommy was born to parents, Katherine Von Waldner Blanton and Bernard Thomas Blanton Sr. on December 6, 1934 in Savannah. He attended Benedictine Military School and was a member of the Air National Guard for seven years. In partnership with his Father, he built Blanton Boat works, handcrafting Kitty Craft boats from 1954-1962. Tommy was a devout Catholic having been a parishioner of St. James Catholic Church until his passing. He was a master woodworker and loved utilizing those skills throughout his life. H ...
Thomas John King JUN 01, 1948 - APR 07, 2021
Thomas John King, 72, died on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. King and Marjorie J. King. Tom served in the United States Air Force. After a varied working career, he retired after 10 years of service from Georgia Correctional Healthcare at Rogers State Prison, where he served as Health Services Administrator. He was a communicant of St. Anne Catholic Church in Richmond Hill. Tom is survived by his wife, Deborah Milligan King. In addition to his wife, Debbie, Tom leaves behind his blende ...
Michael Angelo Finocchiaro, Jr. AUG 27, 1959 - APR 06, 2021
Michael A. Finocchiaro, Jr., 61, passed away sadly and suddenly on April 6, 2021, after giving his friends their weekly racquetball lesson at the YMCA. Mike Was born and raised in Savannah. He attended St. James Catholic Church and parochial school, and graduated from Benedictine Military Academy in 1977. His early employment included Yates Astro and Thompson's Sporting Goods, and for the past twenty years was Facilities Manager for Forum Management as the building superintendent for the DFACS building at 761 Wheaton Street. Mike was a true Savannahian thr ...
Edith Mary McGowen - APR 05, 2021
Mary McGowen, age 99, passed away on April 5, 2021 in Savannah, Georgia surrounded by her family. Mary was born, Edith Mary Morris, on April 5, 1922 in Rugby, Warwickshire, England to William Claude Morris and Annie Elizabeth Freeman. She lived with her four sisters and family in Bedford, England. After completing basic schooling, she began working at the age of 14 to help support her family. During World War II, she met Corporal William (Bill) McGowen, a member of the US Army Air Corps. They were married in 1944. On April 29, 1946, she arrived in the US with their son Arthur on the SS Cristob ...
David Tartt - APR 05, 2021
David Earnest Tartt, 81, passed away Monday, April 5, 2021 at Hospice Savannah. He was born April 6, 1939 in Mississippi, and was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Norton Tartt. David retired from the United States Army after more than 30 years of service. He also retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after 20 years of service. He was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Walton, and daughter, Linda Combs. He is survived by four daughters, Dorothy Lloyd, Marsha Pitaccio (Bernard), Monica Brown, and Leslie Chandler, one son, Mattew Walton, four brothers, ...