Obituaries
Sebastian Sparacino - FEB 17, 2021
Sebastian “Ben” Sparacino, 77, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021 in Savannah, GA. He was born July 16, 1943 in Montevago, Sicily to the late Salvatore and Rosalia Di Gerlando Sparacino. Ben graduated from Bushwick High School and City College of New York (CCNY). Ben served in the United States Army and established his own business B.S.F. Business Forms. He moved to the Landings on Skidaway Island in the early 1990’s and owned the popular restaurant Savannah Steakhouse. Ben loved to travel, sail, play pool and bacce. He was an amazing ch ...
Dr. Thomas Freeman DEC 29, 1918 - FEB 17, 2021
Beloved father and friend, Dr. Thomas Rumph Freeman, 102, of Savannah, GA, died peacefully in his sleep at Buckingham South on Feb. 17th, 2021. The longtime Savannah resident was born in Marshallville, GA on Dec. 29, 1918. He was the son of Annita R. Freeman and Reverend Horace T. Freeman, a well-known Methodist minister who was district superintendent in Savannah in the late 1940s. Dr. Freeman was a graduate of Emory University where he received his B.S. degree in 1939 and his M.D. degree in 1943. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsi ...
Melvin Louis Snellings, Sr. - FEB 15, 2021
Melvin L. Snellings, Sr., 65, passed away Monday, February 15, 2021 while on his boat during a crabbing trip. He was born March 15, 1955 in Charleston, SC to the late Marvin and Judith Snellings. Melvin was a Commercial Crabber for many years and loved being on the water. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a kind hearted and generous man. He is survived by his son and best friend, Melvin L. Snellings, II of Savannah, as well as many friends. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. ...
Giuseppe Luigi Marra - FEB 15, 2021
Giusepe Luigi Marra, 86, passed away February 15, 2021 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2021 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Burial will be in Greenwich Cemetery. ...
Patricia Durrence Murphy - FEB 14, 2021
“She manages well the affairs of her household and is diligent to meet every need they may have,” Proverbs (31:27) Patricia Lothaire Durrence Murphy (94) of Savannah, Ga. passed softly and sweetly unto the presence of God on Valentine’s Day, 2021. She was truly a Sweetheart to all who knew her. She had been living with her son’s family since 2019. Patricia was born on December 12, 1926 in a small wooden house (complete with an outhouse), that was built in the middle of a cotton field about 5 miles outside of Glenville Ga. The mid-wife who assisted in he ...
Debra Ann Downing - FEB 14, 2021
Debra Ann Downing, 70, passed away February 14, 2021 at Memorial University Medical Center. Debra was retired from the United States Postal Service and later worked for Brannen Enterprises. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Hulda and Ernest Downing. Surviving is her sister, Roxanna “Rocky” Semken and brother-in-law, Frank Semken. A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, 1352 Eisenhower Dr., Savannah, GA 31406. ...
Kinsley Olivia Knight DEC 09, 2020 - FEB 14, 2021
Kinsley Olivia Knight, born in Savannah, December 9, 2020, passed away February 14, 2021. In her short time, she brought light to our lives and showed us what true pure love is. She will be missed but will live on in our hearts through the memories we will forever cherish. Surviving are her parents, Brentley Knight and Courtney Johnson Knight; sisters, Ava Baxter, Arielle Johnson, all of Savannah; grandfather, Gene Knight of Rincon; grandmother, Pamela Knight of Savannah; grandmother, Robin Johnson of Effingham County and grandfather, Darren Johnson of Ohio. The family will receive fr ...
Betty Griffin Patterson - FEB 14, 2021
Betty Griffin Patterson left this world on February 14, 2021. Born in Savannah on February 23, 1928. She was raised in Thunderbolt and attended school in Savannah. She spent her whole life as a homemaker. She was pre-deceased by her husband, J. Desmond Patterson Sr, daughter Linda Smith, and son J. Desmond Patterson Jr. She is survived by daughters Patricia Patterson and Ellizabeth Woods. Services will be private with burial at New Hope Cemetery in Leefield,GA. ...
Dr. Julian D. Kelly, Jr. JUL 26, 1933 - FEB 13, 2021
Dr. Julian Dantzler Kelly, Jr. Dr. Julian Dantzler Kelly, Jr., beloved husband of Carolyn Martin Kelly, died peacefully at home with his family by his side on February 13th, 2021. A lifelong resident of Savannah, he was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, July 26th, 1933, the only child of the late Julian Dantzler Kelly, Sr. and Ola Jo Johnston Kelly, both from Monroe, Georgia. Dr. Kelly attended Savannah High, graduated from Episcopal High School in Virginia, Princeton University, and the University of Virginia Medical School. He received a commission in the U.S. Air Force as a Flight Surge ...
John P. Szlasa - FEB 12, 2021
John P. Szlasa, the son of Bayonne, N.J., shopkeepers, who worked his way through college, earned a scholarship to Harvard Business School and rose to prominence in pharmaceutical marketing and advertising, cherished his family and maintained faith in a loving God, died on Friday, February 12. A native of New Jersey but resident of Savannah, Ga., John died from complications of aging at Hospice Savannah. He was 85. Born to John and Jane (nee Kosakowski), Szlasa grew up above the family corner store and was surrounded by a large and tight extended family in Bayonne's Polish-American c ...
Mario Jose de la Guardia JUN 09, 1931 - FEB 11, 2021
Mario Jose de la Guardia, 89, died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. Mr. de la Guardia was born in Havana, Cuba on June 9, 1931 to Mario and Graciela de la Guardia. He moved to the United States in 1962. He earned his degree in chemical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he also was a Letterman in Swimming. He later attended Harvard University Business School Management Development Program. While working at Carson Products Company, Mr. de la Guardia invented the revolutionary no-lye relaxer, Dark and Lovely. After a life-long care ...
Norman Miller Lack, II - FEB 11, 2021
Longtime cycling enthusiast Norman Miller Lack, II, 73, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021. A memorial service will be held at a later date. ...
Elizabeth Gaines Schroder APR 18, 1928 - FEB 10, 2021
Elizabeth Gaines Schroder, 92, also known as Betty, passed away on February 10, 2021, in Savannah. She was a Savannah native born April 18th, 1928, and was the daughter of Noona Tanner Gaines and Ezekiel Baldwin Gaines of Savannah. She attended Savannah High School and the University of Georgia Extension, Savannah. Elizabeth married her husband Oliver in 1954, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Together, they were members of the Savannah Yacht Club and the Cotillion Club of Savannah. Elizabeth worked as a parttime secretary at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, was a volunteer ...
William Sibley "Bill" Sikes, Jr. - FEB 10, 2021
William Sibley “Bill” Sikes, Jr., 87, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2021 in St. Augustine, FL. The loving, husband, father and grandfather is survived by his children, Kelly and Trey (Tara); grandchildren, Kathryn and Evan; and great granddaughter, Aurora. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Diane Sikes. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel. The inurnment will follow in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. The Patriot Guard Rider ...
Julia Ellen McKenzie Workmon JUN 01, 1938 - FEB 09, 2021
Julia Ellen McKenzie Workmon, 83, passed away February 9, 20201 in Savannah, Georgia. Julie, as she was known, was a Savannah native, born June 1, 1938. She spent much of her growing up on Isle of Hope with her younger sisters, and parents Tom and Betty McKenzie. She played on the St. Vincent’s Academy basketball team and was a member of the class of 1956. Julie loved dancing and music, both leading her to spend time with friends on Barbee’s Pavilion on Isle of Hope as teen. She soon met and married Bob Franklin Workmon in June 1956, eventually giving birth to four sons. She ...
Fyrn Hendrix Clark - FEB 09, 2021
Fyrn Hendrix Clark, 94, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at her residence. The native of Hickox, Georgia spent her early life there and graduated from Nahunta High School. She attended Sanford Brown Business College in St. Louis, MO and Williams Business College in Savannah, GA. She was formerly employed in the accounting department of Southern Paper Board Company before meeting her husband, Robert "Bob" Clark and starting her family. She was a member of White Bluff United Methodist Church, the Elizabeth Circle at the church and the Candler Hospital ...
Emily Andrews MAR 10, 1955 - FEB 09, 2021
Emily Andrews March 10, 1955 - February 9, 2021 A loving mom, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Forever in our hearts. As we mourn the loss of a very special mother, may we find strength in all the wonderful memories spent with her. She will forever be in our hearts. Please join our family in prayers. We will also appreciate beautiful pictures of her to be shared in this page, as we reminisce and celebrate her life. Thank you. ...
Ralph Paul Cetchovich - FEB 06, 2021
Ralph Paul Cetchovich, 89, died peacefully under the loving and devoted care of Spanish Oaks Retreat & Hospice on Saturday February 6, 2021 following an extended illness. Ralph was born on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina in 1931. He retired from Union Camp after 48 years of working as an electrician. His favorite things included, eating a good meal, tinkering around the house, woodworking, always lending a hand to others, and attending Sunday School at Chevis Oaks Baptist Church. His most favorite thing in life, though, was spending time wit ...
Sinh Thach SEP 24, 1966 - FEB 06, 2021
Sinh Thach, age 54, died February 6, 2021 at his residence after a long illness. The Savannah resident was a native of Vietnam. He is survived by a sister, Khanh Thach; a brother, Chinh Chach; and other relatives. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Monday, February 8 at Fox & Weeks Islands Chapel, with a brief prayer service at 6:00 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 9 at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church on Victory Drive in Thunderbolt. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery on Wheaton Street. ...
Thomas Aloysius Brennan NOV 28, 1923 - FEB 06, 2021
Thomas Aloysius Brennan, 97, of Savannah, Georgia, died on Saturday, February 06, at Hospice of Savannah after a brief illness. He was born on November 28, 1923, in Savannah, Georgia, to James Francis Brennan of Savannah, Georgia, and Nora Roche Brennan of Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland. He is preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings: Helen Inez Brennan, Elizabeth Josephine Rolison (Alec), First Sergeant James Francis Brennan, Jr. (Ann), and Father Robert Brennan. He grew up in the “Old Fort” district of Savannah, during which time he was a member of Cathedral Pari ...
Dr. William Edward Richards - FEB 06, 2021
William Edward Richards, born May 24, 1963 in Pasadena, Texas to William and Gladys Richards, passed away suddenly on February 6, 2021. Dr. Richards was a scholar who started his schooling at his beloved Texas A&M University, receiving a B.S. Degree in Psychology. He received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. He then completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, and his fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at The University of Kentu ...
Charles Godfrey Opper, Jr. JAN 15, 1943 - FEB 06, 2021
Zoom Link Charles Godfrey Opper, Jr., 78, passed away peacefully during his sleep on February 6th, 2021 from complications related to heart failure. The Savannah native was the son of the late Charles Godfrey and Claire Gramling Opper. Charles graduated from Fort Knox High School and received a master’s degree in Mathematics from Armstrong State College. For most of his career, Charles was a computer programmer and systems analyst working for the City of Savannah and Great Dane Trailers. Charles earned the Boy Scouts of America’s coveted Eagle Scout Award and was a memb ...
Louis John DiBenedetto - FEB 05, 2021
Louie DiBenedetto, born February 4th 1931 and died February 5th 2021. He was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Catholic Church at Tybee Island, GA for 35 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 5588 for over 40 years and is an honorary life member. Louie was a veteran of the Korean War in the early fifties when he served with the 5th Rifle Co. USMCR. Very active in sports for most of his life, notably coaching and playing football at Commercial High School where he was a star player in 1948-1949 and received All City and All Region Honors. He was a life- ...
James Neal (Jim) White (USN, Ret.) MAR 25, 1935 - FEB 04, 2021
James Neal “Jim” White (USN, Ret.) was born on March 25, 1935 in Toledo, Ohio and passed away suddenly on February 4, 2021 of dementia at Spanish Oaks Retreat. He was the son of the late Cecil and Martha White and was predeceased by two brothers, Don and Jack. Jim proudly served in the Navy for 20 years and 12 days until he was discharged due to an injury in Vietnam. He dearly loved the Navy and always missed it. He lived for a time in Bremerton, WA when he was employed by the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. In 1994, he moved to Savannah, GA where he married his wife ...
Elisabeth Anna Fraser Lipp JUN 20, 1965 - FEB 04, 2021
Elisabeth “Lis” Lipp, 55, passed away Feb. 4 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Lis was surrounded by her family and showered with their love until the very end, gracefully tended to by the caring team at Hospice Savannah. Lis was born in Toronto, Ontario to an Austrian Mother and Canadian Father. The family moved often in Lis’ early years, no doubt helping craft her strong independent spirit. She was the firecracker of the family, later recalling endless stories of the escapades of her and her two younger brothers. As a young adult ...
Joan Daniel Pinholster - FEB 03, 2021
Mrs. Joan Daniel Pinholster, 84, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Harmony of Savannah. She was born July 24, 1936 in Savannah where she spent most of her life, growing up on 52nd Street, and in her adult life on Back Street at Coffee Bluff. Joan worked as a model for Fines Department Store. She was passionate about the value of civic duty and had volunteered as a Pink Lady at St. Joseph’s Hospital, The Red Cross, and Meals on Wheels, Inc. She was a former member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Georgia, the Junior League of Savann ...
Mary Sullivan Curran - FEB 03, 2021
Mary Sullivan Curran, 91, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 in Savannah, GA. Mary was born on August 23, 1929 in Shamokin, PA to Anna Gable Sullivan and Palmer J. Sullivan. She and her siblings, PJ and Maureen, were raised in Philadelphia, PA. She was the widow of Michael Jordan Curran and they had six children. Mary is survived by her six children: Anne C. Shira (Bill), Michael J. Curran Jr. (Jan), Mary C. Blalock (Wrenn), Brian G. Curran (Tara), Christopher Curran (Kelly) and Kitty C. Collins (Lewis). Also surviving her are 16 grandchildren ...
John Joseph Hegarty JUL 30, 1929 - FEB 03, 2021
John Joseph Hegarty died peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. John was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Marian Hegarty; brother, Daniel Patrick Hegarty (Anne); sister, Veronica Hegarty Gunderson (Joe); and his two aunts that helped raise him, Mae and Isabel Hegarty John was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He served 24 years as a Mounted Police Officer in New York City. He had a great knowledge for the love and care of horses. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served his country with pride during the Korean War. John was a member of St. Frances Cabrini as ...
Lewis Daniel Baxter MAY 13, 1945 - FEB 03, 2021
Baxter, Lewis Daniel 75, passed away peacefully February 3, 2021. Lew was born May 13, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN to John and Mary (Eaton) Baxter. After graduating from Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, he entered Macalester College, majoring in Classics, graduating in 1967. After leaving Macalester, Lew joined the Air Force and as a pilot served in Vietnam. Returning home, he continued to serve in Wichita, Kansas, and in Washington, D.C., at the Pentagon, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In Tampa, he proudly worked for United States Central Command and Special Operat ...
- FEB 03, 2021
Matthew Robert Wallden, beloved son of Camille and Robert, has passed away. He is survived by his parents, sister Kelly and brother John (Morgan). He was the fun uncle to August, Inez, Bea, Bosco and Martha and the cherished nephew to many aunts, uncles and cousins of the Barbee, Koncul, Privett, Sheehan, Suderow and Tambon families. Suzanne Groover was his devoted and much-loved companion on many of his greatest adventures. Born August 15, 1981, Matthew attended Blessed Sacrament School and Benedictine Military Academy, where he made many lifelong friends. He joined the Marines in 20 ...