Obituaries

Cecile Donaldson Linton, 81, of Savannah, passed away on May 25, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 10, 1938 in Savannah to Durell Donaldson and Virgin Woodcock. She went to Commercial High School and married William Lonnie Linton Jr. on December 21, 1956. She grew up enjoying the beach and loved playing bingo at various places including the American Legion on Tybee. She was a member of the ladies Auxiliary at the F.O.E.  for many years. She was an avid Braves fan who rarely missed a game. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband along with her daughte ...

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Bobby Ray Kitchens, 76, from Tybee Island, GA and southern California passed away on May 25, 2019.  He was born in Inglewood, CA.  He loved anything with a motor. He raced cars, boats and motorcycles, anything with speed. He loved classic and outlaw country and oldtime rock and roll music.  He had a pilots and captains license.  He was a member of the Tybee Island Marine Rescue Squadron (MRS) for 17 years and served as Skipper for a year.  He loved life and spending it with his wife of 38 years Elaine (Elaina).  He had a loving family.  They included his father James Kitchens (passed away in 1 ...

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Melinda was born on June 25, 1932 in Tientsin, China, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Melvin and Marguerite Abbott.  Her father was serving as a naval surgeon stationed in China at that time.  She lived in Panama, Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA as well as Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA.  Her family lived in Pembroke, GA during the World War II and she attended schools there.  She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1953 and returned to Savannah to work with the Georgia Extension Service.  While at UGA she was a member of Phi Beta Phi social sorority.  She married Ellison Lanier in 1955 and lived ...

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William Robert Gunn passed away on May 24, 2019 at the age of 78. He was born on August 28, 1940 and was a resident of Savannah his entire life. He served four years in the 117th Air National Guard and was also an Eagle Scout. Mr. Gunn graduated from Savannah High in 1958 and worked for Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant for 51 years. He was proceeded in death by his father; Jesse Lawson Gunn and his mother; Dorothy Sparks. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Debra Gunn, children; Rick Gunn (Pam), Shelly Compton (Ernie), Jason Gunn and Amanda Gunn, brother; Sonny Gunn, grandchildren; Mitchell, Ch ...

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William David (Bill) Sheils died surrounded by his loving family on May 24th, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Savannah, GA. Bill was born in Eau Claire, WI, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor's degree in business. He was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan and was the founder of the Packer Prayer Group (PPG). He proudly served his country as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps from April 1954 to April 1956. He was an elite member of the Remington Raiders. Bill earned his Master’s Degree in Business Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. Bill is preceded ...

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Susan “Susie” Karen Wilson Rankin, a devoted, selfless, and extraordinary wife, mother, daughter, sister, nurse and friend, died on Thursday, May 23, 2019. She was 58. Susie was born in Savannah on August 2, 1960 to the late George "Bud" and Kathleen Brown Wilson. She was a 1978 graduate of Bible Baptist School and a 1994 graduate of Armstrong State College where she earned an Associates Degree in Nursing.  For more than 26 years,  Susie worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital. By always putting others comfort first and foremost, Susie had a unique gift of connecting with ...

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James T. Hargreaves, III died peacefully on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at home. James was predeceased by his beloved grandpa, Wally Taylor; and his uncle and aunt, Greg and Becky Taylor. The lifelong resident of Savannah was a 1999 graduate of Calvary Day School. He attended East Georgia College in Statesboro and received an Associates of Science Degree in General Studies from St. Leo’s University. James was an avid collector of many things including comic books and anime figurines. He was currently employed by MECO. Surviving are his mother, Debbie Lanier; his maternal grandmother, Mary Taylor; ...

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Carolyn Carroll Haynes, 96, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019. She was born October 29, 1922 in McCormick, SC. She lived in Augusta, GA and Jacksonville, FL before moving to Savannah in the mid 1940’s to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Draftsman. Carolyn retired from the Corps of Engineers in 1979 after 30 plus years of service. After retirement she worked part time for Saussy Engineering for 10 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Angus Joseph Haynes, her mother and father, Lazinka Reynolds Carroll and Floyd Landon Carroll, two sisters, Ruth Carroll Spe ...

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Michael Patterson Ruf, 36, loving son, brother, brother-in-law and nephew passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Phoenix, AZ, on Monday, May 20, 2019.  The son of Lawrence E. and Patricia B. Ruf, Michael was born in Savannah on November 1, 1982. He is a 2001 honor graduate of Benedictine Military School and a graduate of Atlanta Technical Institute with an associate degree.  He has worked for G.E. in Phoenix for the past three years. He is predeceased by his mother Patricia Brown Ruf, grandparents Gilbert and Eloise Ruf, and Charles and Alma Brown. He is survived by his father La ...

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Jeffrey Todd Embry passed away Monday, May 20, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Vicksburg, MS in 1967. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was of the Catholic faith. He owned and operated several successful businesses in Savannah. He was a sports enthusiast and loved coaching little league soccer. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Bernice (Doc) Clark Embry and Susan W. Embry. He is survived by his wife, Natalya Embry, son; Wesley Embry, daughter; Milana Ligersu, sisters; Peggy Robinson (Kei ...

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Francis Earl “Frank” Aliffi, Jr., age 70, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away after a courageous battle with lung cancer on May 19, 2019, with his wife by his side. Frank was born of July 22, 1948 in Savannah to Francis Earl “Frank” Aliffi, Sr. and LaVeta Felton Aliffi.  He was a 1966 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Atlanta, Georgia and a graduate of Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Frank served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves from 1968 to 1974. Frank is survived by his wife, Jane Jones Aliffi, of Savannah; his daughter, Anna ...

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Richard Howard Horton, 76, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Savannah, Georgia. He was born September 17, 1942 to Claude and Elizabeth Horton and was raised with his four siblings in Savannah, graduating from Savannah High School in 1959. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering and later completed a master’s degree in business. He married his wife Emily, also of Savannah, in 1964 and their only child Becky was born in 1967. After college, he began a career with Union Carbide in Cartersville, Georgia. His job took him to New York City, where he and his family ...

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Charles Edward Cole died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 18, while visiting Savannah, Georgia, his childhood hometown. A residence of Longmont since 2002, Charles had planned to return to Savannah to live part-time and had just purchased a home three days before his death. Charles was born in Savannah July 11, 1955 to Ernestine and Thomas Graham Cole. A graduate of Southern Technical Institute, he also held a master’s degree in computer science from Mercer University. His dedication to his career took him away from Savannah and through the years he held several senior database IT positions with ...

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Loren Baron Laney of Savannah, Georgia, died on May 17, 2019. Loren was born on February 26, 1964 in Asheville, NC to Landy Baron Laney and LaVerne Hooper Laney. His life was anything but boring. A natural performer, Loren began entertaining the world at a young age, from sharing the stage with his sister and dance parter Leisa Dianne Laney Fink, to his many performances while a student at the North Carolina School of the Arts and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He would dedicate his life and career to bringing beauty into this world through his performances, his designs, his style, ...

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William Arthur Miller, M.D. departed this life peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at his home in Bluffton, South Carolina, with his wife by his side. Dr. Miller was born in Akron, Ohio on February 11, 1936. He was the son of Harold Fred and Emily Kennedy Miller. He grew up on the family farm in rural Ohio where he learned the value of hard work. Dr. Miller was a graduate of Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio and the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, where he was a Baker Scholar. He was a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity. He served in the National Guard in Connecticut and G ...

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William E. (“Billy”) Phillips, Jr., 81, of Savannah, GA, died peacefully Thursday, May 16, 2019. Billy was born April 1, 1938, in Savannah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Edna Phillips, his beloved son, Chuck Phillips, his beloved grandson, Brian Parker, and his sisters, Betty Davis and Mildred Douglas. Billy married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Marya Snell, in 1958. They were married for over 60 years and had a long and wonderful life together. His pride and joy were his four children (Chuck, Chris, Cathy, and Craig), whom he loved dearly. He is su ...

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Eunice Knox Williams, 101, died Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Spanish Oaks Retreat.  The native of Liberty, South Carolina was the daughter of Hubbard Allen Knox, a Presbyterian minister and moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Carolina. Mrs. Williams was the valedictorian of her high school in South Carolina and later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College.  She was an educator for many years in the Chatham County and Liberty County School Systems. Mrs. Williams was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah and volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital. ...

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Jason Daniel Hopewell, devoted husband and father and die-hard Bengals fan died unexpectedly at home on Monday, May 13, 2019. The Raleigh, NC native was born July 8th, 1978 to Ron and Roberta Prekler Hopewell.  Jason grew up in New Hill, NC and was a 1997 graduate of Apex High School. Jason met and fell in love with Catherine Ann Kessler at Carolina Beach. They were later married; he and Catherine prayed and tried for a child for more than four years. When his daughter Stacy was born, she became the center of his world. Jason was raising Stacy to follow in his footsteps as a die-hard Bengals f ...

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Kevin Michael Webb, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA unexpectedly passed away on May 12, 2019.  He was born on July 12, 1988 in Downingtown, PA, the son of Jack Webb and Deborah Webb (Smith).  He attended Georgia Southern University, where he graduated in December 2018 with a Bachelors Degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management.  As an active board member of the APICS Savannah Chapter, he was the assistant VP of student affairs.  Upon graduation, Kevin was hired as the Sales Optimization Manager for Diamond Crystal Brands. Kevin is survived by his wife, Melissa Webb of Savannah, GA and their unbor ...

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On May 12, 2019, Sylvia went to be with her Heavenly Father. She was born August 11, 1936 in Greenville, SC to the late William Ansel and Carrie Mae Hamlett.  She was a 1954 graduate of Parker High in Greenville, and attended Winthrop College that fall. She loved The Lord, family, friends, travel, life and golf.  At one time, she played avidly, having belonged to numerous golf clubs including the Savannah Women’s Golf Association, Georgia State Senior’s and Southbridge Golf Club.  She actually started the Ladies’ Golf Association at Southbridge in the early 90’s. She was also a member of the H ...

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William Victor Evans Sr, beloved son, brother, loving father, and loyal friend unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the age of 65. Born and raised in Marietta, GA, he was the son of Walter Lee Evans, Sr and Elsie Cook Evans. Victor then relocated to Jacksonville, FL to start his successful vending business. Victor’s untimely death comes as a shock to the many people that loved him.  Only a week before, he was reeling in the winning prize fish, a 38 lb bull dolphin.  His energy and enthusiasm were uniquely infectious and he sure knew how to draw a crowd of friends together.  To ...

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Mom never met a stranger; she loved people.  She also loved art, music, entertaining and being outdoors.  An eclectic reader, she gained an Associate degree from Wayne State Community College in her early fifties. She loved to cook for everyone, sewed, knitted, gardened, decorated, and was the sharpest dresser ever.  A downhill skier well into her seventies, Mom was also an excellent golfer.  As a music lover she played the piano and sang alto in the choir.  Her religious faith, first as a Catholic growing up and then as an Episcopalian after she married, was with her every minute of the day. ...

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Walton O. Usher, 75, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2019, with his wife and daughter Elizabeth by his side. Walton was born in Augusta, GA and lived there most of his life.  He owned and operated Usher Paint and Supply Company for many years before moving to Savannah in 1996.  He was a former member of the Augusta Sailing Club and participated in the Southeastern Lightning Circuit as a crew member.  He was also a soccer player and coach.  Walton was an avid runner who loved being outdoors. Walton was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin M. Usher and Frances O. Usher, and his son, ...

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Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Cecil Douglas Mastison, 82, of Savannah, GA, passed away peacefully at home, on May 10, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Cecil was born on December 1, 1936, in Madisonville, KY, to Essie Mae and James Harvey Mastison. At age four, he and his family moved to Evansville, IN, where he lived until the age of 17. In 1953, at the young age of 17, Cecil proudly volunteered to join the U.S. Army. In 1955, he met and married the love of his life, the late Rosemarie Herren Mastison. Cecil's 21-year military career consisted of two tours in the Vietnam War, with over 5 ...

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Frederick James Gideon of Savannah, Georgia passed away suddenly on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at the Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Illinois. Born on December 11, 1947 in Maria, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of Eldon J. and Dorothy M. Gedeon, nee Lezotte. He was united in marriage to Rosemary K. Griffith on September 14, 1971 in the Hunter Army Airfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia. Frederick was a veteran of the United States Army and automotive electrician by trade. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Cushman Club of America and the Ford Model A Club of Savannah. e could fix anythi ...

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James Lee Davis, 81, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Hospice Savannah. A native Savannahian, he was born August 26, 1937 to the late Oscar Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Lancaster Davis. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Caroline Blake Davis. He is survived by his wife; Karen Clarno Davis, his daughters; Catherine Davis Knox (Jeff) and Ashley Davis Davis (Jay), his grandchildren; Jefferson Knox (Ann), Lee Knox (Katie), Austin Knox, Catherine Davis, Morgan Davis, great-granddaugther; Jean Knox, his brother; Thomas Weldon Davis (Betsy), and brother-in-law; Thoma ...

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Anthony Bernard “Toby” Purdy, Jr., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Hospice House after a courageous fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Irene Miltiades Purdy; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Gib Davenport of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Sophie and Huntley Gibson Davenport III; his sisters, Barbara Ann Purdy Lutz, and Margaret Mary Purdy of Vero Beach, FL; brothers and sisters-in-law, Demetri and Penny Miltiades and Alex and Mary Miltiades all of Kennesaw, GA; several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth Gaffney Purdy a ...

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Savannah, GA John Edward Myers, 42, died peacefully with his loving wife by his side on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. John was a U.S. Army veteran honorably serving his county in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard and held numerous positions in the field of Security and Military Training. John earned two B.A. degrees, one from State University of New York and the other from Georgia Southern University. John leaves behind his wife, Candess; children, Lane, Eden, Jaden, Jessine, John John, Marshall, Janelle and Jayden; mother, Ramona Alba (Guy); father, Ed ...

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Danny Lamar Bryant, 69, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Candler Hospital. Danny was born November 30, 1949 in Savannah, Georgia. He married the love of his life Kathy Bryant November 10, 1972. Danny worked as a railroad conductor for CSX Railroad for 29 years. Prior to working for CSX, Danny gave his time and service to the Army during the Vietnam War. He was active in the Army from June 1970 - February 1972, during his time of service he was awarded the Bronze Star medal and other decorations. Danny will be remembered for his love of cards, Braves baseball, Falcons football, fishing and ...

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Mildred Ryan Jones, age 95, formerly of Greensboro, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 5, 2019 under care of Hospice Savannah at her daughter’s home in Savannah, Georgia. Born in Greensboro, NC, she was the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Lonie Gilbreath Ryan. She lived most of her life in Greensboro until the age of 90 when she moved to Savannah to be closer to her daughter. Mildred graduated from Sumner High School in 1941. She retired from Precision Fabrics Group, Inc., formerly of Burlington Industries, working in Human Resources. She was one of the oldest and a life-long ...

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