Obituaries
Gary D. Braswell, Sr. - JAN 22, 2019
Gary Dalphus Braswell, 80, of Savannah, GA, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at his home on Wilmington Island. A private service will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. Gary was born November 11, 1938 in Register, GA to Inez and Earl Braswell. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1954. He married Linda Danette Lanier in 1961 and was married for 52 years. He was employed at Kessler Electric Co, for many years and retired in 1996. He was a member of Wilmington Island Baptist Church and is survived by his youngest son Scott Braswell and gra ...
Patty Lou Madray Groover NOV 17, 1930 - JAN 21, 2019
Patsy Groover, 88, died Monday, January 21, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. The longtime Savannah resident grew up in Jesup and was a graduate of Wayne County High School, Georgia Teacher’s College, and the University of Georgia. She formerly taught school in Chatham County and later served for more than 25 years as a real estate broker. Patsy was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Robert Joseph Groover, Sr. and her son, Patrick “Ricky” Groover. Surviving are her sons, Robbie and David Groover of Savannah; six granddaughters; Kari, Kathryn, Kaitlyn and Caroline Groover, Emil ...
Dinah Gladys Ward JUL 03, 1947 - JAN 20, 2019
Dinah Gladys Ward (née Walton) of Savannah, Georgia passed away in her home on January 20, 2019 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Her last moments were in the arms of her beloved husband of 45 years, John. She was born on July 3rd, 1947 in Leicester, England, the only child of William and Grace Walton. Dinah and her family emigrated to the United States when she was a young girl, living her formative years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a young adult, she returned to England with her parents where she would meet her future husband and life partner John Ward. After they married and ...
Bob R. Ridener JAN 13, 1932 - JAN 20, 2019
After a five year battle with Alzheimer's disease, beloved Husband and Father, Bob Ridener, 87, passed away on January 20, 2019 at Hospice of Savannah. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert T. and Florence Knox Ridener; his sons, Robert; his sister, Jo Ridener Tidd; and a brother, Donald. Surviving are his wife, Judy Meyer Ridener; his daughters, Tina Ridener Gennari of Valrico, FL, Sherri Bragg of Savannah, and Lori Reagan of Metter; his sons, Malcolm Ridener of Las Vegas, NV, Kevin Cassidy of Aurora, IN; and 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one niece and three nephews ...
Walter Weed NOV 07, 1953 - JAN 18, 2019
Savannah - WALTER A WEED, 65, died on 01/18/2019 peacefully at his home under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by his wife and children. He was born 11/07/1953 in New Jersey and lived in Pennsylvania before joining the Navy at 17 years old. He served in the Navy for well over 20 years, was a medic during the Vietnam War, and was a linguist in several different countries including the Philippines where he met his loving wife, Alili whom he was married to for 35 extraordinary years. After retiring from the Navy, he moved to Savannah, Georgia where he spent the rest of his life as a commit ...
Dr. Frank Benedict Hubby MAR 28, 1939 - JAN 17, 2019
SAVANNAH – Frank Benedict Hubby, M.D., 79, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Thursday January 17, 2019. He was born in New York City to Kingsley K. and Frank W. Hubby, III, and spent his childhood in Princeton, NJ. He graduated from Trinity College, and received his medical degree from The University of Virginia. After his residency in Pediatric and Family Medicine at Bellevue Hospital in New York, he pursued a life in which his medical knowledge and deep passion for helping others could be realized. This journey took him to Nigeria, Colorado, England, and Mississippi, before he found his h ...
Virginia Williams Reeve - JAN 17, 2019
Virginia Reeve was born December 23, 1924 to Viola Debele Williams and John Howard Williams in Savanah, GA. She was married to Brooke Reeve, Jr. for 35 years until her husband’s death in 1984. She is survived by her sister Ann Mallory, her children Brooke Reeve, III (Mandy); J. Pearce W. Reeve (Leighton); Howard D. Reeve (Sylvia) and Virginia D.R. Barton (Giles); and her grandchildren A. Claire Reeve, Julia B. Reeve, Jonathan P.W. Reeve, Brooke A. Reeve, Virginia R. Barton and her great grandchildren Frank, Gwendolyn and Reeve Peluso. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her ...
Freddie Kirk Warren - JAN 16, 2019
Freddie Kirk Warren, (aka Mr. Terrible) age 80, of Hohenwald, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Maury Regional Medical Center. Freddie was born May 20, 1938, in Hohenwald, the son of the late Roscoe H. Warren and Hettie Irene Mitchell Warren. Upon graduating in 1956 from Lewis County High School, Freddie joined the United States Air Force. He was the husband of Edna Juanita Shipes Warren, who preceded him in death in 2016, and they had enjoyed 50 plus years together. He spent his working career with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Group in West Palm Beach, FL. Freddie enjoye ...
Roderick Aaron Powell - JAN 16, 2019
Roderick Aaron Powell, 94, passed away, Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Azalealand Nursing Home. The Ohoopee, Toombs County, GA native had been a lifelong resident of Savannah and a United States Army veteran of World War II. He retired from CSX Railroad in 1987 following forty-eight years of service. He was a member and the Chaplain of American Legion, Post 154, a lifetime Mason and a member of Zerubbabel Lodge # 14, F&AM, and a member of Alee Temple of the Shrine. Mr. Powell was a member and Deacon at Chapel by the Sea Baptist Church on Tybee Island. He was preceded in death by his wife o ...
Sandra Miles Hart FEB 22, 1947 - JAN 15, 2019
North Charleston, SC _ Sandra Miles Hart, 71, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at home in North Charleston, SC. Born to late Thomas Trout Miles and Emily Lingg Miles on February 22, 1947, Sandra was a longtime resident of Savannah. She graduated from Saint Vincent’s Academy. Sandra was very active with the Special Olympics in Orlando, FL. and was an active parishioner of Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ellijay. After moving to Charleston, Sandra attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek, SC. In addition to her parents, Sandra was predeceased by her husband, Arthur Reese Har ...
Stephenia Lewonna Perkins Cooler NOV 14, 1939 - JAN 15, 2019
Lewonna Perkins Cooler, 79, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. The native and longtime resident of Savannah and was born on November 14, 1939. Lewonna was the second daughter of Eluigi Leggett and Jewell Granade Perkins. She graduated from Savannah High School in 1958 and later attended Armstrong State College. Lewonna was employed in the administrative area of the dental field which she loved. She retired in 2005 from The Howard Dental Group after many years of service. She was a member of Bethlehem Chapter #269, Order of the Eastern Star, having served se ...
Katherine D. Lovering OCT 06, 1959 - JAN 14, 2019
Katherine D. Lovering, 59 years of age, passed January 14, 2019. Kate was born October 6, 1959 at Fort Devens in Massachusetts and lived in Guyton, GA for the last 5 years. In Kate’s lifetime she was an exceptional educator in several locations, mostly in New England. Kate graduated from South Burlington High in Burlington, Vermont in 1978. She attended both the University of Wyoming and Leslie College and was honored with her Bachelors degree in Special Education. Kate then returned to school and earned her Masters of Education degree from New England College. Kate spent the last four years t ...
Mildred Louise McBride Franklin - JAN 14, 2019
Mildred Louise Franklin, 96, died peacefully at her home in Harlem, GA Monday evening, January 14, 2019. She was born in Coaling, Alabama but spent over 50 years in Savannah, GA with her lifelong husband Joe “Ab” Franklin. Mildred Louise was a real life Coal Miner’s Daughter! She lived a pure and simple life surrounded by 3 brothers (Herbert, John, and Gene), 4 sisters (Lanelle, Mary Alice, Ruby Jo, and Margaret Ann) and loving parents John and Lula McBride. She married at 17 years old and settled in Savannah Georgia. She loved traveling, fishing, cooking and growing vegetables from her we ...
John A. Phillips, Jr. - JAN 14, 2019
John Alfred Phillips, Jr., 68, passed away Monday, January 14, 2019. He was born in Charlottesville, Virginia son of John A. Phillips, Sr. and Mary Bibb Phillips. At a young age, his family moved to Washington, DC where he attended elementary, middle school and graduating from Bishop McNamara High School in Maryland. After graduation, he received certification from Texas A&M and UF TREEO Center in Gainesville, FL. John began a career of 22 years with the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission in Laurel, MD where he retired in 2005. In 1986, he met his future wife, Patricia Sue Seymo ...
Robert "Bob" P. Grefski MAR 06, 1941 - JAN 13, 2019
Robert "Bob" Grefski, 77, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Sharon Grefski, died peacefully at his home Sunday morning, January 13, 2019. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Stanley and Lillian Grefski. Bob was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition to his parents, his son, Michael P. Grefski, preceded him in death. Bob had a zest for life. Though retired from Public Service Electric and Gas of New Jersey after 35 years, he never retired from life. Bob stayed busy, inside the church and out. An avid and eclectic reader, he loved to study. He enro ...
Kimberly Alohalani Coombs - JAN 13, 2019
Kimberly "Kimbop" Alohalani Coombs 46, died January 13, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 20, 1972 in Rhode Island and lived in many different states to include, Jacksonville Florida, Honolulu, Hawaii and Chula Vista, California before settling in her home here in Savannah. Sister of four sisters, Kimberly supported, loved and cared for us all especially her two nephews, Leland Ikaika Figueroa and Brody Kaleo Figueroa their “Nina”. Surviving are her sisters, Mary Ann Coombs, Evelyn Virginia Neitzel and Jamary Ewalani Figueroa of Savannah, Georgia along with ...
Kathy Speno - JAN 11, 2019
Kathleen Ann Speno ("Kathy") passed away unexpectedly on January 11th 2019, in Savannah Georgia. Kathleen was born on April 11, 1962 in Ithaca, New York to Shirley Urquhart Speno and the late Frank C. Speno. In 1982 she entered college at St. Regis College in Denver, Colorado where she was on the basketball team. After freshman year, she transferred to St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. She continued to excel in basketball at St. Lawrence through her graduation in 1986. In 2017, she received a coveted award from St. Lawrence when inducted into their Hall of Fame, a tribute to her excellenc ...
James Hamrick Gnann, Sr. OCT 31, 1929 - JAN 10, 2019
James Hamrick Gnann, Sr. passed away peacefully in Savannah, Georgia on January 10, 2019 after a long illness. James was born on October 31, 1929 in Savannah and lived in Effingham County until moving to Savannah in 1961 where he later lived on the Isle of Hope. He retired as general manager of Sherman Concrete Pipe Company. He was married to Norma Jean Rahn and they had one child, James Hamrick Gnann, Jr. (Rebecca). Following Norma Jean’s death in 1958, he later wed Lina Theresa Litchfield to whom he was married for 53 years until her death in 2014. They had two children, Alan Christopher Gna ...
Winona L. "Mary" Hann JUN 28, 1936 - JAN 09, 2019
Winona L. “Mary” Hann, of Savannah, Georgia, died on January 9, 2019, surrounded by family at her residence at Summer Breeze. She was born in Washington D.C. on June 28, 1936 to the late William and Hattie Melson. Married in 1956, Mary relocated to Savannah, GA with her husband through the military. She began her professional career in the maritime industry at the Georgia Ports Authority in 1956 and through hard work and notable accomplishment advanced to positions in the Operations, Trade Development and Port Planning and Harbor Development Divisions until her retirement on May 1, 1999. Trave ...
Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Gray - JAN 09, 2019
Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Gray passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The Emanuel County native was a longtime resident of Savannah. She graduated from Georgia State College for Women with a bachelor’s degree and was retired after many years from C&S Bank/NationsBank. Surviving are several cousins. Graveside services will be private. Remembrances may be made to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Dr., Savannah, GA 31406. ...
Joseph Michael Kurtz - JAN 09, 2019
Joseph Michael “Joe” Kurtz, 89, Savannah, passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s on January 9, 2019 under the compassionate care of Hospice Savannah. Raised in Pottsville, PA, Joe attended Valley Forge Military Academy. After serving four years in the Navy during the Korean War, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Janet “Bambi” Scheuren. Newly married, they moved to Miami, FL in 1955 where Joe attended the University of Miami. Joe continued to support the “Canes” throughout his years by serving as Vice President and then President of the University of Miami Citizen’s Board, was an ...
Harald "Harry" Mahn - JAN 08, 2019
Harald A. Mahn Harald Alexander “Harry” Mahn, 67, died Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Candler Hospital after a short illness. He was born September 13, 1951 in Germany to the late Hans and Irmgard Mahn. Harry was the owner of Springfield Ford in Rincon, GA. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Brigitte and Tom Esau of Annandale, Virginia, his sister, Sandy Watley (Monroe), and his brother, Mike Mahn, both of Pensacola, Florida. Harry passed away on the same day as his beloved dog, Fuzzel. A private family memorial will be held at a later date in Pensacola, Florida. ...
Joyce Davis Sloan - JAN 08, 2019
Joyce Davis Sloan, 79, died January 8, 2019 at home while under the care of Georgia Hospice Care. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family. She was born August 19, 1939 in Rincon, Georgia and lived in Savannah for her entire life. She was a graduate of the Savannah High School Class of 1957. Joyce worked for Southern Bell for 33 years before retiring and was a proud member of White Bluff United Methodist Church. Surviving her is her husband of 54 years, David C. Sloan; her children, Gil Sloan, wife Robin; Carl Sloan, wife Sandra; Becky Hancock, husband Calvin; her grandchildren; Andrew ...
Thomas Salvador Martino JAN 12, 1959 - JAN 07, 2019
Thomas Salvador Martino was born to Angelo and Josephine Martino in Tampa, FL on January 12, 1959. Thomas grew up on Davis Island where he raised his family and remained an active part of the island community all his life. In his youth, he was an excellent athlete and could master any sport including baseball, basketball, ping pong, pool and foosball. He shared his passion for rock music with his family and friends by teaching himself to play the drums and guitar at a young age. He attended Boys Academy followed by Jesuit High School where he graduated in the top 10 of his Senior Class. He beg ...
Phillip Ralph Smelley DEC 02, 1941 - JAN 05, 2019
Phillip Ralph Smelley, aged 77, passed away at Memorial Hospital on January 5, 2019. He was a loving husband to his wife, Sara Katherine, for nearly 54 years, and was a devoted father to his two sons. Phillip was born on December 2, 1941, in Waco, Texas. His parents were Col. Howard Mortimer Smelley, and Billie Hinson Smelley. He graduated from Georgia State University in 1976 with a degree in Economics. He enjoyed a long career as the Senior Vice President and Principal Project Manager of Transit working for Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. In 1965, he married the love of hi ...
Harold Eugene Freymuth JUL 08, 1954 - JAN 04, 2019
Harold Eugene Freymuth, 64, of Savannah, GA, died on January 4, 2019, after a brief illness. He was born on July 8, 1954 to Wyman and Elizabeth Freymuth in Savannah. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was a fan of several sports. Harold is survived by his mother Elizabeth Freymuth, brother Wyman Freymuth, Jr. (Debbie), sister Jean Malone (Tony), brother Richard Freymuth (Tracy), sister Susan James (Bill) and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Wyman Freymuth, Sr. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Fu ...
James Louis Davis, Jr. SEP 21, 1924 - JAN 04, 2019
James Louis Davis, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2019 at Hospice Savannah surrounded by his family and holding hands with his beloved Annie. Jim was born on September 21, 1924 in Savannah, Georgia to James Louis and Margaret Urquhart Davis. He was a Christian and one of the oldest living members of First Presbyterian Church. Jim graduated from Carlyle Military Academy in Bamburg, SC. He enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight for his country during World War II and landed with the troops at Normandy Beach on D-Day. Upon returning home, Jim was employed by Union Camp Corp. in Mill Te ...
Linda Boykin Kelly FEB 01, 1940 - JAN 03, 2019
Linda Boykin Kelly, 78, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. She was born February 1, 1940 the only child to Thomas W. Boykin and Lenora Jane Wallace Boykin. She is preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Charles A. Kelly, Sr. The three oldest grandchildren remember spending summers with her and going to get snacks and to the show. The two youngest granddaughters fondly remember trips to the hairdresser and the dollar store with their Mimi. She loved to eat fresh fish and her youngest grandson was happy to oblige her by fishing regula ...
Ray A. Miley - JAN 03, 2019
After a brief critical illness, Ray A. Miley, 94, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, January 3, 2019 surrounded by his children and under the care of Hospice Savannah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Lucille Stephens Miley, and his siblings Thomas Miley, James Miley (his twin), Edna Mize, and Sonny Mize. Ray was born February 1, 1924, in Savannah, GA. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific in the U.S. Army form 1943-1946. After his discharge in 1946, Ray married Laura Lucille Stephens of Swainsboro and they moved to Isle of Hope in 1957, where they raised ...
Georgia Nash NOV 03, 1922 - JAN 02, 2019
Pretty is as pretty does. No-one embodied that sentiment as well as Georgia Heslep Nash, 96, who passed away peacefully on Skidaway Island on January 2, 2019. One of the original pioneers of River Street, Georgia was a co-founder of The Cotton Bale gift shop that evolved into today’s iconic River Street Sweets. A talented interior decorator, she continued working in the family candy stores and helping with the holiday catalogs well into her late eighties. Always appreciating the true spirit of the holidays, Georgia won several awards over the years for her beautifully decorated Christmas trees ...