Obituaries
James Arthur Rourke SEP 23, 1939 - MAY 10, 2018
James Arthur Rourke, 78, Died May 10, 2018 at his residence. Jimmy was a native and lifelong resident of Savannah, GA. He attended parochial school in Savannah, beginning at Sacred Heart grammar school, and graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1958. He retired as sales manager from Atlantic Meats. He was a member of Hibernian Society, the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and the Knights of Columbus Council #631 and 4th degree member of Immaculate Conception General Assembly. He was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church. Jimmy was one of the founders and former chairman of ...
Delores R. Saxman JUL 17, 1944 - MAY 09, 2018
Delores R. Saxman (Simmie Delores Robbins), age 73, passed away on Wednesday May, 9 2018. Delores was born in Savannah, GA. She was a United Nations youth delegate. As the owner of the Brass Crab on River Street, she served on the board of directors for the Savannah Waterfront Association. Delores retired as manager from The Peanut Shop of Savannah. Delores was preceded in death by her parents George Henry Robbins and Simmie Carter Robbins and her brother George Andrew Robbins. Survivors include: daughter Kristina Dalbudak and husband Cem; son David Saxman and wife Renee; grandchildren Isabel ...
Mark Evan Sewell NOV 21, 1963 - MAY 08, 2018
Mark Evan Sewell, 54, lost his courageous battle against brain cancer on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Hospice House of Savannah surrounded by his parents and extended family. The Savannah native was a longtime resident of Atlanta before returning to Savannah in 2015. Prior to his illness, Mark was a dedicated caregiver to his friend Kevin Riggs. Mark was a graduate of Cedar Grove High School in Decatur, and Georgia Southern University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Mark worked in commercial printing for many years. Surviving are his parents, John and Patricia(Crumpler) ...
Crystal Hunter Flathman - MAY 08, 2018
Crystal Hunter Flathman, 75, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2018 surrounded by family members. She was born January 26, 1943 in Garden City, Ga. to John “Jack” Henry Hunter and Edith Bowman Hunter. She was married to John Henry Flathman, USMC-Ret., in December 1964. They were lovingly married for 53 years; and, spent every day loving each other “Always.” Following her marriage, she and John, an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, moved to Quantico, Va. and later to Jacksonville, NC where she began her career in education teaching math, English and history. She moved back to Savannah when John ...
Phyllis Vance Boyle FEB 18, 1931 - MAY 06, 2018
Phyllis Vance Boyle SAVANNAH – Phyllis Vance Boyle, 87, passed away on May 6, 2018. Phyllis graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in English and was happily married to Edward J. Boyle from 1953 until he died in 2012. Phyllis and Ed raised 7 children and in retirement found pleasure in golfing and traveling, especially on river boat cruises in the U.S. and Europe. Phyllis was artistic and adept at word games. She enjoyed reading, poetry, music, dressing up for Halloween, and spending time with family. She most recently lived at the Marshes of Skidaway Island. Surviving are her ch ...
Mary Mixon Bailey - MAY 06, 2018
Mary Mixon Bailey, 87., passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018. Mary was born in Barnwell, S.C December 19, 1930, she graduated from Barnwell High School in 1947, then attended Armstrong State College and the Medical College of Charleston with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. She was a Critical Care nurse at Memorial Hospital in Savannah for almost 30 years, where she mainly worked CCU, ICU, and CVICU. In 1948 she married Lewis Graham Bailey Jr., at the time of his death they had been together 62 years. Together they traveled the world. Mary was a former member of The Chatham Club, The Plimsoll Club, Th ...
Ruth Rankin Owen - MAY 01, 2018
Ruth Rankin Owen, 90, died May 1, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. The native and longtime resident of Savannah was a graduate of Pape School and the University of Georgia. Ruth was an active member of the Junior League, a member of the Colonial Dames and passionately served in various Christian groups. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wesley Espy and Tom Owen. She is survived by her sister, Cornelia Rankin Groves, a daughter, Elizabeth Espy Roubos (Ross Roubos) of Jacksonville, FL and a son, Wes Espy of California. A private graveside service was held Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Laurel ...
Catherine Skeadas Cook - APR 30, 2018
Catherine Skeadas Cook, age 88, died April 30, 2018 at her home. She was born August 12, 1929, in Savannah Georgia, and lived there all of her life. She attended Savannah High School and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Home Economics Education. Her teaching career spanned 18 years and included Durrence School, Hancock Day School, Juliette Gordon Low Elementary, and Savannah High School. She was a member of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, where she served as President of the Philoptochos Society. Known as “Kitty”, she lived life to the fullest, and her vivacious per ...
Helen Lois Lowe - APR 29, 2018
Helen Lois Lowe, 87, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Born in Nevils, GA, she lived most of her life in Savannah. She was owner/operator of Harlow Hairdressers for many years, as well as owner of Seventh Heaven Antique Mall until she retired at the age of 75. She was preceded in death by her son, Ernest Fritz Lowe, Jr. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Freddy Hanton, son, Jerry Lowe and special friend, Jan Champion, sister Cecilia Eaton-Newman, brother, Jack (Jackie) DeLoach, grandson and wife, Jeremy and Danielle Hanton, two great-grandchildren, ...
Thomas Leahy Schendorf - APR 28, 2018
Thomas Leahy Schendorf, 79, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018 at his residence. He was born in Evanston, Ill. son of Howard and Vera Leahy Schendorf. Tom was a 1961 graduate of Northwestern University and attended the University of Chicago Business School. He married Janet Heise in 1975 and they lived in Lake Bluff, Ill and Weston, Mass. before retiring in Savannah, Ga. Tom spent his career in marketing and sales for technology companies such as IBM, Control Data and Data Architects/Logica. He spent the latter part of his career selling software to the largest banks in the world often spe ...
Christopher Merritt Hinely - APR 28, 2018
Christopher Merritt Hinely, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Savannah. He was born in Savannah, son of the late Jesse Lee and Marcella Merritt Hinely. Chris was a graduate of Jenkins High School and attended Savannah State College and Armstrong State College. He was the proud owner/operator of his own trucking company and attended the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Surviving are his brother, Philip L. (Susan) Hinely of Gastonia, NC; sister, Marie Hinely Sabiston of Savannah; longtime companion, Lila Casey of Savannah; goddaughter, Sarah Sab ...
Frances "Lucy" Marshall - APR 27, 2018
A truly generous Spirit has left us. Frances Biggs Marshall (Lucy), a Savannah, GA native, passed suddenly but peacefully in her sleep at home on April 27, 2018. Lucy cherished her family and friends, and her children were her pride and joy. Her natural curiosity and love of people enabled her to never meet a stranger. She adored animals, and treated all living creatures with love and kindness. Lucy was a curator of beauty and created splendor in her home, her garden, and her meals. She had a passion for interior design and fashion and a gift to make everything around her more beautiful a ...
Clifton Monroe Wilson, Jr. - APR 27, 2018
Clifton Monroe Wilson, Jr. died peacefully under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice on April 27, 2018 at the age of 92. Clif was born on March 25, 1926 in Aberdeen, North Carolina. He was the first of two sons born to Clifton Monroe and Margaret Sessoms Wilson. He graduated from Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, North Carolina and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clif married Ruth Greer of Aberdeen, NC at Page Memorial United Methodist Church in 1951. They moved to Savannah in 1956, where they raised three children. He was a lifelon ...
Mabel Frances Nichols APR 28, 1921 - APR 27, 2018
Frances H. Nichols, 96, died Friday, April 27, 2018. She was born April 28, 1921 in Florence, Alabama and was the daughter of the late Robert H. Holt and Ethel Spain Holt. She was the wife of the late Rama L. Nichols and was a member of the Church of Christ. She was retired from the U.S. Treasury Department an IRS Auditor. She was preceded in death by her brother, Roy Holt, and her sisters, Ruth Kroger and Sue Holt. Surviving are her son, David Nichols, and daughter-in-law, Sharon Nichols of Savannah, GA., granddaughter, Pamela Mitchell of Montgomery, AL, and grandson, Jonathon Nichols of O ...
Margian "Margie" Ellington - APR 27, 2018
Margian Dixon “Margie” Ellington, passed away at the age of 83, Friday, April 27, 2018, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born in Aline, GA to Alva Lee and Nancy Grace Dixon. She spent most of her life in Savannah and was deeply loved by her family and friends. She and her husband, James T. Ellington, were married in 1962. In the early years of their marriage, she worked for Dr. Harold Black, D.D.S. as a Dental Assistant. In 1972, she and her husband opened Dutchtown Children’s Center. Margie devoted many years to helping and loving the children who were left in her care. Ma ...
H. Andrew "Andy" Ernst, Jr. - APR 25, 2018
Andy Ernst, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home on April 25, 2018. Andy, a native Savannahian, was born to his parents, H. Andrew Ernst, Sr. (Mike) and Helen Thiot Ernst, on April 28, 1923. He was a direct descendent of the German Salzburgers who settled at Ebenezer in 1734 shortly after General Oglethorpe arrived in Savannah. After attending Waters Avenue School (later Romana Riley Elementary) he graduated from Savannah High School and Armstrong College. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Infantry and in the Air Force in the Austrian and German arenas. On his return f ...
Ida Chapman Welch - APR 24, 2018
Ida C. Welch Ida Chapman Welch, 85, died Tuesday, April 24, 2018. She was born July 24, 1932 in Brunswick, GA and was a homemaker, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Welch, and her daughter, Mary Gale Huggins. Surviving are her daughters, Marie Dale LoDuca (Richard), Margaret Elizabeth Clark, and Tina Louise Jaquess, her step-sons, Bill Williamson (Mary) and Paul Williamson, five grandchildren, Christina Crosby Jones, Terri Michelle Turner, Tonya Marie Scott, Kelly Ann LoDuca, and Christopher David LoDuca, as well as numerous great-gr ...
Glynn Lester "Les" Hendricks SEP 09, 1970 - APR 20, 2018
Glynn “Les” Lester Hendricks, 47, passed away April 20, 2018. A native of Savannah, Les graduated H.V. Jenkins in 1988. After high school he went on to attend West Georgia College for a couple of years before graduating from ABAC in Tifton, GA. After Les finished his schooling he became a Mason and was a member of Brethren of Clinton Lodge #54. He was the former owner/partner of the Wild Wing Cafe in Athens, GA before returning to Savannah to take over Hendricks Interiors Inc. contractors. Les was an avid supporter and fan of the Georgia Bulldogs. Les was preceded in death by his father Glynn ...
Mary Davison Mills - APR 19, 2018
Mary Davison Mills, 87, passed away in her sleep Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Savannah Square Health Center, under their loving care and that of Hospice Savannah. Mary was born in Yonkers, NY, but grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She attended Fort Lauderdale High School, and later the Universities of Miami and Florida, majoring in English. Coming from immigrant parents, she paid her way through college by modeling and entering beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Ibis at UM and is in the Miami Hall of Fame as the 1951 Orange Bowl Queen. Always humble, she never showed her family her portfoli ...
Ann Castiglione SEP 02, 1922 - APR 19, 2018
SAVANNAH – ANN CASTIGLIONE, 95, received her angel wings on April 19, 2018. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Hoboken, NJ on September 2, 1922 and moved “across the river” to Queens, NY when she married the love of her life, Carl Castiglione, on February 1, 1948. After working side-by-side with Carl, they retired to Long Island where they enjoyed the many activities and friends that their new community offered. Ann was a devout Catholic who spent time with the Lord every morning. She enjoyed serving and volunteered for the Long Island Blood Bank for 25 ...
Joseph Dunning Farr - APR 19, 2018
JOSEPH DUNNING FARR WORLD WAR II VETERAN He was born in October of 1922 in the Farr home at 1133 Washington Avenue, Savannah, Georgia. He attended Charles Ellis Elementary School, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1942. After completing courses as a ship fitter, he was employed at Southeastern Ship Building Company on East President Street until he entered the Army Air Corp in January 1943. While in the service, he completed several Army Air Corp schools and was qualified as an aerial gunnery instructor stationed at Laredo Army Air Field, Texas. In May of 1944 he was ordered oversea ...
Peggy Taylor Palles - APR 18, 2018
Peggy Taylor Palles passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The daughter of Redden and Lola Taylor, she was born in Timmonsville, SC on June 22, 1927. She graduated from Timmonsville High School and Winthrop College. Peggy was a sustaining member of the Florence Jr. Welfare League and a contributor to the Florence Symphony League. She enjoyed playing golf, bowling, cooking, walking, and playing duplicate bridge. Singing in the choir at Central United Methodist Church and in the Masterworks Choir were her two most enjoyable activities. She was a wonderful and caring wife, moth ...
Saundra Kay Burke Leon FEB 23, 1942 - APR 17, 2018
TOWNSEND _Saundra Kay Burke Leon passed away on April 17, 2018 surrounded by family. She was born in Gastonia, NC on February 23, 1942 to the late Jesse Burke and Louise Dow. A private family Celebration of Life was held in her honor, as one of her final wishes. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Jean Burke Fox, her children, Barbara Leon Dornbusch (Jerrett), George John Leon IV, Jessica Leon Brack (Michael), and Christopher “Trey” Leon (Leah), 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her son, George, served selflessly as her primary caregiver, a selflessness he inherited from her. S ...
Ethelyne "Lyn" McGhie - APR 16, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Ethelyne (Lyn) McGhie announces her passing after a battle with cancer, on Monday, April 16, 2018, at the age of 74 years. Lyn will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 40 years, Patrick and her children, Leesa Cooper (Scott), Joseph Ayres (Audra), Scott McGhie (Morgan), and her step-daughter, Sharon Kwolek (Richard). Lyn will also be fondly remembered by her twelve grandchildren, by her four great-grandchildren, by her siblings, James Polk (Dianne), Sharon Massey (Denny), and Ralph Polk, and by her sisters-in-law, Linda Manning and April McGhie. ...
Kathleen Ann Conboy Filson MAR 26, 1931 - APR 16, 2018
Kathleen Ann Conboy Filson died on April 16, 2018. “Kate” was born March 26, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA. where she grew up and later married “Ed” Filson. They moved their growing family to Isle of Hope, becoming integral members of St. James Parish. Kate celebrated her life through Christ in service to her family, her community, and to the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. In 2002, she received the Benjamin F. Griffith Volunteer Appreciation Award for her extraordinary service to children and their families as a Victim Witness Advocate for the District Attorney’s office (1984 - 2002). She was also rec ...
Nicholas F. Altomare - APR 14, 2018
.jpg_7025_1.jpg)
After a long and courageous fight, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas F. Altomare, USA (Ret), 63, beloved son, husband, father and brother, succumbed to cancer surrounded by his family and friends on 14 April 2018 in Savannah, Georgia. Born 23 April 1954 in Bronx, New York, he is the oldest son of Marilyn (deceased) and Nicholas Altomare. Known for his athletic prowess and quick wit, he graduated from John Jay High School in East Fishkill, New York in 1972, and was accepted into the United States Military Academy, West Point. Upon graduation in 1977, Nick served proudly around the world in United Sta ...
Ronell Collins Redditt JUN 17, 1938 - APR 13, 2018
GEORGETOWN, SC_ Ronell Collins Redditt died Friday, April 13, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Georgetown surrounded by her loving family. The Cobbtown native was born June 17, 1938. Ronell had a passion for fishing, She and her husband retired to Shellman’s Bluff, GA before moving to Georgetown in December, 2017. She was a cosmetologist for many years before becoming a Physicians Assistant. Ronell was predeceased by her parents, William Penn and Venice Cowart Collins; and her brother, William Penn Collins, Jr. Surviving are her husband, William J. “Bill” Redditt; her daughter and son-in-law, L ...
Joan Lynn Swanson - APR 13, 2018
Joan Lynn Swanson, aged 83, passed away on April 13, 2018 in her beloved cottage at The Marshes in Savannah, Georgia. Born and raised in New York, Joan met her husband, Al, on a blind date at age 19. Three months later, in April 1954 they secretly eloped, getting married at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York. They spent the next 58 years together until Al’s passing in December 2012. Joan and Al raised their five children in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Joan was very active in the Ridgefield community for over twenty years. She was a member of the Caudatowa Garden Club and served a ...