Obituaries
Larry D. Hancock SEP 17, 1946 - MAR 17, 2017
Larry D. Hancock, 70, died Friday, March 17, 2017 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. He was born in Savannah, son of the late Spates and Ida Mae Barton Hancock. Mr. Hancock is a 1964 graduate of Savannah High School and apprenticed for four years in the electrical trade. After serving his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman electrician with Local 508 where he remained until his retirement. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and a former member of Crossroads Baptist Church. Mr. Hancock loved the outdoors especially hunting at the Liberty Hunting Club and shad fishing. He was a true and f ...
Carroll Raymond "Ray" Potts SEP 11, 1952 - MAR 17, 2017
Carroll Raymond Potts, 64 died on March 17, 2017 under the care of Hospice Savannah. Born Sept 11, 1952 to Raymond George Potts and Dorothy Lashley Douglas,he was born and lived in Savannah for most of his life. “Ray” made his last widely and inappropriate and probably sarcastic comment before departing. He was an avid outdoorsman, who regarded camping as “second nature.” His journeys took him down to Louisiana working on the water, where he picked up a colorful dialogue and lifelong stories. He lived his life on his own terms to the end and had a palate to rival any beer connoisseur. Survivin ...
Delores "Sissy" Burns Dobbertin NOV 26, 1939 - MAR 16, 2017
Delores B. “Sissy” Dobbertin, age 77, died March 16, 2017, under the care of Hospice Savannah. Sissy passed at home, surrounded by her husband, children, and grandson John. She was born on November 26, 1939 in Savannah and lived here all her life. Sissy was the only daughter of Charlie and Lula Burns. She was raised with her two brothers, Jimmy and Ed, among the marshes, oaks, and tidal breezes on the Eastside of Savannah. Sissy loved growing up on the Eastern Islands and fondly recalls many good times when her parents owned and operated Burns Market. Both her mom and dad sold groceries, and d ...
Mary Thompson Rowse OCT 14, 1926 - MAR 16, 2017
Mary Thompson Rowse, 90, died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at her residence under the care of Hospice Savannah, Inc. She was born in Savannah, daughter of William Daniel and Annie Mae Garwes Thompson. She graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy and was a longtime communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mrs. Rowse enjoyed an extensive career with Trust Company Bank serving in many capacities ultimately becoming Vice President. She retired in 1994. She also had a wonderful zest for life up until recently enjoying lunch and bridge with her dear friends. Surviving are her daughter, Trina Ericsson ...
Walter Henry Peters AUG 27, 1930 - MAR 15, 2017
Walter Henry Peters A duck, the Pope, and a bear walk into a bar... If you knew Walter Peters, you have heard the punchline!! It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Walter Henry Peters, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a man who loved life, always had a smile on his face, and always tried to bring a smile to others – often accompanied by a groan as he started a joke you may have heard plenty of times before, but which you still loved to hear him tell. Walter left us on March 15, 2017. Walter was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on August 27, 1930. Afte ...
Joseph F. Dillon, III JUL 06, 1942 - MAR 13, 2017
Joseph F. Dillon, III Joseph F. Dillon, III, 74, died Monday, March 13, 2017. He was born in Savannah, son of Joseph F. Dillon, Jr. and Mary Bennett Dillon. Mr. Dillon was a 1961 graduate of Benedictine Military School followed by attending Jacksonville University. He apprenticed with Electrical Union 508 and also joined the Georgia National Guard serving for six years. Mr. Dillon worked at various electrical companies prior to being co-owner of Rabey Electric Co. until his retirement in 2000. He was a communicant of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, served as president of the Eagles w ...
Steven Ray Hughes OCT 04, 1970 - MAR 12, 2017
Steven Ray Hughes, 46, went to be with his Lord on March 12, 2017. He was known for living life to the fullest. He was always on the go and spontaneous. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Henderson Hughes; four children, Henderson, Madeleine, Thayer, and Weston; his parents, Bobby and Elaine Hughes; two brothers, Ashley Hughes (Jennifer) and Bobby Hughes; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Stevie was a 1989 graduate of Calvary Day School. He attended Georgia Southern University and graduated from the University o ...
Margie Ann Humphries Griner Bizzell JUN 25, 1929 - MAR 11, 2017
Margie Ann Humphries Griner Bizzell Margie Ann Humphries Griner Bizzell, 87, died Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Hospice Savannah. She was born June 25, 1929 in Midland, GA to the late D.H. and Lula Mae Johnson Humphries. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Charles R. Ray, III. She is survived by her daughter, Soundra Griner Ray (Charlie), son, John Griner (Brenda), two sisters, Barbara Mobley Beasley, and Ruth Mobley Lane, grandchildren, Ashleigh Ann Ray, Kevin Christopher Ray, Angie Payne, Johnathan Judson Griner, and Sherry Hearne, and eleven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 3 ...
Joseph Lawson Wetherbee MAY 19, 1987 - MAR 11, 2017
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Joseph Lawson Wetherbee Joseph Lawson Wetherbee, 29, died March 11, 2017, under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by his loving mother and friends. He was born Mary 19, 1987, in Savannah, GA, and lived in Savannah all his life. Joseph graduated from Windsor Forest High School in 2009. He was actively involved in Special Olympics. Joseph was a member of Compassion Christian Church where he was part of the Free to Fly Ministry. Surviving is his devoted mother, Mary Ann Wetherbee; Uncle, Robbie Hendley; Cousins, LeAnn, Bryann, and Amya Pound. He is predeceased his Grandparents Bob and Jo ...
Thu Huynh Bui MAY 22, 1946 - MAR 11, 2017
Mrs. Thu Huynh Bui, 70, went to her heavenly home on March 11, 2017 surrounded by her family and friends at Hospice Savannah, after a long illness. Thu was born on May 22, 1946 in Saigon, Vietnam to Huynh van Hoai and Lam Thi Hoa. In 1975, as the Vietnam War was ending, she, her son and unborn daughter immigrated to the US and resettled in Savannah. Her husband, Minh, a South Vietnamese Air Force fighter pilot, was captured by Communist Vietnamese and held as a POW in a Communist reeducation camp for 10 years. With the help of many, Thu spent 15 years lobbying local and state government offici ...
Raymond D. Dean JUL 26, 1947 - MAR 09, 2017
Raymond “Ray” Douglas Dean, 69, of Savannah, Georgia, died on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Candler Hospital. Ray was born July 27, 1947 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida, to parents Douglas and Theresa Dean. His family later moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of 1965. He went on to enlist in the United States Navy in July, 1965 and served as an Airframe Systems Organizational Technician attached to Patrol Squadron 11, Detachment 30, NAS Brunswick, Maine. He remembered his time in service fondly, and was particularly proud of an ...
Thomas Edwin " Tommy" Wilson NOV 24, 1934 - MAR 08, 2017
Thomas Edwin “Tommy” Wilson November 24, 1934 March 8, 2017 Savannah native Thomas Edwin “Tommy” Wilson (age 82 years) passed peacefully, relieved of the difficult illness of which he has suffered for more than a decade. He was the only child of the late William Samuel Wilson and Leticia Chambers Wilson. Tommy was a graduate of Carlyle Military School in Bamberg, South Carolina. He worked for Union Camp Corporation, then Savannah Electric and Power Company from which he retired after 37 years of service; and was a member of IBEW Local 1208. Tommy enjoyed camping vacations in the Carolinas, T ...
Rev. Leon Thomas Dudycha JUN 30, 1939 - MAR 07, 2017
Leon T. “Lee” Dudycha Rev. Leon T. “Lee” Dudycha, 77, died Tuesday, March 7, 2017. A private family inurnment will take place in the National Bohemian Cemetery in Austin, MN. Please sign our online guestbook ...
William Arthur Irvin MAR 27, 1933 - MAR 07, 2017
Arthur William Irvin Died March 7, 2017 at Hospice Savannah, surrounded by his children and Grandchildren. He was born March 27, 1933 in Maysville, Georgia and lived in Greenville South Carolina for the most of his life before moving to Savannah in 1976. He worked in Real Estate during his time in Savannah, the city he made his adopted home and loved so much. He enjoyed sharing the history of Savannah with clients and friends. Surviving are his Son and Daughter-in-law, Michael and Funda Irvin of Irvine California, Granddaughters Christina Overturf, and Alexandra Irvin, and Great Granddaughter ...
Elizabeth Roe Mason FEB 05, 1954 - MAR 06, 2017
Savannah, GA - Elizabeth Roe Mason, 63, passed away Monday, March 6, 2017 at Memorial University Medical Center. She was born in Greenville, SC daughter of Thomas Anderson Roe, Jr. and Betty Bain Roe. After graduation from Christ Church Episcopal Church School in Greenville, Elizabeth attended Furman University. Elizabeth married David W. Mason in 1975 and lived in Greenville where David was employed until they moved to Cashiers, NC. In 1983, they moved to Savannah where David managed Lorwil Land Corp., a company his father owned. Elizabeth was a homemaker, member of St. Paul’s Episcopal ...
Richard Henry Folmar JUL 02, 1956 - MAR 06, 2017
Richard Henry Folmar, 60, died peacefully Monday, March 6, 2017 at Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Savannah and lived there for most of his life. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marge. Surviving are his sisters, Annette Rosengren (Steven), Vera Hathaway (Thomas), Catherine Inglesby (Tom), Dianne Edwards; brothers, Robert Folmar and David Folmar, and many nieces and nephews. Ricky was born with severe Down’s Syndrome and led a happy life. Our little brother who never grew up will be sadly missed. The family would like t ...
Eudora DeRenne Roebling JAN 03, 1929 - MAR 05, 2017
Eudora De Renne Roebling passed away peacefully on March 5, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. She was born in Savannah, Georgia, the daughter of Augusta and Wymberley De Renne. Her childhood years were spent at the family home, Wormsloe Plantation, and in 1938 the family moved to Athens, Georgia. She graduated from St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, Virginia and received a degree in history from Mt. Holyoke College, with minors in German and Geology, subjects that served her well in later years when she traveled extensively. She inherited a love of gardening from her mother, a former National Flo ...
Cecil Burke Day, Jr. APR 12, 1954 - MAR 05, 2017
Cecil Burke Day, Jr. went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2017 after a courageous battle with muscular dystrophy and complications from a stroke. Born April 12, 1954 in Jacksonville, N.C. to Cecil Burke Day, Sr. and Marian Uldine (Deen) Smith, he was the eldest of 5 children. His father Cecil will be waiting for him at heaven’s gate along with son Thomas, and grandparents Kathaleen Lassiter & Albert Martin Smith II, and Kathleen Burke & Rev. Lon L. Day, Sr. Those who knew Burke loved his wit and mischievous sense of humor. Although diagnosed with a rare muscle disease tha ...
Kristina Ann Kath Jones MAY 20, 1954 - MAR 02, 2017
Kristina Ann Kath Jones, 62, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the home of her daughter, Meredith. Kris, as she was known, was born in Dayton, Ohio on May 20, 1954, the daughter of Frederick J. and Margaret M. Kath, who preceded her in death. After graduating in 1972 from Fairmont East High School, she attended the University of Kentucky. With her husband, Richard (Rick) Jones, she settled in Louisville, Kentucky, eventually moving to Savannah in 1986, where she began her career in interior and office design, working for Ivan Allen, the office supply and furnitur ...
Anne H. Mitchell JUN 16, 1918 - MAR 02, 2017
Anne Elizabeth Horton Mitchell Anne Elizabeth Horton Mitchell, 98, died March 2, 2017 at her daughter’s home. She was born in Jesup, GA on June 16, 1918. She moved to Savannah in 1935 and worked for Southern Bell. She also worked for Sears and Roebuck Credit Department from 1957 until her retirement in 1982. She is survived by her son, Richard Owen Mitchell (Barbara), daughter, Lauren Leah Mitchell, three grandchildren, Amy M. Harvey, James Andrew Mitchell, and Madison Alexandra Mitchell, and four great-grandchildren. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the ...
John "Big Mark" Polite NOV 14, 1956 - MAR 01, 2017
SAVANNAH - John "Big Mark" Polite, age 60, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017. A native and lifelong resident of Savannah, he was a graduate of Beach High School and attended Savannah State College. An accomplished and well known musician (drummer), he performed locally and internationally including two USO tours in Europe. Surviving are his wife, Yvette Polite; three children, John M. Polite, Jr. (Alisha), Michael Polite, and Shannon Polite; a sister, Earthell Wittlinger; and 4 grandchildren. A Celebration of Big Mark's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Abyssinia Miss ...
Susan Dyan Grandy NOV 21, 1952 - FEB 28, 2017
Susan Dyan Grandy Born 11-21-1952, San Antonio, TX; Died 2-28-2017, Savannah, GA Our dear sister and mother Susan, passed into God’s arms Tuesday evening peacefully. Susan was born to Thomas Davis & Rose Davis (deceased) while stationed in San Antonio. She lived a Christian life as a deep believer in God’s grace. Baptized at 9, active at Bull Street Baptist Church through her youth, taught Bible School with a deep love for children. Since 1999, she attended St John’s Episcopal Church and took Bible courses. She knew the Bible forward/backward, loved travel, led an exciting life includin ...
Richard "Mike" Cook FEB 28, 1947 - FEB 28, 2017
On February 28, 1947, Mike Cook, known to many as Cookie, was born to Elizabeth Dorsey Cook and John S. Cook. Exactly 70 years later, on February 28, 2017, Mike went to his Heavenly home, surrounded all day by friends and family at Hospice Savannah. His peaceful passing was so appropriate for Mike, who was a kind, loving, and humble man who never met a stranger. His wealth of friendships came second only to the love he had for his family. Mike had a passion for fishing, especially for in-shore trout. Many of his friendships were formed at Hogan’s Marina and Joey’s Bait House, where sharing ...
Ronald B. Schmidt, Colonel U.S. Army, Retired JUL 17, 1939 - FEB 28, 2017
Ronald B. Schmidt, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired SAVANNAH - I have written my own obituary so that I can say goodbye to my relatives and friends. I died on February 28, 2017 of multiple complications. I was born in Youngstown, Ohio, along with my twin, Don, on July 17, 1939 to Mildred K. and William M. Schmidt, both deceased. After high school, I entered the US Army as a Private. Some 33 years later, I retired as a Colonel of Armor. During my service, I was awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, The Bronze Star for valor with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, and addition ...
William James Heiser APR 27, 1944 - FEB 28, 2017
William James Heiser, 72, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA, surrounded by his wife, children, and immediate family. Bill was born April 27, 1944 in Evanston, Illinois to Edward and Gertrude Heiser. Bill attended Ohio University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He later married his high school sweetheart, Sandy Miller. Bill served as a Captain in the United States Air Force prior to joining 3M, where he worked in Sales and Marketing for 27 years. In retirement, Bill volunteered at Hess Elementary and served as CASA for the ...
Clemens Stephan"Steve" Burke JAN 18, 1928 - FEB 27, 2017
Clemens “Steve” Burke passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the age of 89, after a period of declining health. Steve was born in 1928 in Mahanoy City, PA to Dr. Clemens Stanley Burke and Sarah Fry Burke. He was the oldest of six children and developed a love for music at an early age. He learned to play the piano, a talent he would enjoy and share with others for the rest of his life. Steve loved to entertain people with his piano playing and joke telling, and really enjoyed being the center of attention. After graduating from high school, Steve joi ...
William L. "Bill" Carlin DEC 22, 1926 - FEB 27, 2017
William Carlin, 90 William "Bill" Carlin, 90, of Savannah, passed away from a stroke on Monday, February 27, 2017. Visitation will be held from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm followed by a memorial service on Friday, March 3 at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Monumental UMC in memory of Bill Carlin. Bill was born in Chicago to a “law family” in partnership with Clarence Darrow. Bill lettered in five sports and was a lifelong golfer. He graduated from Lake Forest College. Bill started with Ford Motor Company, in sales, ultimat ...
Harry Knutson OCT 13, 1923 - FEB 24, 2017
Harry Knutson died on February 24, 2017 while residing at the Marshes in Savannah, Georgia. He earned a BS from Brooklyn Polytechnic University and a Masters from Stevens Institute in Chemistry. He interrupted his education to serve 4 years in the Navy as a radioman. He returned to City Island in 1946. In 1947 he married Ruth and they had 2 sons, Eric and Gary. He worked 40 years for Allied Chemical and became Director of Licensing worldwide. While serving with Allied in Japan, he was vice president of a joint venture with Mitsui Corporation. He loved the water, swimming, sailing and scuba d ...
Dianne Parnell Collins-Hamrick AUG 26, 1946 - FEB 24, 2017
Dianne Parnell Collins passed away on February 24, 2017 after a brief illness. Born on August 26, 1946 in Alexandria, Louisiana, Dianne lived a life of challenges, triumphs, adventures and love. A lover of creatures great and small, Dianne touched the lives of every person and animal she met. The wife and daughter of military officers, Dianne spent her life on Air Forces bases around the United States and Europe, developing her love of travel and adventure. Dianne was a graduate of Edison High School in Virginia, a student of Louisiana State University, and graduate of the University of Tex ...