Obituaries
Gary L. Smith AUG 19, 1961 - NOV 28, 2016
Gary L. Smith, 55, passed away November 28th at home. He was born in Columbus, GA and lived most of his life in Savannah. Gary was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, mentor and friend. He led by example. He was always smiling and could make you laugh until you cried. Gary earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Armstrong State College. He was a longtime employee of Chatham County Juvenile Court and enjoyed running into young people whom he had helped get through rough times. Gary loved college football (especially the Georgia Bulldogs), Country Music and the Andy Griffith Show. Hi ...
William Lucken (Bubba) O'Connell MAR 05, 1958 - NOV 28, 2016
William Lucken O’Connell (Bubba), age 58, passed away peacefully November 28, 2016 at Athens Regional Hospital. A native of Savannah, William was born March 5, 1958 to Joseph Dennis O’Connell and Elsie Lucken O’Connell. He is survived by his sister, Terry O’Connell Charles and her husband, Bill, numerous cousins, a niece, nephews and half-brother. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. The funeral service will be private. Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to ...
Lynwood Grayson Willis SEP 17, 1931 - NOV 27, 2016
Lynwood Grayson Willis of Savannah, GA passed away November 27, 2016. He was born September 17, 1931 in Savannah, GA to Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Willis. He was a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology and practiced architecture and real estate development in both Jacksonville, FL and Savannah, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and wife Linda Sullivan Willis. Survivors are daughters Kathleen Greer (Billy Greer) of Savannah, GA, Linda Moore (Don Moore) of Seattle, WA, Julie Kimmerly (Mark Kimmerly) of Seattle, WA and Ashley Willis of Jacksonville, FL., four grandchildren ...
Ann Patricia Harper Carter AUG 07, 1942 - NOV 27, 2016
Savannah- Ann Patricia Harper Carter, 74, loving wife of 51 years to Michael Joseph Carter, Sr., passed away peacefully on November 27, 2016. Ann was a Savannah native, attended St. Vincent’s Academy class of ’60, was a resident at St. Mary’s after the passing of her Mother, and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing class of ‘63. In nursing training, she made many lifelong friends and was preceded in death by Zona Glackin, her best friend. As a Registered Nurse, her career spanned 51 years where she did everything from patient care to acquiring medicine for indigent patient ...
Charles L. McKenzie, III AUG 23, 1952 - NOV 25, 2016
Charles Lynwood McKenzie, III Charles Lynwood McKenzie III, 64, passed away Friday, November 25, 2016 at Hospice House Savannah. He was a native of Savannah and graduate of Benedictine Military School. He attended Armstrong State College and worked as a carpenter for many years before finding his true calling in life as a Public Servant on the Savannah Fire Department. He was instrumental in the advancement of the Rescue Company and Hazardous Materials Team for the Department. Charlie retired as a Captain after 23 years of honorable service for the City of Savannah. Charlie was an avid boate ...
Robert Scotland Cooper, Sr. FEB 20, 1928 - NOV 24, 2016
SAVANNAH - Robert Scotland Cooper Sr., born Feb. 20, 1928, died peacefully on Thanksgiving Day November 24, 2016, surrounded by his family and is missed already for his warmth, wit, kind-hearted gentleness and love. He is preceded in death by his beloved Mary Emmeline King Cooper who died on Dec. 26, 2007. They were married on her birthday, Sept. 10, 1955 and spent 52 wonderful years together. Robert was born at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta to Cdr. Henry George Cooper, USN and Janet Evins Cooper. In the years leading up to WWII, Commander Cooper served with distinction at posts near and distan ...
Elsie Hilda Donaldson JAN 02, 1930 - NOV 24, 2016
Elsie Hilda Donaldson, 86, passed away on November 24, 2016 under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by her loving family. Elsie was born on January 2, 1930 in Savannah. She retired as a dental assistant working with Dr. J.R. Hester for many years. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Hope Donaldson de Vries; her parents, Gordon and Agnes Perry; siblings, Ione Perry, Florence Beck, Athlynne Teichert, Eldon Perry and Robert Perry. She is survived by daughters, Holly Hale, Carolyn Saunders Merritt, Melissa Boye (Chris), and son-in-law, Frank de Vries; five grandchildren, Megan Pappas ...
Patricia Cates Cullum NOV 16, 1926 - NOV 24, 2016
SAVANNAH – A native Savannahian, Patricia Cates Cullum died on Thursday, the twenty-fourth of November, 2016. The widow of Frank R. Cullum, Esq., Patricia was born on November 16th, 1926, to Catherine Zealy Cates and James Michael Cates of Savannah. Preceded in death by her brother, James Michael Cates, Jr., she is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: her daughter, Cathy Cullum Belford (Lee) and her son, Frank R. Cullum, III (Pam) of Savannah, and John Michael Cullum (Jobie) of Tampa; her grandchildren, William Lee Belford, Jr. (Emily), Patricia Belford Rosenthal (M ...
Charles L. McCord, Jr. MAY 19, 1958 - NOV 22, 2016
Charles L. McCord, Jr., 58 passed away under the care of Halcyon Hospice in Atlanta. He was born May 19, 1958 in Savannah, Georgia to Charles L. McCord, Sr. and Hilda Daughtry McCord. He lived in the Atlanta area most of his adult life. He was employed in the Air Conditioning industry for many years before attending The University of Georgia where he received a degree in Computer Science. He was employed in the IT industry as a UNIX systems engineer. He loved the coast and was an avid fisherman. He is preceded in death by his mother Hilda Daughtry McCord. He is survived by his wife Barbara M ...
Philip Franklin Kirk MAR 04, 1925 - NOV 21, 2016
Philip F. Kirk Philip F. Kirk died November 21, 2016 under Hospice Care at Spanish Oaks Rrtreat. Philip was born March 4, 1925 in Challis, ID, the son of John and Florence Burstedt Kirk. His parents predeceased him as did his only sibling, his sister, Francis Kirk Cole. Philip was educated in Challis and Shelly, ID. He earned a bachelor’s degree in bio-chemistry at the University of California at Berkley, a master’s degree in international business from the School of Global Management in Phoenix, AZ, and an MBA from John Carroll Univ. in Cleveland, OH. He was a naval officer during World War I ...
Arthur Lawrence Rourke, Jr. JUL 21, 1942 - NOV 21, 2016
SAVANNAH – Arthur Lawrence Rourke, Jr., 74, died Monday, November 21, 2016, at his residence. Born July 21, 1942 in Savannah, he was the son of the late Arthur Lawrence and Veronica Dillon Rourke. Raised in the Catholic Church, Arthur was a 1960 graduate of Benedictine Military School. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5588, the Hibernian Society, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee where he was a longtime member of the Adjutant’s Staff. Arthur retired from Union Camp Corp. after many years of service. Surviving are his beloved sister, Mary Anne R. Hornkohl; several dea ...
Ernest Roy Olson OCT 18, 1930 - NOV 20, 2016
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Ernest Roy Olson, 86 of Savannah, Ga, retired businessman and cable executive, died Sunday, November 20, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Ernie was born on October 18, 1930 in Richmond, Indiana to Edna Marie Victoria Wright and Einer Reinholdt Olsson. He matriculated at Indiana University where he was the first man ever to serve twice as President of his Fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega (ATO). Upon graduation, he served in the Army and then began his business career which included stints in Chicago, Cincinnati, New York and finally Atlanta. He retired from MetroVision, a Time Warner co ...
Edward (Ted) L. Colby III NOV 21, 1967 - NOV 19, 2016
Edward (Ted) L. Colby III passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, on November 19, 2016 while in Atlanta to celebrate his best college friend's 50th birthday and to attend a Georgia Tech football game. He left us much too soon, just two days before his 49th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Leah McGriff Colby, daughter, Lauren Morgan (12), son, Ethan Laurence (9), parents Linda & Edward L. (Larry) of New London, NH; sister, Mary Colby (Becky Conzett) of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by George P. Burdell. Ted was born at Fort Rucker, Alabama, moving multiple times throu ...
Gertrude "Trudy" Bussing Corley AUG 11, 1936 - NOV 18, 2016
Gertrude “Trudy” Bussing Corley Trudy, 80 years old, died November 18, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family, she is proceeded in death by her husband Bob Corley. Trudy was born August 11, 1936 in Brazil, Indiana, raised in Dana, Indiana, and went to nursing school at Indiana State University. They moved to Savannah in the early 60’s, soon after she started her extensive career working at St. Joseph’s Hospital until she retired in 2001 as an operating room nurse. Trudy is survived by her children Ann Corley Williams (Slate) and Rob Corley (Lesley) and her three grandchildren Josh Corley ...
Heyward Grooms OCT 22, 1925 - NOV 18, 2016
SAVANNAH - Heyward Grooms, age 91, went to be with his heavenly Father on November 18, 2016 while at Ogeechee Area Hospice. Born in Columbia, SC, he went into the US Navy at seventeen and served four years during WWII. After serving, he came to Savannah and worked at the Union Bag & Paper mill and began building houses on the side. His work was his passion and he quickly became a highly-respected general contractor in Savannah of custom homes for over fifty years (Heyward Grooms Construction Company). He was also a dedicated member of Bible Baptist Church for just as many years. He is ...
Nicholas Christodlous Tsiartas JUN 05, 1939 - NOV 18, 2016
Nicholas Christodlous Tsiartas, 77, passed away Friday, November 18, 2016. He was born in Polystipos, Cyprus. He moved in the United States in 1969 and began his education in the culinary arts. He was an executive chef in Springfield, MA; West Springfield, CT, Virginia Beach and owned his own diner in Southington, CT until his retirement. Mr. Tsiartas moved to Greece after retirement where he remain for 10 years until he moved to Savannah in 2011. He is survived by his wife, Minodora Michael, daughter Maria Mitchell Tsiartas, son, Andreas Tsiartas (Susan), grandchildren, Sarah, Charlie, Ni ...
Jonathan Joshua "J.J." Thomas APR 25, 2014 - NOV 17, 2016
Jonathan Joshua Thomas Jonathan Joshua “J.J.” Thomas, age 2 passed away Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Memorial University Medical Center. He attended Savannah Christian School and was of the Catholic faith. J.J. is survived by his parents, Josh and Amy Thomas, his paternal grandparents, Charles and Patricia Thomas, his maternal grandparents, John Zagorski and Julie Tessner, godmother Kristy Foley, godfather Aaron Dale, and many other relatives. Visitation will be 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 21, 2016 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel. A Memorial Service to celebrate ...
The Right Reverend Harry Woolston Shipps JAN 28, 1926 - NOV 17, 2016
THE RT. REV’D HARRY WOOLSTON SHIPPS, DD EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF GEORGIA, RETIRED The Right Reverend Harry Woolston Shipps, 90, died November 17, 2016 at The Marshes at Skidaway Island. Harry Woolston Shipps was consecrated bishop in 1984 by the Most Reverend John M. Allin, Primate of The Episcopal Church, on the Feast of the Epiphany in Christ Church, Savannah, Georgia. Bishop Shipps served as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Georgia, becoming Diocesan Bishop upon his predecessor’s retirement in February, 1985. Born January 28, 1926 in Bordentown, New Jersey, Bishop Shipps was a choir boy and ...
Catherine Wootton Scholl SEP 08, 1911 - NOV 16, 2016
Catherine Wootton Scholl Catherine Wootton Scholl, widow of Frederick Thomas Scholl, Sr., died November 16, 2016 at her residence at the age of 105. She was a lifetime resident of Savannah, GA. She graduated from Savannah High School and attended Valdosta State College. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Savannah, the Savannah chapter of NSDAR and a member of the Huntington Club. She is survived by two sisters, Amelia Dreese of Savannah, and Jane Wootton of Florida. She is also survived by four children, Lyle Hammond of Washington state, Fred T. Scholl, Jr. of Savannah, Jane Kessler o ...
Edward Anthony Fitzgerald III OCT 10, 1950 - NOV 15, 2016
Edward A. Fitzgerald III of Savannah, Georgia passed away on November 15th, 2016, at age 66, after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was a Savannah native, born to parents Edward A. ‘Bubba’ Fitzgerald Jr. and Ethel Lavinia King Fitzgerald. He is preceded in death by both parents Bubba and Lavinia, and his sister, Susan F. Parker. Edward was a loving husband, father, brother, and son. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary J. Fitzgerald, his son Ted Fitzgerald (Kyle Roosevelt), his sisters Colleen (Bill) Henry and Peggy (Troy) Waters, as well as many nieces, nephews, cous ...
Madge Ann Yawn Slade MAR 12, 1927 - NOV 15, 2016
SAVANNAH – Madge Ann Yawn Slade, 89, died November 15, 2016 at Savannah Square. She was born March 12, 1927, in Thomaston, GA to the late Robert Walker and Alberta H. Yawn. She graduated from R. E. Lee Institute in 1944 and from Wesleyan College in 1948. On June 16, 1948, she was married to James Milton Slade in Thomaston, GA. Their love for their home of Thomaston and their friends there showed no bounds. Her friends in “The Bridge Club” were as close as any imaginable, but the Slades moved to Savannah in 2006 to be near their daughter. Madge was a lifelong member of the First United Methodis ...
Don Jeffrey McElveen JUN 08, 1940 - NOV 15, 2016
Savannah - Don Jeffrey McElveen, 76, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on November 15, 2016, at Candler Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, and was the son of Cluese and Mary Roddenbery McElveen. He started his lifelong career in the menswear business in 1960 at John B. Rourke, and after 55 years retired as co-owner. He took absolute pleasure in delighting longtime friends and customers with his impeccable sense of style and legendary service. He enjoyed a full and wonderful life blessed with God, family, and friends. He was a member of Saint John’s ...
Richard Laurence Williams FEB 05, 1915 - NOV 15, 2016
Richard Laurence Williams died November 15, 2016 at his home. Mr. Williams was born February 5, 1915, in Van Meter IA, to Thomas C. and Garnet Clayton Williams. His childhood on a farm near Ruthven IA, taught him the value of hard work and frugality. After graduating from Silver Lake High School in Ayrshire IA, Mr. Williams left home to attend Iowa State University. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a reserve commission in the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Williams was called to active duty in the US Army a few months before Pearl Harbor. During three years of service in ...
John Christian Snedeker SEP 04, 1927 - NOV 14, 2016
John Christian Snedeker, longtime resident of Wilmington Island, passed away on November 14, 2016 after several years of declining health. He was 89 years old. John was born in Babylon, NY on September 4, 1927 to Charles Valentine Snedeker and Marion Olsen Snedeker. His early years involved much time sailing the waters of Great South Bay. John loved sailing and the water, and was never far from either. He was throughout his life industrious, determined; principled, steady, and honest; a good man and father. John graduated from Babylon High School in 1944 as Salutatorian, and then went on to Co ...
Reginald Boyd "Don" Donaldson, Jr. MAR 29, 1941 - NOV 13, 2016
SAVANNAH - Reginald Boyd “Don” Donaldson, Jr. of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on November 13, 2016, at the age of 75. He was born in Savannah to Reginald Boyd Donaldson and Marie Kuhlke Donaldson on March 29, 1941. He is preceded in death by both parents. Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann Gill Donaldson, his daughter Cindy (Chris) Phillips, his son Jeffrey (Shari) Donaldson, his brother Glenn (Shirley) Donaldson, and his six grandchildren: Sarah Phillips, Elizabeth (Matt) Phillips Broullire, Will Phillips, Connor Donaldson, Andrew Donaldson, and Katie Donaldson. Don graduated from ...
Henry D. Hall, Jr. NOV 03, 1937 - NOV 13, 2016
Henry Daniels Hall, Jr. Henry Daniels Hall, Jr., 79, died Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Hilton Head Hospital. He was born November 3, 1937 in Savannah to the late Henry D. Hall, Sr. and Euna Anderson Hall. Henry was a 1955 graduate of Benedictine Military School and attended Armstrong Jr. College. He was a member of the Air National Guard and a communicant of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. He was past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Macon, GA and was also a member of the Macon Board of Realtors as well as the Survivors Club. He was the owner of Hall Realty, and was an accompl ...
John F. Adkins, Jr. APR 23, 1942 - NOV 12, 2016
John Frank Adkins, Jr., age 74, died peacefully after a long illness on November 12, 2016. Born on April 23, 1942 and raised in Savannah, John was the son of the late Billie Nelson Adkins and John Frank Adkins, Sr. He attended Chatham County Public Schools and was a 1960 graduate of Herschel V. Jenkins High School. Upon graduation, John entered the military, serving in the United States Army as both a fixed wing and rotary wing pilot. He earned the designation of Aviation Safety Officer from the Institute for Aerospace Safety from the University of Southern California and held the designati ...
Audrey Ellis Gladin FEB 11, 1921 - NOV 11, 2016
Audrey Ellis Gladin, 95, passed away Friday, November 11, 2016 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. She was born in Portal, Georgia, daughter of Joseph Ellis and Julia Chester Ellis. Mrs. Gladin was a hair stylist in Savannah for 38 years and most of that time a shop owner. She was a Past Matron of Amity Chapter 183 Order of the Eastern Star and has been a member of the Eastern Star since 1950. She also held state appointed offices in the O.E.S. Mrs. Gladin was Charter President of Rebel Chapter American Business Women’s Association. The first chapter in Savannah and was named “Women of the Year” in 19 ...
Sherry Turner Swanburg - NOV 10, 2016
Sherry Turner Swanburg died Thursday, November 10, 2016. Sherry was a life-long resident of Savannah. She is survived by her mother, Linda Church and step-father, Bruce Church of Atlanta; brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Larkin Pangburn; nephew, Wyatt of Ball Ground, GA; son, Michael and his wife Emily and three grandchildren of Ashland, KY, and extended family from Atlanta and Arlington, VA. Funeral arrangements are private. ...