Obituaries
Garvin H. McClain AUG 06, 1935 - DEC 02, 2016
Garvin Herbert McClain Garvin Herbert McClain, age 81, died at home on Friday, December 2, 2016. Garvin graduated from North Western University and served for 12 years in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp as a medical doctor. He was Honorably Discharged and started Oxford Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oxford, Ohio where he served the community for 33 years. He is a member of Islands Christian Church. He is predeceased by his parents Kenneth H. McClain and Margaret Ann McClain. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Kathleen Ann McClain, his two sons, Forrest G. McClain and Shawn K. McClain; four daughte ...
William H. Bronson JAN 12, 1925 - DEC 01, 2016
William H. Bronson, 91, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Bryan County Health Rehabilitation Center under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice. He was born in Macon, GA, son of Emerson F. and Susie Mae McDonald Bronson. He spent most of his early life around Houston County until his family moved to Savannah in 1950. Mr. Bronson retired as a conductor with Norfolk-Southern Railroad after more than 30 years of service. The railroad was his life often working more than sixty hours per week. He was a contributor to the Catholic Indian School for Lakota children of South Dakota. His ...
Angela Exley Dearing - DEC 01, 2016
Angela Exley Dearing (Mrs. Ashley K. Dearing, Jr.) SAVANNAH – Angela Exley Dearing died Thursday, December 1, 2016. She was a native Savannahian having graduated from Commercial High School and Armstrong Junior College. She was married for 52 years to Ashley Dearing, Jr., who passed away March 2009. She was a resident of the Isle of Hope. She was a past President of the Huntingdon Women’s Guild, the Wymberley Garden Club and the Exchangette Club of Savannah. Angela was a Life Member of both the Garden Club of Georgia and the National Council of State Garden Clubs. She was a founding membe ...
Al Sharpe JAN 01, 1923 - NOV 30, 2016
Allison R. "Al" Sharpe Allison R. “Al” Sharpe passed away peacefully, on Thursday, November 30, 2016, at Candler Hospital, after a brief illness. He was 93. Al was born in Wayne County, Georgia, on November 1, 1923. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1941, and in 1942, he joined the US Army Air Corps, where he served for two years in Italy during WWII, as an airplane mechanic. After the war, he settled in Savannah, where he met Mary Futral, and they married in 1948. During his long and active life in Savannah, Al established an auto-parts business, which became known to mechanic ...
Paul Emerson Waters, Jr. FEB 22, 1943 - NOV 30, 2016
SAVANNAH – Paul Emerson Waters, Jr., 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, GA on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. He was born in Savannah, GA on February 22, 1943 to Paul Emerson Waters, Sr. and Mary Olliff Waters. He attended Savannah High for two years before graduating from Georgia Military College. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from The University of Georgia. After graduating from college, he joined the United States Air Force during Vietnam. He later went on to work many years in the hosiery and textile industry before ultimately going out on his own, owning and ope ...
Robert Lee Elkins (Ret. SMSgt., USAF) OCT 03, 1930 - NOV 29, 2016
Robert Lee Elkins (Ret. SMSgt) 1930 – 2016 Robert Lee Elkins, age 86, of Valparaiso, FL passed away on November 29, 2016 with his family by his side. He was born in Savannah, GA to the late Alfred Lee Elkins and Inez Davis Elkins. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty E. Stanford. Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Joan D. Elkins; daughter, Angela R. Jones; and a brother-in-law, W. Otis Stanford. Robert was in the US Air Force for 26 years serving in Vietnam, Alaska, England and Korea, retiring as a SMSgt. He was also a faithful member of the First Baptist Church ...
Andrea Donkin Gartland JAN 15, 1949 - NOV 29, 2016
Andrea Donkin Gartland, 67, died peacefully at her beloved Skidaway Island home on November 29, 2016 with her husband and primary caregiver, Arthur, by her side. Her passing followed a courageous eight month battle with cancer, during which she uttered not a single complaint, but instead gave thanks constantly to the many doctors, nurses and other personnel at Memorial Hospital and its Anderson Cancer Institute (ACI) who cared for her with remarkable compassion, as well as expertise. Andrea Ruth Donkin, “Andy” to her family and friends, was born in Weymouth, MA on January 15, 1949. She was the ...
Frances Alley Wright AUG 09, 1919 - NOV 29, 2016
Frances Alley Wright (97) passed away November 29, 2016 at Hospice House in Savannah, Georgia surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law. She was born August 9, 1919 in Richmond, Virginia and lived most of her life in Richmond before moving to Savannah in 2015. Surviving are her daughter Eileen Lipscomb of Powhatan, Virginia, her daughter Carol Benton and son-in-law Charlie Benton of Savannah, Georgia, grandsons Charles (Rhianna) Garner of Richmond, David (Staci) Tunkel of Flowery Branch, Georgia, and Christopher (Claire) Tunkel of Brooklyn, New York, as well as great-grandsons Grayson, Ellis ...
Melvin E. "Papa" Toland JUN 09, 1930 - NOV 29, 2016
Melvin E. “Papa” Toland Savannah – Melvin Toland, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died November 29, 2016 at Candler Hospital after a short illness. He was 86. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Niblett Toland; his parents, Walter Eugene Toland and Elizabeth Ann Toland; his brothers, James Merlin, Alfred Bernard and Ellis (Lucky). Melvin was born in Danville, Kentucky but moved to Macon, GA at an early age. From there his family moved to Juliette, GA, and from there he joined the Army…but not before marrying his sweetheart “Dot”. After honora ...
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 ...