Obituaries
Betty W. Siler JUN 07, 1923 - JUN 09, 2014
Lilian (Betty) Walford Siler, age 91 died, Monday, June 9, 2014. Born in Cheddar, Somerset, England on June 7, 1923, she arrived at three years of age living on the peninsula south of San Francisco. She was educated on the West Coast but continued learning throughout her life for she enjoyed people and all the beauty of the world. She started doing volunteer work at an early age due to World War II. Her work as an advertising clerk for Standard Oil of California (Chevron) led to her being the Victory Garden model for Shell Oil plus photo model for many large companies. At the same time, she wa ...
Judge James Wesley Head SEP 19, 1927 - JUN 09, 2014
Judge James Wesley Head, 86, passed away on June 9, 2014 at the home of his daughter, Theresa Head Turner in Lecanto, FL, after an extended illness under the care of Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast and previously with Gentiva Hospice in Savannah. A native of Nashville, TN, Jim and his mother moved to Savannah in 1942. He attended Benedictine Military School. While attending BC, he worked for the Savannah Morning News as an assistant to W.D. McMillan, Sports Editor. He also worked under the watchful eye of Mr. Miller, the editor of the News at the time. Leaving Benedictine after his juni ...
Dorothy Hughes Simmons JAN 14, 1927 - JUN 09, 2014
Dorothy Hughes Simmons passed away and went to heaven, Monday, June 9, 2014. She was born in Savannah on January 14, 1927 to the late Marion and Ina Hughes. Dorothy graduated from Savannah High School and went to nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital as a cadet in Baltimore. As a registered nurse she was later employed by Memorial Hospital for 20 years. She was also the recording secretary for "The Happy Geechee Club" for a number of years. Mrs. Simmons was a lifelong and very active member of First Presbyterian Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 ...
Lauren Shannon Brown Smart JUL 10, 1979 - JUN 07, 2014
Lauren Shannon Brown Smart passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014, at age 34. Heaven has gained a beautiful soul and those of us left behind on earth are full of sadness and loss. Lauren loved life, adventure, and the sand beneath her feet; but most of all, she loved her children, Brayden and Phoenix, more than anything. Lauren had tremendous energy and everyone around her could feel her presence when she entered the room; she was so full of life and magnetism and could draw one into her sphere and we were better because of it. Lauren also strived to better herself through education and received a ...
Herbert Lee Taylor NOV 03, 1927 - JUN 06, 2014
Herbert Lee Taylor, 86, passed away Friday, June 6 of complications from cancer. He was born in Kingsland, Georgia to John and Idell Taylor. With 8 siblings, the family fell victim to the Great Depression and he was raised in the Anson Dodge Home for Boys, running the beaches of St. Simon's Island. At the age of 17, Herbert joined the Marine Corp and served as WWII ended in post-occupational China. He then returned to coastal Georgia, where he met and married the love of his life, Audilee. Starting with very little, Herbert grew H.L. Taylor Construction into one of the most successful local bu ...
Wayne O. Kieft AUG 16, 1935 - JUN 06, 2014
Wayne O. Kieft, 77, died Friday, June 6, 2014 at Hospice House. He was retired from Kemira and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was preceded in death by his wife Carole Jean Kieft. Surviving are his son, Christian M. Kieft, Sr. of Savannah, grandson, Christian M. Kieft, Jr., of Savannah, and several brothers and sisters in Michigan. Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2014 at the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel ...
Ruth E. Kitchen NOV 02, 1949 - JUN 05, 2014
Ruth E. Kitchen, 64, surrounded by her close family and friends, passed away June 5, 2014 at Memorial Hospital, Savannah, GA. She was born November 2, 1949, in Baltimore City, MD. She will be greatly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Monica and Floyd Allen Snyder, her grandchildren, Rachelina, Stephanie and Dustin Snyder, and her four lovely great grandchildren, Ace, Mariah, Gage Snyder and Logan Reinersten. They will always carry her memory in their hearts. Her family will hold a private memorial service. ...
Cecelia G. Seiler NOV 28, 1933 - JUN 05, 2014
Cecelia Gunn Seiler passed away Thursday, June 5th, after a lengthy illness. Born in Upatoi, GA, to Mary Charles and Cecil Gunn, she spent much of her childhood in Muscogee County. She graduated from Columbus High School. She attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia before transferring to the University of Georgia, where she pledged Chi Omega sorority. It was there she would meet her future husband, Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler. The couple would be given a solid white English bulldog puppy as a wedding gift. They named him UGA, and the University of Georgia Mascot dynasty would ...
Virginia M. Carlisle DEC 29, 1947 - JUN 05, 2014
Virginia McGrath "Ginger" Carlisle Ginger's extraordinary and inspiring seven-year battle with cancer ended Thursday evening, June 5, 2014. Her family and friends are grateful for the special time together she won for them as a result of the consistent faith and fierce determination she brought to that battle, and for the support she received from her incredible team of doctors at St. Joseph's Candler. Born and raised in New England, Ginger's 40 plus year career in nursing and hospital administration began in Boston and took her to New York City in 1974, where she met and married her husband, ...
J. Thomas Coleman, Jr. SEP 08, 1928 - JUN 04, 2014
SAVANNAH - Tom Coleman, 85, of Savannah, Ga, passed away June 4, 2014 after a long illness. Visitation will be held at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament on June 6, 2014 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM, with a rosary service at 7:30 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament on June 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM. J. Tom Coleman was the epitome of a public servant, a successful businessman and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will long be remembered for his devotion to the Savannah community and his desire to make a lasting difference. A native of Savannah, Georgi ...
Clarence C. Graham JAN 21, 1937 - JUN 03, 2014
Savannah - Clarence C. Graham, 77, succumbed to Huntington's disease, as he passed away peacefully yesterday at Spanish Oaks Retreat. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence E. and Idaree Graham. Mr. Graham is survived by a wife, Nancy, two children: Kimberly Graham and Dana Graham Wodkowski Michael. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Brittany McLaughlin and Graham Wodkowski. A Retired Major, Carl is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he proudly served two tours of duty, instructed various courses, and was awarded several badges and medals. His awards and decorations include t ...
Edwin C. Shepherd, MD JUN 19, 1921 - MAY 30, 2014
Savannah- Edwin Collier Shepherd, 92, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 30, 2014. Born June 19, 1921 in Charleston, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Tisdale Talmadge Shepherd and Katherine Evelyn Sauls Shepherd. His family moved to Savannah in 1927 where he attended public schools and graduated from Savannah High School. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia, where he was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a member of the University of Georgia Male Glee Club and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Literary Society. During World War II, ...
Jack Hinton Rhodes JAN 17, 1923 - MAY 30, 2014
Savannah, GA - Jack Hinton Rhodes, 91, died on May 30, 2014 at Hospice Savannah after a long illness. Jack was born on January 17, 1923 in Savannah, Georgia to Robert Hinton Rhodes and Thelma Whitford Rhodes. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Rhodes Czarnecki. Growing up in Savannah, Jack attended Savannah High School and Armstrong Junior College. During World War II, he was a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Force, serving as a Navigator aboard C-54 Skymaster and C-87 Liberator Express aircraft, flying supply routes from Miami to North Africa and India. Of his service, he was characteristicall ...
Jane P. Ierardi AUG 20, 1923 - MAY 29, 2014
Jane P. Ierardi, 90, died peacefully, Thursday morning, May 29, 2014 at her home. She was born August 20, 1923 in Interlaken, New York. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree 1943 and a Master's degree in Education and Foreign Languages from Cornell University in 1944. In 1946 she married Philip E. Ierardi, who preceded her in death in 1994. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James P. and Linda L. Gerard, of Savannah, daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Jane and Tony Garmany, of Nashville, Tennessee, brother and sister-in-law, William T. and Caroline Pritchard, of Interlaken, New York ...
Dianne Gnann Perry JUL 18, 1944 - MAY 27, 2014
Dianne Gnann Perry – SAVANNAH – Latricia Dianne Gnann Perry passed away on May 27, 2014 at Buckingham South in Savannah. Dianne was born in Clyo, Effingham County in 1944. She graduated from Effingham County High School in 1962. She moved to Savannah where she was a paralegal for I.C. Helmey, Jr. before meeting the love of her life, Charles A. Perry, Jr., and becoming co-owner of C.A. Perry Realtor, Inc. She worked as a real estate salesperson and property manager for 35 years. She enjoyed interior design, dancing, entertaining, and weekends on Hilton Head Island, including long walks on the b ...
James Milton Slade JUN 20, 1921 - MAY 27, 2014
SAVANNAH: James Milton Slade, 92, passed away May 27, 2014, at Savannah Square Health Center in Savannah, Georgia. He was born in Griffin, Georgia, on June 20, 1921, to the late Ivor Garrick Slade and Thomas Jefferson Slade, Jr. His family moved to Thomaston, Georgia, where he made his home for most of his life. Mr. Slade graduated from R.E. Lee High School, Thomaston. He attended West Georgia College in Carrollton and later Draughon's School of Business in Atlanta. He joined to Army during WW II and served his country working in the Adjutant General Corps in Germany, England, and France. Aft ...
Vera Walk Spoon DEC 28, 1928 - MAY 27, 2014
Vera Lou Walk Spoon Vera Lou Walk Spoon, 85, of Greenwood, Indiana died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Hospice House in Savannah, GA. She was born December 28, 1928 in Morgantown, IN to the late Carl and Joy Walk. She was a member of Southport Baptist Church, and attended Mount Pleasant Christian Church. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Carl Robert Spoon, of Greenwood, IN, two daughters, Tammy Johnson Rick, of Bargersville, IN, and Beth Payne Sam, of Franklin, TN. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Allyson, Max, Mackenzie, Noah, and Roman Johnson, Kylie Iodice Joey, Brandon Tayl ...
Charles F. Insley JUL 25, 1932 - MAY 27, 2014
SAVANNAH, GA - Charles Insley, 81, of Savannah, GA died Tuesday May 27, 2014. The son of Jane and Robert Insley, he was born in Dayton, Ohio. Growing up he lived in Connecticut, California, and Michigan. Charles attended Howe Military School and graduated from Michigan State University. Residing in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Charles had a 34 year career at Comerica Bank. Charles also volunteered with Michigan Cancer Society, Rotary Club and tutoring at a local school. Charles loved golf and could be found Saturday mornings on the links at the Lochmoor Club or the Landings Club. Retiring to Savan ...
Elva Elzva Trent - MAY 27, 2014
Elva Elzva Trent, 79, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at her residence under the care of Hospice Savannah. She was born April 25, 1935 in Gilbert, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Josie Trent. Mrs. Trent was a member of the First Baptist Church of the Islands. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Lori Trent, of Savannah, her sister, Alma Porter, of Coal Mountain, West Virginia, her brother, Carlos Trent, of Stark, Florida, and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., at the First Baptist ...
Marie Lyons Crider MAY 17, 1925 - MAY 25, 2014
Marie Lyons Crider, age 89 years, died Sunday, May 25, 2014, after a brief illness. She was born in Savannah, Georgia to the late John J. Lyons and Stella Hohenstein Lyons. Marie graduated from St. Vincent's Academy, and then earned an Associate degree in Liberal Arts 1942 from what was then known as Armstrong Junior College. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University, where she earned a BA in English. Thirty years later, she earned her Masters Degree in Education from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. She married Fretwell Goer Crider at the Cathedra ...
Charles Thomas Hollingsworth NOV 26, 1943 - MAY 24, 2014
Savannah- Charles Thomas Hollingsworth, Sr., 70, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Candler Hospital. He was a native and life-long resident of his "beloved Savannah." He was a 1961 graduate of H.V. Jenkins High School and attended Brewton Parker College. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. After thirty-four years with Strachan Shipping Company as an accountant, he concluded his career with the Equal Opportunity Authority of Savannah. Mr. Hollingsworth was a member of Skidaway Island Baptist Church. Preceding him in death are his parents, John Cornelius and E ...
Shealy F. Grovenstein JAN 09, 1943 - MAY 21, 2014
Mr. Shealy F. Grovenstein SAVANNAH - Mr. Shealy F. Grovenstein 71, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at St. Joseph's Hospital surrounded by his family. Shealy was born January 9th, 1943 in Springfield, GA. He spent most of his adult life in Savannah, GA. He graduated from Effingham County High School. He was in the National Guard in the early sixties. He worked for the Railroad and then he worked for Union Camp for 10 years. After that he was self-employed. He is survived by his wife Patty Grovenstein of Savannah; a daughter and son-in-law Karen & Ken Schaut of Guyton, GA; three grandch ...
Jack Patterson Sherrod NOV 14, 1922 - MAY 20, 2014
Jack Patterson "Pat" Sherrod died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at the age of 91. He was born in Savannah on November 14, 1922 to the late Admiral Dewey Sherrod and Inez DeLoach Sherrod. Pat attended Savannah public schools and dropped out in his senior year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the United States Navy in January, 1942 and served with distinction as an aviation machinists mate in a PBY "Black Cat" patrol squadron VP-11 deployed to Australia and New Guinea. After the war he returned to Savannah where he remained for the rest of his life. He returned to schoo ...
Joey Stephen Durden - MAY 20, 2014
Joey Stephen Durden – Richmond, Virginia Joey Stephen Durden, 53, of Richmond, Virginia, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at his home in the arms of his loving wife, Christina. Joey was born in Savannah, Georgia, on October 31, 1960, and though he traveled the world, later settling in Virginia, he always called Savannah his home. Joey graduated from Pathway Day School in 1977. He joined the United States Navy in 1981 and served his country from 1981 to 1985. He traveled around the world on the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier, during which time he met and fell in love with his wife. He later op ...
Carol A. Mitchum NOV 25, 1940 - MAY 20, 2014
Carol A. Mitchum, 73, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, daughter of Atwood O. Cotton and Margaret M. Elliott. She moved to Savannah at the age of 13 and attended local schools and Armstrong Junior College. Mrs. Mitchum was an avid supporter of the Humane Society and a lover of nature. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Stewart Broome, Jr. and husband, William Jackson Mitchum. Surviving are daughters, Michele M. Pursley Jeff of Huntersville, NC; Kelly Mitchum of Ashburn VA; brother, Tommy Broome LeAnn of Savannah; gran ...
Thomas J. Moran NOV 22, 1934 - MAY 20, 2014
Thomas J. Moran, 79, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014. He was born in Manhattan, NY oldest son of Mary and Thomas Moran. He was preceded in death by his sister Theresa Ryan and his brother John Moran. He was a very caring husband, father and friend. He retired from J.B. Williams Company-Beechman Products as a plant engineer after 31 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Jody of 57 years, daughters, M.J. Moran, Trish Palmer Karl, and grandson, Ryan Palmer and many wonderful nieces, nephews, their families and relatives. A memorial mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 24, 2014 ...
Olivia Anne Bulter JUL 02, 2003 - MAY 18, 2014
Olivia Anne Butler, 10, of Savannah, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014. Olivia was an angel who walked the earth. Olivia affected every person with whom she came in contact. Despite being autistic and nonverbal, Olivia had a way of looking at people and connecting with their soul. Olivia loved the beach and charmed everyone with her smiles and giggles. Olivia grabbed the hands and hearts of other beach goers as if she were running for Mayor of Tybee beach. Olivia inspired everyone to lead more meaningful and compassionate lives. She will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Ol ...
Mary Y. Schmitt JAN 07, 1938 - MAY 18, 2014
Savannah- Mary Y. Schmitt, 76, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014. She was born in Savannah on January 7, 1938 to the late Bruce and Irene Cannon. Mary was employed by Candler Hospital for many years before retiring to become a devoted mother and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Schmitt, Sr. and brothers, Richard Cannon, Jerry Cannon and Teddy Cannon. Survivors include her son, John H. Schmitt, Jr. Tina of Pooler; daughter, Heather Schmitt Balcom Brian; grandchildren, John H. Schmitt, III, Abigail Grace Schmitt, Brian Patrick Balcom, Jr.; brother and sister-in-law, ...