Obituaries
Myrtle Biel Vick Downs SEP 29, 1929 - JUN 16, 2014
SAVANNAH - Myrtle Biel Vick Downs, longtime Savannah resident, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2014 at Hospice Savannah. She was the daughter of the late Cornelia and George Biel of Charleston, SC. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and David Gallahan; son and daughter-in-law, Ralph Vick, Jr. and Linda Vick; her precious grandsons, Kelly (Ashley) Vick, Steven (Jessie) Vick, and Chad (Valerie) Gallahan; great-grandchildren, Shelby Vick and Hunter Vick; and a sister, Elizabeth Maddox. A Memorial Service will be held at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel on Wednes ...
Blair K. Christensen, MD MAY 20, 1950 - JUN 14, 2014
Blair K. Christensen, MD, 64, passed away June 14, 2014. He was born in Montpelier, Idaho son of Melvin A. and Doris Hill Christensen. After high school graduation, he enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy and then enrolled at Idaho State University graduating with a degree in Pharmacy. He later obtained his medical degree from the University of Colorado in Denver. After medical school, he spent ten years in the United States Army as a Captain working as a Doctor at Letterman Hospital at San Francisco, Wynn Hospital at Fort Stewart and the Hunter Army Airfield Base. After leaving the ...
Henry H. Nichols AUG 24, 1932 - JUN 13, 2014
Henry H. Nichols, 81, passed away peacefully, June 13th at Hospice House. Henry was a communicant of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and a member of the St. Thomas Men's Group. Henry was an Eagle Scout and a captain in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a Bachelor's Degree at the University of Florida and a Master's Degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Henry retired from Union Camp and enjoyed playing golf in his retirement. Heaven has gained an Angel. Henry was a simple man with simple tastes. He loved Jesus, his family, golf, the Florida Gators, black coffee and banana bread. He was one of ...
Leland Carson "Slick" Thrash OCT 28, 1942 - JUN 12, 2014
Leland Carson Thrash, better known to his friends as "Slick", 71, passed away Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2014, at Tara Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Thunderbolt, GA. He was born in Jackson, Michigan to the late Frank Patillo Thrash and Ruth Miriam McIntosh Thrash and grew up in Moncks Corner, South Carolina where he was a proud "Berkeley Stag", excelling in track, football, baseball, and basketball, and later an LSU Tiger. After moving with his family to Bristol, Virginia, he worked with his father at the Bristol Boys Club and briefly served as Director before starting a 41 year caree ...
Sherry Dwyer Beasley MAY 09, 1939 - JUN 12, 2014
Sherry Dwyer Beasley, 75, passed away peacefully, Thursday June 12th at her home. Sherry was a native and lifelong resident of Thunderbolt Georgia. She was the daughter of Judge Lawrence J Dwyer and Helen Howard Dwyer. Sherry was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parrish where she served for many years as the organist and choir director. She was a graduate of Saint Vincent's Academy and a member of the St. Vincent's Alumnae Choir. Sherry retired from Union Camp and was a member of the Union Camp Bag Ladies. She served as a member of the Nativity and Thunderbolt Woman's Auxiliary, was a Charter ...
West, Kenneth Palmer MAR 22, 1948 - JUN 12, 2014
Kenneth Palmer West, 66, passed away peacefully June 12, 2014 at his home under the care of Hospice Savannah. He was a native and longtime resident of Boston, MA, moving to Savannah in 1979. Kenneth had a long and successful career in the hospitality industry. He is survived by his wife, Lynn West of Savannah; a son, James West of Savannah; two daughters, India West of Savannah and Arwen Guay and her two children, Cayman and Jayme Guay of Albuquerque, NM; his brother, Richard West (Susan) of Kennebunkport, ME; several nieces and nephews; and lifelong friends, Walt Winnie and Abby Palmer. Servi ...
Colonel Jamie Robert Hendrix USA, Ret. JUL 26, 1930 - JUN 09, 2014
Colonel Jamie Robert Hendrix (USA, Ret.) died June 9, 2014, under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by his family, friends and former soldiers. He was born in Summit (now Twin City), Georgia on July 26, 1930, son of Jamie Hendrix and Lena Sconyers Hendrix. Following graduation from Metter High School in Metter, GA, he enrolled at The Citadel in Charleston, SC and graduated in 1951 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Colonel Hendrix earned his master's degree from Georgia Southern University and attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. He fought as an infantry officer in the Unite ...
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 ...