Obituaries
Laura Anne Head Thomas SEP 14, 1963 - DEC 23, 2013
SAVANNAH – Laura Anne Head Thomas, 50, died December 23, 2013 in Savannah. The Savannah native was a 1981 graduate of Calvary Baptist High School and received an RN degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 1996. She was a member of Savannah Christian Church, East Campus, and had worked for Candler Hospital sixteen years. She loved the beach, the sun, shark tooth hunting, nature, horses, and boating. She also loved her work with special needs kids. She was adored by her nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her step-mother, Helen Vail Head and grandmother, Ruby Mae Head. Surv ...
Laura Anne Head Thomas SEP 14, 1963 - DEC 23, 2013
SAVANNAH – Laura Anne Head Thomas, 50, died December 23, 2013 in Savannah. The Savannah native was a 1981 graduate of Calvary Baptist High School and received an RN degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 1996. She was a member of Savannah Christian Church, East Campus, and had worked for Candler Hospital sixteen years. She loved the beach, the sun, shark tooth hunting, nature, horses, and boating. She also loved her work with special needs kids. She was adored by her nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her step-mother, Helen Vail Head and grandmother, Ruby Mae Head. Surv ...
Richard Patrick Spelman DEC 23, 2013 - DEC 23, 2013
SAVANNAH - Dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle and mentor, Richard Patrick Spelman died on December 22, 2013 at his home in Savannah, GA under the care of Hospice Savannah with his devoted wife of 50 years, Patricia Ann Spelman and son Chris Spelman by his side. Rich was born in Port Chester, NY on March 3, 1940, grew up in Mamaroneck, graduated Blessed Sacrament High School receiving their athletic award for best athlete Football, Basketball & Baseball and attended the University of Dayton, OH. He served in the Army until July 1968. Rich married Patricia in 1963 settling in New ...
Leonora Morekis Pughsley - DEC 21, 2013
SAVANNAH – Leonora Morekis Pughsley died December 21, 2013 at Hospice House. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Leonora attended Savannah Schools and was a member of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. She travelled to Greece many times and visited other places in Europe as well. She retired from the Social Security Administration following many years in the Savannah office. She was an avid gardener. Surviving are her sister, Anne Morekis; her son, Roger Byron Pughsley; grandsons, Richard Pughsley and Joseph Ellis; granddaughters, Amber C. Crabb and Katelyn B. Pughsley; step-sons, Dale and Bobby Pug ...
Joe Garland Higgs OCT 06, 1924 - DEC 20, 2013
SAVANNAH – Joe Garland Higgs, retired Chief of Engineering Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, and Europe died on December 20, 2013 at the age of 89. Joe was born in Lenoir City, Tennessee and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He interrupted his college career to serve as a fighter pilot in WWII in the Ninth Air Force, Europe, flying the P-47 single engine fighter. He later graduated from the University of Tennessee and obtained a graduate engineering degree at Purdue University. Joe was one of the first engineers in Thule, Greenland. He started his career in Savannah with the Cor ...
Richard Thomas Cowan, Jr. DEC 22, 1928 - DEC 18, 2013
Savannah- Richard Thomas Cowan, Jr., fondly known as "Doc", passed away peacefully the morning of December 18th, 2013 at Memorial University Medical Center after a short illness. Born in Moultrie, Georgia, he was the son of the late Attorney, Richard Cowan and the late Inez Mingledorff Cowan. He graduated from Commercial High School and attended Armstrong University and also studied Law. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force and retired as an Instrumentation Specialist at American Cyanamide where he broke several records and was known as "the best Instrumentation Specialist around". If n ...
Wah Lee JAN 23, 1925 - DEC 18, 2013
Martha Wah Tsui Lee, 89, died peacefully Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born January 23, 1925 in China and has lived in Savannah since 1975. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed giving "Lucky Red Envelopes" to all of her family. She is survived by her three daughters, Agnes Yao of Savannah, Barbara Yung of Toronto, Canada, and Catherine Lee of Duluth, GA. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Melissa Yao Hille Markus of Savannah, Christina Yao of East Lansing, Michigan, Serena Yao of Savannah, and Arvid Yung o ...
Susan Saunders Schirm MAR 07, 1957 - DEC 17, 2013
Woodstock, GA- Susan Saunders Schirm of Woodstock Georgia, born March 7, 1957 in Columbia, SC, passed away December 17, 2013. Susan was the adored wife of Steve Schirm and daughter of Robert and LaWanda Saunders. She is survived by her husband Steve of Woodstock, GA, grandmother Opal Clary Shipwash of High Point, NC, mother LaWanda Saunders and sister Leigh Murphy of Beaufort, SC and nephew Adam Polk of Raleigh, NC. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Memphis, Tennessee and attended University of South Carolina at Columbia. Susan was a senior aviation underwriter for QBE No ...
Vickie Lang OCT 10, 1953 - DEC 17, 2013
TYBEE ISLAND – Vickie Lang Blondie, 60, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at her residence. She was preceded in death by her father, Willard Lang. She is survived by her mother, Genell Lang of Summerville, South Carolina and her dear friends, Vickie-Vickie Knight and Roma Harper, both of Tybee Island. Per Ms. Lang's request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Her ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date. Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com ...
Anna Anander Mataxas JUL 04, 1931 - DEC 17, 2013
Anna Anander Mataxas Anna Anander Mataxas, 82, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013. She was born July 4, 1931 to the late Steven and Pearl Calas Anander. Mrs. Mataxas was a member of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church and the Philoptochos Ladies Society of the church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Pamela Mataxas Rahal Tripoli. She is survived by her husband, James Mataxas, of Savannah, son and daughter-in-law, Robert C. and Mary Ann Mataxas, of Richmond, TX, sister, Stella Lamas, of Savannah, and her brother, John Anander, of Atlanta. She is also survived by ...
Jay Philip Helmreich NOV 26, 1990 - DEC 16, 2013
Jay Philip Helmreich 11/26/90 - 12/15/13 Jay is rejoicing in heaven today - renewed! His struggle with pain has died with his earthly body. Jay is an amazing musician and composer, and God needs him for a special Christmas concert! He truly knows his music abilities are a gift from God and is not shy about it. His love of food and celebration is surpassed only by his passion for the beauty of God's creation. Jay's sense of humor is a gift to his family and friends. He has never met a stranger and everyone he meets loves him immediately. Jay is predeceased by his maternal grandfather, John K. ...
Caroline Oliver Clausen Strang APR 22, 1917 - DEC 16, 2013
Savannah- Caroline Oliver Clausen Strang, 96, born April 22, 1917, died Monday, December 16, 2013 at St. Joseph's Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Francis McDonald Oliver; brothers, Joseph M. Oliver & Frank M. Oliver, Jr. She was the widow of Ensign Herbert Tutwiler, Jr. of Birmingham, AL, Peter J. Clausen of Denmark, Europe and Samuel Bartow Strang of Chattanooga, TN and Savannah. She was born in Savannah and for over thirty years, lived in Bronxville, New York where she and Peter Clausen raised their family. They returned to Savannah in 1967. Caroline wa ...
Christine Roberds Harrison APR 25, 1933 - DEC 16, 2013
Savannah- Christine Roberds Harrison, 80, passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 at her daughter's home under the care of Hospice Savannah. She was a native of Savannah and graduate of Savannah High School, Class of 1950. Mrs. Harrison received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. After college she returned to Savannah and worked with the family business, Roberds Dairy, until its closing in 1986. Preceding her in death are her husband, James C. Harrison, Jr.; parents, Clifford Nicholes Roberds, Jr. and Tillie W ...
Agnes Warner Hendrix MAR 11, 1925 - DEC 15, 2013
Agnes Warner Hendrix went to be with the Lord Sunday, December 15, 2013. She was born in Savannah March 11, 1925. Agnes graduated from St Vincent's Academy and St. Joseph's School of Nursing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Cleveland Hendrix, Jr. and son, Grover Cleveland Hendrix, III. Agnes is survived by sons, John M. Hendrix Leigh and R. Gerald Hendrix Jackie, five grandsons, Christopher, Jason, Colton, Garrett and Kyle Hendrix and one granddaughter, Lauren Hendrix, all of Savannah. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2013 in the Ho ...
Martha Daniels Brown JAN 12, 1934 - DEC 15, 2013
Ellabell, GA - Martha Daniels Brown, 79, passed away, Saturday, December 14, 2013 at her residence. She was born in Jesup, Georgia, daughter of the late Kimsie and Mary Tyre Daniels. Martha married the love of her life, Aubrey Brown in 1951 and they moved to Savannah. While in Savannah, she worked for Woolworths, Great Dane, the State of Georgia Correctional Custody and retired from Georgia Regional Hospital. She was a member of Christ Baptist Church in Ellabell where she was very active as a volunteer with Vacation Bible School and organizing and printing of the church bulletin. Surviving are ...
Bonnie Speth Roberts JUL 29, 1942 - DEC 14, 2013
SAVANNAH - Bonnie Jean Speth Roberts, 71, passed away on December 14 at 4 a.m. under hospice care and surrounded by her loving family. Bonnie was born in Niagara Falls, NY on July 29, 1942 and lived in Jacksonville, FL, Lake Lure, NC and Savannah, GA. Bonnie was the daughter of Charles W. Speth and Olive M. Berry Speth. She graduated from Englewood High School, Jacksonville, FL in 1960 as valedictorian; she was president of the Student Council and the National Honor Society. She graduated from Duke University, Durham, NC with a B.S.N. degree in 1964. Bonnie worked with Dr. Richard Skinner' ...
Earl George Keck JUN 28, 1935 - DEC 13, 2013
Earl George Keck, 78, died Friday, December 13, 2013 at Hospice Savannah. Earl was born June 28, 1935 in Butler, PA to the late Raymond and Irene Keck. He was retired from American Yard Products as Vice-President. Earl was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church and also was a recipient of the Gartland Award. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara L. Keck, of Savannah, five children, Greg Keck Margaret, of Greensboro, GA, Steven Keck Laura, of Johnston, SC, Laura Friday Marc, of Savannah, David Keck Abbe, of Columbia, SC, and Matt Keck Nan, of Savannah. He is also survived by nine ...
April "Desi" Koci JAN 12, 1960 - DEC 11, 2013
Savannah, GA - April "Desi" Koci, 53, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Memorial University Medical Center. She was a native of Amarillo, Texas and had lived in Crestwood, KY and Heidelberg, Germany prior to moving to Savannah in 2009. While living in Crestwood, Desi was a loving and gifted teacher's assistant at Camden Station Elementary School, volunteered with the prison ministries and was active with Emmaus in Louisville, KY. Her love of children and gift of caring brought her to the Ronald McDonald House in Savannah where she became an integral part of the volunteer program. Abo ...
Elaine Jannusch Smith APR 25, 1928 - DEC 10, 2013
SAVANNAH - Elaine Helen Jannusch Smith, 85, died at her home on December 10, 2013 surrounded by her children. She was born April 25, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois and lived in Illinois for most of her life before moving to The Landings in Savannah, Georgia. She attended Amundsen High School and the University of Chicago. She was self-employed as a land developer before retiring to Savannah where she was a golf member at The Landings and involved in many bridge groups, charitable organizations, and Girls and Boys from Illinois. She was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church. Elaine loved the C ...
James D. "Rick" Wohltman JAN 09, 1958 - DEC 10, 2013
James Diedrick "Rick" Wohltman, III James D. "Rick"Wohltman, III, age 55, born in Savannah, GA January 9, 1958, died Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Hospice Savannah. Rick was baptized in the Lutheran faith and he loved cooking and hunting. He was appointed "Chief Cook" by his friends at his Burke County Hunting Club. Rick enjoyed spending time with his aunt and uncle, Kathryn and John Harry Gay and his five cousins, Cynthia, Nancy, Kathryn, Sarah Jane, & Johnna on their farm in Garfield, GA. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, J ...
William Edward Durrett, Sr. JUN 21, 1932 - DEC 09, 2013
AIKEN, SC - William Bill Edward Durrett, Sr., 81, died on December 9, 2013 at the Azalea Woods Nursing Home in Aiken, SC. Bill was born on June 21, 1932 in Asheville, NC to Bertha Williams and Fred Durrett. He married his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Cherry Howard of Savannah, GA, on April 17, 1954. They met during high school at Bull Street Baptist Church. Bill served in the United States Navy with special detail in the Korean War from 1952-1954 aboard the seaplane tender, U.S.S. Timbalier AVP-54. A 1958 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with an Industrial Management de ...
Nancy Helen Sewell JAN 13, 1951 - DEC 08, 2013
SAVANNAH - Nancy Helen Sewell passed away December 8, 2013. Born January 13, 1951 in Savannah, Nancy attended Savannah High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated from Georgia Southern University, where she was involved in student government, Phi Mu Sorority and the PanHellenic Council. Nancy was a dedicated employee of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service for 16 years. She was a program consultant for the American Lung Association of Georgia and program coordinator for the Coastal Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Nancy was affili ...
Thomas Frank Baker SEP 02, 1947 - DEC 08, 2013
SAVANNAH – Thomas F. Baker, 66, died December 8, 2013 at home with his family, under the care of Hospice Savannah. He was surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was born September 2, 1947 in Charleston, South Carolina to the late William Henry, a.k.a. Billy, Baker, and Grace Louise Wilkes of Charleston. He moved around quite a bit with the military and civilian jobs before settling into his home away from home in Savannah. He graduated from Bishop England High School and continued his education in Charleston graduating from The Citadel in 1969. He went on to receive his master ...
Mae B. Lyle NOV 23, 1928 - DEC 06, 2013
Mae B. Lyle, 85, was called home to be with her Lord after a long illness on Friday, December 6, 2013 at Riverview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Farmville, Virginia and moved to Savannah in the early sixties. Mae was a woman with a strong work ethic having been affiliated with many businesses in Savannah to include Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Fred Wessels and ReMax Savannah. She was a Methodist by faith. She was preceded in death by her son, William Phillippe. Surviving are two daughters, Deborah Phillippe Theall of Carrollton, GA; Gypsy Phillippe of Gulf Port, ...
John Benton Tindall, Jr. JAN 21, 1932 - DEC 05, 2013
Savannah- John Benton Tindall, Jr, 81, died on December 5th, 2013. Ben was the son of John Benton Tindall of Water Valley, Mississippi, and Anna Karin Andersen Tindall of Northport, New York. He departed life from his adopted home of Savannah, Georgia, where he retired to Skidaway Island with his wife, Becca. Ben was a proud graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, class of 1956, and honorably served his country for 2 2 years. He has always been an integral part of the Long Grey Line and will continue to be throughout eternity. He was a pilot and a professor of Mathematics at the A ...
Brenda Kay Johnson Eloge SEP 20, 1957 - DEC 04, 2013
Brenda Kay Johnson Eloge, 56 lost her valiant battle with Myeloid Fibrosis Leukemia on Dec. 4 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Savannah, GA surrounded by her loving family. Brenda's charm and ability to make the world laugh, never worry the little stuff, never make a plan, never hold a grudge, and find the best in life will be carried on through her two surviving daughters Brandy Steve Ousley, Dover, Delaware and Elisa Maloney Savannah, GA. Two young ladies that through the years brought more sunshine to Brenda than a mother could hope. Brenda was born September 20, 19 57 in Ashland, OH to Charles a ...
Barbara Wisenbaker Haddock APR 22, 1933 - DEC 04, 2013
RICHMOND HILL, GA - Barbara Wisenbaker Haddock, 80, died December 4. 2013, peacefully at home. Barbara was born in Lakeland, Florida on April 22, 1933. She graduated from Georgia Teachers College in 1954 and later completed her Master's degree. She retired in 1996 from teaching at Richmond Hill High School. Barbara was an enthusiastic member of Coastal Community Christian Church serving and learning until the very end. Barbara's loves were her family, her God and living life with enthusiasm. She is survived by her husband, J.W. Billy Haddock, her children, Renee Johnson Alan, Andrea Bairas ...
Thomas Wayne Tucker APR 19, 1943 - DEC 04, 2013
Thomas Wayne Tucker Thomas Wayne Tucker was born on April 19, 1943, in Ocilla, Georgia, and died December 4, 2013, in Savannah. He was raised on the family farm in Irwin County, Georgia, and graduated from Irwin County High School in 1961, Valdosta State College in 1966, and the University of Florida in 1968 with a Masters Degree in Engineering. After graduation, he worked for the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement NCASI and a small environmental engineering firm before starting work for Union Camp Corporation in September 1972. He continued with Union Camp/International Paper unt ...