Obituaries
Barbara Buchanan Strong FEB 28, 1943 - FEB 20, 2025
The matriarch of our family, Barbara Buchanan Strong, lovingly known as “Bobbie or Bebe” was joyfully reunited with the love of her life and Jesus on February 20th surrounded by her 4 children. Born on February 28, 1943, in Hazlehurst, Georgia, Bobbie lived a life full of love, laughter, and generosity. She graduated from Jenkins High School, and married Walter Hartridge Strong, Jr. A devoted mother, she found her greatest joy in gathering family and friends around the table, hosting memorable dinners, and celebrating every holiday with warmth and enthusiasm. She loved to ...
Sheryl Warren MAY 17, 1949 - FEB 19, 2025
Sheryl Diane Warren, 75, a native Savannahian, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025. She was born May 17, 1949, daughter of the late James P. Tuttle and Muriel Jore Tuttle. Sheryl's family was first and foremost in her life and she cherished her time with them. She loved classic television shows like “Leave it to Beaver and the “Andy Griffith Show” just to name a few. Sheryl also enjoyed many types of games and playing cards. She had a wholesome family and they were very near and dear to her heart. Sheryl held very strong family values; honesty, respect, compassion, r ...
Maureen Shay Groves DEC 22, 1931 - FEB 19, 2025
Maureen Shay Groves of The Landings at Skidaway Island passed peacefully at home on February 19, 2025 at the age of 93. Maureen Alice Shay was born on December 22, 1931 in Yonkers, NY, the first child of John and Mary Alice Boehmer Shay. She graduated with honors from Gorton High School in 1949 and went on to secretarial training at The Katharine Gibbs School (when hats and white gloves were still required of all students). After graduation, she worked as an executive assistant at the advertising firm of N.W. Ayer in New York City. She met George Groves on a blind date at a d ...
Betty H. Hohnerlein - FEB 17, 2025
Betty Ray Hendricks Hohnerlein, widow of Martin Hohnerlein, mother of John Hohnerlein, Barrie Ezell, and Grammy to Victoria Ezell, passed away on 02/17/2025. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ollie M. Hendricks, father, John T. Hendricks, sister, Ann Gerken, and son-in-law Daniel O’. Brien. She was a member of Asbury Memorial Church. Born in Waycross, Georgia to John and Ollie Mae Hendricks on March 3, 1935. She lived most of her life in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from Savannah High School and attended Armstrong College. Her first job in Savannah was with the Savannah ...
Elaine Wilder JAN 13, 1933 - FEB 17, 2025
Elaine Wilder was welcomed home to be with her Lord on February 17, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on January 13, 1933, Elaine was a loving wife who cherished her husband, a supportive and encouraging Mama, a grandmother to 4 “grands” and their spouses, and great-grandma to her 9 “great-grands”. Her husband, Jesse, daughters Debbie (Ken) Harrell and Joyce (Chuck) Holt, and step-son, Randy, along with the rest of the family, will miss her, but they are forever grateful for the legacy she has left behind—a legacy built on Elaine’s love for her Savior, J ...
Sara H. Sutton MAR 13, 1934 - FEB 17, 2025
Sara H. Sutton, 90, loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away February 17, 2025, at her home in Savannah. She was the daughter of Gaines and Sara Hailey. Survived by her sons: William, Scot and Matt, her grandchildren: Timothy, Heather, Patrick and Rebecca, and her great granddaughter: Kimber. A private graveside service was held in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. ...
Robert Lee Williams - FEB 16, 2025
Robert Lee Williams, 80, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2025, at his home in Pooler with his wife and daughters by his side. He was born May 30, 1944, in Sumter, South Carolina to the late Irene Williams Funderburk and later gained a wonderful stepfather in Ellis Funderburk. Robert graduated from Jenkins High School in 1962, and then furthered his education at Armstrong State College, class of 1968, and later earned his CPA by the State of Georgia in 1984. He started his lifelong career with Gruman/General Dynamics/Gulfstream Aerospace, where he was one of the first local hires ...
Ernest Nelson Kimmer JUL 14, 1941 - FEB 15, 2025
Ernest “Nelson” Kimmer, aged 83, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on February 15th, 2025 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was born in 1941 in Savannah, Georgia where he lived for his entire life. He & the love of his life, Carolyn, had a small wedding ceremony in the church Carolyn was raised in which ushered in nearly 65 years of marriage. He was so proud of her & the life that they had together that he would ask perfect strangers, “Do you know how long we’ve been married?” Together they raised a fam ...
John Edward NeSmith DEC 04, 1940 - FEB 15, 2025
John Edward NeSmith (Eddie) passed away peacefully February 15, 2025, in the company of his best friend, Pat Hansen, while preparing for vigil Mass and a small Valentine party at the church. He loved life and lived each moment to the fullest. Eddie was born in Savannah on December 4, 1940, the son of William Daniel NeSmith Sr., from whom he garnered his gentle nature, and Cora Whalen NeSmith, who rendered him his quick wit and sense of humor. Eddie is recently preceded in death by his brother, William Daniel NeSmith Jr. (Gail). Eddie graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1958 and con ...
Stephen E. Weeks, Jr. FEB 21, 1945 - FEB 14, 2025
Please click here to view the graveside service for Steve Weeks. The live-stream will be available beginning at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Stephen E. Weeks, Jr., completed a charmed life at sunset on February 14, 2025 surrounded by his adoring family. Throughout his life, Steve’s devil-may-care style, clever wit and earnest appreciation of a good time enabled him to make friends and create memories wherever he went. The stories of Steve’s childhood and adolescence growing up in Savannah with his twin brother, Jim, and their multitude of friends have b ...
Walter Lee Stanford, Sr JUL 18, 1943 - FEB 14, 2025
Walter Lee Stanford Sr., beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones. He lived a full and meaningful life, leaving behind a legacy of love, adventure, and service. Born on July 18, 1943, to Janet Eubanks Stanford and Walter Elmer Stanford, Walter grew up on Tybee Island, Georgia, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors and the ocean. Whether boating, fishing, or simply enjoying the coastal beauty, the sea always held a special place in his heart. A proud veteran, Walter s ...
Lois Wheeler Smith NOV 06, 1925 - FEB 12, 2025
Lois Wheeler Smith was born Lois Cayton Rowe in Raleigh, N.C. on November 6, 1925, to Milan Rodman and Ira Mae Cayton Rowe. She was the third of four beautiful Rowe daughters, who were affectionately known as "The Four Roses." Lois graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh in 1944, and married Thaddeus Carl Wheeler on November 2, 1946. They had two sons, Spencer Milan Wheeler and Thaddeus Carl Wheeler Jr., who were the light of her life. Lois's husband Carl passed away tragically in 1977, and in 1988 she married the second love of her life, Jim (James Garfield) Smit ...
Deanne Wigh JUL 19, 1943 - FEB 12, 2025
Deanne was married to Russ Wigh March 6, 1966, in Dalton, GA and moved to Atlanta for his job and her career. In the early years of her marriage, following graduation from the University of Georgia with a BSEd, she taught Spanish in Atlanta high schools. After leaving the teaching profession she concentrated on raising her family. For ten years before moving to Savannah she was a buyer of furnishings for a contract purchasing firm in the Atlanta area. Deanne was an avid tennis player and runner. She played league tennis in Atlanta rising to become an A level player, and she captained her te ...
Gary Lord AUG 15, 1948 - FEB 10, 2025
Savannah, GA – Gary Lord, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on February 10, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Harry Lord and Ouida Bonnie Durrence; his brothers, Harry Dewayne Lord and Ray Chester Lord; brother-in-law, Charles Edward Novinger; and grandson, Jacob Stephen Lord. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Joyce Alice Lord; his sisters, Joyce Ann (Maurice) Petty and Diane Ida Novinger; sister-in-law Sharon Lord, his children, Barbara Ann (Spencer) Rahn, Ouida (David VanDyke) Lord, and Gary Lord II. H ...
George Fuller Groves SEP 24, 1930 - FEB 10, 2025
George Fuller Groves of The Landings at Skidaway Island passed peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the age of 94. George was born in Danbury, Connecticut on September 24, 1930, the son of Charles (“Carl”) and Margaret Colson Groves. He was raised in Glen Ridge, N.J. and graduated from Lafayette College in 1953, a proud brother of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. George met Maureen Shay on a blind date at a dance at Lafayette. They were married on June 13th, 1953 and honeymooned in Sea Island, GA. He left for Army boot camp a few weeks later, to be station ...
Peter M. Cooley - FEB 09, 2025
Peter Meldrim Cooley, Jr. December 3, 1928 - February 8, 2025 Pete attended Sacred Heart Church School from 1935-1943, and Benedictine Military School from 1943 - 1947. He was a part of the Cheerleading Squad and very athletic. He graduated with honors. Our father was a hardworking man. He was a SGT. in the Air Force as a medic, and served during the Korean Conflict 1948 through August 1950. While in the Service he earned his degree in Chemistry. While on leave the love of his life, Mildred Elizabeth Martin, was waiting on him and they got married at Sacred Heart Chu ...
Suzanne Anderson Estus - FEB 09, 2025
Suzanne Anderson Estus Suzanne Anderson Estus, lovingly known as “Mimi”, was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Mary Kathryn Anderson, a devoted nurse, and Charles Randolph Anderson, a compassionate pediatrician. Raised in Virginia, she carried the warmth and grace of her Southern roots throughout her life. Suzanne met her beloved husband, Richard Estus, in Richmond, Virginia, where they both worked at an advertising agency—Richard selling billboards for Ted Turner and Suzanne as a media buyer. Their love story began on a blind skiing date at The Homestead, where a S ...
Arnold Joseph Seyden Jr, OCT 15, 1940 - FEB 09, 2025
Arnold Joseph Seyden Jr, 84, died peacefully at home on February 9, 2025. Arnie was born on October 15, 1940 in Savannah, GA. Arnie lives on in the memory of the love of his life, Sue Foster Seyden; his three sons, Arnold J Seyden III (Jennifer), Timothy R Seyden (Pam), Patrick Matthew Seyden; and three stepchildren, Mark Daniel Lofton, Michael Dennis Lofton (Ellen) and Marcy Lofton Firoenzo (Scott). Arnie was the first child born to Arnold J. Seyden, Sr. and Marianna Powers Seyden, and is survived by his sister, Marianna Seyden Grevemberg (Kip); his brother, Terance John Seyden ...
David Beasley Harn - FEB 08, 2025
David Beasley Harn, age 82, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025, at Hospice Savannah, surrounded by family. A Savannah native, he graduated from Savannah High School in 1960 and furthered his education at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and Georgia Southern College in Statesboro. In 1962, he began a distinguished 57-year career with New York Life Insurance, retiring at 76. David was a dedicated member of the Georgia Underwriters Association. Outside of his professional life, he cherished the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Golf was another passion, bringing him ...
Jeanette Mary Debacher MAY 10, 1933 - FEB 08, 2025
Sister Christa Debacher, born Jeanette Mary Debacher, died on Friday, February 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA after a courageous struggle with illness and the complications of a stroke two years earlier. Sister Christa was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on May 10, 1933, the daughter of Nicholas J. Debacher and Jeanette (Moening) Debacher both deceased. Her immediate family also included an older brother, Donald E. Debacher Sr., who preceded her in death in 1993. She attended St. Mary Morning Star elementary school and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1951. Sister Christa entered the Mis ...
Anne Lucille Kicklighter Lariscy - FEB 07, 2025
Anne "Annie" Lucille Kicklighter Lariscy passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2025. She lived a long and often challenging life. Despite these challenges, she always cared more about others than herself. She gave freely and asked little. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. Everyone who met her was touched by her genuine sweetness. Anne took great joy in her faith and her family, both of which brought her strength and comfort throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Sr., her brother, Perry Kicklighter (Ruth) and ...
Lenore Holland Campbell - FEB 06, 2025
Lenore Holland Campbell, 91, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Leon Campbell. Lenore worked as a Stenographer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was a member of Wilmington Island Methodist Church. She is survived by her dear friend LaJuan Willis of Hardeeville, S.C., as well as several nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service to honor her life will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Mau ...
Donna Cubbedge Hardie - FEB 05, 2025
Donna Cubbedge Hardie Savannah, Georgia March 7, 1951 – February 5, 2025 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Donna Cubbedge Hardie, who went home to the Lord on February 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and devotion to innumerable people and causes. Donna was born in Savanah on March 7, 1951. She deeply loved the Savannah area and was a true “island girl”, spending her life on Wilmington and Tybee Islands. Donna was a graduate of Savannah High School and Armstrong State College. She spent over 30 years working at the Georgia Port ...
Marian Darlene Thomas Blanton AUG 10, 1952 - FEB 04, 2025
Marian Darlene Thomas Blanton, 72, of Savannah, GA, passed away on February 4, 2025, after a long battle with a terminal illness at Hospice of Savannah surrounded my loving family and friends. Darlene was born on August 10, 1952, to Marion Edward “Jack” Thomas and Hazel Christine Martin Thomas in South Carolina. Darlene truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. Darlene was a loving mother and grandmother and a beautiful soul who would help anyone. She lived life to the fullest and especially loved spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved pets ...
Meredith Jones Heaslip JUN 30, 1929 - FEB 03, 2025
Meredith Jones Heaslip died peacefully on Feb. 3 at The Oaks, Savannah, GA. She was born on June 30, 1929 in Bradley Beach, NJ to Joseph and Harriet Jones and graduated from Asbury Park High School. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 and was a member of the cheerleading squad and president of Kappa Alpha Theta. She married Clifford Heaslip in 1951 and spent many years as a homemaker before entering the field of Special Education, earning her Masters Degree in 1977. She taught in a pre-school special education classroom for a number of years before becoming head of the child study t ...
Brenda Audesey DeWert - FEB 03, 2025
It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of Brenda Faye Audesey DeWert, 78 years old, at her home in Rincon, Georgia on February 3, 2025. She is preceded in death by her loving husband (Allen Wayne) of almost 58 years. Brenda is survived by her 3 daughters, Regina (Cap) Capdepon of Beaufort, SC; Angela (Bennie) Thain of Midville, GA; and Amber (Steve) Waters of Rincon, GA, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, her brother Walter (Verlina) Audesey of Savannah, GA, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Brenda will be remembered as a woman of faith, love, ...
Thomas M. Murphy - FEB 01, 2025
Obituary for Thomas M. Murphy (1947 - 02/01/2025) Thomas M. Murphy, 77, died unexpectedly at his home in Savannah, GA on February 1, 2025. A seven-year resident of Savannah, he and his wife, Mary-Patricia, were devoted Catholics, attending St. James the Less Catholic Church. Tom was born in New Jersey, moving to Connecticut with his parents in 1957. Upon graduating from Pomfret School in Connecticut, Tom enlisted in the US Army, which sent him to the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA, where he studied Mandarin Chinese. He then served two years in the Republic of China (Taiwan), ...
Richard Hunt Harding OCT 26, 1943 - FEB 01, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Richard Hunt Harding (aka, Rick, Rickey, Papa, Dad, and UR), of Savannah, Georgia. Rick was born in Glendale, California on October 26, 1943; and he was 81 years old at the time of his death. Rick was born to the Hon. Kenneth Robert Harding, 31st Sergeant-at-Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives and his mother, Jane Sarah Addison Wedderburn Harding. He was the second eldest of four boys: Kenneth, (Richard), Bruce, and Victor. His dear brother Bruce preceded him in death. Along with his beloved Patty, to ...
Robert Arnold MAR 31, 1933 - JAN 31, 2025
https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-arnold-2025 Bob Arnold, 91, a lifelong resident of Savannah, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 31, 2025. He was born on March 31, 1933, son of late James Mack Arnold and Alma Victoria Box Arnold. He was a loving and cherished husband to his wife, Grace for 73 wonderful years, with whom he shared a deep and enduring love. Bob was the proud father of two sons, Rob and Mark, whom he spent countless hours at the baseball field, cheering them on and teaching them not only the game but also the value of teamwork, perseverance, and integrit ...