Obituaries

James Melvin Schrader, age 61, of Waverly, Ohio, died Sunday August 25, 2024 at the Memorial Hospital in Savannah. He was born March 26, 1963 in Chillicothe, Ohio, a son of Barbara Ann Vickers Schrader of Beaver, Ohio and the late Melvin Schrader. He was united in marriage August 28, 2021 to his husband, Randy Ray Comer Schrader, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Katelyn Schrader, Evan Schrader, Oliver Snow, Logan Moore and Chandler Comer, his grandchildren, Maximus, Hayes, Dexter, Hoyt, Miles, Arthur, Analeigh, and Dylan, three sisters, Debbie Schrader, Pam (Tony) Smith, and ...

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Victoria Beatrice Cornwell Swinney, 98, passed away peacefully on the evening of August 23, 2024. Born July 25, 1926 to William & Eva Cornwell, Bea was the eldest of three children. Bea spent her childhood in Pine Mountain Valley. It was there, at 10 years of age, that she met her loving husband, Jim Swinney. They were high school sweethearts and both graduated from Hamilton High School; Bea was the salutatorian of the class of 1943. While Jim served in the Navy, Bea graduated from business school in West Point, GA. Upon Jim’s return from the service, they were married on February 17 ...

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Lucy Distefano Haviland, age 85, entered eternal rest surrounded by family on August 22,2024 after an extended illness. Lucy was born in Savannah on December 14, 1938 to John and Josephine Distefano. Lucy, as a resident of St. Mary's School for Girls, attended Blessed Sacrament School, and in 1957 graduated from St. Vincent's Academy. In 1963, she wed Theodore Frances  “Ted” Haviland at St John the Baptist Cathedral.  They were soon blessed with two sons, Theodore Frances III “Teddy”, and John Michael and in 1971 the family relocated to Brunswick, G ...

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Colonel William “Bill” Wheeler (USAF retired), passed away on August 20, 2024 at the age of 106.  He is survived by his brother Tom Wheeler (Mary Frances), two daughters, Karen Wheeler and Dana Bradley (Pat), two granddaughters, Meghan Noe (Jeffrey) Hannah Bradley, and two great-granddaughters.  He, and his wife of 72 years (Mary) will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in the future. Bill started his career in the military before the second world war. He went through training at Fort Leavenworth where he was given an aptitude test and admitted to flight school ...

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Wanda “Joyce” Presley, 83, a beloved mother and Mema, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, under the compassionate care of Hospice Savannah. Born on October 3, 1940, in Winter Haven, Florida, Joyce's early life was marked by her family's move to Savannah, where she later graduated from Commercial High School.   Joyce is survived by her daughter, Gina McCall (John); her son, Jeff Presley (Maranda); her three granddaughters, Lexi Draucker (Chris), Adrian Presley, and Maggie Presley; her two great-grandchildren, Bear and Sadie Draucker; her sisters-in ...

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Louise George Ferguson, 97, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at Savannah Square.  The Savannah native was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Ferguson, Jr. (to whom she was married for 49 years), her parents, Frank V. George, Sr. and Martha MacDonald George, two brothers, Sidney Lanier George and Frank Vreeland George, Jr.  Mrs. Ferguson graduated from Savannah High School in 1945 and worked at Savannah Bank and Trust Company.  She then went to work with her husband, at Southern Auto Warehouse, Inc. until she and her husband retired in 1988.  Mrs. Ferguson was ver ...

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Toombs Milton Smith was known for his cheerful outlook, warm tender heart, upbeat, kind, and generous nature. He always stood up for people who needed help. Anything he enjoyed was always given an enthusiastic two thumbs up. No matter how challenging times were, he didn’t give up and kept working to reach better days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Norris Smith (Peewee) and Ivy Milton Smith; his sister, Janice Smith Pethel; and his baby brother, Keith Ivy Smith. Toombs is survived by his sister, Cynthia Alice Smith Barrett; his niece, Ivy M. Smith Schlegel (Bill) and h ...

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  Marjorie Ann Eibling Bosen, age 89, passed away on August 18, 2024  in Savannah, Georgia. Marjorie was born on June 24th, 1935 in Columbus Ohio to Herbert and Ruth Eibling. Marjorie attended school in Columbus and graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in Home Economics. Marge was devoted to her family and raising four boys and worked in a variety of careers including school bus driver, and at the Department of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, Md. Some of her favorite moments were spending time with her family-especially Thanksgiving celebrations in Maryland, ra ...

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Geneva Youmans Mitchell was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on August 18, 2024. She passed away peacefully at her home after battling a long-time illness with Alzheimer’s. Born on March 11, 1935, in Swainsboro, Georgia, she was raised in Excelsior and spent most of her life in Savannah. Geneva graduated from Pulaski High School in Candler County, class of 1953, and dedicated her life to her Lord, her family, and her church. As a devoted housewife, she raised her five children with love and care. After raising her children, she also contributed to her community through her work at ...

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John Phillip Gaughf, born in Brunswick, GA, passed away on August 16, 2024. Phil worked for Bell South Telephone Co. in the 1970s before retiring from Ameco in Greenville, SC. A devoted member of Celebration Church in Waynesville and a past director on the Haywood County Board, Phil was known for his love of Georgia Bulldogs football, his Yorkie named Polo, and his great-grandchildren. He cherished his faith, his wife of 50 years, Brenda Ward Gaughf, and his family. Phil is survived by Brenda; his children Tim Gaughf (Christa), Shannon Shoemaker Strojny (Paul), and Kelly Susan Gaugh ...

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Carolyn Lee Mency, born on July 28, 1938, in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late Rebecca Woods Pittman and Aubrey L. Pittman, passed away surrounded by her loving family. Carolyn leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and love that will be cherished by all who knew her. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Romie Mency Jr.; daughter, Cynthia Mency Pattman; sister, Shirley Charles; brothers, Warren Woods and Kenneth Tavares; sisters-in-law, Pearl Wilson and Ethel Mary Mency; and brother-in-law, Christopher Mency. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Martha ...

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Please click here to view Sister Mary Paula Cockerham's Funeral Mass via livestream.     Mary Paula Cockerham, RSM, 66, was born in Baltimore Maryland on April 9, 1958, the child of Mary and Paul Cockerham Sr. Her brother Paul was three years older than she. She was educated in her parish elementary school, St. Jerome's, and at Southwestern High School in Baltimore. She earned a BS in chemistry from Towson State University in 1987. Later she earned a master's degree in chemistry from St. Joseph College in Hartford, Connecticut. From 1981 to ...

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Robert Walker Groves III, affectionately known as “Bobby” to his family and friends, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Bobby was born in Savannah on May 9, 1949 to Robert and Cornelia Groves. He was a graduate of Blue Ridge School in Saint George, Virginia and the University of Georgia and served in the Georgia Air National Guard. He is survived by his wife Anne; sister, Susan Groves Stevens of Yonges Island, S.C.; a son William Scott Rankin Groves (Amanda) of Savannah; daughter, Suzanne Groves Hoffman (Rob) of Ann Arbor ...

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Betty Jane Gatlin, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, at the age of 88.  Born on April 28, 1936, in Savannah, GA.  Betty was the beacon of warmth and kindness whose impact on everyone she met will be remembered with deep affection. Betty was born in Savannah and resided most of her life there until moving into Bryan County Health and Rehab. She was a waitress for Levy’s for over 36 years.  When Levy’s/Maas Brothers closed, she worked at the Savannah Golf Club until she retired. She was preceded in death by her ...

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Ulysses “Nerve” Brown, Jr. Ulysses “Nerve” Brown, Jr., 65, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Candler Hospital. He was born February 19, 1959 in Savannah, GA to the late Margaret Brown Ferguson and Ulysses Brown. He was a graduate of Windsor Forest High School. He was previously employed by John Manville, Ashland Chemical, Kemira (formerly known as America Cyanamid, Kerr McGree, & Tronox) for 20+ years where he was affectionately called “Uly”. He was actively employed as a Longshoreman with the I.L.A. Local 1414 until his transition. Nerve was ...

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Harry Thomas Shore, IV, 48, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024. Harry was born in Savannah to Carey and Eileen Shore on January 18, 1976.  Although Harry was a native of Savannah and a graduate of Savannah Country Day School, he would tell you he was from Sandfly.  He was an outstanding athlete and lettered in Football, Baseball and Track. Following high school, Harry attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a business degree. While in Athens, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, where he made many lasting friendships. After college, he joi ...

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Lauren Trombley, also known as “Lala”, by many of her friends and family passed away August 12, 2024.  She was born May 20, 1994, in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is survived by her husband, Russell Walker, daughter, Ava Walker, her parents, Kathy and Gordon Trombley, sister Emily Trombley, brother, Adam Trombley, nephew, Christopher, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Lauren loved to hang out with her friends, laugh, and go to the beach.  She showed some promising talent writing poetry. A Celebration of her Life was held August 16, 2024, on Tybee Island, where ...

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Mary D. McClure, widow of James A. McClure passed away August 11, 2024 at home.  She was born June 23, 1926 in Hartford, CT, to the late Frederick F. and Mary Wallace Dorman.  Mary and Jim lived and worked in the Hartford area for 40 years before retiring to The Landings in Savannah GA.  She was a champion golfer and bridge player and loved helping people and animals in need.  She and Jim traveled the world and she was a faithful and avid writer of cards and letters to all the friends they made on their journeys.  She never met a stranger and had a saucy repartee that ...

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Jacqueline Schryver Triebel passed away peacefully on August 11th, 2024 at her Savannah Georgia home surrounded by her loving family with her usual smile on her face and peace in her heart. She was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, during the early days of the Great Depression, on November 8, 1933. Jackie was the youngest of three children born to Jennette and Charles Schryver. She met her husband, A. Richard Triebel, in 2nd grade and eventually enjoyed 59 years of marriage before his death in 2017. Her life’s greatest joys were her loving daughte ...

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John Terrence Harmon, 82, of Okatie, SC, passed away Friday, August 9th, 2024 following a series of heart problems. The Savannah native was born on September 8th, 1941, to the late John Joseph and Rosemary Burke Harmon.  Terry was a longtime resident of Okatie, SC. He graduated from Benedictine Military School Class of ’59. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved being on the water and sharing memories with his classmates marching many years in the Savannah St Patrick’s day parade with his Benedictine alumni. Surviving are his daughter, Tay Laster (Loran); son, Andrew H ...

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Joseph Estrella III, born January 27, 1947, in Cambridge, MA, passed away on August 9, 2024. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Joseph earned a Purple Heart for his service in the Air Force. He worked as an offset printer in Boston, MA, and Savannah, GA, and moved to Savannah in 1985 to experience warmer weather while taking enjoyment from golfing and boating. Joseph is survived by his long-time partner, Roma Katherine Blake; his children Kerri-Ann Millar of Gloucester, MA; Joseph John Estrella of Windham, NH; Aaron M. Estrella of Savannah, GA; and Catherine Estrella of TN; as well as nine gr ...

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John Thomas "Tommy" Cupstid, adored father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024. Son of Woodrow Wilson Cupstid and Bernice Spires, Tommy grew up in Savannah and graduated from the Benedictine Military School in 1951. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart and lifelong best friend, Frances (nee Hursey). Tommy loved all things Savannah, especially taking trips to the Big Park, and took great pride in his city. He was also a proud U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War, after which he spent his career w ...

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Reginald Rea Walters Reginald Rea (Reg) Walters, 92, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, Georgia. He was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Falls Church, Virginia where he met and married Patricia Wadlow.  They were married for 64 years. Reg graduated from the University of Virginia in 1953 with a degree in Architecture.  He then received his master’s in city planning from Georgia Tech in 1956.  Reg and Pat moved to Savannah where they had two daughters, Cheryl Lynn and Terri Rae.  They moved to Miami in 1959 where R ...

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Mary “Missy” Frances Heriot, age 82, died Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Azalealand Nursing Home after a long illness.  Missy was born in Savannah, Georgia to Robert and Mary Heriot.  Missy was a retired elementary school teacher that loved to travel in her motor home with her beloved dogs. Missy is survived by her sister, Nancy Heriot of Savannah; a son, John McFarlin, III of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Per Missy's request, her burial will be private in Bonaventure Cemetery.   ...

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Marvell “Granny” Swift, 93, passed away on August 7, 2024 after battling Alzheimer’s for many years. Born on December 4, 1930, in Arkansas, she and her family moved to Michigan where she raised her family prior to moving to Savannah. She was deeply loved and adored by her family and many friends.  She was a strong willed and hard-working woman and loved to find new challenges and explore things out of the ordinary.  She was very proud of the singles dance club she formed, where she had dozens of friends find their significant others. She was an avid water skier, bow ...

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Helen Lyons Laird was born to Eternal life on August 7, 2024, at Azalealand Skilled Nursing Facility in Savannah, GA. Helen was born in Augusta, Georgia, on April 14, 1926, to Margaret McTeer Lyons and William A. Lyons. She was the eldest of seven children. Helen was a 1944 graduate of Mount Saint Joseph High School in Augusta. During World War II, she worked at Fort Gordon-Augusta. Helen met Robert M. Laird on Tybee Island, and they were married on October 27, 1951, at St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic Church in Augusta. They were married for 43 years. Helen was a loving daughter ...

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Barry A. Brown, 69, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Memorial University Medical Center. The Savannah native was born on November 6, 1954 to the late Henry J. and Bernardine Osbourne Brown. Barry was a longtime resident of Tybee Island. He graduated from Savannah High School and dedicated over 20 years to the City of Tybee, serving on the Planning Commission, City Council, and as Mayor Pro Tem. He was also a committed member of the Marine Rescue Squadron for over 25 years and belonged to the American Legion Post 154. Professionally, Barry was the proud owner and operator of ...

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Elizabeth Morgan Garnett, age 55, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 7th, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Georgia after a long courageous battle with a glioblastoma.    She was born on July 10, 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida to William (Bill) and Mary Garnett, and is survived by her brother John (Tevis) of Savannah, GA; nieces Rachel (Jay) Carpenter, Grace (Ben) Tucker both of Savannah, GA; nephews Wesley (Allison) Garnett of Hoover, AL, and Tim (Savannah) Garnett of LaGrange, GA, and six grandnieces and nephews. As a child Elizabeth enjoyed family camping and wa ...

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Jean Lorraine Wetherington Aimar, a longtime resident of Beaufort, South Carolina, died peacefully August 6th, 2024 at The Oaks of Savannah. She was under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. Jean was born in Jacksonville, Florida on February 8th 1927 to Claudia Edwards Wetherington and Alton Brooks Wetherington. She grew up in the Jacksonville Beaches before moving as an adult to Savannah, Georgia. This is where she met and fell in love with Toomer Vanderhorst Aimar, who was actually dating her roommate. However, she stole his heart and they were married on May 1st, 1949 at Independent Presby ...

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