Obituaries
Michael Neal Thompson JAN 09, 1949 - DEC 18, 2023
Michael Neal Thompson, 74, died Monday December 18, 2023. Michael Neal Thompson was born in Savannah, Georgia on January 9, 1949. He was educated in Savannah’s public schools before graduating from The University of Georgia in 1971. He married Susan Manley Hutchinson in 1972 and together they had two sons. On December 18, 2023, with a full heart, Michael passed. He leaves his wife Susan, sons Michael (Rachel) and Cade, grandson William, mother in law Frieda Manley Hutchinson and niece Susan Regets. A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 21 ...
Sol Rundbaken - DEC 18, 2023
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Sol Rundbaken passed away Monday, December 18, 2023. He was 91 years old. He was one of a kind, inspiring many. He is deeply missed. Sol shared deep, loving relationships with his family. He was kind with a gentle disposition and a great sense of humor. He was a lifelong learner, thoughtful, and effortlessly cool. His accomplishments were varied and interesting. He had a beautiful singing voice and was an accomplished actor before joining the Army. He proudly served in the Signal Corps assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry division in Germany. Thus began a love of radio technology, ...
Stephen Patrick Roberts (Steve) JAN 17, 1955 - DEC 17, 2023
Stephen Patrick Roberts (Steve), 68, of Savannah, owner of Savannah Toyota passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023. He was at one of his favorite places, his farm. He loved spending time there with family and friends. Steve was born January 17, 1955, in Fort Worth Texas to the late Jo and Marcia Roberts. He grew up in Winter Park, Florida, and attended Trinity Preparatory School in Orlando and University of Central Florida. After college he went to work for Southeast Toyota Corporate and moved to Savannah in 1989 to purchase Savannah Toyota. An active member of St. Peter’s Episcop ...
Carl L. Craft JAN 25, 1930 - DEC 17, 2023
Carl L. Craft, 93, of Pine Harbor, GA passed away on December 17, 2023. He was born in Nitro, WV on January 25, 1930, and grew up in Cheshire, Ohio. He later moved to Carlisle, Ohio where he lived for over 30 years. Carl was a kind and gentle soul who possessed boundless energy. He had a deep love for his wife, Louise, of 68 years, his 3 children, Carl, Peggy, and Cathy; his grandchildren Ryan, Andie, Jordan, and Abbi; his 4 great-grandchildren Malachi, Jonah, Natalie, and Lincoln; his siblings Carol, Paul, Ray, and Mary Ann; and his many nephews and nieces. Carl attended Rio Gra ...
Gene Curtis Pickens - DEC 16, 2023
Gene Curtis Pickens, 93, of Savannah passed away on December 16. He was predeceased by Carolyn Pickens, the love of his life and wife of 57 years. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began a career with Kaiser Aluminum/Agricultural Chemicals that spanned more than 30 years. That career brought him from his home state of West Virginia to Savannah in 1969. Always an outdoorsman, he soon mastered the art of fishing the rakes and bars of Ossabaw Sound and pulling trout and reds from places with names like Ogeechee Cove, Raccoon Keys, Steamboat Cut, and Swash Po ...
Reba Padgett Murray - DEC 16, 2023
Reba Murray, 83, of Savannah, GA, died on December 16, 2023, in her home surrounded by family. She was born on February 22, 1940, in Augusta, GA. Reba went by many titles: Mom, Mema, Burr Rabbit, Aunt, Best Friend, Sister, and Confidant. Whether you knew her for 5 minutes or 50 years, the love she gave was warm and immense. She had a love of arts, her family, dancing, fishing, animals, and having the best time. She lived her life with a carefree spirit that was infectious. There wasn’t a dance floor undanced on, a canvas not painted, a microphone not sung into, an ocean not traversed, ...
Jimmy Valenzuela Velez JAN 31, 1944 - DEC 16, 2023
Jimmy Valenzuela Velez, 79, died peacefully in his home on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Jimmy was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on January 31, 1944, to Teofilo and Luz Maria (Velez) Valenzuela; he was one of many siblings. After Jimmy graduated high school, he joined the United States Army. Serving through multiple wars and conflicts, Jimmy was a proud Master Sergeant when he retired after 36 years. On January 9, 1981, Jimmy married Guiselle Venegas in Lawton, Oklahoma, and they raised four children together. He loved to dance to salsa and country music. After his retirement, he could be fo ...
Dr. Harvey "Happy Jack" Murphy - DEC 15, 2023
Harvey “Happy Jack” Murphy March 27, 1937-December 15, 2023 Savannah surgeon Harvey “Jack” Murphy, who passed into eternity on December 15, 2023 from metastatic pancreatic cancer, lived a remarkable, full, and complete life. Jack was born on March 27, 1937 in his family’s mountain cabin in Pendergrass, Jackson County, Georgia. The oldest child of Groze Murphy and Fannie Lou Ellis Murphy, brother to Jon, Jo and Chipper Murphy, Jack lived in Jackson County unt ...
Phyllis Sica Brown - DEC 15, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Phyllis Sica Brown, who peacefully departed this life on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the age of 83. Phyllis, born in Hartford, Connecticut, was the cherished firstborn of Francis Nelligan Camilarri and William Sica. Phyllis dedicated a significant portion of her life in service to her community. Her professional journey included roles at the Hartford Police Department and Aetna, but her most cherished role was that of a devoted and loving stay-at-home mother to her two daughters. Her spiritual journey was equally profound. Phyllis ...
John R. Wetherbee - DEC 14, 2023
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Longtime WTOC meteorologist John Wetherbee died Thursday morning, December 14, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist with Monsignor Gerard Schreck celebrating. ...
Anne Wattles Constantine JAN 19, 1950 - DEC 14, 2023
Anne Pepper (Wattles) Constantine, of Savannah, Georgia, 73, a retired teacher, reading specialist, and devoted servant of her Lord Jesus Christ, died on December 14, 2023, at Buckingham South Assisted Living in Savannah, Georgia. Anne was born on January 19, 1950, in Charles Town, West Virginia. Her parents were Walter Commons Wattles and Eugenia Kendall (Pepper) Wattles. “Anne Pepper” or “Anne Pep,” as her Father affectionately called her, lived the majority of her life in Atlanta, Georgia, until Anne and her husband Robert retired to h ...
Mary Fulton Finocchiaro - DEC 13, 2023
Mary Fulton Finocchiaro ,94, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023. She was born March 30,1929 to Thomas and Dolores Fulton. She was predeceased by her brother Tom, another brother David, a granddaughter, Theresa, and her beloved husband Frank Finocchiaro. She is survived by her children, Thomas A Finocchiaro (Melanie), Michael D Finocchiaro (Pam), Mary F Sweeney (Neal) and Ann F LaRossa, her grandchildren Christina Gill (Matt), Maria Finocchiaro, David Finocchiaro (Lauren), Monica Yeckley (Ty), Daniel Sweeney (Stephanie), Clare VanMeter (Browning), Moira Roberts (Sea ...
Michael Emmett Brewer - DEC 12, 2023
Michael Emmett Brewer, 79, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Hospice Savannah. He was born September 7, 1944, in Savannah, GA to the late Willard Emmett Brewer and Gertrude Marie Louis Brewer. He was a machinist for many years, having worked for Savannah Machine and Foundry, and was a member of the I.A.M. Union. Mr. Brewer served in the National Guard. He was also a member of Ryan Excavator’s, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Brewer was a longtime vendor at Keller's Flea Market, he enjoyed meeting customers and making lifelong friends.&nb ...
Ann Elizabeth Black Davis JAN 18, 1924 - DEC 11, 2023
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Ann Elizabeth Black Davis, 99, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Memorial Health University Medical Center with her loved ones by her side. Ann was born on January 18, 1924 to Charles Coleman and Maude Lloyd Black. She was the youngest of four children and a lifelong resident of Savannah. After graduating from Savannah High School, Ann worked for ten years at the Central of Georgia Railroad, a job that she loved, until she “retired” to take care of home and family. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, Jimmy, for 66 years. She was a Christian and unti ...
Derrial Marisha Hopkins - DEC 10, 2023
Derrial Marisha Hopkins, 63, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Melbourne, Florida. She was born February 14, 1960 in Savannah, to the late Lawrence Hopkins and Martha Earle Hopkins. Marisha worked for many years at Memorial Health before moving to Melbourne, Florida. She was of the Christian faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Laura O'Conner. Surviving are her son, Joel Teston (Kyle Merritt) of Highland, N.C., her sisters, Sandi Hopkins of Sylvania, GA, Dawn Linkenhoker (Curt) of Savannah, her brother, ...
Juan Carlos Gallo JUL 23, 1980 - DEC 10, 2023
A livestream and recording of Juan's service will be available by clicking the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/juan-carlos-gallo Juan Carlos Gallo, 43, died suddenly on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Juan was born on July 23, 1980 in Lima, Peru to the late Javier Gallo and Juana Gallo. The Gallo family immigrated to New Jersey in 1996. After graduation from John F. Kennedy High School in Patterson, NJ, Juan enlisted in the U.S. Army. He heroically served his country through four deployments. He retired as an artillery in ...
Eva Manoff Russo OCT 03, 1941 - DEC 10, 2023
Eva Manoff Russo, 82, died peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia. Eva was born to her parents Ruth and Arnold in New York City on October 3, 1941. She lived her entire childhood in the Van Cortland Park area of The Bronx. She later moved to Manhattan where she lived most of her adult life before retiring to Georgia. Eva was married to Joseph Anthony Russo on February 6, 1965. Joseph passed away on September 17, 2000. Eva attended the prestigious High School Of Music and Art, graduating in 1958. While she attended the school ...
Edgar J. Field JAN 05, 1940 - DEC 09, 2023
Edgar J. Field, only child of Winifred and Edgar J. Field Sr. was born January 5, 1940 in London, England. Ed was raised and educated in the United Kingdom and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1978. He graduated from Highbury County Grammar School for Boys and Norwood Tech in London. In 1965 he joined the Colgate-Palmolive Company where he enjoyed a successful career spanning 31 years. As President of the International Business Development Group, he travelled extensively and visited over 100 countries. Ed met his wife, Maureen (Mo) while living in Barbados. They were married in 1967 and ...
Charlotte McDevitt FEB 15, 1940 - DEC 09, 2023
Mrs. Charlotte LaVerne McDevitt, 83, a Savannah native passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023. She was born February 15, 1940, daughter of the late Clyde Burroughs and Evelyn Helmly. She was a member of the Catholic faith. LaVerne was a member of the Savannah Jyanette’s, and was president of the Rape Crisis Center. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Michael McDevitt; children, Erin Gibbs (Joe), Greg McDevitt (Patricia) and John McDevitt (Yvette); eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ron Burroughs (Mary). And a special thank you to her cousin Phyllis ...
William (Freddie) F. Heitmann, III - DEC 09, 2023
William (Freddie) F. Heitmann, 52, of Pooler, GA, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Freddie was born December 29, 1970, in Savannah, the only son of Billy and Avalyn (Fisher) Heitmann of Thunderbolt. Freddie was a graduate of Benedictine Military School, class of 1989. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Mercer University, and his Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School. He was a member of the Georgia State Bar Association for 23 years, Savannah Golf Club, and an avid supporter of Getalong Dachshund ...
Casey Howell Thompson NOV 05, 1976 - DEC 09, 2023
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Casey Howell Thompson of Savannah, Georgia, who passed away on December 9, 2023, at the age of 47. Casey was the son of Catherine Brooks Martin and Walter H. Thompson. Casey grew up on Wilmington Island, Georgia, where he spent time exploring the rivers and waterways. His home away from home was Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. Casey was of the Catholic faith. He attended Nativity/ St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, Benedictine Military School, and Armstrong State University. He was the owner of Thompson Home Imp ...
Tracey Gray Stewart OCT 12, 1968 - DEC 07, 2023
Tracey Stewart left this world to be with the Lord in heaven on Dec 7th surrounded by her family after a 2-year battle with cancer. Tracey was born on October 12th, 1968, in Goldsboro NC. She grew up on Tybee Island. She graduated high school from Sol C. Johnson High in 1987. She was the middle child of a family of five children in the Gray household. She met the love of her life in 8th grade. Stephen and Tracey were always as one. As much as she loved Stephen, he knew he had to share that love with her papa, mama, her 3 sisters and her brother. All her phone conversations with her parents wou ...
Nani Parks JAN 04, 1927 - DEC 06, 2023
Herminia Parks, 96, of Savannah, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023. She was daughter of the late Ignacio Villalobos and Herminia Smith Villalobos, and wife of John B. Parks. Herminia "Nani" Villalobos Parks was born January 4th, 1927 in Los Angeles California. After graduating from Hollywood High school she met her forever and lifetime love John B. Parks, United States Marine. John “Jack” predeceased his adoring wife in 2010. Nani loved fashion, decorating, cooking, and above all else her family. Nani's famous authentic Mexican food left an impressi ...
William "Will" Frederick Caswell - DEC 06, 2023
William “Will/Billy” Frederick Caswell, 55, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 06, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. Will was born on September 20, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York to William S. Caswell and Patricia Johnson. He grew up in Stony Point, Rockland County, New York and graduated from North Rockland High School in 1986. From an early age, Will had a strong affinity for all things cars. So much so that he started building his skills by helping his uncle Rick rebuild a car engine at the kitchen t ...
Lorna Kolasheski - DEC 06, 2023
On December 6, 2023, Lorna Kolasheski, a superb mother of two children and distinguished Busia to 5 grandchildren, passed away at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by Richard Kolasheski, her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, who passed away in September 2021. Lorna was born on March 10, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Doris Teany. She had one brother, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Gene Teany who survives her. She graduated from the University of Montevallo in Alabama and earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Georgia. Lorna spent ove ...
Joan Hunter Christensen - DEC 05, 2023
Joan Hunter Christensen was born on August 3, 1935 in the village of Aspy, Cumbria, England to Mary Williamson Hunter and Sidney Hunter. She passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023. Joan grew up walking the fells of England's Lake District and especially loved riding her bicycle with friends to Loweswater on Sunday afternoons. As a young woman, she moved to Eleuthera, Bahamas where she met and married an American cattleman, Edward Christensen. They raised two daughters, Anna Christensen Wasden and Jane Christensen Aderhold. After spending 20 years in the Bah ...
Ruth Folsom Pierce - DEC 04, 2023
Betty Ruth Folsom Pierce, 89, passed away peacefully Monday December 4th, 2023, at Spanish Oaks Retreat in Savannah, Ga. Ruth was born in Nashville Georgia in 1934 and was one of four children of Dr. William Folsom and Lilla Folsom. Ruth attended school in Nashville from primary through high school at Berrien County Schools. She spent her younger years watching the tobacco trucks roll through town with her girlfriends and spent a lot of time at her father’s dental office and drug store on the Nashville Town Square. Ruth went on to Georgia Teachers College ...
Peter Francis Brown JUL 23, 1957 - DEC 04, 2023
In loving memory of Peter Francis Brown; a remarkable man, born on July 23, 1957, in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Teresa and Francis Brown. Peter grew up in Rosedale, Queens, New York alongside his siblings Joseph, Robert, Timothy, Alice, and Patrick, bringing warmth and joy to his family. Peter found the love of his life, Kathleen Mulligan, in the bustling 6 World Trade Center, where he dedicated himself as a chemist for US Customs Service. Together, they embarked on a beautiful journey that led them to settle in Savannah, GA, and blessed them with three children: Ma ...
Carolyn C. Bumgardner - DEC 04, 2023
Carolyn Ann Campbell Bumgardner, 80, passed away Monday, December 4, 2023 at home with her family by her side. She was born January 31, 1943 in Savannah to the late Ed and Ruby Bollinger Campbell. She retired after 35 years of service from Savannah Sugar Refinery, and later worked for Savannah Speech and Hearing for 4 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jonathan Waters, and her brother, Bobby Campbell. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ed Bumgardner, daughter, Tami Waters, grandsons, Drake, Peyton, and Marshall Water ...