Obituaries
Helen Jean Rhody APR 26, 1951 - DEC 27, 2023
Helen Jean Rhody, 72, died on Wednesday December 27, 2023. Jean was born in Greenville Alabama, the second of four daughters of James and Helen Rhody. She was educated in Catholic and public schools and received her BS and MA in speech therapy from Armstrong State University. She retired from Ft. Stewart where she worked as a speech therapist in their elementary schools, in 2014. Jean was a member of St. Francis Cabrini at Catholic Church. Jean leaves behind her sisters, Mary Aplin and Kathy Spradley; her nieces, Stephanie Bearden and Rachel Domzal. She was predeceased by sis ...
David Williams MAY 10, 1946 - DEC 26, 2023
SAVANNAH – David Alan Williams, age 77, died on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Oaks at Habersham where he had been a resident since September 2016. David was born on May 10, 1946, in Sumter, South Carolina and lived in Miami with his family for a short time before moving with his family to Savannah, Georgia. He graduated from Jenkins High School in 1964 and later moved to Atlanta to work in the laboratory for a pharmaceutical company where he sustained a blinding injury to his right eye. David returned to Savannah to work for Gulfstream, retiring after 30 years, as a Tooling Super ...
Martha A. Pippin - DEC 26, 2023
Martha A. Pippin, 75, of Savannah, GA, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at her home with her family by her side. Funeral arrangements are being handled by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 1779 North Main Street, LaFayette, Georgia 30728. 706-638-1122 (www.wilsonfuneralhome.com) ...
Nora Jane McCoy MAR 21, 1927 - DEC 25, 2023
Mrs. Nora Jane McCoy age 96 of Mineral Bluff, Georgia, formerly of Savannah, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday December 25, 2023 at Blue Ridge Asssisted Living. Her passing followed an extended illness. Mrs. McCoy was born on March 21, 1927 in Pikeville, KY., the daughter of the late William Wells and the late Gertrude Woodruff Wells. Jane was very active in her church and Sunday School and was one of the founding members of Wilmington Island Methodist Church. She had a great sense of humor. Gardening was her favorite hobby. Running a close second was hand painting china and furnitu ...
Everett H. Stephenson, Jr. - DEC 23, 2023
Everett H. Stephenson, Jr., 76, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023, after extended battles with cancer and sclerosis in recent years. He was born on December 14, 1947, in Jackson, TN to Harold and Daisye Stephenson. He obtained a B.S. from U.T. Knoxville, and a M.S. from VA Tech. He worked on a Doctorate there for a year, before returning to industry where he would pursue innovation, mechanization, and advanced technology in industrial forestry. Everett obtained 11 patents ranging from a triboelctrostatic spray for controlled pollination and mechanized tool for cor ...
Teresa Jill Herrington - DEC 21, 2023
Teresa Jill Herrington, age 68, of Port Wentworth passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023. Ms. Herrington was born on October 14, 1955 in Savannah to the late Dilburn Herrington and the late Dicy Elizabeth Mikell Herrington. She was a sister to the late Keith Herrington. Teresa (Teri) graduated from Johnson High School in 1974 and went on to work in the shipping industry. Teri Herrington loved spending time on the water. She enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends. She was very talented with crafts, sewing, embroidery and quilting. She was a devoted partner to ...
Diane Smith Gonzalez APR 01, 1956 - DEC 20, 2023
Diane Smith Gonzalez passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Savannah native was born on April 1, 1956 to the late Ernest F. Smith, Jr. and Lillian King Smith. Diane attended Windsor Forest High School. She was a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school bus driver for Bible Baptist Church in Gary, IN. Diane later moved to the Raleigh/Durham, NC area where she worked briefly in Research Triangle Park as an assistant in training with LabCorp Pharmaceutical Company. Upon returning to her home in Savannah, Diane worked ...
Robert Louis Roberts MAY 16, 1929 - DEC 20, 2023
Robert Louis Roberts, 94, passed away peacefully near mid-day on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Palmetto Inn of Savannah Square. Bob was born on May 16, 1929 in Montreal, PQ, Canada to J Frank Roberts and Florence Harrington Roberts. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill; sister, Katy; and his wife, Elizabeth who he dearly missed. He is survived by three sons; Tom (Elaine) of West Point, VA; Peter (Gilonne) of Greenville and Anderson, SC, Chris (local Savannah artist); four grandchildren; Katie Roberts of Richmond, VA; Meg Arsenovic (Paul) of Diggs VA; Bianca Wil ...
Sharon (Shari) Butler Hendricks FEB 13, 1964 - DEC 19, 2023
Sharon “Shari” Butler Hendricks, 61, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at home with her loving husband by her side. The Gorman, TX native was the daughter of the late Eugene Edward Butler and Gwendolyn Clark Leathley. At the age of six, Shari began competing in competitive roller skating. Shari competed in singles competitions, and later skated with her brother in pairs competitions. She and her brother Ron continued to compete over the next 10 years, and won many local, state, and national titles. Shari was an active member of Compassion Christian Church - East Campus. S ...
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 ...