Obituaries
Judith Ann Gillespie DEC 16, 1937 - MAY 19, 2023
Judith Ann Gillespie, beloved mother and friend, died peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2023 at her home from complications following a stroke. Judith’s best friend, her cat Scout, was by her side. Judith was born in Sidney, OH on December 16, 1937 to the late Mildred Vivian Webster Roeller and Carl Ray Roeller. Judith married the love of her life, the late David Miller Gillespie and together, they had three children and two grandchildren that she loved fiercely. Judith loved life, nature, and all living things. She played Duplicate Bridge with a vengeance and ...
Patricia (Pat) Meehan Leysath JUL 31, 1935 - MAY 19, 2023
Patricia (Pat) Meehan Leysath, 97, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 19th 2023, with her family at her bedside. She was born in Towanda, Pennsylvania on July 31, 1925, the daughter of the late Lillian Russell Meehan and Thomas A. Meehan. She attended Ithaca College to study music, and later transferred to Pennsylvania State University to receive her teaching degree. While teaching at Aberdeen, Maryland, she met her husband, 2nd Lieutenant Horace H. Leysath Jr. They were married for 70 years. They called Savannah home for 60 years. She taught 3rd grade ...
Betty Broderick Lentz - MAY 18, 2023
Betty Broderick Lentz, 93, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023 at home surrounded by her family. She was born October 3, 1929 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Edward and Nellie Broderick and was married to her loving husband of 69 years Harry C. Lentz, Sr. Betty was a graduate of Mount St. Agnes College and received a MBA from Central Michigan University. In Savannah she attended St. Vincent’s Academy and Cathedral Day School. She retired from Memorial Health after more than 25 years of service. Betty enjoyed her husband and large family, as well as sewing, dress-making, and embroidery. I ...
Maureen Patricia Donis - MAY 18, 2023
Maureen Patricia Donis, 96, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the Oceanside Nursing Home with her family by her side. She was born September 1, 1926, to Norah P. White and Maurice White in South Hampton, England. Maureen is also known as Sheila as her father never liked the name Maureen and always called her Sheila. Maureen is survived by her daughters, Annette (Dennis) Douberteen, Savannah, GA, and Hellen Donis-Keller, Boston, MA; sons, Nicholas (Pam) Donis, Edwardsburg, MI, and Bruce (Terri) Donis, Atlanta, GA; 16 grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren; her former sister-in-law ...
Thang Hoang AUG 04, 1929 - MAY 17, 2023
Thang Hoang On the afternoon of May 17th, 2023, Thang Hoang passed away peacefully at Savannah Hospice surrounded by loved ones from congestive heart failure. He was 93 years old. He was born in Vietnam on August 4th, 1929. Throughout his life, he was the embodiment of a fighting spirit. During the 1970s, he was able to emigrate from Vietnam with his family to eventually settle here in Savannah. He always fought to better the life of his family. His legacy lives on through the fighting spirit in each one of his family mem ...
Alan Leigh Baier - MAY 16, 2023
Alan Leigh Baier, 81, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Spanish Oaks Retreat in Savannah. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Atlanta. ...
Judith (Judy) Leaptrot - MAY 16, 2023
Judith (Judy) Leaptrot, 67, died May 16,2023, after a short illness, surrounded by her family and friends. Judy is preceded in death by her parents Franklin Delano Yelton and Betty Rebecca Wall. She is survived by her sister Robin Tarvin; brother-in-law, Michael Tarvin; niece, Renee Hill; great nieces, Zoe, Chloe, and Ceara Morris; and her dog, Blossom. Her friends and family will remember her for her adventurous spirit, energetic disposition, and her passion for living life to its fullest. She lived a compassionate and creative life and held a deep appreciation for music, teaching, and ...
Arthur "Corky" Fleming Jr APR 16, 1947 - MAY 15, 2023
Arthur Thomas “Corky” Fleming, Junior passed away May 15 at Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Corky was born April 16, 1947 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Arthur Thomas Fleming (of Thunderbolt, GA) and Martha Sancken Fleming (of Augusta, GA). He attended Blessed Sacrament School and Benedictine Military School. He graduated from Georgia Military College in 1965. He married Gertrude “Trudy” Parsons June 15, 1968 and vowed that he could only promise her that “life would never be boring." The two experienced many adventures and made many speci ...
John Norman Waters JUN 19, 1937 - MAY 15, 2023
John Norman Waters, 85, passed away Monday, May 15, 2023 at his home in Richmond Hill. He was born in June 19, 1937 to the late John and Gertrude Waters. Mr. Waters graduated in 1955 from Commercial High School, after which he worked for many years for the Norfolk Southern Railroad where he retired in Charlotte, NC as District Manager before relocating to Savannah. He was a member of Bull Street Baptist Church, and attended Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, where he was a Deacon. He was an active member of the Exchange Club of Savannah and an avid golfer, who enjoyed p ...
Nancy Richards Zagorac - MAY 14, 2023
Nancy Richards Zagorac passed away May 14, 2023, at home in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 83. Nancy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the first of four siblings to Edward L. Richards and Edna J. Brooks Richards. She graduated from Beaver Area Highschool in 1957 and subsequently attended and graduated from Presbyterian University Hospital School of Nursing in 1960 earning her nursing degree. Nancy married her first husband, Dr. Dick Gash, and subsequently moved to Philadelphia where she worked at Albert Einstein Hospital. After her divorce from Dr. Gash, she returned to Pittsbu ...
Peter "Petey" Robert O'Rourke MAR 23, 1967 - MAY 14, 2023
We are saddened to announce the passing of Peter “Petey” Robert O’Rourke. He passed away peacefully at home on May 14th, 2023. Petey was born on March 23rd, 1967, in Newark, New Jersey and was raised in Astoria, New York. He loved to meet new people, never met a stranger, and bragged about how much he loved and adored his only child, Shannon O’Rourke. Petey worked as an electrician for over 15 years and enjoyed his work as well as all the friendships he created with the people he worked with over the years. Some of his favorite things to do were to shout &ldquo ...
F. Justin Burgstiner, Jr. - MAY 14, 2023
Frank Justin Burgstiner, Jr. was a native of Savannah and born to Frank Justin Burgstiner, Sr. and Jessie Edwards Burgstiner in 1941. Justin was a graduate of H. V. Jenkins High School where he served as the 1st band captain. He played the French horn, trumpet and alto horn. In his younger years, Justin was a beloved troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and he received the honor of the Order of the Arrow. Justin began his long career with Southern Bell as a coin telephone collector. After serving in many positions throughout his career, he retired from B ...
Charles J. Roach, Jr. OCT 03, 1942 - MAY 14, 2023
A Savannah native, Charles was born the eldest of three children. He is the son of Charles J. Roach Sr. and Nell Mullins Roach. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Linda Roach, and their three children Kelli Roach Dorsey (Paul), Chuck Roach (Traci), Ashlei Roach McAleer (John) and his brother John E. Roach and sister, Cherolyn Roach Owenby. He has six beautiful grandchildren, whom he loved with exceptional passion: Delani Dorsey, Garrett and Avery Roach, Grier, Addison, and Mercy McAleer. He graduated from Herschel V. Jenkins high school, where he played football. He attended Georgi ...
Terrence Gibney NOV 03, 1953 - MAY 13, 2023
Terrence Vincent Gibney died on May 13, 2023. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany on November 3, 1953 and spent his career as a professor at the University of Georgia in the field of videography and theater and also at Georgia State University in the department of Best Practices. He is survived by his spouse, Elizabeth Rauers Newkirk, his daughter Alexandra Walsh Gibney (William Siegrist), his four grandchildren Kellin Waters, Louis Gibney Siegrist, George Gibney Siegrist, and Jack Gibney Siegrist, and stepchildren Thompson Newkirk and Nina Newkirk-Pulliam. He was predecease ...
Michael Jerome "Jerry" Hogan, Sr. - MAY 11, 2023
Michael Jerome “Jerry” Hogan, Sr. died peacefully Thursday afternoon surrounded by his family. Michael Jerome Hogan, Sr. was born in the “Old Fort” Section of Savannah on August 21, 1942, to Mary Dyer Hogan and William James Hogan, Sr. He attended Cathedral Day School and graduated from Benedictine Military School in the Class of 1961. Jerry attained the rank of Eagle Scout alongside many of his Benedictine classmates. He served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps Reserves. After serving in the Marine Corps, he ...
Geraldine Jenkins NOV 07, 1944 - MAY 11, 2023
Geraldine “Gerri” Jenkins, 78, peacefully entered into her eternal rest on Thursday evening, May 11, 2023 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Gerri is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nell Boyette. She is survived by two sons, Gary (Delinda) Jenkins of Powder Springs, Georgia and Raymond (Robyn) Jenkins of New Haven, Connecticut. She was a loving grandmother to four grandchildren, Tonya (Joseph) Dolan, Trevor (Kayla) Jenkins, Payton Jenkins, and Abby Jenkins. She was also a great grandmother to Rosalind “Rosie” Dolan. Gerri’s love ...
Libby Evans JUL 30, 1944 - MAY 09, 2023
Frances “Libby” Mallard Evans passed away May 9, 2023 after a long illness. Libby was born July 30, 1944 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Francis Daniel Mallard and Blanche Cecile Bazemore Mallard. Libby began her career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC as a secretary and retired after 37 years as the Director of the Savannah Information Technology Center. Libby enjoyed reading, Cocoa Beach and most especially shopping. More than anything, she enjoyed being “Honey” to her four grandchildren and great grandson. Libby i ...
Barbara Ann Stephens AUG 01, 1933 - MAY 09, 2023
On May 9, 2023, Barbara Stephens “Bobbi” died peacefully at Harmony of Savannah, surrounded by her loving family. Bobbi was born in Jacksonville, Florida on August 1, 1933, daughter of Marylou and Stanley Edenfield. She was raised by her beloved grandmother, Betty Edenfield “Mama.” She enjoyed working as a ballroom dance instructor and in the millenary department at Levy’s department store in downtown Savannah. Bobbi’s specialty was blending hair to make chignons. Later in life, she took over the accounting and billing department at Stephens Tire Co., ...
MarCelene Cumming Willingham AUG 08, 1932 - MAY 08, 2023
MarCelene Cumming Willingham, age 90, passed away quietly on the morning of Monday, May 8, at Riverview Health and Rehab Center in Savannah. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William Shelverton Willingham, Sr, her brother, Lt. Britt Cumming, and sister, CaRita Connor. She is survived by her sons, William Shelverton Willingham, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Gwen, of Gulf Breeze , Florida, and Britt Charles Willingham, Sr, of Savannah, Ga., her beloved grandchildren, Lee Willingham and wife, Leigh, of Gulf Breeze, FL, Britt Dallas Willlingham, of Atlanta, Ga, Linds ...
Ronald P. Guyette JUL 21, 1967 - MAY 08, 2023
Ronald P Guyette, 55, died peacefully on Monday, May 8, 2023. Ronald was born in Watertown, NY, and grew up in Carthage, NY. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1985 and joined the Navy immediately after High School. After the Navy, he moved to the Southeast to begin his 30-year career in the Intermodal Industry. He worked for RCS, Flexi-Van, CCM, and Lanport. He finished his career as a Field Operations Manager for Flexi-Van Leasing. Ronald was an excellent mechanic and was always helping friends with auto repairs. He was an avid deer hunter. He loved hunt ...
Wilbur Lee Stewart - MAY 08, 2023
Wilbur L. Stewart, 77, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023 in Savannah. Funeral and burial will be in Morgantown, West Virginia. ...
John Michael Simon NOV 06, 1950 - MAY 06, 2023
Photographer, ride share driver, general contractor, wood craftsman, network engineer, artist and loving father of five. Also, a story teller with an encyclopedic memory, gourmet cook, bread maker and music lover (especially the work of country musician John Prine.) That was John Michael Simon, 72, who battled cancer twice (leukemia and rectal cancer) and died in hospice care at his Tybee Island home Saturday, May 6, 2023, with his caretaker and partner of six years Lanie Lippincott Peterson and his caretaker and housemate Lindsay Elizabeth Peterson by his side. Michael was born in Gra ...
Jimmy Wilson - MAY 06, 2023
Mr. James Corde “Jimmy” Wilson, Jr. died peacefully early Saturday morning, May 6th, surrounded by his family. Jimmy touched many lives, and folks knew him by many nicknames, Uncle Jimmy, Jimbo, Big Jim, Pops, among others. Jimmy was born in Chester, Pennsylvania on September 22nd, 1946 on a family vacation. His mother and father lived in Savannah, GA at the time of his birth, and he grew up in the Ardsley Park neighborhood where he made many lifelong friends. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1964. Big Jim enlisted in the United States Navy immediately ...
Martha (MaMa) Jean Stefanick OCT 01, 1935 - MAY 06, 2023
Our family unexpectedly lost the family's matriarch on May 6, 2023 at the age of 87. Jean was born and raised in Savannah, Ga to George Hamilton Vickery and Hazel Cowart Jefferson. She graduated from Savannah High as a bluejacket and Miss Commercial High in 1952. She later married US Navy flight deck operator David Stefanick, who later became the lead electrician at the post office for all of Savannah. Jean and Dave raised two wonderful children, Michael & Julie. Jean was an only child and although she was relentlessly spoiled, she grew up with a desire to help anyone who was less ...
Catherine "Ferguson" Marsters AUG 08, 1945 - MAY 05, 2023
Sister Kate - “Life really isn’t all that complicated. You simply write your own obituary and figure out how to live up to it.” My sister Kate never said those words, but she did live them. All who knew her knew of the remarkable life she lived: the places she lived, the many friends she had (all of whom consider themselves close friends), three wonderful children, an eclectic professional life. How she lived her life is her enduring legacy. I suppose she also could have said “life is in the details.” What else could explain her house - an adventure in hidden s ...
Dagmar Finkle APR 28, 1945 - MAY 03, 2023
Dagmar Finkle, 78, born April 28, 1945 of Bad Toelz, Germany formerly a resident of Lavallette, NJ before moving to Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Dagmar met her husband, Stephen Finkle, in Lakewood, NJ where both grew up and married on August 12, 1966. She began her career as a physical education and health teacher. Eventually they moved to northern NJ and she attended Rutgers, the State University to be certified as a school library media specialist. She served on many committees while receiving many awards as a teacher, a board member and president of EMA ...
Tony Saxon JAN 01, 1948 - MAY 03, 2023
Michael Anthony Saxon Sr., known to all as Tony, passed away very peacefully on May 3, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia. Prior to moving to Savannah in 2019, he had retired in 2007 to Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida. Tony was born on January 1, 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia to Hugh Holliday Saxon Sr. and Barbara Anne Chapman Saxon. He was married to Elizabeth Merle Langston on June 19, 1972, and they had two children. Tony attended The Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was a state championship swimmer, winning the state high school all-class 100m freestyle in the tenth grade. After high school, ...
Stephen Neil Bell JUL 08, 1949 - MAY 02, 2023
Stephen Neil Bell, 73, passed away Tuesday, May 2023 at his home. He was born July 8, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Richard Bell, his son Michael Bell and step-daughter Loraine Womble. He is survived by his wife Teri Bell, daughter Trisha Bell of Atlanta, 2 step-sons Larry Summerlin (Jenny) and Jeremiah Womble. A sister Barbara Bell (Lovell, Wyoming), brother, Richard Bell (Oakland, California), sister-in-law Maria Miles (Savannah), and six wonderful grandchildren whom he adored. Also surviving are several nieces, nep ...
Sandra Hadden Clark JUL 21, 1940 - MAY 01, 2023
Sandra Hadden Clark passed away peacefully on May 1, 2023, at her River House in Richmond Hill, Georgia. She is survived by her three siblings, Sara, Elizabeth, and Ben. Her children and grandchildren survived her: Angela Thomas (Mark), Amanda Wilson (Donald), Tori Thomas, Alayna Wilson, Julia Thomas, and Audrey Wilson. In 1964, Sandra married the late John R. Clark III at Ardsley Park Baptist Church and was married to “Johnny” for over 30 years. She had many nieces and nephews that she held dearly all her life. She was affectionally known by the family and close friends as “ ...
Andrew Duncan JUN 06, 1938 - MAY 01, 2023
Andrew John Duncan, Jr., 84, of Savannah, GA, and Waleska, GA, passed away on Monday morning, May 1, 2023, with his family at his side. Andrew, known as “Jack” to his family, was born June 6, 1938, and raised in Savannah. He was the eldest son of Andrew Duncan and Mildred Cody (Duncan) Lucree. Throughout his life, he led a successful career in sales throughout the United States and eventually settled back in Georgia near family. He chose his final home in Lake Arrowhead in Waleska, GA, in order to spend more time with his children and grandchildren. He ha ...