Obituaries
James F. Johnson, Jr. - FEB 08, 2023
James F. Johnson, Jr. December 2, 1944 ~ February 8, 2023 (age 78) Jim Johnson passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia. He was born in Smyrna, Tennessee, to the late James Frank and Lucille Johnson, Sr., both in the U.S. Army. On October 14, 1944 1st Lieutenant Frank's plane was shot down over Yugoslavia. Throughout his life Jim deeply mourned the loss of his father. This defined his prankster sense of humor and intense pursuit at St. Leo College Preparatory School, as a journalism and advertising major at the University of Florida, behind the lens as photo ...
Bonnie Faye Smith APR 08, 1955 - FEB 06, 2023
On the morning of Monday, February 6, 2023, Bonnie Faye Hodges Smith, 67, went to be with the Lord after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. She was at home with her loving husband. She was a faithful member of Compassion Christian Church in Savannah. Bonnie was born on April 8, 1955 in Statesboro, Georgia to Lindell Riner Hodges Thompson and William Eugene Hodges. She attended Statesboro High School. In 1972, Bonnie met the love of her life, Roy Wilbur Smith, while working together at the Big Star Grocery Store in Statesboro. They were mar ...
Elizabeth L. "Bettie" Makel - FEB 05, 2023
Elizabeth “Bettie” Lattin Makel passed away February 5 at the age of 99. Bettie had a full and interesting life. She was delivered by her grandmother, Dr. Cora Lattin, at Buffalo Children’s Hospital on August 11, 1923. Shortly after her birth, while in Fort Benning, GA, Bettie caught diphtheria and was transported back to Buffalo to receive life-saving treatment from her grandmother. Bettie grew up an Army brat living in Ft. Benning, France, Ft. Leavenworth and both sides of the Panama Canal, where she was particularly fond of Ft. De Lesseps, near&nbs ...
Dr. Richard F. Leighton - FEB 05, 2023
To view the service, please click on the following link. https://my.gather.app/remember/richard-leighton-2023 Dr. Richard Frederick Leighton, a cardiologist who practiced medicine for more than 60 years and served as dean of the School of Medicine at the the Medical College of Ohio (now the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences) in the 1990s, died Sunday, Feb. 5, in Savannah, Ga., at the age of 91. Dr. Leighton was struck by a vehicle on Feb. 1 while walking across a street in downtown Savannah and never recovered from the brain trauma he suf ...
John Franklin Finch SEP 27, 1951 - FEB 05, 2023
John Franklin Finch September 27, 1951 ~ February 5, 2023 Johnny has gone to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Johnny was a native of Savannah, GA, and made his home in his beloved California for 31 years. Johnny was of the Baptist faith and retired from his successful landscaping business, as he always loved the outdoors. Before settling in California, he traveled to every state, including Hawaii and had so many interesting stories to share about his travels and the lovely and welcoming people he met. One example was staying on a Native American Na ...
Diane Sutlive OCT 05, 1942 - FEB 05, 2023
Diane Louise “Dee” Sutlive passed away February 5, 2023. Dee was born October 5, 1942 at Telfair Hospital, in Savannah, GA, to Louise Brabham Sutlive and Charles Mark Sutlive. She attended Charles Ellis Elementary School in Savannah and graduated from Radnor High School, Radnor, PA, in 1960. After earning her certificate in French Studies from Ecole Superieur de Commerce, Neuchatel, Switzerland, she attended Arcadia College in Pennsylvania, and the University of Georgia. Her fluency in the French language served her well in her career in the international fashion industry in New ...
Dorothy Williams Kingery NOV 14, 1934 - FEB 04, 2023
Dorothy Williams Kingery, age 88, passed away surrounded by her family and their love until the very end on February 4, 2023. She was born November 14, 1934, in Gordon, Georgia to Arthur Costlar Williams and Blanche Brooks Williams. She graduated from Gordon High School, attended Georgia State College for Women and received a B.S. in Business Finance from the University of Alabama; where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She also earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Georgia. Dorothy was an educator for most of her life, first at the high school level, then as a Facu ...
Vincent Joseph King - FEB 04, 2023
Vincent Joseph King, Sr. passed away on February 4, 2023. He was 60 years old. He is survived by the love of his life, Angel and beloved children, Vinnie (Alli) and Jessica. Vince was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first grandchild, Phoebe. He is also survived by his mother Annette, and siblings Kathy, Teri and Michael. He had a special place in his heart for his sisters in law and brother in law, their spouses and all of his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Art King, Sr. and brother Artie. Vince was larger than life. He met Angel at 18 years old, came to Tyb ...
Thomas L. Edwards JUN 19, 1945 - FEB 04, 2023
Thomas (Tom) Lowry Edwards, 77, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Memorial Health in Savannah. Tom was born June 19, 1945 in Atlanta, GA to the late Sewell Pharr Edwards and Dorothy Edwards Morphy. He lived most of his life in Atlanta before moving to Savannah one year ago to be near his daughter. He worked for Eaton Corporation for over 28 years, retiring from Bold Systems. Tom loved baseball, woodworking and fishing in his early years, and watching old westerns on TV in his later years. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Edwards of Savannah ...
Alice Schaffer JUL 19, 1940 - FEB 03, 2023
Alice Welling Schaffer, 82, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2023 in Savannah, GA. She was born on July 19, 1940 in Harrisburg, PA to Raymond and Margaret Welling. Her family moved to Syracuse, NY when she was young and she attended SUNY Oswego, where she took art classes from Roy Lichtenstein, and graduated with a teaching degree in 1962. After college she married the love of her life, John Schaffer, who affectionately called her Alish. They moved their growing family to Ann Arbor, MI and eventually Alpena, MI before they retired in Florida and then for their final years in Savannah, GA. ...
Jesse Robert Gray SEP 05, 1990 - FEB 02, 2023
Jesse Robert Gray, 32, passed from this life unexpectedly on February 2nd, 2023 on Wilmington Island, GA, near Savannah. He was blessed into this world on September 5, 1990, in Fairfield, CA to Fred R. Gray Jr. and Maribel (Robles) Gray. He was a military child and grew up in Fairfield, CA, Mildenhall, England, Holloman, NM, and Colorado Springs, CO. He also lived in Denver, CO, Niceville, FL and briefly in Savannah, GA throughout his life. He aspired to have a Military or Law Enforcement Career. Circumstances prevented the military, and in lieu of this, he became an Armed Security Officer, ...
Vivian G. Varas DEC 12, 1940 - FEB 02, 2023
Ms. Vivian G. Varas, 82, of Savannah, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023. She was born December 12, 1940, in Havana, Cuba. There memorial service will be at 6:00, Tuesday, February 14, 2022, at Fox & Weeks Hodgson Chapel. A visitation willl be at the funeral home from 5:00 until 6:00 before the service. ...
Joseph Henry "Joe" Wilharm JUL 25, 1933 - FEB 02, 2023
Joseph Henry Wilharm, Jr. (Joe), 89, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023. Joe was born July 25, 1933 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Joseph Henry and Irene Anderson Wilharm. Joe was a graduate of Commercial High School. He joined the United States Navy and after completion of his enlistment, he then joined the Georgia Air National Guard where he served for 33 years and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. After a brief retirement he worked at Nativity of Our Lord Church and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church for 16 years. Joe loved the outdoors, whether he was cutting down a tree, plant ...
Scott Talbot Richards SEP 28, 1952 - FEB 02, 2023
. THE ISLE OF HOPE- Scott Talbot Richards passed away peacefully Thursday, February 2, 2023, at his home in Isle of Hope, Georgia. He was a beloved father, husband, brother, and member of the community. We hope that sharing his story will pay proper tribute to his time on Earth with those who knew him and perhaps amuse those who weren’t so lucky. Scott was born September 28, 1952, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He is the second son of Elizabeth Mae Reynolds and Russel Talbot Richards, younger brother to Steven Richards. His early life was spent moving ...
Jennifer Lynn "Jenny" Parrish - FEB 01, 2023
Jennifer Lynn Anderson Parrish, 60, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at her home with her family by her side. She was born September 12, 1962 in Savannah, GA to the late Robert Nicholas Anderson and Margaret Loretta Horton. Jenny was co-owner along with her husband of Parrish Auto Repair, and Parrish Rentals, LLC. She was raised in Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, and attended Presbyterian Churches as an adult. Jenny loved sitting on her porch reading and enjoying the saltwater view. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, John A. “Tony&rd ...
Rev. Ralph Proctor Chambless - FEB 01, 2023
Proctor was born on Friday, September 16, 1949 in Americus, Georgia to Betty Holmes (Keen) Chambless and Ralph Proctor Chambless. His life on this earth ended on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. His great grandparents John Owen and Annie Burch Proctor of Rentz, Ga, his grandparents, Jesse Ralph and Kate Missouri (Proctor) Chambless of Alamo, Ga, and Thermon E. and Reita Mae (Keen) Holmes were all a part of his childhood and youth. He attended Moore Street Elementary School and Central Junior High School in Dublin, GA. He attended W.D. Thompson Elementary ...
Carl Ellis Neal OCT 11, 1933 - FEB 01, 2023
Carl Ellis Neal passed away February 1, 2023, at the age of 89. Carl was born October 11, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Margueritte Mims Neal and Cicero Rollins Neal. Carl was educated in Jacksonville and serviced in the US Army during the Korean conflict. He retired from Shell Oil Company in 1993, where he worked in the marketing department of the Atlanta, Georgia district office. In his early years he was a Freemason in Jacksonville, Florida and a Shriner at the Alee Temple, Savannah, GA, in the motorcycle unit. Carl worked many years as a volunteer at Candler Hospi ...
Sara Joyce Nichols - FEB 01, 2023
Sara Joyce Nichols, Born on July 1st, 1945, while surrounded by her family, peacefully transitioned to be with her Lord and Savior on February 1, 2023. She was 77 years young and filled with joy. A loving mother to five children whom she absolutely adored as well as a grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all who met her. Sara loved to help others and was always willing to help the elderly. She was called by God to open and run many personal care homes. She loved to laugh and brought so much joy to those around her. Her compassion for others and genuine care for th ...
Mark David Dawson - JAN 31, 2023
Mark David Dawson (9/2/1965 - 1/31/2023) Mark was fearless. He truly seemed like he could survive anything. Pigmy rattlesnake bite? No problem. Toaster-oven burned down his trailer? He escaped the fire. Fall from a 60 foot tree? Broken femer, then checked himself out of the hospital a few days later. He lived his life with abandon. Mark had a tumoltuous marriage to the love of his life, Shannon Madigan. Both tattooed initials S&M on their ring fingers, a sign of their eternal, painful bond. They were so very s ...
William "Bill" Lynch - JAN 30, 2023
William “Bill” Lynch, 77, passed away January 30, 2023 in Savannah, GA. He was born in New Britain, CT on February 27, 1945 and was raised in Newington, CT. He was the son of the late John and Augusta (Deutsch) Lynch. Bill graduated from EC Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain in 1963, and served in the US Navy. After completing his military service he joined The Hartford Insurance Company. He retired to Port Charlotte, FL after the unexpected death of his companion Jane C Emerling to be closer to his brother. He is survived by his 3 daughte ...
Johnnie Ray Wright APR 03, 1957 - JAN 30, 2023
Johnnie Ray Wright, age 65, passed away at Memorial Health University on Monday, January 30. Johnnie was born in Michigan City, IN on April 3, 1957, and worked as a mechanic until he picked up the painting trade while living in Savannah, GA during the 1980’s. He was preceded in death by his companion Cindy, parents Rudy and Millie Wright, sister Wanda Wright, brother-in-law Randall Hall, one niece Sarah and two nephews Mikey and Chazman. Survivors include his brother Theodore Herr (Carla), sister Darlene Hall, His five children Millie Wright Zipperer, Jonathan Wright (Nicol ...
Brenda Hayner DEC 18, 1946 - JAN 29, 2023
Mrs. Brenda Hayner, 76, of Charleston and previously Savannah, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023. She was a dedicated daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many throughout her life. Brenda was born and raised in Savannah, then moved around the world as a military wife to her first husband before coming home to raise a son among her family. She loved music, dancing, tennis, creating memories with friends and family, and traveling with her second husband, Charles Spillane Sr., or Charlie, as she called him. They were married for over 25 years and filled t ...
Mark Daniel Monroe APR 20, 1964 - JAN 29, 2023
Mark Daniel Monroe (Danny), 58, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023. Danny was born April 20, 1964 in Franklin, Kentucky to Arthur Monroe and the late Judy Gray Lamb Monroe. He was a member of Bar Church on Tybee Island, and a supervisor for Southeast Freight. Danny was a lifelong Kentucky fan but recently his daughter started attending UGA and he became a bulldog fan. He was very active in his children’s lives and loved spending time with them…he was so proud of both of them. Danny was a friend to many and a friend for life for all. He live ...
Ian Bishop Adrian Ward - JAN 29, 2023
Ian Bishop Adrian Ward, 22, of Savannah Georgia, student, went to be with his Lord and Saviour Sunday, January 29, 2023. Ian was born on December 7, 2000 in Savannah. He attended Benedictine Military School. He went on to attend Liberty University in Virginia where he was pursuing a degree in psychology. His most recent endeavor was being accepted into the United States Air Force, where he aspired to be a Security Forces canine handler. While attending Benedictine Military School he was a member of the ROTC Ranger Team, wrestling and soccer teams. Ian participated in taekwondo for over 8 ye ...
Betty DeYoung - JAN 28, 2023
Betty DeYoung, 97, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Azalealand Nursing Home. Per her request there will be no service. ...
Steven Dwight Berg NOV 17, 1938 - JAN 28, 2023
Steven Dwight Berg, age 84, of Midway, GA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Steve was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, November 17, 1938, to Walter Theodore and Winifred Willis Berg. The Bergs moved to Farmington, New Mexico where Walter was a real estate appraiser. Steve attended school at New Mexico Military Institute. He graduated from the University of Oregon where he studied economics, political science, and history. After graduation, he was commissioned in the USAF as an officer and attended undergraduate pilot training. He the ...
Herschel Wayne Lucas JUN 06, 1947 - JAN 27, 2023
Herschel Wayne Lucas 6/6/1947 – 1/27/2023 - “Wayne” Lucas, age 75 passed away Friday January 27, 2023 after a short illness. Wayne was born June 6, 1947 to the late Herschel D. and Ruby Lucas of Savannah, GA. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Temple. Wayne attended Savannah High School for a couple years before moving to Arlington, VA and graduating from Washington-Lee High School in 1965. Wayne graduated from the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at The University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism in 1969. He then joined the Uni ...
Charles Barry Spillane, Sr. JUN 22, 1933 - JAN 27, 2023
Mr. Charles Barry Spillane, Sr., 89, of Savannah, passed away Friday, January 27, 2023, surrounded by his family. If anyone knew the meaning of happiness, family and love, it was Charlie. He was a devoted father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a great friend. He always had a twinkle in his eye, a skip in his step, and a smile that drew you in. Charles Barry Spillane, Sr. was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1933. Shortly afterwards his family made Savannah their home. He loved the beach, and was a resident at Tybee Island for 28 years. Charlie also loved playing the pian ...
Julius George Harper III JAN 17, 1952 - JAN 27, 2023
Julius George Harper III, of Darien, Georgia, passed away January 27, 2023, at the age of 71. Julius was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Julius George Harper, Jr. and Ruby Davis Harper. He grew up in Immanuel Baptist Church in Savannah and was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Darien where he served as the Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and as member of the Finance and Budget Committee. In addition, he taught Sunday School and was youth leader for RA's. Julius was a dedicated member of Gideons International. He was a graduate of Savannah High ...