Obituaries
Khamphay Khotphuy OCT 10, 1961 - FEB 19, 2023
Khamphay Khotphuy, 61, died peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Khamphay was born in Vientiane, Laos. She moved to the United States in 1980 with her husband of 40 years, Sy Khotphuy. Khamphay’s passion was her family. She was a successful business owner for many years. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Khamphay was everything to her daughters, Pat, Sou, and Alicia; she taught them discipline, loyalty, and love for family. Her most absolute enjoyment was farming her land. Khamphay’s beauty and love for life will continue to live on through her family. ...
Ralph "Skip" Hinely, Jr. - FEB 18, 2023
Ralph Vincent “Skip” Hinely, Jr., 70, known by his friends as “Skip”, passed away Saturday February 18, 2023 at Candler Hospital. Skip was born September 1, 1952 in Savannah, GA to the late Ralph Vincent Hinely, Sr. and Laura Lindner Hinely. He attended several churches around the Savannah area, to include, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Islands Christian Church and Higher Ground Baptist Church. Skip had a musical gift and shared his talent with his churches and many other places around Savannah, such as the Night Flight Café on River Street ...
Richard D. Edwards MAY 18, 1947 - FEB 15, 2023
Savannah, GA- Richard D. Edwards, Sr., 75, of Savannah, GA passed away on February 15th, 2023. Richard was born at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ to the late Charles Edwards and Eugenia Shirley Edwards. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Charles Allen Edwards. His family was transferred to Savannah’s Hunter Army Airfield when he was 9 years old. Even at a young age, he was called to leadership and service through his participation in the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Junior Assistant Scout Master and member of the Order of the Arrow which is reserved for scouts w ...
Walter Wesson Matthews JAN 31, 1923 - FEB 14, 2023
Walter Wesson Matthews (Matt), 100 passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023. Matt was born in Brunswick County, VA on January 31, 1923 to Earnest and Isla Matthews. After high school he served an apprenticeship at Newport News, VA. Shipbuilding, then moved to Savannah to work in the local shipyard. He joined the Army in 1943. He served in WWII in the Philippines. In Savannah, he met his wife Estelle (Stella) Davis. They were married for 52 years. After Stella’s passing in 1995, he married Audrey Cason Marston. They were married for 21 years until her passing in 2016. Matt was an ...
Edwin Bethea Henderson APR 06, 1944 - FEB 13, 2023
Edwin Bethea Henderson passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 after a brief illness. Born in Savannah, GA on April 6, 1944, Ed was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Clair A. Henderson. Elected president of his Senior class, Ed graduated from Jenkins High School in 1962 and shortly after enlisted in the Navy, serving our country for two years. Afterwards, he attended and graduated from Georgia Southern University. Ed enjoyed a long career as a Jobber Representative with Amoco Oil Company until his retirement in 2001. Unable to stand still after he retired, he earned his real ...
Bette Lou Halford Cobb OCT 30, 1930 - FEB 12, 2023
Bette Lou Halford Cobb, 92, died peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, February 12, 2023. The Biggers, AR native was the daughter of the late William Homer and Juanita Ferguson Halford. Bette was a longtime resident of Moultrie, GA before moving to Savannah to be closer to her daughter and granddaughters. Bette was a retired nurse who loved caring for others. In addition to her parents, Bette was predeceased by her husband, James Luther Cobb; her twin sister, Mary Sue Halford Britt; and a brother, William Ferguson "Bill" Halford. ...
Terry (Chuck) Gene Swagert - FEB 12, 2023
Terry (Chuck) Gene Swagert, 71, died peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023. Chuck was born in Ohio, and was preceded in death by his father, Granville Swagert, mother, Susie Swagert, and brother, Robert C. Swagert. Chuck was an avid bowler and loved golfing with his buddies, going to breakfast and picking Nascar drivers for each race. He was a member of First Baptist Church of the Islands. In addition to his wife, Cathy, Chuck leaves behind his son Robert J. Swagert (Tabitha); his daughter Christina Swagert; his stepdaughter Laura Gillispie (Mike); his stepson Michael Gr ...
The Honorable W. Leon Barfield SEP 08, 1947 - FEB 11, 2023
W. Leon Barfield, of Savannah, Georgia, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2023, after a short illness. A highly decorated Vietnam war veteran with a distinguished record of community service, Judge Barfield retired in 2013, as a United States Magistrate Court judge in Augusta. Judge Barfield, a native of Moultrie, Georgia, served as a member of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion of the 12th Cavalry, First Air Cavalry Division, from 1967 – 1969. He suffered serious leg injuries during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart in 1968, in addit ...
Barbara Mullins Campbell OCT 12, 1935 - FEB 11, 2023
Barbara Ann (Mullin) Campbell of Savannah, GA. passed away peacefully in her home on Skidaway Island on February 11, 2023, at the age of 87. Her children were by her side. Barbara was the loving wife and soulmate of Frederick MacGregor Campbell Jr., who were married 63 years. Barbara was born on October 12, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA to Anna Linea and Allen Sharpe Mullin. Barbara attended Germantown High School where she excelled as a student and was captain of the cheerleading squad. Her summers were spent on the Jersey shore working with friends, and at the beach. In 1953 she was crown ...
A. John Zanin FEB 13, 1938 - FEB 11, 2023
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A. John Zanin, beloved husband and father, died peacefully at home in the early morning hours on Saturday, February 11, 2023. A private burial in Atlanta is being planned. ...
Bert Francis Keene DEC 22, 1942 - FEB 11, 2023
Bert Francis Keene was born in New York City on December 22, 1942 and grew up in and around Westchester County, where he met his wife, Evelyn, of 39 years. After marrying Evelyn at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY, Bert and Evelyn raised their two sons, Jim and Dennis, in Mahopac, NY, where he loved participating in his sons’ sports and scouting activities. An avid practicing Catholic, Bert was very active in the churches he attended including St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mahopac, St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Richmond Hill, GA, an ...
Judy M. Shearouse - FEB 11, 2023
Judy Mikell Shearouse, 70, passed away suddenly, Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Candler Hospital. She was born June 1, 1952 in Statesboro, GA to the late James D. Mikell, Sr. and Betty Thompson Mikell. Judy and Jimmy were married on February 19, 1971 at Derenne Avenue Church of God and were the first couple to ever get married there. For nearly 52 years, they built a wonderful life together that included the joys of their lives, Jay and Jamy. Judy was a devout Christian and loved the Lord and her life was an example of loving others the way Christ loves. To know Judy wa ...
Melinda S. Chestnut - FEB 10, 2023
Melinda Sheeran Chestnut passed away on February 10, 2023. Melinda was born on August 1, 1960 to Nancy Sheeran née Freudenberger, and the late Louis Sheeran. She graduated from Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby, PA where she first met the love of her life, Bart Rowley. She is survived by her fiancé Bart Rowley, daughter Amy Chestnut Mangan, son-in-law John Mangan, grandsons Jack Mangan and Charlie Mangan, Mother Nancy Sheeran, and sister Suzanne Sheeran da Silva. Melinda earned a BA from Eastern University and worked in the insurance industry for more than 35 yea ...
James Leland Tee - FEB 09, 2023
James Leland Tee, 81, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born October 26, 1941 in Iowa to the late Joseph James Tee and Rosemary Smith Tee. He and his wife lived in Iowa before moving to Arizona in 1971, then finally making their home in Savannah in 1988. James was a family man, and loved nothing more than spending time with his children and grandchildren. He lived for working in his yard, especially pulling weeds. When he went to visit family and friends, he always leaned down and pulled a few weeds from ...
Donald Powell - FEB 08, 2023
Donald Powell died on February 8, 2023, in Savannah, GA, where he had lived with his wife Phyllis Powell for thirty years. He was 88. His children John and Nancy were at his side. He was born on February 7, 1935 in Manhattan, NY. Donald grew up throughout New York, New Jersey, and Greenwich, CT and graduated from Memorial High School in Pelham, NY in 1953. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University in 1957, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and the Pi Delta Epsilon honors society for excellence in journalism. He entered the U.S. Navy following his graduation, wh ...
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 ...