Obituaries
Lemuel (Lem/Bubba) Martin Highsmith - MAR 28, 2022
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Lemuel (Lem/Bubba) Martin Highsmith, 78, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, March 28, 2022. Lem was born in Savannah, GA on August 3rd, 1943. He was the middle son of Ethel Martin Highsmith and Lemuel Rhodes Highsmith. He was a graduate of Savannah High School in 1961 and attended The College of the Americas in Mexico City, Mexico. Lem owned and operated Savannah Steel Scaffold Co. Inc. and Highsmith Lumber Company, the family businesses, for more than 40 years. Lem, always the entrepreneur, dabbled in many business ventures throughout his lifetime ...
Deborah Nelson DeMott - MAR 27, 2022
Deborah Nelson DeMott, 66, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Candler Hospital. She was born July 9, 1955 in Savannah to the late Raymond and Idell Crosby Nelson. Deborah attended St. James Catholic Church. She was the office manager for Southeastern Endodontics for over 22 years. She was loved and will be missed by her family, coworkers and many friends. Surviving are her husband, Otis DeMott, and her son, Barry DeMott, both of Savannah. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church. Burial will be in Forest ...
Elizabeth McCall (Betsy) Carufel - MAR 26, 2022
Elizabeth McCall “Betsy” Carufel, 78, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at her residence under the care of Kindred Hospice. She was born in Savannah, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Pettus McCall. Mrs. Carufel was a graduate of Savannah High School and Albany Junior College with a degree in nursing. For many years she was a registered nurse with Candler Hospital and Memorial University Medical Center. Mrs. Carufel was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her passion was cooking for her family and all of God’s animals. Surviving a ...
Lucille C. Hair - MAR 25, 2022
Lucille Corine Hair, 81, passed away on March 25, 2022. She was born on April 9, 1940 in Savannah, Georgia to Bert Hudson Carpenter and Lucille Mary Carpenter. She was the beloved wife to the late Wayne Franklin Hair; loving mother of Eddie, Cynthia Kickasola, Michelle (Fred) Morgan, and Elizabeth (Geno) Carone. She was a proud grandmother of five and great-grandfather to three. She is also survived by one brother, David (Susan) Carpenter. Lucille is preceded in death by her parents; Bert Hudson Carpenter and Lucille Mary Carpenter; her siblings, Marilyn Price and Bert Hudson Carpente ...
John Randolph Fishback DEC 30, 1943 - MAR 24, 2022
John Randolph Fishback, age 78, died March 24, 2022 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. The Savannah native resided in Richmond Hill. He attended Chatham County Schools and graduated from Savannah High School in 1962. John attended both Andrew College and Georgia Southern College (University) and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Armstrong State College in 1975. He lettered in both soccer and tennis during his college career. John served in the United States Coast Guard, and in 1970 was awarded the Commander’s Medal for Bravery in Air and Sea ...
Hazel Georgianna Dove SEP 01, 1941 - MAR 24, 2022
Hazel Georgianna Dove was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey September 1st 1941, at Moutainside Hospital. She received her education in the Bloomfield School System and graduated in 1959. She soon married Lynn Shorts of Montclair, New Jersey, where they gave birth to their beautiful son, Lance Shorts in 1960. In the early 60’s Hazel worked in the Prudential Building in Newark, New Jersey as an administrative assistant. From there she began working at Blue Cross Blue Shield as a secretary. In 1977, Hazel started her illustrious career at the Bell System in Newark, New Jersey for the Pub ...
Bob Jacob OCT 30, 1937 - MAR 20, 2022
Bob Jacob was a man of many names. Robert was for his passport; he was known as “The Pope” at Orient Bay; Jake was the moniker used by his college roommate; Uncle Bob was reserved for his nieces and nephews; but the most common was “my friend, Bob.” For Bob had a unique talent for gathering friends even after a casual meeting on the beach in St. Martin, in the neighborhood, on a cruise, or at a hunting camp in rural Louisiana. Each new friend was attracted by his innate generosity and warm hospitality. His family and friends now mourn his passing. Cancer waged war up ...
Billy Moore Kerley MAR 17, 1934 - MAR 19, 2022
Billy Moore Kerley, age 88, of Savannah, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on March 19, 2022. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Julia Patricia Remion Kerley, his children, Vicki Parker (Roy), Anthony W. Kerley, Valerie McGrath (Alvin), Julie Smith (Tim), Timothy J. Kerley; 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, several in-laws, neices and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Otto Kerley and Vira Mai Howard Kerley; brother, Howard Wilson; sister, Dilla Marie Burt, and grandson David Allen McGrath. ...
Lee Ann Biggs (The Bear) Chugani FEB 10, 1955 - MAR 19, 2022
Lee Ann Biggs Chugani, 67, transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 19, 2022. She was born on February 10, 1955 to late Edna Ruth Biggs Woodruff and Oliver Biggs. Lee Ann enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She had a love for music, pop culture and animals. Lee Ann was educated in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System having graduate from Savannah High School. She was employed at the Shrimp Factory as a waitress. Due to illness Lee Ann was a patient at Abercorn Rehabilitation Nursing Home. Lee An ...
Richard E. (Butch) Cooper MAY 28, 1939 - MAR 19, 2022
Richard Earl Cooper, 81, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, March 19,2022. Richard, nicknamed Butch, was born in Greenwood, SC on May 28,1939. He was the son of Charlie and Ruth Wise. He graduated from Greenwood High School. Butch joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 years of age and retired after 30 years as Sergeant Major. He was in the top 20 selected for Sergeant Major of the United Sates Marine Corps. Butch earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Combat and Battlefield Commission in Vietnam. He was stationed in SC, IL, CA, HI and Oki ...
Richard Allen Pease MAR 26, 1947 - MAR 19, 2022
Richard Allen “Rick” Pease died peacefully on March 19, 2022, in Savannah, GA from Legionnaire’s pneumonia. He was one week shy of his 75th birthday. His death has left a void in our family that will never be filled by another, but we rejoice in knowing that he is at peace with his Lord and Savior. Rick grew up in Evansville, Indiana, where he attended Fulton Grade School and Central High School. He graduated from Clovis High School, Clovis, AZ. He was in the band and played tuba, which probably weighed more than he did at the time, according to one of his friends! O ...
Nancy Jenkins Emmerson - MAR 18, 2022
A lifelong resident of Wilmington Island, Nancy was born on June 25, 1950. After a few years of traveling into Thunderbolt to attend Elementary, Nancy was one of the original children to attend May Howard Elementary School. Growing up on Turner’s Creek, she considered herself a river rat. There is no doubt from her stories that she enjoyed the freedom of living on the island in the 1950’s/60’s. Nancy graduated from Savannah High School in 1968, and then went on to study at the Atlanta College of Art for two years. She eventually utilized her talents ...
Patrick Anthony Mastrianni MAR 16, 1989 - MAR 18, 2022
Patrick Anthony Mastrianni, beloved son of Monica Mastrianni and the late Anthony Mastrianni, went to the loving arms of His Lord on March 16, 2022, his 33rd birthday. Born in Plainfield, NJ, Patrick was raised in Effingham County, graduating from South Effingham Highschool, and attended USC Bluffton, transferring to Kennesaw State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Patrick participated in basketball and cross-country team sports during his school years. A true lover of people and a humble servant of our Lord, Patrick enjoyed jobs for the Gree ...
Ronald Richard "Ronny" Brown, Sr. SEP 25, 1935 - MAR 17, 2022
Ronald Richard Brown, Sr., age 86, of Savannah, formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on March 17. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene Dunn Brown; his son, Richard Brown, Jr.; and granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Brown. Ronny was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, all of whom he loved dearly. He also loved the Lord with all his heart. He was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. E.N. Brown of Statesboro. Ronny received a B.S. degree from what is now Georgia So ...
Brandon Scott Schvarcz SEP 09, 1990 - MAR 17, 2022
With deepest sorrow, we announce that Brandon Scott Schvarcz, age 31, beloved son, nephew, cousin, and friend, died unexpectedly at the hands of another, in the early morning hours of March 17, 2022. We are left shocked and saddened at the loss of such a beautiful soul. Those who knew Brandon, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives. Brandon was the heartbeat of any room he walked into. You couldn’t help but smile or laugh when you were in the presence of Brandon. His energy was contagious. Brandon had such passion for life. He loved boating, fishing, being a devote ...
Lawrence Bullis "The Bull" AUG 16, 1947 - MAR 16, 2022
Lawrence Joseph Bullis, Jr., “The Bull,” went to be with the Lord surrounded by his beloved wife of 53 years Mary Bistline Bullis, his daughters Cam and Katherine on the morning of March 16, 2022. Larry was the son of Audrey and Lawrence Bullis, Sr. who never missed a single time to see him pitch baseball from grade school on. He met Mary at Presbyterian College where he was a Sigma Nu and the punter for the football team. They married on July 26, 1969 and after a time in the USAF, based at Randolph Air Field in San Antonio, TX he was blessed to remain stateside during the Vietn ...
Frances (Frankie) Bolt Poe OCT 15, 1932 - MAR 14, 2022
Francis (Frankie) Marion Bolt Poe passed away March 14, 2022. Frankie was born in Mullins, SC on October 15, 1932 to the late John Richard and Nina Owens Bolt. Frankie was an active member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church where she served in various roles in the church. She was a professional bookkeeper having worked for Natrochem and JC Lewis. Frankie and her husband were a mentor couple in Marriage Encounter. She loved to travel and camp, having travelled to most states east of the Mississippi. Frankie was a kind and gen ...
Helen Elizabeth Ward FEB 16, 1956 - MAR 13, 2022
Tybee Island - Helen Elizabeth “Cissy” Ward passed away at her apartment on March 13, 2022. She was born on February 16, 1956 in Savannah to Robert Wiley Ward and Helen Given Ward. She graduated from Armstrong State College with a degree in education and taught first at St. Michael’s Catholic School on Tybee and then for over 30 years in the Savannah Public School System, the longest period being at Marshpoint Elementary. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents. Surviving are her sister, Patti Ward Neidlinger, god-daughter, Molly South Curry, ...
Thomas (Tommy) Ray Miley - MAR 13, 2022
Thomas Ray Miley,74, left this earth and met his loving savior on Sunday, March 13, 2022. During his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Tommy’s faith never waivered. Tommy was born in Savannah to the late Ray and Lucille Miley. He retired from International Paper after more than 53 years of service. Surviving are a son, Bryan Miley; daughter Ashley Miley Maddox (James); brother, Danny Miley (Barbara); two sisters, Linda Miley Usher (Jack) and Brenda Miley Boaen (Eddie); granddaughter, Kinsley Maddox; a niece and five nephews. A private service will be he ...
John M. Wells - MAR 13, 2022
John Matthew Wells, 80, of Lawrenceville, GA died March 13 under the care of Hospice at his home surrounded by his wife, both daughters, and son-in-law. Johnny was born February 20, 1942, in Savannah, GA and was preceded in death by his parents Matthew Henry and Margaret Hillis Wells. He graduated in 1960 as Senior Class President from Savannah High School where he played baseball and was captain of the football team. After high school, he went on to attend The University of Georgia on a full football scholarship and was a long-standing member of the University of Georgia’s Wally B ...
Mason Iler "Woody" Woodward APR 19, 2001 - MAR 13, 2022
Mason Iler Woodward (Woody) of Cumming & Dawsonville, Georgia, passed away on March 13, 2022. Mason was born at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia on April 19, 2001. Mason loved the Lord and praised Him every day. He relied heavily on his faith to get him through some of his darkest times. Mason always said to “trust your struggle”. He absolutely loved the water-fishing, swimming, crabbing & surfing. He had a passion for sports and loved to play baseball, football, disc-golf, basketball and bull-riding. He was a member of the Sons of ...
Inocencio (Big Petto) "Pete" Bustamante JUN 12, 1966 - MAR 12, 2022
Inocencio “Big Petto” Bustamante passed in peace at the age of 55. He is survived by his wife (Kiwanda Bustamante), daughter (Sanita S. Bustamante), two sons (Freddie & Petto Bustamante), and his nephew (Ronald Louis Jr.). Big Petto is a beloved husband, father, Uncle, and Grandfather. He dedicated many years of his life to helping people in all types of needs. He’s played a major role in his grandkids life and also helped raised several kids in the community. He was what you call a jack of all trades! In 1984, he graduated from trade school in Miami, Fl ...
Edwin J. Orzada - MAR 11, 2022
Edwin Jude Orzada passed away peacefully on March 11, 2022. Edwin was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late James and Sophia Orzada. Edwin was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen Higgins Orzada. He was also preceded in death by his sister Theresa Orzada Keller and his stepmother Clara Orzada. Edwin graduated from Saint Mel High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Industrial Management from Purdue University. After serving in the United States Army, Edwin moved to Dallas, Texas whe ...
Carolyn Lamm Finn - MAR 11, 2022
Carolyn Lamm Finn, 70, passed away Friday, March 11, 2022 at Memorial Health. She was born February 3, 1952 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to the late James Allison Lamm Jr. and Angela Rogers Lamm. Carolyn loved animals, and was a volunteer for the Islands Feral Cat Project. She cared for many feral cats, until her death she was caring for 20 feral cats. She was a member of Wilmington Island United Methodist Church Surviving are her husband, Stanley Finn, daughter Teresa Anne Finn, son and daughter-in-law, Stanley Finn, Jr. and Misti Finn, two granddaughters, Emilie ...
Lt. Col. William D. Clark, USA, Ret. - MAR 11, 2022
Lt. Col. William D. Clark, 69, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Joseph's Hospital, surrounded by his loving family to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Don was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, the eldest son of Billy and Eva Clark. He was raised and educated in Jackson, Ohio and later attended Ohio University. He went on to receive his Masters in both Education and Theology, as well as a Doctorate in Ministry. In 1974, Don married the love of his life, the former Beverly Graves of Jackson, Ohio. They have five children and ele ...
Ronald Ray Wetherholt MAR 06, 1948 - MAR 10, 2022
Ronald Ray Wetherholt went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2022. Ronnie was born March 6, 1948 to loving parents Linval Ray and Olive Wetherholt in Huntington, West Virginia. His childhood was filled with many adventures outdoors and sports of all kinds. He loved baseball, football, and track and exceled at all of them. He joined the Navy in 1967 and served his beloved country in Vietnam. While in the Navy and stationed in Alameda, California, he met and married his first wife, Patricia Huajardo Wetherholt. After leaving the Navy, Ronnie went to work for Chessie System Railroad and they mo ...
Clay James MAY 25, 1988 - MAR 10, 2022
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William Claybrook "Clay" James, 33, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Clay was born and raised in Savannah in the Gordonston neighborhood, as did many family members before him. He was a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in International Affairs. He went on to become an extremely active and passionate member of the International Longshoremen Association, #1475, following in the footsteps of generations before him. He was proud of his union solidarity. Clay’s love for Savannah was overwhelming, and he expressed it by exploring ...
Donald Edward Schaet AUG 18, 1934 - MAR 09, 2022
Donald Edward Schaet of Savannah, Georgia passed away on March 9, 2022 at the age of 87. His long life was brought short due to complications related to Alzheimer’s. Don died peacefully with his beloved wife, Gail, and youngest daughter, Claire, by his side. Don was born in Teaneck, NJ on August 18, 1934, to Edward and Mary Robertson Schaet. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Tenafly, NJ where Don spent the remainder of his formative years. Graduating from high school, Don attended the University of Rochester on a Navy ROTC Scholarship. Upon graduation he married his high school swe ...
Lt. Col. James Ervin Sloan, Jr. Ret. JUN 04, 1931 - MAR 09, 2022
Lt. Col. James Ervin Sloan, Jr. Ret., 90, departed this earth on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from his home on Dutch Island. “Erv” was born June 4, 1931 in Savannah, GA of proud Scotch-Irish heritage. His late parents were James E. Sloan and Delia King Sloan. He’s also predeceased by his son, Gregory B. Sloan; daughter-in-law, Linda Sloan; stepson, James H. Allen, Jr; grandson, Garrett Sloan; and brothers, Walter M. King, Frank King, James Henry Sloan, and Robert Sloan. Erv was a 1949 graduate of Savannah High School. He attended Armstrong College before t ...
Richard Lawrence Kluck, Sr. JUN 14, 1936 - MAR 08, 2022
Richard Lawrence Kluck, Sr, 85, passed away on March 8, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born June 14, 1936, in Cook County, Minnesota, to the late Lawrence Kluck and Anna Erickson. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Frances W. Kluck, and several siblings. Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He met the love of his life, Frances, at a USO dance while stationed in Savannah. During their 63 years of marriage, Richard was a loving husband, father, and papa. Richard wi ...