Obituaries
Phillip W. Claxton JUL 12, 1970 - FEB 12, 2022
Phillip W. Claxton, 51, of Savannah, left this world far too soon on Friday, February 11, 2022, from complications due to Covid-19. He survived 2 kidney transplants because of the selflessness of his donors, his father, James Claxton and friend, Amanda Johnson. Thanks to their loving gift of organ donation, we were able to have 22 extra years with him. Phil was a man of few words but could brighten anyone’s mood with his dry sense of humor, funny wit, and the ability to leave friends and family wondering what he may say next. Phil was a minimalist and focused his att ...
Eugene (Rabbit) Motes - FEB 12, 2022
Eugene (Rabbit) Motes, 87, of Savannah, GA died Saturday, February 12, 2022, at home in the arms of his loving wife, Violet Green Motes. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Beatrice Faircloth, Grace Faircloth, Marie Glisson, Nellaruth Pipkins, and brother, Joe Motes. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Debra Davis (Eathen) of Garden City, his son Lenoard Eugene Motes (Debbie) of Tybee Island, and sisters, Sarah Wilson, Gloria Barnes, and Margaret Motes. He graduated from Commercial High School in 1954. He worked at Union Camp for 39 years, and retired as ...
Juana Jimenez MAR 15, 1943 - FEB 11, 2022
Juana Jimenez, 79, died peacefully on Friday, February 11, 2022. Juana was born in the small town of Moca, Dominican Republic to Antonia Aybar and Ramon Crespi Huels on March 15, 1943. Juana married Ramon Jimenez in 1962 in the Dominican Republic; where four of their seven children were born. Juana and Ramon immigrated to Tarrytown, NY in 1967. As a young mother, Juana cared for her six children. After teaching herself to sew, Juana made all of the clothing for her six children while Ramon worked as a chef at local restaurants. The birth of their 7th child was an unexpected blessing f ...
Joseph S. Kelly - FEB 11, 2022
Joseph Shea Kelly, thirty years old, died at his home in Savannah, Georgia on February, 11, 2022. Joseph was born on October 28, 1991 in Houston, Texas. He attended schools in Mobile, Alabama, Savannah, Georgia, graduating from high school in Manvel, Texas. Joe was one of the most warm and friendly people on the face of this earth. He was a friend to any who met him. He was a ready support to friends in need. Despite Joe’s own struggles, he always cared much more for others than he ever cared for himself. Joe absolutely loved being an uncle to his nieces and nephews ...
Iris Hundley Moore Hensley - FEB 10, 2022
Iris Hundley Moore Hensley, 100, of Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA, beloved wife of the late George Hughes Hensley, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Born in Westhaven, VA and raised in Richmond, VA, she lived in Loyall, KY, St. Paul, VA, Massapequa, NY, and New Canaan, CT before moving to The Landings of Skidaway Island in 1986 where she and her cherished husband of nearly 71 years, enjoyed many happy times with friends they made through church, golf, community volunteer projects, and later at The Marshes of Skidaway. Iris and George built a wonderful life together ...
Robert Charles Braver, Sr. - FEB 09, 2022
Robert Charles Braver, Sr. passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at his home after battling a long illness with cancer. He was born January 25, 1939 in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Saint Francis College with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was honorably discharged from the NY National Guard and the US Army Reserve with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was a Special Agent with the FBI for 31 years and after retirement in 1996 conducted background inquiries for security clearances for the FBI and other federal agencies for the next 20 years. He was an ac ...
Amado Pio Diaz - FEB 08, 2022
Amado Pio Diaz, 92, husband of Gladys Estevez Diaz passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Buckingham South. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022 in Greenwich Cemetery. ...
Sarah Ford Oetgen MAY 11, 1930 - FEB 08, 2022
Sarah Ford Oetgen, passed at age 91 on February 8, 2022. She is survived by her eldest son, William Eugene "Gene" Oetgen of Savannah; granddaughter, Tori Oetgen Campbell (Phillip); and great grandchildren, Grant and Miles Campbell, all of Atlanta; nieces, nephews, great nieces and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her wonderful husband of 57 years, Joseph William "Joe" Oetgen, Sr.; brother William Eugene Ford (killed in WWII); sisters Frances Henderson, Diane Strickland, and Margerite Arnett; nephew Dick Oetgen; and son Joseph William “Jody&rdqu ...
Suzanna Edenfield Crawford - FEB 07, 2022
Suzanna Edenfield Cowart Crawford died on Monday, February 7, 2022, after a short illness. She is loved dearly by family, friends, fellow church worshippers, Emmaus family, and co-workers, and we will miss her dearly. Suzanna was born December 12, 1954, to Lowell and Louise Edenfield. She was a longtime member of Compassion Christian Church and had served many years in the Henderson Campus Children’s Ministry, and was a longtime member of a Tuesday night Bible Study group. She was also involved in the Walk to Emmaus ministry for many years. Suzanna initially planned to become a nur ...
James Brian Marchbanks SEP 03, 1976 - FEB 07, 2022
James Brian Marchbanks, 45, entered eternal rest on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC. The Savannah native was born on September 3, 1976 and was a 1995 graduate of Benedictine Military School. He was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran and ran a successful woodworking business. Brian was preceded in death by his father, Savannah Police Officer James Franklin Marchbanks. He leaves behind his mother, Brenda Crawford Marchbanks and his surrogate father, Jimmy Hieronymus. Funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022 at F ...
Anne Lee Tyree Kolman NOV 20, 1932 - FEB 06, 2022
.jpg)
Anne Lee Tyree Kolman, 91, died peacefully with her daughters by her side, Sunday, February 6, 2022. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses & staff at Memorial Hospital for their kindness during her last days. Born November 20, 1930, in Norfolk, VA to the late Annie Robertson Tyree and Harold Lee Tyree, she spent her early days in Charlotte, NC, before moving to Savannah in 1942. She was a 1949 graduate of Savannah High School and Crawford Long Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. Anne worked as a private duty nurse for many years prior to her career as an ...
Justin M. "J" Chall - FEB 06, 2022
Justin Michael Chall, 44, passed away Sunday, February 6, 2022. To his friends and family, he was “J”. J was born June 23, 1977 in St. Louis, MO to Kenneth Chall and Stella McClure. He served in the United States Marine Corps, and worked as an Avionics Lead at Gulfstream Aerospace for almost 10 years. J loved music and played many instruments, including the guitar. He also played Roller Hockey. J will be remembered as a man who was larger than life, with a loving and caring heart. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Ch ...
Joyce Dodd Smith AUG 28, 1931 - FEB 05, 2022
.jpg)
Joyce Dodd Smith, 90, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away on February 5, 2022 at the Station Exchange Senior Care Center in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Joyce was born on August 28, 1931 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Isaac Henry and Lennie Knight Dodd. The family moved to Georgia in 1936. Joyce grew up in Chatham County, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1949. She married the love of her life, Robert Smith, commonly known as Robbie, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1954. Joyce spent much of her life as a housewife, but also worked as a secretary for Palmer and Cay Insurance ...
Dr. Gerardus "Jack" Knops OCT 25, 1937 - FEB 05, 2022
TO VIEW THE LIVESTREAMING OF THE SERVICE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK. Gerardus Knops (gather.app) Dr. Gerardus Maria (Jack) Knops Jack Knops, Ph.D. of Savannah, Georgia died on February 5, 2022 at the age of 84 peacefully at home with his loving family at his side. Jack was a clinical psychologist who retired as Chief Psychologist from Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah in 2003 and subsequently spent several years in private practice in Savannah. Jack had a keen intelligence, abundant curiosity, quick-witted sense of humor, and a passionate commi ...
Sara Frances Scarboro Heaton SEP 06, 1925 - FEB 05, 2022
Click here for a livestream of the service: Sara Frances Heaton (gather.app) Sara Frances Scarboro Heaton, 96, died February 5, 2022, at Hospice Savannah after a brief illness. Mrs. Heaton was born in September 1925, to the late Bert Scarboro and Mamie Frances Johnson Scarboro, on their family farm in Bulloch County. In 1946, she married George Tillman Heaton when he returned from serving in the South Pacific. They were married until his death in 1999. She grew up in the Depression years and learned many important lessons about hard work as a child on the farm. She ...
Edith Palau Holland - FEB 05, 2022
Edith Palau Holland, 79, passed away Saturday, February 5, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a long illness. She was born October 14 1942 in Englewood, New Jersey to the late Andrew Gustab Palau and Margaret Whittington Palau. Edith was a Registered Nurse for over 50 years, working in several different states, to include Connecticut and New York. She was of the Catholic faith. She loved cats, and cared for many, one that lived for over 20 years. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, John F. Holland of Port Wentworth, son, Todd West of R ...
Kathleen Therese Higgins Orzada - FEB 04, 2022
Kathleen Therese Higgins Orzada passed away peacefully on February 4, 2022. Kathleen was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Maurice and Christine Higgins. In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her sister Maureen Higgins and brother Donal Higgins. Kathleen graduated from Bay Ridge High School. She proudly worked on Wall Street in New York City before moving to Dallas, Texas where she met and then married Edwin Orzada in 1960. The family moved to Savannah in 1968. In Savannah, Kathleen was highly involved in her children’s edu ...
William Ansel (Butch) Daniel - FEB 04, 2022
bit Pic.jpg)
The perfectly pitched voice of William Ansel "Butch" Daniel was silenced on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, when he peacefully crossed over to join other members of his family in the next life. A celebration of Butch's life will be held Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 2 pm at Tubby's Tank House in Thunderbolt. Fox & Weeks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. It was Mr. Daniel's wish to be cremated. Born January 21, 1951, in Thomaston, GA to William "Bill" Daniel and Lucille Williams Daniel. Butch was a happy, shy child who exhibited musical talent early on. ...
Harold Glover - FEB 03, 2022
Harold Glover passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on February 3, 2022. Harold was born in Stillmore, GA to the late Fred C. Glover and Ruth Kennedy Glover. In addition to his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Burnside Glover; brothers, Fred Glover and his twin, Harry Glover; sisters, Mary Glover Stephens and Catherine Glover Cox; and many nieces and nephews. Harold is survived by his children, David Glover, Amy Glover-Giusto and her husband Victor; grandchildren, Nicholas and Michael Giusto. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Janice ...
Margaret Ann Drawdy Szeker MAR 30, 1932 - FEB 02, 2022
Margaret Ann Drawdy Szeker, 89, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born on March 30, 1932 in Savannah to the late John B. and Elizabeth Geilow Drawdy. She attended Commercial High School and was a member of New Life Foursquare Church of Milledgeville for more than thirty years. Margaret married the late Frank Stephen Seker/Szeker and spent 52 years living the life of a military wife, raising four children, and traveling the country. She was a loving and devoted mother whose passion was her family. In a ...
Walter Hugh O'Leary DEC 26, 1937 - FEB 01, 2022
Walter Hugh O’Leary passed from this life to his place in heaven on February 1, 2022. Born in Waltham, Massachusetts on December 26, 1937, Walter was the eldest son of John and Anne (MacInnis) O’Leary and brother to Catherine Spillane and John O’Leary (all predeceased). Walter grew up in Watertown, Mass where he attended St. Patrick’s High School. He then earned a degree from Boston College where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Upon graduating from college in 1960, Walter married Shirley Anne (Sampson), became an Army Reservist, and began his nearly f ...
Jean Clark Smith JUL 23, 1937 - FEB 01, 2022
Jean Clark Smith joined the Church Triumphant and was reunited with her family on February 1, 2022. Jean was born on July 23, 1937, to Alfred and Margie Clark in Columbus, GA. While her dad was in the Army, Jean lived in Tokyo, Japan, as a child. After graduating from Jordan High School in Columbus, Jean married Donald Clyde Smith, who adored her.Jean and Don were married 53 years when Don died in 2008. During Don’s career with Eastern Airlines, he and Jean lived in Columbus, Peachtree City, and Savannah. While in Columbus, Jean worked for Burnham’s and then two churches, Cas ...
Theresa Louise Highsmith APR 21, 1941 - JAN 31, 2022
Theresa L. Highsmith, affectionately known to many as “Miss Lou”, passed away Monday January 31, 2022 at the young age of 80. Lou was born April 21, 1941 in Savannah Georgia to her parents Sandy and Myrtie Sandiford. She resided in Garden City for over 50 years. Her passions in life included gardening, making videos, love of animals, and making people laugh with incredible stories from her life’s journey. Never to be forgotten by her loving partner Dave, her 2 daughters, Terri and Connie, 3 grandchildren Sandy, Sam, and Karlie, and 5 great-grandchildren, along with a lif ...
Nancy Deal Birkheimer MAY 15, 1948 - JAN 30, 2022
On Sunday, January 30, 2022, the Lord received Nancy Deal Birkheimer into His arms after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She passed away peacefully at the age of 73, in her home surrounded by her family. Nancy was born on May 15, 1948, near Glenville, GA, and attended Jenkins high school in Savannah, GA. Upon graduating with a degree in history from Armstrong State College in 1991, she furthered her education in historical preservation and archeology. She worked at the Georgia Historical Society, and some of her research projects can be found there. In her free time, Na ...
Captain Thomas A. Tracy JUL 05, 1944 - JAN 29, 2022
Captain Thomas Ames Tracy, died peacefully on Saturday, January 29,2022, at NE Ga. Medical Center in Gainesville, Ga. with his loving family at his bedside. Tom was born in Bristol, CT.on July 5, 1944. He then moved to New Britain, CT where he grew up and attended Hight School. In June 1964, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah Ga. in December of 1964 as a medical technician where he met and married the love of his life for 54 years Margie in May of 1967. Tom received an honorable discharge fro ...
Lois Jacqueline (Jackie) Carpenter JUN 27, 1925 - JAN 28, 2022
Lois Jacqueline “Jackie” Carpenter, of Savannah, Ga., entered eternal rest on January 28, 2022, at Hospice of Savannah, surrounded by her family. Born on June 27, 1925 in Sylvania, Ga., Jackie was the second daughter of seven children of Edward Lampkin Bazemore and Lila Encil Bazemore. She helped raise several nieces and nephews before having two children of her own, after finally getting married at the “spinster” age of 23. Jackie worked at Savannah Morning News, Hillcrest Abbey, and retired from Sears Roebuck after 17 years. She and Harry were dedicated members ...
Deborah Dianne Lucas Reece OCT 10, 1953 - JAN 28, 2022
Deborah Reece (gather.app) for livestream of private family service at 3:30 p.m. on February 4, 2022. Deborah Diane (Lucas) Reece was born on October 31,1953 to Helen Elizabeth (Brown) Lucas in Topeka, Kansas. Deborah was raised in Great Bend, Kansas and moved to Kansas City, Kansas and Portland, Oregon where she raised her family. She retired from Schneider Industries. Deborah was a creative artist with a true gift of drawing as well as a gifted singer. Deborah loved the Lord. To her, the most important gift was her gift of powerful prayer, and she loved sharing her gift with everyone ...
Joseph W. "Jody" Oetgen, Jr. AUG 12, 1956 - JAN 27, 2022
 edited.jpg)
Joseph William “Jody” Oetgen, Jr., age 65, passed away on January 27, 2022 at Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA with his mother Sarah at his side. In addition to his mother, Sarah Oetgen of Savannah, Jody is survived by his Brother William Eugene “Gene” Oetgen of Savannah; his niece Tori (Phillip) Campbell and great nephews Grant and Miles Campbell of Atlanta; and numerous cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Joseph William Oetgen, Sr.; cousin Dick Oetgen; Aunts Frances Henderson, Diane Strickland, and Margerite Arnett; and his Grandparents Alec and Mamie Fo ...
Shirley Ann Bryant Hall - JAN 27, 2022
Shirley Ann Bryant Hall, 71, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Candler Hospital. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Savannah New Covenant Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 5100 LaRoche Ave. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Abbey West Cemetery. The full obituary will be published as soon as available. ...
Dr. Charles Allen Warren MAR 28, 1943 - JAN 26, 2022
Dr. Charles Allen Warren Savannah, GA Dr. Charles Allen Warren died on the morning of January 26, 2022 in Pooler, Georgia with his wife and daughter at his side. He was born in Millen, Georgia to Allen Johnson Warren and Mildred Rebecca Hooks on March 28, 1943 and later moved to Chicago, Illinois. He was a studious man always burning with curiosity. He grew up a WW2/post WW2 Army brat moving around from Industrial City Gardens, Georgia, to New Jersey, to Connecticut, to Oklahoma to Texas, back to Garden City Georgia. As a boy in the 1950s he was very interested in science. He and his ...