Obituaries
Therese Eloise Saunders Leonard MAY 19, 1948 - DEC 27, 2021
Therese Eloise Saunders Leonard, 73, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, December 27, 2021, the feast of St. John the Beloved, surrounded by her loving sons and family. Therese was born to the late Arthur Lloyd Saunders, Jr. and Theresa Cooper Saunders May 19, 1948 in Savannah, Georgia. She was raised downtown on Brady and Waldburg Streets in a loving household with many fond memories which she often shared. She attended Cathedral Day School where she excelled in athletics and was a 1966 graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy. She cherished her education, was a prou ...
William Daniel "Billy" Reiser MAR 03, 1951 - DEC 26, 2021
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Thunderbolt, GA William Daniel “Billy” Reiser, 70, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Memorial Health University Medical Center with his wife by his side. Billy was born in Savannah on March 3, 1951 to the late Dan and Corine Todd Reiser. He grew up on Wilmington Island, but had retired to Isle of Armstrong, Thunderbolt. He was a former home builder and loved the construction trade. He also loved cruises, the beach, outdoor music venues, attending Nascar races, and cheering on UGA football, all with a cold Budweiser in hand. Billy could be stubborn in nat ...
Lucy Mack Barrett - DEC 26, 2021
Lucy Mack Barrett passed away on December 26, 2021, in Savannah, GA, at the age of 96. She was born Lucy Swann Mack on April 27, 1925, in Atlanta to Joseph Bingham Mack and Lucy Swann Mack. As a child she lived across the South in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Jackson, MS; and Nashville, where she graduated with honors from Hillsboro High School. In 1946 she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University, where she joined the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and would become a lifelong Vandy fan. After a stint working in statistics, she obtained a teaching credential f ...
Shirley Marguerite Mehrens Rice - DEC 25, 2021
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Shirley Marguerite Mehrens Rice, 100, passed away on Christmas morning at Buckingham South. She was born in Ft. Calhoun, NB, daughter of Henry A. and Marguerite Ketchmark Mehrens. Mrs. Rice met and married her future husband, Richard L. Rice. a student attending Creighton University Law School, in 1948. Mrs. Rice was a graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse for many years having worked at the University Hospital in Augusta GA, Walton Army Hospital in Fort Dix, NJ, Moody Nursing Home in Decatur GA. While statio ...
Mary Marlowe Wallace - DEC 25, 2021
Mary Marlowe Wallace, 95, passed away December 25, 2021 at The Oaks @ Habersham. She was born December 12, 1926 in Savannah to the late William F. and Madelyn R. Marlowe. Mrs. Wallace was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Temple, where she loved working with children in the daycare. For many years, she also worked at Grove Park Kindergarten and Day Care. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Victor Wallace, and her daughter-in-law, Kay Wallace. Mrs. Wallace is survived by two sons, Edward F. Wallace, and his wife Gloria, ...
Max Rudesal Dowis FEB 06, 1931 - DEC 24, 2021
Max Rudesal Dowis, 90 of Athens, Georgia passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 24, 2021. He was born on February 6, 1931. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dowis of Lavonia, Georgia. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce Craft Dowis; daughter, Dorinda; sons, Mays and Michael (Cindy); and three grandchildren, Cathleen, Thomas, and Nathan, as well as one brother, Ben Dowis and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two daughters, Deirdre and Emily. Max was a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in education. He taught and coached football f ...
Jennifer Anne Pappas Hietanen - DEC 23, 2021
Jennifer Anne Pappas Hietanen, 50, passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2021 surrounded by family. She was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, daughter of Kenneth Pappas and Shannon Mason Clift. She attended elementary school in Bentonville before moving to Fort Smith, AR. After graduating Fort Smith High School, Jennifer attended Westark College receiving an Associate of the Arts degree and later a Bachelor of the Arts, Liberal Arts from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After obtaining her degrees, she gained vast experience in sales and marketing t ...
Lou Ada Shonerd MAY 02, 1940 - DEC 23, 2021
Lou Ada Shonerd, 81, died peacefully on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. The Webster City, IA native was a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, IA before moving to Savannah. After Lou graduated from Webster City High School in Webster City, she attended the Electronic Radio-Television Institute in Omaha, NE where she trained as a Teletypewriter Operator. Lou moved to Washington, DC to work for the CIA. In Washington, Lou met and fell in love with her future husband, James Shonerd. James and Lou were married on June 5, 1960, they ...
Evelyn Marie "Penny" Griffin - DEC 23, 2021
Evelyn M. Griffin, 76, died peacefully December 23, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was born December 5, 1945, in Savannah, the daughter of John Herbert Oldfield Sr. and Evelyn Marie Oldfield (Brown). Penny married the love of her life, Curtis Arnold Griffin, on January 18, 1980. They celebrated 41 years of marriage. She retired from the Chatham County Courthouse. Her pastime included painting, baking, and spending time with family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, John Allen Barker. Surviving in addition to her husband, Curtis Arnold Griffin, ar ...
Roddy J. Hatch, Jr. - DEC 23, 2021
Roddy James Hatch, Jr., widower of Margaret Madison Hatch, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, GA at the age of 92 Roddy, born January 5, 1929, was the eldest son of Roddy J. Hatch and Rosemary Paul Hatch. He attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Catholic School and high school at Benedictine Military School, class of 1947. Following high school Roddy served his country in the United States Air Force. On his return to Savannah, he began a career in the train industry beginning with the S&A and the Central of Georgia and retiring w ...
Elizabeth Traber Brightwell Chappell - DEC 21, 2021
Elizabeth Traber Brightwell Chappell 1941 - 2021 Betty Chappell, 80, passed away quietly, surrounded by loving family, in Savannah on Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. Betty was born in Athens, Georgia on September 29, 1941 to Eugene Edwin (Captain, US Army, WWII) and Elizabeth Armstrong Traber. Her hometown was Madison, Georgia, where she attended Morgan County High School. Betty graduated with a BSEd in 1963 from the University of Georgia and was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, as were her mother, sister, and a daughter. She met her first husband, Charles Sanders Brightwell ...
Kelly Ann Givens - DEC 21, 2021
Kelly Ann Givens, 57, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Memorial Health. Kelly was born October 16, 1964 in Akron, Ohio. She attended elementary, middle, and high school in Ohio. In 1988 she moved to Savannah, where she worked as a Deputy Clerk for Chatham County for over 30 years. After retirement, she went to work for the Law office of Jeffrey Hanna. She was a member of the Coastal Corvette Club, where she served at secretary for over 10 years. She was also a member of the Mustang Club, which was her current passion. Kelly loved life, and was ...
Teresa Dixon Garafolo East (Terri) SEP 10, 1948 - DEC 18, 2021
Teresa “Terri” East, 73, surrounded by her loving familly, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2021 after a long illness. Terri was born September 10, 1948, in Savannah to the late Gordon and Joy Dixon. She was a graduate of Hialeah High School in Hialeah, FL and the University of Akron, in Akron OH, earning a master’s degree in Clinical Science. Terri married the late Joseph Garafolo in 1969, and eventually lived in Medina, OH, where they raised their two sons, Anthony and Nicholas. Terri married Roger East on September 26, 2015 and made their home i ...
Robert "Bob" Moran MAR 18, 1932 - DEC 16, 2021
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Robert "Bob" Moran was called home on December 16th, 2021 shortly after being surrounded by his loving family and friends. Robert was born in Mason County, Kentucky. Immediately upon graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force. After 20 years of faithful service, he retired from the 63rd Food Service Squadron at Norton Air Force Base in California as a Staff Sergeant. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Evelyn and dear daughter Beverly. He was also preceded in death by his loving brothers Don, Billy, and Larry. He is survived by two sisters Ros ...
Linda A. Iwanski AUG 19, 1942 - DEC 15, 2021
Linda A. Iwanski, 79, of Richmond Hill, GA, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021, peacefully in her home after a courageous fight with cancer. Born August 19, 1942, in Oswego, NY, she lived in Richmond Hill the last 27 years. She was also a resident of Vandergrift, PA for 15 years. Mrs. Iwanski was a communicant of St. Anne Catholic Church in Richmond Hill. Mrs. Iwanski was preceded in death by her husband, F. Lawrence Iwanski; brother, William F. Mullen; and sister, Sr. Rose Marie Mullen, OSF. Survivors include sons, Joseph M. Iwanski of Richmond Hill and Lawrence M. Iwanski ( ...
James W. Brady JAN 12, 1935 - DEC 15, 2021
James W. Brady, 86, died peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. He was a native of and grew up in Savannah, and was of the Baptist faith, having attended Morningside Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech, and was retired from Robbins Air Force Base as an electrical engineer. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Dovie Kitchens Brady, his brother, Charles, and niece, Frances Brady. He is survived by a niece, Janie Cameron (Michael); nephew, David Brady; sister-in-law, Miriam Brady; and several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. ...
Gerald "Gerry" Ellis Levit JAN 05, 1945 - DEC 15, 2021
Gerald (Gerry) Ellis Levit, 76, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, following a 30-year battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Gerry was born in Philadelphia on January 5, 1945, to Samuel and Sara Levit. A graduate of Temple University with a degree in psychology, Gerry later worked in computer programming for the federal government. He married the love of his life, Lois Gelles, in 1968 They would later move to Columbia, Maryland, to raise their family and retire in Albany, Oregon. Soon after Lois’ death, Gerry relocated to Savannah, Georgia, to be cl ...
Mitchell L. Thompson MAY 16, 1935 - DEC 14, 2021
Mitchell L. Thompson passed away on December 14th peacefully with his family by his side at home in Beaufort, South Carolina. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Corinne "Sweet Pea" (McGee) Thompson; his son Mickey Thompson Jr., his daughter Karen Cooley and husband Chuck; Granddaughter Kiley Adams and husband Mark; Granddaughter Dr. Samantha Thompson, DVM; Grandson Mickey Thompson lll and his nephew Alan West. He was preceded in death by his parents, Weymon and Ruth Thompson and sister, Margie Thompson West and nephew, Kenneth West all of Savannah, GA. Born in Glennville, GA ...
Ann Rutland Kearney DEC 30, 1937 - DEC 14, 2021
Ann Rutland Kearney, passed away peacefully at home on December 14, 2021. She was born in Savannah on December 30, 1937 to Lurline and SL Rutland Sr. She graduated Savannah High School in 1955 and was a 1958 graduate of Warren A. Candler School of Nursing. She loved to tell the story of her father nearly fainting when he had to buy her nursing shoes for $8 at the start of the program. In 1959, she married Tommy Kearney and raised three incredible daughters. She and Tommy, in their own ways, kept the house full of laughter and all their bellies full of fresh seafood. She must have head ...
Robert Wilson Dailey APR 26, 1961 - DEC 14, 2021
Robert Wilson Dailey, age 60, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side, on December 14, 2021 after a courageous two year battle with lung cancer. Rob was born on April 26, 1961 in Newton, New Jersey to Fred (Fritz) and Barbara Dailey. Rob was the oldest son of 5 siblings from an Air Force family, so he spent most of his childhood and early career traveling throughout various cities in the US and overseas. Rob eventually settled Savannah in 1987 and considered Savannah and Isle of Hope his true home. After an early career in the Air Force, Rob worked in finance ...
Ray Harrell (Boots) OCT 21, 1929 - DEC 12, 2021
Ray Harrell, 92, died Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. The Swainsboro, GA native was a longtime resident of Franklin, NC before moving to Savannah in 2020. Boots was a retired U.S. Army veteran serving with the National Security Agency. He was predeceased by his parents, James William and Reba Grizzard Harrell; two brothers, Jaybird and Tom Harrell; two sisters, Sara Harrell Ryan and Ann Harrell Bryan. Surviving are two children, Steven A. Harrell and Frances Anne Harrell; sister, Rebecca Pullin; three grandchildren, Caitlin ...
Joseph Daryl Barr DEC 22, 1939 - DEC 12, 2021
Joseph Daryl Barr was born at home in Albany, GA on December 22, 1939 to the late Angus and Lois Pelham Barr. Since Joe was the fourth boy in the family and Christmas was imminent, his parents did not have time to arrange a birth certificate. When Joe was five, his mother manufactured an age to allow him to enter first grade. A few years later he was peddling newspapers alone on the streets of downtown Albany then bagging groceries at Colonial Stores. After graduating from Albany High School in 1957, Joe entered Georgia Southwestern College, where he played baseball, but le ...
Franklin D. Jackson - DEC 11, 2021
Franklin Donald Jackson, 87, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Memorial Health. Mr. Frank was born September 26, 1934 in Montgomery, West Virginia to the late Ernest Wesley Jackson Sr. and Vivian Montgomery Jackson. He served in the United States Army as a Paratrooper. He worked for Hunt Wesson for 33 years and eventually retired from Southern Champion in 2009. He loved spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing. Mr. Frank was well known for his love of gardening and his famous green thumb. He enjoyed spending time in his workshop making anything from tables, ...
Clyde Barnett Shaw MAY 09, 1933 - DEC 11, 2021
Clyde Barnett Shaw passed away peacefully on December 11, 2021, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Bartlesville, OK, on May 9, 1933, the son of Barnett and Jewel Tims Shaw. Clyde grew up in Phillips, Texas, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Texas. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany and France. Clyde's career in the folding carton industry took him and his family to several cities and culminated in Marion, NC, as President of Laird Packaging, lnc. ln Marion, he was a leader in ...
Frank Butler Ouzts, III OCT 11, 1949 - DEC 11, 2021
Frank B. Ouzts, III, 72, died Saturday, December 11, 2021. Frank was born in Augusta, GA in the fall of 1949 to the late Virginia Pierson and Frank B. Ouzts, Jr. The family moved to Savannah in 1964. Frank served with the Army National Guard and was a member of Tybee Island American Legion, Post 154. Frank and his wife Judy owned and operated Papa’s BBQ for nearly 50 years. He was a member of Georgia Restaurant Association and Buy Local Savannah. Frank’s mission since 1972 has been to make hungry people happy. He spent countless hours working and fundraising for Savanna ...
Robert C. "Bob" Bauman JAN 25, 1951 - DEC 11, 2021
Robert C. “Bob” Bauman was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 25, 1951. At the age of 4 he moved to Spartanburg, SC following the tragic death of his parents, Philip and Loree Bauman, in a car accident. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Floy Caldwell Cecil and Philip Schuyler Cecil, Jr. He lived his life eternally grateful for their care. Mr. Bauman was a 1969 graduate of Dorman High School. In the mid-1970s he met his first wife and had his son, Robert, Jr. in 1977. Following his son’s birth, he moved to Savannah, GA and worked as a long ...
Peter deCordova - DEC 10, 2021
Peter deCordova, of The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA, passed away in his home peacefully on December 10, 2021. He was 89 years old. A memorial service will be held on April 30, 2022 at 1:30pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church located at 3 Westridge Rd, Savannah, GA. A reception will be held directly following the service from 2:30-4:30. Please email deCordovaReceptionRSVP@gmail.com for details if you’d like to attend the reception. Peter was born in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1932. He was the son of the late Noel deCordova Sr. and Dorothy Kirchner deCordo ...
Corey Armstrong - DEC 10, 2021
Corey Tremane Armstrong, 30, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021. He was born August 10, 1991 in Germany. Corey attended elementary and middle school in Savannah and graduated from Jenkins High School. He was a singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer. He attended United Church in Pooler, and worked for his father at Traffic Jam Events. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Janet Armstrong, his maternal grandmother, Hana Jackson, his maternal step-grandmother, Callie Marek, and his paternal grandparents, L.M. and Holline Armstrong. Corey is survived ...
Shirley Sue Riegel Sautter AUG 02, 1934 - DEC 09, 2021
Shirley Sue Riegel Sautter, 87, passed away December 9th, with her family by her side. She was born to the late Ormington “Ott” Mears Riegel and Doris Marie Dixon-Riegel on August 2nd, 1934, in Findlay, Ohio. She is survived by her brothers, Richard Riegel, Columbus, Ohio and Robert Riegel, Carmel, Indiana and their loving families. Shirley is married to the late Paul Fredrick “Supersonic Sid” Sautter, of Bowling Green, Ohio a decorated Air Force fighter pilot. As Paul completed 137 Combat missions over southeast Asia, flew armed nuclear warheads during the Cu ...
Isaac J. Chappell III - DEC 09, 2021
Isaac Jess Chappell III, 83, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of December 9, 2021. Born in Dadeville, Alabama in 1938, he proudly attended Auburn University and began his working career quite humbly as a repo man in Tuscaloosa. Despite his tough origins, Jess Chappell was an immensely kind and charming man and was one of few people that would get excited to be behind someone in the grocery store line, only because he knew he had the opportunity to make a new friend. Perhaps it was this affable spirit that enabled him to climb higher and join Atlas Finance in Gadsden, ...