Obituaries

Douglas Thomson, 97, died suddenly on October 22, 2021, at home in Savannah, GA. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Doug was a longtime Woodbury, CT resident and noted business leader with Uniroyal and The Toy Association. Born in The Bronx, NY, he was the second son of Alexander Thomson and Katherine Constantine Thomson. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1942, fought in the Pacific Theater and saw significant combat, including the Battle of Peleliu. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. After WWII, Doug attended Dartmouth College and then The Tuck School o ...

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James “Jay” Mahany Jr., 62 passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at his home.  Jay was born October 6, 1959 in Savannah to James John Mahany Sr. and Geri Smith Mahany Mallard.  He retired as owner of Airco Industrial.  Jay was an avid outdoorsman, where he loved to spend time out on the water and hunting with his wife and friends.  The highlight of his life was his granddaughters, Ansley and Emily.    He was preceded in death by his father James John Mahany Sr. Surviving are his wife, Vicki C. Mahany, son and daughter-in-law, AJ and Courtney Mo ...

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Robert Edward Forkner, Sr. was a native Savannahian, living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On Wednesday October 20, 2021 the Forkner family lost their hero unexpectedly.   Robert was born in Opelika, AL on October 27, 1939. He married the love of his life Carolyn Carter Forkner. Robert and Carolyn would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 18, 2021. Robert coached Vikings little league sports in the 70s. Robert was an electrical contractor for 52 years. He is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence,Sr, and Nell Forkner; brothers, Benjamin and Jim Fork ...

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Charles Moses Waldrop, Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021.  He was 102 years old.  Born April 26, 1919 in Charleston, South Carolina, he lived most of his life in Savannah.  He was the son of Charles Moses Waldrop, Sr. and Esther Hogan Waldrop.  He attended local public schools, graduating from Savannah High School in 1937 and Armstrong Junior College in 1939. In 1943 he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Crumbley, of Savannah. During World War II he served four years in the United States Army.  He spent 18 months of that time in the Eu ...

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On October 20th, 2021 Gerard Leo Bryndal passed away after losing his third battle with cancer. He was a hero and much loved by his family. Jerry was only 68 years old, born on September 29th, 1953 in Ohio and the son of Edward and Mary Lou Bryndal. He retired to Savannah, GA with his wife, Mary Anne, after completing a 33-year career flying for Northwest then Delta Airlines.  During his career he flew over one million people safely to their destinations, always with a smile on his face. Before that he served 10 years as a pilot for the Navy, and Navy Reserves, achieving the rank of Lt ...

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James ‘Jim’ Edward Snow, Jr., 80 passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at his home. Jim was born October 7, 1941 in Augusta GA to the late James Edward Snow and Sarah Schofield Snow. Jim graduated from Richmond Academy in Augusta, served in the US Air Force, received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Augusta College, and his Master of Arts from the University of South Alabama. Jim taught history, economics, and government in Mobile AL, Bluffton SC, and retired from Hilton Head High School after 28 years of dedicated service to education. He was an active member of the Socie ...

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Linda M. Sloan, 69, passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Memorial University Medical Center.  She was born August 7, 1952 in Savannah to the late Bill Mashburn and Juanita Edmundson.  Linda was the Executive Director for Shadow Moss Assisted Living, and retired as the Executive Director of Summer Breeze Senior Living.  She attended Islands Christian Church. She is survived by her husband, Mike Sloan, son, Joseph Cochran, daughters, Lori Dickerson (Alvin) and Maleah Gasque.  Also surviving are her siblings, Kathleen “Kit” Tarver, Dessie Tarver, Lacey Tarve ...

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Pastor John Henry Ohsiek, Jr. (“Jack”), age 90, of Savannah, Georgia passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2021 under the care of Hospice Savannah, Inc. Jack was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 18, 1931, the son of the late John Henry Ohsiek and Marion Knight Ohsiek. Jack graduated from Savannah High School in 1949, then received his AB from Newberry College in 1953 and his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1956. Jack proudly served as a Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve from 1961 through 1985. He retired with the rank of Co ...

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To view a livestream of the service, click the link below. my.gather.app/remember/james-rulon-adams James Rulon Adams, age 91, passed away peacefully at home with family on October 17, 2021 as a result of complications from stroke.  Mr. Adams was born in Glassboro, NJ, where he attended primary school, followed by Temple University in Philadelphia.  He served in the U.S. Navy, and is recognized on the Korean War memorial on Tybee Island. Throughout his colored past, Mr. Adams has been a sailor, an actor, a restaurant/bar owner, a car valet, a casino dealer and an exotic pet ...

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Wonell Courson Busby, 87, died peacefully at home in Savannah, GA on Saturday, October 16, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. The Douglas, GA native was born on September 5, 1934 to the Earlie M. and Stella Worth Courson. Wonell dearly loved the life of a military wife, and enjoyed traveling the world with her beloved husband, the late Colonel Leman O. Busby, U.S. Army.  She was a homemaker and loved taking care of her family. Wonell loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and would volunteer at all of their functions. In addition to supporting her family, W ...

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Arlene Andrews Cesaroni, 76, passed away Saturday, October 16, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  She was born September 29, 1945 in Alaska.  Mrs. Cesaroni was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and retired as an Administrative Assistant for the Savannah Airport Commission.  She enjoyed quilting and rescuing dachshund’s.  She and her husband, were longtime residents of Thunderbolt. She was preceded in death by her husband. Michael John Cesaroni Jr. Surviving are her sons, Christopher Cesaroni of Savannah and Todd Poppell of Florida, six grandchildren, and h ...

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Josephine “Josie” Dowdy Spivey, 87, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 16, 2021, surrounded by loved ones at her family farm, Pine Acres, in Tattnall County.  A long-time member of White Bluff Presbyterian Church, Josie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, and she will be greatly missed by all.  Mrs. Spivey lived nearly her entire life in Savannah, graduating from Savannah High School and later Armstrong State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Englis ...

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Ezra Roy Willis, 87, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2021 at his home under the care of his family and Hospice Savannah.  He was born March 21, 1934 in Hay Springs, Nebraska to the late Warren and Lois Willis.  Mr. Willis retired from the U.S. Air Force, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, where he was a mail handler. He was an avid golfer, loved to work in his rose garden and maintaining his tropical fish aquariums.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Carter Willis. Surviving are his six children, Roy “Butch” Willis ...

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To view a livestream of the service, please click the link below. Edwin Jacob Feiler, Jr. (gather.app) Edwin J. Feiler, Jr., a fourth-generation Georgia real estate developer, civic activist, and the founder of Leadership Savannah, died Wednesday at his home in Savannah after a long struggle with Parkinson’s. He was 86. As Feiler described himself at the start of his recently completed memoir, A Professional Savannahian: “I was born on January 23, 1935, in Savannah, Georgia, and my life, in one way or another, has revolved around this city, which I love, and which my famil ...

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Joanna Norgren Harris, 92, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at her home under the care of her daughter, Julie Harris and Hospice Savannah.  She was born October 29, 1928, in Chicago, IL to the late Carl and Hildur Norgren.  Mrs. Harris was a Home Economics Teacher for Charles E. Ellis School for Girls, and a retired Realtor.  She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church on Skidaway Island.  She enjoyed being active all her life, traveling, playing Bridge as a Master Bridge player, playing golf, and quilting.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. ...

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Ted Sheldon (76) passed away on October 13, 2021, from complications after a stroke several months earlier.  He was born in Chicago on 6 August 1945 and grew up in Highland Park, IL.  Ted was an All-American swimmer on the high school relay team and went on to Beloit College where he was captain of the swim team.  While at Beloit College he met his future wife, Marianne Weber, and they married in 1969 while Ted was serving in the Navy.  He was discharged as a Lieutenant in 1971 and returned to Chicago where he joined the advertising sales staff of the Chicago Tribune.&nb ...

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Jack Cowan, 86, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Candler Hospital. The lifelong resident of Savannah was the son of the late Richard and Inez Mingledorff Cowan.  Officially the third member to join, Jack was a longtime member of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church. He was an avid athlete that built his own in-home gym. Just prior to his death, Jack continued to use his gym and three times a week would run five flights of stairs. He was instrumental in starting the University of Georgia Men’s Gymnastics Team, where he served as captain. Jack began working as an a ...

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Born in Newcastle, PA, Shirley Henderson arrived in Miami in 1966 with Robert Thiele, newlyweds from Kent, Ohio. Shirley distinguished herself immediately as a vital member of that early group of teaching artists who arrived in Miami in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Her students at Miami Dade College and later The University of Miami revered her as an inspirational teacher and role model. As a committed artist, Shirley continued her development for over four decades as one of Miami’s most esteemed artists, including her participation in the then fl ...

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Bernadette G. Nolan passed peacefully with family around her at her home in Savannah, GA on October 13, 2021.  Bernadette and her husband Brian retired to Savannah from Springfield, IL in 1990.  Brian preceded her in death on June 21, 2001. Bernadette was born December 16, 1929, in Pawtucket, RI to Ernest “E.G.” and Katherine “Katie” Gagnon.  She had fond memories of Rhode Island including playing on the beach with her brother Bobby in what is now Colt State Park in Bristol.  She proudly recounted quahog hunting on the beach.  Bernadette&rsqu ...

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Helen Bradley Tarbutton died unexpectedly Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at her home in Sea Island, Georgia. Born September 21, 1967 at the old Telfair Hospital in Savannah, Helen was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Waldo Bradley and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Bradley of Savannah and Mr. and Mrs. William A. Morse of Atlanta. Helen graduated from the Savannah Country Day School in 1985 and received a B.A. in Political Science from Sweet Briar College in 1989. After college, she attended Parsons School of Design in New York City and received an A.A.S. degree in Interior D ...

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Victoria (Vicki) Rotureau, 63, a native of Savannah, went to be with her Savior Jesus on October 11, 2021. Vicki began her family in Charlotte, NC before returning to Georgia and settling in Richmond Hill.  Her last residence was in Pooler, GA. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack G. Neidlinger and his wife Myrtiline Neidlinger; her first husband, Skip Smith, and her brothers, Jack Jr. and Coleman Neidlinger.  Surviving are her husband, Craig Rotureau; sister, Margo N. Kelly; brother, Mike Rogers; children, Brandon Smith, Ashleigh Smith (James), Mathew Slater (Hanna ...

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Kristin Ross Northup passed away unexpectedly in Savannah, Georgia on October 11, 2021, at the age of 40. She will be greatly missed for her keen and unique sense of humor and her care for others.  She is the daughter of John and Millie Northup and is survived by 3 children, Kristina in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Kate and Emilie in Morristown, Tennessee, as well as by her husband Jeremy Hill, brother John Northup III and sister, Allison Northup Hollenden. There will be a private family memorial at a future date. ...

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Jeffrey Louis Smith, 70, passed away Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Memorial University Medical Center.  He was born March 31, 1951 in Trenton, NJ to Albert Smith, Jr. and Geraldine Smith.  Soon after his birth, he and his family moved to Savannah where he lived the rest of his life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Timothy and Albert Smith, brothers-in-law, James Strickland, Glenn Braddy, and Mike Russell.  He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Suzanne Strickland Smith, sons, Jeffrey “Luke” (Katherine) Smith and Benjamin Lou ...

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Russell Eugene Thrasher, 55, passed away on Friday, October 8th 2021.  Russell was born on June 16th, 1966, in Marietta Georgia. He moved to Savannah in 2005 when he married Nicole (Nicki).  Russell worked as a Construction Superintendent for Project Builders, Atlanta Georgia.  He traveled the country overseeing build-outs but came home most every weekend to be with Nicki.  He was a devoted father, dutiful son, and a fun-loving brother.  Russell was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, loved chocolate pralines and mastered his recipe for Pavlova.  Russell never met a stra ...

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Andrew (Andy) Mason Isbell, 60, passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021 at his residence under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice and his family.  He was born December 19, 1960 to the late Andrew Jackson Isbell and Marian Mason Isbell. He is survived by two sisters, Carol Love (Pete) of Savannah and Cheryl Bigham (Jerry) of Evans, GA; one brother, Ken Isbell (Tere) of Seville, Spain; nephew, Mason Love (Maggie) and their children, Adrian and Thomas of Mexico Beach, FL; and niece, Caitlin Love of Cullowhee, NC. Andy grew up and attended high school in LaFayette, GA. He served as a hospi ...

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Betty Louise Sikes Lord, 91, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Resorts at Pooler. Betty was born in Savannah, October 14, 1929, to Bertis Breckley Sikes and Anniebell Waters Sikes. Her family has fond memories of her love of crafts and music. The great-grandchildren enjoyed the time spent doing her hair and nails. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Clarence Lord. Survivors include her children, James Christopher Lord (Brenda), Brenda Keen; grandchildren, Kristina Keen Willis, Jonathan “J.C.” Keen, and four great-grandchildre ...

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Patrick Cummiskey, died peacefully at his home on Thursday October 7, 2021 at the age of 92. A near daily visitor to The Landings dog park, Pat would accompany his faithful companion, Maggie in his golf cart to socialize with other residents and their dogs.   Pat was born in Detroit, MI and following high school attended the University of Michigan.  He graduated prior to joining the US Marines where he was a SSF flying 2nd seat in a Grumman F7F Tigercat over the skies of the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War. In 1954, Pat married his college sweetheart, J ...

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Clifford H. McDonald, 93, departed his earthly life on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.  He was a Veteran of US Navy, known as “Doc” to those that served with him.  He was a retired sales representative for D-A Lubricant Co.  He was a member of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.  He is predeceased by his wife, Idell C. McDonald. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Otis DeMott; his grandson, Barry DeMott; and several nieces and nephews. Special loving thanks to ALL the caregivers from Opulence Home Care (LoRetta Wallace). A memoria ...

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Gwendolyn Johnson Coney, 74, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021at Memorial University Medical Center surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born December 1, 1946, in Montreal Canada. She was an Army brat and moved from place to place, Boston, Florida, and Colorado before making Savannah her permanent home. Mrs. Coney was a certified nursing assistant at Chatham Nursing Home and later retired from Georgia Regional Hospital. She was a member of First Jerusalem Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and a member of American Legion Post 500. She was preceded in death by he ...

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Erin Shirah Elizabeth Fowler, age 39, passed away from Covid-19 on October 6, 2021 at Candler Hospital.  She was a Warner Robins native, but a long-time resident of Savannah. She attended Memorial Day School and Sol C. Johnson High School, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from University of Phoenix. She formerly worked for Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, and was currently employed with Allied Security. Erin was a member of Wilmington Island United Methodist Church.  She was a lover of animals, movies, and classic TV shows.  ...

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