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Page 6— Wednesday, September 28, 2022 The True Citizen
OBITUARIES
Alvin W. Neely Jr
Alvin W. Neely Jr. died on May 24, 2022 at his home on
East Hall Street in Savannah, Georgia. A loyal native of
Waynesboro, Georgia, he was bom to Alvin Wilkins Neely, Sr.,
a Burke County farmer, and Julia Abbot Neely, of Louisville,
Georgia on September 29,1933. Their only child,he received
a genteel upbringing. He experienced love, affirmation, and a
discriminating palate from Ms. Frankie Williams. He enjoyed
an idyllic childhood with his cousin and best friend the late
Porter W. Carswell, Jr., who later urged Alvin to move to join
him in Savannah, where Alvin was to join a hospitable society.
After a short stint working at his family agricultural concern
he found other pursuits preferable. Chief among them, read
ing fiction, plays, and poetry, driving the country roads in his
fire-red Triumph with Flopdoodle I or II, his Basset hounds,
riding shotgun. Or he would write long letters demonstrating
his excellent penmanship and the exquisitely dry humor for
which he became famous among the legion of friends and
acquaintances. Laughter abounded all his life.
His love of language, the education he received from the
public schools in Burke County and McCallie School, along
with the many Bible verses his mother had required him to
memorize, led to his study of literature at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He quoted from poetry learned
then the rest of his life. Having attended UNC on a naval
scholarship, he was commissioned as an ensign in the United
States Navy, served on the USS Abbott and at the United States
Naval Academy. After 4 years with the Navy, he received an
honorable discharge at the rank of Lieutenant together with a
far worldlier persona and a zeal for travel.
Alvin adhered to the guidance of the Dalai Lama and em
bodied the Urdu proverb, “Hear everything, then do what you
want”. His innate tolerance for and fascination by other human
beings made natural his call to teaching. After receiving his
Masters at University of Georgia, he furthered his studies at
Columbia University and Johns Hopkins. Living in Manhat
tan, he honed his particularly charming style of insouciance
in manner and dress. He then taught literature at Westminster
School in Atlanta, Armstrong College in downtown Savannah
and at the then-new Southside campus, and finally, at Savannah
Country Day School. He has been the recipient of a teacher’s
greatest reward, the enduring love and respect of his students.
Though he retired young, he never stopped teaching and
found more satisfaction in scholarly mentorship as an avoca
tion. Taking on a career as a gentleman landlord, he created
in his grand red brick home designed by William Preston,
architect of numerous iconic Savannah historic buildings in
the 1880’s, living spaces he made available for rent to artists
of all disciplines, writers, thespians, poets, photographers, and
free spirits, many of whom found home and haven for the first
time in their lives and remained for years.
Savannah and Alvin went well together. His erudition and
personal magnetism enlivened every scene. Together with
theater-lovers Anita and Sidney Raskin, with Jim Holt and
Jody Chapin at the helm, City Lights Theater opened on York
Lane providing a venue for stage productions of a quality and
range never before offered locally. He hosted many parties,
promoted many causes and people, and freely offered his
magnificent home on Hall Street as a gathering place for such
entities as the English-Speaking Union and Poetry Society,
weddings, showings, fundraisers for political candidates of
whom he approved, such as the recent such event for Senator
Raphael Wamock. His generosity included everyone. Living
frugally himself on rents he often discounted or suspended, he
never judged someone in need and instead took great pleasure
in sharing what he had with others.
Alvin cultivated his innate gift for happiness and friend
ship. He not only tolerated but also sought out a vast range
of opinions and enjoyed debating because he had confidence
in his own opinions. He never missed the PBS News Hour
and read widely. He offered hospitality with equanimity to all
sorts, from the acclaimed to the folks who slept in the azalea
bushes. He was a steadfast Democrat and a faithful supporter
of the Friends of Tibet, the ACLU, “wounded warrior” chari
ties, and all things associated with UNC and the Navy. He
perfected the art of having fun, concocting and mixing a mean
drink, and keeping up with the obituaries and funnies in the
daily Savannah Morning News over a prolonged breakfast,
followed by a day on the front porch greeting all comers and
looking for his favorite postwoman Maria.
Alvin is survived by his chosen family, particularly his
friend Keith Howington and his wife Elsie Hill and their
sons Levi and Jessie, who gave Alvin the son and family he
did not have.
Alvin is the last of the generation of the families into which
he made a grand entrance. Of that generation, the survivors
are in-laws Eleanor Abbot and Louise H. Abbot, with both
of whom he had lifelong friendships. His numerous first
cousins once removed and their progeny remained of loving
interest to him.
Alvin Neely possessed a mastery of the art of friendship
and filled his own and others’ lives with joy and good humor.
And thus he departed, with a single last sigh, with no fear
of the truth as expressed by his friend, poet Conrad Aiken:
“Separate we come and separate we go, And this be it known,
is all that we know.”
Interment will be at Magnolia Cemetery in Waynesboro,
Georgia at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 29,2022.
DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Fu
neral Home & Cremation Service
(706-554-3531)
You may sign the guest book at
www.deloachfuneralhomes .com.
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DcLoach
McKerley-Prescott
FUNERAL HOME
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CHANCE &HYDRICK
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Reuben Chance ■ Phil Hydrick
Locally Owned & Operated
706.790.8567
www.chanceandhydrick.com
Margaret Ann Colleran Sowell
July 1,1958 - September 19,2022
On Monday evening at sunset, Margaret Ann slipped peace
fully out of this world and into the arms of her Lord and Sav
ior, Jesus Christ in heaven. She
was 64 years old and is survived
by her husband Warren Sowell,
her sons and spouse, Clayton
and Grayson Colleran, and Rett
Colleran, her daughter and son
Elizabeth Ann and Joshua Sow
ell, her brothers and sisters and
spouses Jim and Terri Davidson,
JoDelle and Greg Burwell, Pat
rick and Jennifer Davidson, Lane
and Bobby Darnell, and Chris
Miller, her nieces and nephews,
Lindsay and Brad Trowe, Anna
and Katie Darnell, Madison and Jack Davidson, and Mack
enzie and Sean Miller, her grandchildren Sloan and Avalyn
Colleran, her stepmother Pat O’Brien Davidson, and her great
niece, little Gwennie Trowe. Preceding her in death was her
first husband Alex Colleran, her mother Joanne Davidson-
Inniss, her father Everett Davidson, her brother and sister
Zack Davidson and Dee Dee Miller, and members of her
Fulcher family from Waynesboro, GA, her Davidson family
from Atlanta and surrounding areas, and her Colleran family
of Beaufort County, SC. Margaret Ann’s great love of fam
ily was on display often as she would host reunions, special
events, and family gatherings for as many as could congregate
at her beloved “Full Circle” home in Bluffton, SC.
Margaret Ann was a devout Christian, a student of the
Bible, and a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. She was a loyal member of the Church of the Cross
in Bluffton, SC where she attended for almost 40 years.
Her faith sustained her - especially during her latter days as
she battled serious illness with courage, conviction, and the
knowledge that this world was not her home; and that, as her
mother would often say, she would one day “go to heaven
standing up”. And that’s precisely what she did.
During her lifetime, she accomplished much as a dedicated
family member, a hard-working professional, and as a role
model for all those who knew and loved her. Margaret Ann
was a gifted student who was blessed with an incredible
intellect. After her formal education in Waynesboro and
then the College of Charleston, she was licensed to serve
as a Financial Advisor for both Merrill Lynch, and then for
Danzell Investment Group on Hilton Head. After almost 30
years in the financial services industry, and as her family grew
and her life’s demands changed, she transitioned into various
management and support roles in real estate development. She
worked at both Berkeley Hall Plantation, and then Palmetto
Bluff, having participated in those development’s opening and
growth, and as they became the world-class luxury residential
and private club destinations that they are today.
Margaret Ann was a gifted homemaker, a beloved wife, and
a loving mother, aunt, sister, and friend. While she fondly
remembered her childhood and adolescent years in Waynes
boro, and all the many lifelong friends she had there, it was
her love of the South Carolina lowcountry, its history and its
culture that captured her heart. From the time she first set
foot on the beach in Port Royal Plantation, to the sunset that
glistened on the evening of her passing, she was captivated
by the lowcountry’s beauty, its ancient oaks, and the unique
lifestyle and culture that gave meaning to the place she called
“home”. Margaret Ann embodied everything it means to be
a southern belle. She saw things here, and in our people and
customs, that are not always evident to those who have come
from other places.
Margaret Ann Colleran Sowell loved others - and her love
was reciprocated back to her throughout her lifetime, in ways
that are known only to her, and to her God. Go rest high upon
that mountain dear one, your work on this earth is done.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8,2022 at 2
p.m. at the Church of the Cross, 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton,
SC 29910. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations
in the name of Margaret Ann Colleran Sowell be made to
the Church of the Cross, P.O. Box 278, Bluffton, SC 29910
Eva Mae Randall George
Mrs. Eva Mae Randall George, age 94, entered into eternal
rest on Wednesday, September 21,2022. Mrs. George is the
mother of Mrs. Thelma Lockhart
of Waynesboro, Georgia.
Graveside Services were held
Tuesday, September 27, 2022,
1:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion African
Methodist Episcopal Church
Cemetery, 3055 Mt. Zion Road,
Little River, South Carolina
29566.
Viewing was held Tuesday,
September 27,2022 from 12:00-
1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Phinazee and Son Funeral
Home and Latimer’s Funeral
Home were in charge of the services for / p 'b
Mrs. Eva Mae Randall George.
e PHINAZEE & SON
/ DeLoach— i
McKerley-Prescott
FUNERAL HOME
N AND CREMATION SERVICE ,
220 East 6th Street - P.O. Box 595
Waynesboro, GA 30830
706-554-3531
www.deloachfuneralhomes.com
Val Prescott, Steve Sirmons, Jason McKerley
Debra “Debi” Boice Wells
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Debra “Debi” Boice Wells passed away unexpectedly on
Thursday, September 15, 2022, leaving us all way too soon.
She was bom on May 29,1967, in
Fort Dix, N.J. As part of a mili
tary family, she and her parents
and siblings moved many times
throughout her younger years
before she later settled down in
Burke County. Debi was a mem
ber of St. Michaels Episcopal
Church. She will be eternally
remembered as a devoted mother,
wife, daughter, sister, niece, and friend.
It was never hard for Debi to make friends so her personality
guided her to the restaurant profession which she worked for
many years and was very proficient. With her light-hearted
humor and personable manners, she gave all who met and
knew her a reason to smile - even on their worst of days.
Many will miss her warmth, empathy, and genuine love
for animals. Over the years Debi owned and cared for many
dogs and cats, who loved her and will be bonded to her for
ever. Because of her devotion to animal welfare, Debi would
frequently post for help in finding and returning missing dogs
to their owners or posting for help in finding a forever home
for an abused or neglected dog or cat.
Debi had many hobbies. She loved cooking and baking
(cupcakes in particular), and was an avid movie and music
trivia expert and knew everything about anyone that was in
volved in these pop-culture categories both before their fame
and after. She was always amazing people with her wealth
of knowledge and would be called upon time and again to
share her knowledge.
Her family was the true love and devotion of her life. She
was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Linda Boice;
and two nephews Christopher McFeely and Joey Inglett. Debi
is survived by her loving husband, Barry of Hephzibah; her
daughter, Kacey Mobley of Waynesboro; stepchildren, David
Wells, Amber Holly and husband Frank, and Heather Palmer
and husband Andrew all of Hephzibah; sister, Samantha Sistek
and her husband Darell of Pasadena, MD; brother, Eric Boice
ofPasadena,MD; niece Taylor DeSanto and her husband Matt
and their son, her great nephew, Dominic of Columbia, MD;
along with many other adored aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
cousins, and surrogate grandchildren.
The Memorial service and burial ceremony in the memo
rial garden was Monday, September 26,2022 at 10 a.m. at St.
Michaels Episcopal Church,515 S. Liberty St., Waynesboro,
GA 30830, with The Reverend Larry Jesion officiating. Im
mediately following there was a reception in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made in
Debi’s memory to American Lung Association, https://www.
lung.org/; National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney,
org/donation; American Diabetes Association, https://www.
diabetes .org/diabetes/donation
DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Fu
neral Home & Cremation Service
You may sign the guest book at
www.deloachfuneralhomes .com.
t ,,
DeLoach
McKerley-Prescott
FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATION SERVICE
MORE OBITUARIES ON
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PHINAZEE & SON
FUNERAL HOME
Phinazee and Son Funeral Home
Funeral Director\Embalmer
Kelsey M. Phinazee
Manager- Crystal M. Preston
Funeral Director\Embalmer
Almari K. Phinazee
404 W 8th St,
Waynesboro, GA 30830
www.Phinazeesonfh.com
Burke Memorial Funeral Home
www.burkememorial.com
“A Howe of Dependable Service”
842 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA
Family owned & operated
jane and George DeLoach
706-833-9867 or 706-551-5100