Archives for April 2025

Joyce Elizabeth  Jackson was born on November 12, 1956 to the proud parents of Willie and Lenora “Bell” Jackson in Savannah, Georgia.  Joyce was preceded in birth by Willie Jackson, Jr., however, her enthusiasm and take-charge attitude left most thinking that she was the oldest child of the family.

As a little girl, Joyce was outgoing and studious, and Bell kept her very busy. She was a cherished member of the Rising Stars at Bethel AME church, where she sang in the choir and played pivotal roles in many church plays. Joyce was in the 4-H Club, Girl Scouts, and participated thoughtfully as a Debutante.  She modeled, but her greatest love was dancing. “Yes, she could dance”. As a child, she danced and insisted that we dance along with her. Joyce was so insistent that she even convinced our mother and father to dance as well. She and our brother Willie dominated the dance scene during the days of disco in the 70s and 80s, winning hearts and dance contests in Savannah and throughout the Southeast Region.

As a sixth grader, Joyce was the first black future teacher at Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School, whose duties were to monitor the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms while the teachers went on their break. The teachers especially appreciated Joyce as she mentored and tutored the younger students. She later went on to pursue several degrees and learned to speak Spanish fluently. She received her Masters in Mass Communication from Manhattan College. From there she began a career at ABC news where she even worked for such personalities as Ted Koppell.

  Joyce will be remembered for her honesty and straight forward attitude. She was a big sister, mother, friend to many and an advocate for those who were in need. She faced many challenges with her health but she  managed to keep going in spite of adversity. She leaves to cherish a son Dorian Jackson (Savannah) four grandchildren,Xavier,McKenzie, Elijah and Kason.  Three devoted Brothers Willie (Savannah), Bart (Margaret) Atlanta and David of Sacramento CA. Two loving sisters Norma Babbs (Savannah) and Victoria Cox (Savannah).  A host of aunts,uncles,nieces, nephews and cousins and a wonderful God daughter Lacey Singleton (Savannah) 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM, at Families First Funeral Care Chapel.

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Jollie Marie Ipsen, age 68, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025 at Memorial Health University Medical Center after a short illness.

Born in Seattle, Washington, she was the daughter of  Joseph and Joyce Schwetz.  Jollie was retired from the Savannah-Chatham Public School System where she worked as a Media Clerk at Hesse K-8 School. Jollie was an avid reader and shared her love of books and reading with her own family as well as the school children of Hesse K-8.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Joette and Joy.

Surviving are her children Loria (Bill Holden), Brooks (Kristyl), Alex and Benjamin (Jade) and her grandchildren Nathan, Eoghan, Logan, Landon, Isabella and Jayden. She is also survived by her sisters Johanna, Joleen and Jodie, and brother Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Savannah Book Festival in her honor.

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Larry Scott Haywood, known to Savannahians as ‘The Flag Man’ and his family as, “Scottie” passed away Friday, April 18, 2025 after a hit and run in Savannah, Georgia

Scottie was born February 25, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois.

About five years ago, he moved to Savannah, Georgia and became known to the city as, “Larry the Flag Man”. From a very young age, Scottie loved to ride his bike. He was kind, happy go lucky, and would give the shirt off his back to help another. He had a love for animals, and held a special place in his heart for his cat, Baby.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Jimmy Haywood; and stepmother, Carol Haywood.

He is survived by his mother, Patricia Edwards; his sister, Diane Haywood; and his brothers, Curtis and David Haywood.

Services are private.

However, Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center would like to welcome anyone, and everyone, that would like to sign his register book. You can sign and leave the memories that you have of him, as we mourn the loss of a Savannah icon.

We will truly miss seeing him riding his bike and flying his beloved American flag.

The register book will be available to sign Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at: Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center, 1328 Dean Forest Road, Savannah, Georgia 31405.

The book will be available until Friday, May 23, 2025. At that time it will then be sent to his family.

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Sandra Joanne Gunn died on February 22, 2025 in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Metter, Georgia on December 5, 1938, Joanne was the youngest child of Errett Fillmore Gunn and Helen Downing Gunn. The family moved to Savannah shortly after Joanne’s birth. Joanne attended Charles Ellis School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. During elementary and high school she studied piano with Mrs. Dorothy Murray. She became an exceptional pianist and enjoyed playing for her friends for the rest of her life.

Joanne attended Armstrong Junior College and graduated from University of Georgia in 1961, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. During that time she met Harold Griffin, whom she married in December 1960.

After college, Joanne taught in the Savannah public school system at Bartlett Junior High and at Jenkins High School. While at Jenkins, she was asked to teach the Spanish class even though she had only briefly studied the language. That experience led her to enroll in an intensive summer-long Spanish language immersion course in Mexico City, one of the influential experiences of her life.

In the mid-1960s and newly single, Joanne moved to Washington DC, and then to San Francisco, where she began a career in banking and mortgages. Returning to the DC metro area, she settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where she had a decades-long career in real estate. Joanne loved the history and political excitement of Washington DC. In 1976 she volunteered on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign in the Washington headquarters, including one evening assignment of babysitting for 9-year-old Amy Carter in a DC hotel.

In 2022 Joanne moved back to Savannah to be closer to her family.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings (Shirley Gunn Monroe and Robert Donald Gunn), two nephews (Bruce Monroe and Kirk Monroe), and many aunts and uncles, including Louise Downing Jones and Ethel Downing, with whom she was very close.

Joanne is survived by several cousins including Diane Roberts, Karen Porter, Robert Jones (Delight) and Patti Jones Schacht, with whom she shared an exceptionally close and loving relationship. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews: Roberta Monroe Ellis (Greg), Robin Wright Gunn, Heyward Gunn Kreutzer (Justin), Errett “Rett” Gunn, and Matthew Gunn (Jessica); six great-nieces and great-nephews, and many extended family members.

The family thanks the friends and caregivers who assisted with Joanne’s care, especially Susan O’Brien, Karrina Brown, Kathy Pond, John Ewaldsen, The Social of Savannah, Dr. Kurt Kang and staff, Dr. Matt Rosenthal and staff, Abercorn Rehabilitation, and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 3, 10:00am, Greenwich Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd., Savannah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: Georgia Legal Services Program, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 203, Savannah, GA 31405.

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