A Life Story

Marion L. DeWitt, Jr “Buddy” Buddy took his last breath during the night on July 6 with his daughter by his side. After a brief battle with breathing problems that was eventually diagnosed as lung cancer, he passed peacefully. His mind and wit remained sharp until the end. He never experienced pain and never needed chemotherapy. At 93, the only medications he took were a baby aspirin and a B-12 vitamin. July 17 would have been his 94th birthday. Buddy was the son of Marion L. DeWitt, Sr. and Lillian Newsome DeWitt Smith. Lillian served as office manager for Starland Dairies for 60 years, a company her father, John Newsome, helped establish. Buddy's father served as a Savannah city alderman from 1949 to 1952 and owned one of Savannah's first auto repair shops, DeVan Auto. Buddy's older sister, Evelyn DeWitt Stout, passed away in 2017. Her husband, Gene Stout, was a golf professional whose career included Augusta National. Buddy grew up at 125 West 59th Street while attending Charles Ellis Elementary before the family moved to 7 East 67th Street. After graduating from Savannah High School in 1950, he earned his accounting degree from the University of Georgia in 1954, where he served as treasurer of the Pi Kappa Phi chapter. After college, Buddy married his high school sweetheart, Cecilia Nesmith. He enlisted in the Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base before being stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. While stationed there, their son Marion L. DeWitt III ("Landy") was born, followed two years later by their daughter, Lori. The family later returned to Savannah, settling at 19 East 67th Street, just down the street from Buddy's parents. Tragically, after only nine years of marriage, Cecilia died from a brain tumor at the age of 27, leaving Buddy a widower with a four- and five-year-old. As a single father of two, Buddy met Frances Sims while they were bowling on separate teams. They crossed paths again at a wedding, began dating, and married on October 9, 1965. They shared 56½ years together until Frances passed away in 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Their family continued to grow. David was born in November 1967, Lacy in June 1969, and Mark in April 1972, completing their family of five children. Buddy worked for S & A, Lazard, Curlee and Bennett, and Truck & Trailer Sales before opening his own CPA practice. What began in a room of their home eventually grew into office space, and he continued working until December 2025. After establishing his accounting practice, Buddy and Frances discovered a shared passion for buying, renovating, and renting homes. At one point they owned more than 50 rental properties, including duplexes and fourplexes. Buddy handled the repairs while Frances managed the tenants. It was a perfect partnership. He continued working on houses until his health declined in December 2025. Life wasn't all work. Frances made it clear to the children that one day the kids would leave home, but “They needed to have something to say to each other.” They intentionally prioritized their relationship while still giving their children a wonderful childhood. They loved to travel. Thanks to Frances's part-time work as a travel agent, they enjoyed memorable vacations. They would often drive to the intersection of I-95 and Highway 204, where Buddy would ask, "North or South?" Sometimes that simple question led them all the way to Canada or Mexico. They spent countless nights driving, singing oldies together in perfect harmony as AM radio filled the car. Whenever "Sherry" came on, Frances would playfully punch Buddy, supposedly helping him forget an old coworker by that name. Buddy played basketball in the Air Force and later became famous in the family for his unstoppable skyhook shot in the driveway. Their favorite activities centered around the water—water skiing, shrimping by lantern, fishing in the surf, body surfing, and days at the beach. They loved oyster roasts, Lowcountry boils, and cleaning and frying the fish they caught together. Garage sales became another shared adventure. Buddy would circle addresses in the newspaper, number them to map out the most efficient route, and the two would spend their Saturday mornings treasure hunting. During football season, those routes got shorter so they could be home in time for their beloved Georgia Bulldogs. The kids remember working on rental houses while Larry Munson's voice played in the background. Buddy was a die-hard Georgia fan who loved good-natured football debates, especially with Ole Miss fan Judge John Beam at church. He had a keychain that he would click to play the Georgia fight song at church or Exchange club after his beloved Dawgs won. He also had an incredible green thumb and loved planting and transplanting just about anything. In the 1980s, Buddy discovered he had a talent for buying and selling coins. Family vacations soon centered around the annual Fourth of July coin show at the Clearwater Sand Key Hotel, where Buddy rented a booth each year. Buddy was the perfect combination of quiet introvert and people person. He served as president of the Jaycees, Sertoma Club, and Exchange Club of Savannah. He faithfully attended Monday Exchange Club lunches and service projects until June of this year. The clubs also gave Buddy and Frances opportunities to enjoy another favorite pastime—shag dancing. Frances would kick off her shoes, and the two could dance for hours. Buddy also served as treasurer for his good friend John Rousakis's successful mayoral campaigns in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1986. He was also part of Governor George Busbee's successful 1978 campaign. Buddy wasn't raised in church, and for much of his life his faith was deeply personal. During Frances's ten-year battle with Alzheimer's, however, his children witnessed a beautiful expression of that faith. Without seeking attention, he lovingly cared for his bride every day. He would quietly place his jacket around her shoulders, gently carry on conversations that others couldn't hear, and faithfully remain by her side. Buddy wasn't a man of many words, but when he spoke, his thoughts were thoughtful and insightful. A well-worn devotional sat beside his recliner next to his highlighted Wall Street Journal. He lived his faith through quiet generosity, anonymous giving, and humble service. There wasn’t a phony bone in his body. As a father, Buddy knew both his strengths and his weaknesses. He was an extraordinary provider, helping one child graduate from Georgia Southern and three from the University of Georgia without student debt. At one point he was paying for three college tuitions, three apartments, utilities, and three cars all at once. Perhaps his greatest gift was making it possible for Frances to always be fully present as a mother. They balanced each other perfectly. The church family they built together also became an extension of their home, surrounding their children with love, guidance, and support. In the last twenty years of his life, Buddy became not only a father but also a wise, loving, and playful friend to his children. Buddy is survived by his daughters, Lori (Bob) Hecker and Lacy (Ovidio), and his sons, David (Elizabeth) and Mark (Jennifer). He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Brandon and Troy; Lauren (Dusty) and Zack; Clay (Emma); Micah (Becca) and Elias (Sarah Grace); Owen and Addison; Jasmine and Reid. His great-grandchildren are Hannah, Emma, Malachi, and Emerson, who is on the way. Visitation Friday July 10th 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Southside Baptist Church 5502 Skidaway Road Celebration of Life Saturday, July 11th, 2026 11:00 a.m. Southside Baptist Church