Dorothy May Wade

Dorothy “Dot” May Morris Wade, 98, of Savannah, Georgia, and widow of Austin Samuel Wade, Jr., died Friday afternoon, February 10, 2023, at her home.

Born in Ripley, Tennessee, she was a daughter of the late John Samuel Morris and the late Ettie Virginia Younger Morris. After high school, Dot began college at Lambeth, then took a break due to WWII and moved to Santa Monica, CA to work. After the war, she transferred to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, her teaching certificate, and the first national referee certification issued to a female at UTK. She was hired by Armstrong Junior College downtown in her first teaching position and the reason she moved to Savannah in 1948. Years later, she began teaching in Chatham County elementary school classrooms, attended Georgia Southern University to receive her Masters in Elementary Education, and found her passion helping disadvantaged students as a Title I Specialist. After retiring, she volunteered at local schools. She also enjoyed travel, photography, golf, bridge club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Huntington Club, DAR, Exchangettes Club of Savannah, church functions, and her grandchildren. A favorite activity in retirement was going to her local gym 3 times a week, where her gym friends nicknamed her "Motivation" due to her dedication and longevity.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Samuel Wade.

Survivors include her children, Diane Wade (Birdy), Lee Wade (Jessica), son-in-law Dwain Davidson, grandchildren Kaylee Wade, Austin Wade, Catherine Tucker (Andy), sister Peggy Dallas (Jim), sister-in-law Faye Morris (Bill deceased), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Gamble Funeral Service – 410 Stephenson Avenue.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, February 24, 2023, at White Bluff United Methodist Church – 11911 White Bluff Road, conducted by the Reverend Barry Giddens. Interment will be in Bonaventure Cemetery.

Remembrances: Salvation Army - 3100 Montgomery Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405 and America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia - 2501 East Presidents Street, Savannah, Georgia 31404.