Theresa Mary Harkleroad, 52, of Savannah, Georgia died Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Savannah, Georgia to her late parents, Nancy Remion Harkleroad and Marion Gray Harkleroad, Sr. She was truly a gift from above to all of her family. Due to her disability, her parents were not exactly sure of how to proceed with taking care of her and explaining it to the two older siblings. The pediatrician simply said, ‘Treat her like any normal child.’ Marion, Jr. and Lisa proceeded to ‘carry her around like a sack of potatoes.’ In her younger years, she was an active member of Georgia Special Olympics, participating in basketball skills, gymnastics, and bowling, but really shined as a weightlifter with Abilities Unlimited. She later joined the AMBUCS Bowling Team. She enjoyed coloring, going to get manicures, dressing up and going to dances. But Theresa’s most favorite role was being the ‘little mother’ to her nephews. She helped to keep them in line!

Miss Harkleroad was a communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. She graduated from Sol C. Johnson High School and went on to work at what is now Employability until her health would not allow it. Surviving are her sister, Lisa Boswell and her husband Mark and her brother Marion Harkleroad, Jr. and his wife Stacey; her nephews and nieces Mark (Emily) Boswell, Caleb (Cori) Harkleroad, Tristan (Erin) Harkleroad, Gray Harkleroad, Kara (Gage) Hill, Shane (Lexi) Bradshaw and Brooks Bradshaw; two great-nieces Harper and Charlie; and her adopted sister, Shenita Williams.

The family would like to thank her two ‘house Moms,’ Latrice Brown and Pamela Simmons, for taking such good care of her and providing a loving home for her. They would also like to thank the staff of St. Joseph’s Intensive Care Unit for all of the kindness and care they have extended to her and the family over the last several weeks. Most of all, they would like to thank Dr. Wumi Oguntunmibi. Without his love and guidance, we would not have had the last twelve years with her.

The family will receive friends and family from 6 until 7:30 o’clock Wednesday at Gamble Funeral Service with the Rosary service being held at 7:30 o’clock.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 o’clock Thursday morning at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 7020 Concord Rd, Savannah, GA 31410, conducted by the Reverend Michael Kavanaugh. Interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send remembrances to Savannah AMBUCS, P.O. Box 15111, Savannah, Ga 31416.