Stanley Altman
St. Simons—Stanley Altman, 98, died peacefully June 13, 2023, in his home on St. Simons Island.
Born in Pierce County, on July 31, 1924, on a family farm, he was “as hard-working as they came.” He joined the Navy after his 17th birthday (July 31, 1941) with his mother’s consent, less than four months before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. While he was serving as a gunner’s mate while still 17, a German submarine torpedoed his first Liberty ship, the USS Thomas McKean, in the Caribbean Sea. After being rescued five days later, and after two weeks of rest and recuperation in the United States, he went on to serve on four other Liberty ships, making a dozen crossings. He enjoyed seeing the world and was incredibly proud of his service, wearing his World War II veteran hat every chance he could.
After his military service, he returned to South Georgia, where he went to work for Southern Bell. He retired from Southern Bell after 40 years. In addition to his day job, he was a Grand Life Master in duplicate bridge. He taught lessons for many years, which is how he met his late wife, Margaret. Together, they traveled the world playing bridge and became known throughout the Golden Isles for their skill and willingness to share their knowledge.
After 43 years of marriage, he was devastated by his wife’s death in 2021. The couple were beloved by all who knew them, and their absence will be felt forever. the family said.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Sprott, and her husband, Steven, their daughter, Donna Sedevie, granddaughter, Alexandra Sedevie, and her husband, Ryan Williams; their son, Jon Sprott, and his wife, Michelle, and grandsons Jacob and Henry; also by his stepdaughter, Stacy Jennings, and her husband, Skip, their children, Margaret Nolan Balkcom, and her husband, Will, and Alexandra Landen, and her husband Zack; and his stepson, John David Tyre, and his wife Lisa, and their daughter, Rachel Tyre. Also surviving are many friends and neighbors who will cherish memories made with him throughout his almost 99 years on this earth.
Services will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in his name to the Golden Isles Duplicate Bridge Club (114 Skylane Drive, St. Simons Island, 31522 Attn: TREASURER) or the Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s World War II Home Front Museum (P.O. Box 22136, St. Simons Island, 31522).
Edo-Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clarece “Misty” Murray Talcott
Heath, Texas—Clarece “Misty” Murray Talcott, 94, died on July 2, 2023 in Rockwall, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, where she had resided since 1995. She was born in Screven on Aug. 18, 1928.
Prior to living in Texas, she was a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, for most of her adult life. She was the widow of Everett (Tal) Talcott. She was the loving mom to her only child, Ty Talcott, who resides in Royse City Texas, also a suburb of Dallas.
She had a teaching degree and worked as a railroad hostess in the early 1950s, but her crowning accomplishment was the publication of the great America novel: A Long Time In The Wilderness, a story of survival and ultimate victory of a struggling young woman in Depression-era South Georgia. It is a story filled with abuse, neglect and hardships beyond imagination but ending in escape and ultimate triumph.
She came from humble beginnings to live the American dream.
She had a strong sense of right and wrong. Her son says ‘she was the best a mother could be” and that “there is nothing she wouldn’t do for me.” He added that he never saw her do the wrong thing in his entire life, and that she’ll be greatly missed.
She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Bryan Murray; a brother Calvin Emmett Murray; her father, James Arnie Murray; and her brother James Jack Murray.
Survivors include two sisters, “Barbara” June Brookerd and Linda Jeanette “Jan” Daniels; her brother (Walter) Glynn Murray; her son, Terry “Ty” (Pamela PJ) Talcott; a granddaughter, Tonya (Kellen) Welch; and her two great-grandsons, Kelton and Caiden.
The family wants to give special thanks to her caregivers from ABC Hospice and Avila Care Memory Care for keeping her safe and comfortable and meeting her every need.