Jerry and Marcia Savage tragically lost their lives when a tree fell into their Beech Island home in South Carolina on September 27, 2024, during Hurricane Helene. The storm had been moving in, but the couple’s grandson had checked on them in the early hours of the morning and found them shaken but alive. However, they were killed when a tree crashed through their roof while they slept. The couple, who had lived in their home since 1975, were among the many casualties in the Southeastern U.S. as Hurricane Helene caused widespread death and destruction.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene in the region had surpassed 200, with North Carolina reporting 97 fatalities, South Carolina 41, Georgia 33, Florida 19, Tennessee 11, and Virginia 2. The storm had brought chaos and devastation across six states, leaving many families mourning the loss of loved ones. Jerry and Marcia Savage’s deaths were a result of the destructive forces unleashed by the hurricane, highlighting the unpredictability and danger of natural disasters.
On the morning of the storm, the Savage family was at home in North Augusta when a tree fell in front of their house, blocking their path to reach Jerry and Marcia’s home. By the time they were able to make their way to the house, it was too late. The couple had been in bed when the tree fell, and despite Jerry’s efforts to protect his wife, both of them were killed instantly. Their only grandchild, John Savage, was unable to reach them due to the blocked door, learning of their deaths only when first responders arrived on the scene.
The tragic loss of Jerry and Marcia Savage was felt deeply by their family and community. Jerry, a builder and electrician, and Marcia, a retired banker, had been high school sweethearts and married for 50 years. They shared a birthday, January 22, and tragically passed away on the same day, leaving behind a legacy of love and commitment. The couple was described as kind, generous, and devoted to their family, with Marcia’s grandbabies being the center of her life.
A fundraiser was created to assist the family with funeral expenses, with donations pouring in from friends, neighbors, and well-wishers. The outpouring of support and sympathy highlighted the impact that Jerry and Marcia had on those around them, drawing attention to the profound loss experienced by their loved ones. Their daughter-in-law praised them as two of the kindest and most generous people she had ever known, reflecting the deep sense of loss and grief felt by those who knew and loved them.
Jerry and Marcia Savage’s funeral service was held at Pineview Memorial Gardens in North Augusta, bringing together family, friends, and community members to mourn their passing and celebrate their lives. Their legacy of love, devotion, and faith was remembered fondly by those who knew them, as they were laid to rest side by side. Their daughter reflected on their shared birthday and the belief that they were now reunited in the afterlife, comforted by the knowledge that they were together once more. The tragic loss of Jerry and Marcia Savage served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.