Savannah Mae Dunlap was brought into the world on March 9, 1920 to William Kirks and Millie McClavin in St Claire County, Georgia. She lived a modestly exuberant life of 94 years in which Jesus Christ and family were the cornerstone. She was the second eldest of five siblings.  During her life, she experienced many historic events including: The Great Depression, World War II, Atomic Bombs in Japan, visits to the moon, The Civil Rights Movement, creation of the Internet, the first African-American President and countless other monumental events of over the course of nine decades.

Savannah was always passionate about helping others and became a nurse at the Wayne School of Practical Nursing in 1950. While Savannah was practicing nursing, she met her future husband and in 1952, at the age of 32 Savannah May Kirks married Bedford Dunlap. Savannah and Bedford moved to Cairo, Illinois from Grand Chain, Illinois in 1957. To this union, one daughter was born, Regina Louise Dunlap.  Although Savannah and Bedford only had one child, Savannah’s legacy grew through the lives of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless others who were impacted by her strength, humor and grace.

Savannah loved life and helped develop a sound foundation of hard work in her grandchildren through instilling the love and understanding of Christ Jesus. It was through her teaching, mentoring and love that she was able to build the foundation of Christ with her brothers, sisters, daughter and grandchildren. She often enjoyed walking, reading, cooking, singing hymns, serving the Lord, laughing, and spending time with her family, friends, and loved ones.

Savannah was extremely strong especially during the later parts of her life. Whenever someone met her, they were greeted with a firm handshake that exemplified who she was as a person. This strength was produced from her many years of working in the fields of Illinois where she was a crop farmer and worked with her hands doing everything except plowing.

Savannah leaves to continue her memory and legacy: her daughter, Regina Kpandeyenge, 4 grandchildren; Amara Kpandeyenge (Dawn) of Crown Pointe, IN; Tity Kpandeyenge of Kansas City, KS; Toma Kpandeyenge (Michelle) of Elgin, IL; Ansu Kpandeyenge (Rena) of Schaumburg, IL; 6 great grandchildren; Corve, Arianna, Josiah, Savannah, Sariah, Noah; 2 nieces; Millie Tolliver and Ravetta White of Aurora, IL; 3 nephews; Robert Davis of Aurora, IL, Roney White and Kevin White of Southern California.

Savannah is preceded in death by her brother Roney and sisters Saphronie, Salome, and Mary.