So Long Sweet Rose!
By Beth Sheffield
On February 19th, this year, after a very short illness, Tybee lost another
Beautiful, Sweet, Vivacious, OutGoing and totally Lovable Icon- Rose Mary
Fant Herald.
Rose was born on December 27, 1955 to Margaret and Joseph Fant in
Anderson, South Carolina. Along with her brother Joseph, and sisters Evelyn
and Jeannie, Greenwood, South Carolina was her home until she moved to
Savannah in the early 80’s.
In 1981, she met the love of her life, Johnny Herald, and for the next 39
years until her last breath, he remained the one and only Love of her life. And
if anyone would ask Johnny about Rose, they would always see that twinkle
in his eyes and would immediately know that Rose was the Love of his life
also.
While Johnny was touring as a Singer, Concert Pianist and 12 string
acoustical Guitarist all over Europe and the Caribbean, Rose maintained their
home for Johnny to come home to. After he quit the entertainment business
and came home permanently, Johnny asked Rose what she wanted to do …
she went back to school and became a Medical Transcriber in Savannah and
did that for years.
Anyone that knew Rose, knew that in May, 2008, her singing a song on
stage with Johnny was a magical and unrehearsed moment under the stars.
The “Here’s Johnny” Concert by the Lighthouse was not only a spectacular
night, they raised lots of money for the Post Theater.
Rose was a people person – she never met a stranger! She loved music,
loved to paint and draw, and loved animals. Her favorite thing to do was
to cook and she loved recreating the meals Johnny had in Europe and the
Caribbean and according to Johnny, they were spot on!
I know Rose will be with Johnny at the Beach Bum Inauguration when he
passes the crown to this years King! Please keep Johnny in your thoughts
and Rose in your prayers. If you feel inclined to donate - Marie Rodriguez,
Critter Sitter, 714 Jones Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia. 31328.
16 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAY 2019
Behind the Tape…
By Sgt. Richard Dascall
Hello Everybody!
I hope all of you are having a great summer so far. I know it’s
starting to get busy out there, so small disclaimer, watch when
you’re driving through a crosswalk. The last thing any of us want
is some vacationer from Minnesota talking about the time they
got run over crossing the street on Tybee.
As I said last go around, I’d make sure to bring you guys a
story this month. This one’s an oldie but a goodie and none of
the people involved are still hanging around to my knowledge. All
this took place at least seven years ago, if not more.
There used to be a local guy on the island, we’ll call him Mike.
Mike was not good at anything except for smoking crack and
going to prison. Well, during one of his trips to prison, Mike met
some long haired guy who also liked crack and had never had
the pleasure of visiting our fair island. So as you would imagine,
when they both got out of prison they headed straight for Tybee.
They were here all of two days before they ran across our
officers. Not wanting to go back to prison, the long haired guy,
we’ll call him Bill, decided he was going to lead our officers on a
car chase. This car chase lasted all of a block before he got lost
and wrecked his car into a tree. Bill decided since he didn’t have
a car anymore, he was going to make a run on foot.
Bill was not very fast and our officers were able to catch up to
him. Well, Bill was a big guy, and Bill decided he was going to
fight. Our officers were able to tase and arrest him, but two of
them got banged up doing this. Both of these officers were on
the smaller side and Bill was pretty big. Through a series of
events I don’t quite understand, Bill was back on the streets and
headed back to Tybee the next day. All of this occurred on a
Sunday.
Those of you who know how our shifts rotate, know that
different shifts work Sunday and Monday. Well, when Monday
rolled around we had a monster of an officer on duty. And sure
enough, not four hours into night shift on Monday, we were
getting called back to deal with Bill and Mike. This monster of an
officer recognized the address when it was dispatched, so he
knew what was coming. Bill, feeling confident in the outcome
from the night before, was waiting on the porch when this officer
arrived. As he saw the cop car pull up, he started shouting, “You
didn’t learn your lesson last night!” The large officer got out of
his car and let him know there’s a different shift working tonight.
A second officer was already headed to back up the other one.
I’m still not sure what happened in the 60 seconds between the
first officer getting there and the second, but I know for sure that
when the second officer got there, Bill and Mike were lying face
down in the front yard with their hands behind their head, and
Bill was asking us to please take him to jail that night. Needless
to say, our officers complied, and between the car chase, fighting
cops on two separate occasions, some crack in his possession,
and a foot chase, his parole officer decided he wasn’t quite
ready for the free world.
Bill went back to prison. Whether he is still there I have no
idea, but we haven’t heard from him out here again. I don’t think
there’s a lesson here because normal people don’t act this way
and don’t need to be told don’t do these things.
So I’ll just leave it with enjoy you’re month and your summer,
let us know if you need anything.