Savannah Elizabeth LaMar

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Celebrating a Life of Love, Strength, and Kindness

Savannah Elizabeth La Mar, affectionately called “Lil’ Bit,” earned her nickname because for most of her life she was small in stature. Named after her aunt and her mother’s sister, Savannah Moore, she carried that name with grace throughout her life. She left us peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and compassion that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. The family is at peace because we know she loved the Lord with all her heart—and He loved her right back.

A Life Well Lived

Savannah was born in Inkster, Michigan, to Elmer Sr. and Julia Copeland. One of thirteen siblings, she is survived by only one, her younger sister, Julia Shipp, who also served as Godmother to her eldest child, Charmel. Born with a spirit as gentle as it was resilient, our mother literally devoted her life to caring for others. Whether she was supporting family, helping friends, or lending a hand to those in need, her kindness knew no bounds. She didn’t have a lazy bone in her body.

Savannah attended White Cloud High School in White Cloud, Michigan, where she was one of only a handful of Black students. She was involved in the Glee Club, the Future Nurses Club, and played on the girls’ basketball team, “The Squaws” (they didn’t win too many games).

In 1956, she married the love of her life, Julius “Jake” La Mar. In 1958, they left Michigan and moved West to Phoenix, Arizona—where people still rode horses (although cars were the norm). From this union, five children were born. Even with such responsibilities, Mama returned to school and obtained her cosmetology license (while Daddy took care of the kids) and practiced her craft professionally for many years. She was happily married to Julius for almost 45 years, until his passing the day before that fateful September 11th.

She worked for more than 20 years within the Phoenix Union system, beginning at Phoenix Union High School, where she worked alongside Mr. Calvin C. Goode as his secretary and lovingly cared for students by distributing bus and lunch tickets. She later moved to the Phoenix Union High School District Maintenance, where she retired as an administrative specialist. After retirement, she reconnected with Mr. Goode (later Councilman Goode) and worked part-time during tax season at his accounting firm, Calvin Goode & Associates. Mama was deeply loved by the students she served and continued to receive cards, phone calls (no texting back then), visits, and Christmas gifts from them for many years after she retired.

Mama had a deep love for music and loved to sing, often filling the house with song and joy. She was also an incredible cook, known for meals made with love that brought everyone together and made home feel like home. Always active and full of life, she rarely sat still and loved to keep moving. Even later in life, she would race her grandchildren to the car after grocery store trips, laughing the whole way and reminding us that her spirit was just as youthful as her heart.

Family, Faith, and Community

Our mother was a devoted wife, a loving sister, and a cherished grandmother. She built a strong family foundation rooted in love, respect, and understanding. Her commitment to her family never wavered, and her presence was a constant source of strength, comfort, and stability for everyone around her.

Her laughter filled our home with joy, and her wisdom of Jesus and studying the Word of God (the Bible) guided us through life’s many challenges. Every single night before getting into bed, she knelt on her knees and prayed. Her and Daddy’s prayers kept our family out of a whole lot of troubles—plural. She was known as a “Mother’s Mother” because of her large heart and deep love for children, especially her grandbabies.

Mama’s faith was not something she put on—it was how she lived. She was saved at an early age and faithfully served the Lord all the days of her life. Church was never just a place she attended; it was family. Throughout her life, she worshipped at Christ Love under the tutelage of Pastor Hammons, Trinity COGIC under the tutelage of Pastor Hutchinson, Greater Paradise COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Ramond Walker Sr. where she served as President of Pastor’s Aides, and finally Elevate Christian Church under the leadership of Bishop Raymond Walker Jr.

Wherever she worshipped, she served—humbly and without hesitation. She sang in the choir, helped wherever help was needed, sold snacks in the fellowship hall, and most importantly, loved on God’s people. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. Through her service, her prayers, and her Christ-like love, she earned the honored and cherished title of “Mother” at Greater Paradise COGIC—a role she carried with grace, compassion, and quiet strength.

Beyond her family and church family, Mama was a deeply valued member of her community. The same faith, generosity, and compassion that guided her service in God’s house flowed naturally into how she lived each day. She volunteered her time, participated in local events, including serving at voting polling stations, and was always ready with a comforting word or a helping hand. Her kindness knew no boundaries, and her giving spirit touched countless lives.

A Legacy of Love

Our mother’s legacy is one of kindness, love, and strength. She taught us by Example, the importance of caring for others, facing life’s difficulties with grace, and finding joy in the simple things. She showed us what it meant to give without expecting anything in return and to love unconditionally, even when it wasn’t easy. Mama’s lessons did not come from long speeches, but from the way she lived her life every single day. Through her patience, her prayers, her laughter, and her unwavering faith, she shaped us into who we are. The love she poured into her family, her church, and her community continues to live on through us, guiding our steps and reminding us to love harder, serve humbly, and trust God fully. Her legacy will forever be carried in our hearts and passed on through generations to come.

Farewell

Though words cannot express the depth of our loss, we find comfort in the memories we shared and the lessons she taught us. We will carry her love in our hearts forever. Her favorite song was “Goin’ Up Yonder”, and the lyrics perfectly explain where Mama is right now – in the arms of Jesus!

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents; daughter Elizabeth Charmel La Mar-Holmes; daughter-in-law Teresa L La Mar; brothers, Raymond Copeland, Elmer Copeland Jr., Tony Monroe, Leonard Johnnie Copeland, Lawrence James Copeland; sisters, Anna Roberson, Shirley Kelly, Betty Brown, Ruby Louise Culver, Sandra Sykes (twin died at birth).

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered by her sister Julia Shipp; children, Julius V La Mar, Jr., Wanda J Blaylark (Raymond), Alfred A La Mar Sr., David L La Mar Sr. (Felicia); sisters-in-law Lois Hearst and Joie Copeland; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.

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