EDWARD AUGUSTINE SAVOY

IN MEMORIAM EDWARD AUGUSTINE SAVOY May 2, 1855 - August 24, 1943
Edward Augustine Savoy was a third generation native Washingtonian whose family lived here when the capital city began. He was one of eight children born to Edward Louis Savoy and Elizabeth E. Van Rhodia Butler Savoy. He was hired as a page in the State Department by Secretary of State Hamilton Fish in 1869 beginning a federal career that would span 64 years. He worked for 21 secretaries of state through 14 presidencies from Grant to FDR. When retired in 1933 at the age of 77 he held one of the highest government positions possible for an African-American at the time, Chief Messenger to the Secretary of State. President Roosevelt had him chauffeured to the White House to personally thank him for his service. Edward Augustine Savoy was Vice President of the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants' (Colored) of The District of Columbia and a member of Prince Hall Freemasons. In 1944 less than a year after his death, a Liberty Ship was dedicated in his honor, the SS Edward A. Savoy.  He was preceded in death by his wife Rachel. Their six children, now deceased: Edith, Alfred Kiger, Sevellon, Edward Jr. II, all attending the M Street / Dunbar High School. Two children died in infancy. Grandchildren now deceased:Willard Wilson Savoy  Rhoda Williston Savoy Hudson  Alfred Lawrence Savoy  Rachel Annette Savoy House  Ruth Edwina Savoy Lattimore   We remember Edward Augustine Savoy on the 70th anniversary of his death this year.If only we had known you. Our family keeps you alive through our memories and stories. You are forever in our hearts. Your great-grandchildren and great-grandnephew,Rhoda Theresa Hudson  Sylvia Rachele Hudson  Reuben Mallory Lattimore, Jr.  Lauret Edith Savoy  Donald Reginald Wines  Patricia Annette Green Wright  Wilbur (Buddy) Rogers III