Alexandra Paul Scheel

Alexandra (Zannie) Paul Dowling Scheel, 81, passed away on October 31, 2022 at Azalealand in Savannah, Georgia.

Zannie was born on November 11, 1940 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late James Lemuel Dowling, SR and Lola Thomas Dowling. She was pre-deceased by her late brother, James L. Dowling, JR.

Zannie attended Fairfax Hall in Fairfax, Virginia where she graduated from high school. She then went on to Mount Vernon College, now known as George Washington University in Washington, DC. After two years Zannie needed to return to her roots, so she transferred to the University of Georgia where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Zannie married Jack H. Saunders and lived in Savannah, Georgia where she played an active part in the community. She served on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, Historic Savannah Foundation, Chairman of Georgia Day, Junior League of Savannah, Colonial Dames of America and Married Women’s Card Club. Zannie maintained a close relationship with Lilly Pulitzer, who allowed her to open one of her first brick and mortar shops in downtown Savannah on River Street, which Zannie managed from 1974-1980.

Zannie re-married Bert R. Oastler in 1980 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she continued to be involved in civic-minded organizations. She joined the Forward Arts Foundation, chaired the Forward Arts Flea Market, and worked as a volunteer at the Swan Coach House gift shop handling all of their accounting. She also was an active member of the Peachtree Garden Club, Garden Club of America. Zannie loved the North Carolina mountains, where she had attended summer camp for years as a young girl. In 1990, she and Bert bought their retirement home on Lake Glenville in Glenville, North Carolina, where they loved and constantly entertained family and friends. Zannie genuinely loved people and made everyone around her feel welcome and loved, for she had friends galore throughout her wonderful life. Zannie was a faithful Christian who loved the Lord her God until the very end. She remained active in His word thru her church in the mountains and the many bible studies she participated in.

Zannie is survived by her husband of 15 years, Robert W. Scheel of Englewood, Florida; a daughter, Lolly S. Cowart of Savannah; Emerson D. Cowart, son in law; two grandchildren, Lola E. Cowart, E. Duke Cowart, of Savannah, Georgia; sister, Joanne D. Dryman of Atlanta, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.
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Zannie became a quadraplegic after a terrible fall in March 2020. After several months at the Shepherd Spinal Center, she was welcomed with open arms to the care facility here in Savannah, Azalealand, where she brought as much joy, hope and inspiration to the other patients and care-givers there as they did to her! Her family will always hold Azlealand in the highest regard
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A Memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, November 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church on Isle of Hope in Savannah, Georgia with a reception to follow.

Inurnment will follow at a later date at Amelia Island.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Azalealand Nursing Home or St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel.