Charles George "Bud" Relyea, age 32, of Savannah passed away June 5, 2023.
Bud was born in Birmingham, AL on July 19, 1990, to the late Dr. Kenneth George Relyea and the late Dr. Tamela Elaine Grinstead-Relyea. He was baptized at Christ Church in Savannah, GA on April 7, 1991 and confirmed into the Episcopal Church on January 11, 2004 at St. Thomas Episcopal on the Isle of Hope.
Having been raised by two Professors, Bud had an innate ability to indulge in both historical and scientific conversations and acquired very specific culinary preferences. He was a regular customer of Yia's Kitchen & Marketplace and enjoyed sushi at Sakura. He loved the finest coffee and disdained any grocery store other than Whole Foods or Fresh Market. Bud was fluent in French, Spanish and spoke some Japanese languages.
At the age of 13, Bud was seriously injured in an accident where he suffered a severe brain injury. Through rehabilitation, he was able to walk again, a daily routine that he treasured with his father, and then continued until his own death. Bud had a distinct cough while he was walking, which many neighbors (and dogs) could hear from afar and know that he was on his evening stroll.
As a young boy, he was a brilliant pianist, with a passion for classical music. He performed many preludes at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Prior to his accident, Bud participated in a Pipe Organ Encounters camp sponsored by the American Guild of Organists at Agnus Scott College, where he was able to study under Dr. Joyce Johnson. As a beginning student of the pipe organ, he performed beautifully and kept in touch with Dr. Johnson periodically.
He attended Herschel V Jenkins High School and studied English Lit at Armstrong Atlantic State University, where he was a member of Sigma Tau Delta. He was also a brilliant writer and a regular contributor to the Letters to the Editor of the Savannah Morning News.
Bud leaves behind his cherished cat Azimut, his caring nurse from Citizen Advocacy who will forever carry Bud in her heart, and many neighbors and friends of the Mistwoode neighborhood.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church (2 St. Thomas Ave Savannah, GA 31406). A reception will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2 St. Thomas Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406.