Source: http://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/obituary/user/show/template?id=46845

LASLEY BERNARD SAVELL

Lasley Bernard Savell of Memphis, TN, owner of Las Savell Jewelry, died August 7, 2011.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 9, from 5-8 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, at Lindenwood Christian Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

He was the son of the late Jesse J. and Elive McGowan [sic Elvie McGowen] Savell.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jesse J. Savell Jr. and sister, Bernice Savell Beran.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Sara Tanksley Savell; daughter, Amy Lynn Savell of Memphis; sister, Helen Joyce Strickland (Merle) of Apollo Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Melinda Tanksley Guess of Memphis; nieces and nephews, Denise Strickland Cates of Apollo Beach, FL, Phyllis Sherman of Memphis, Rhonda Morrow of Byhalia, MS, Richard Savell of Willow Park, TX, Gordon Beran of Alexandria, LA.

In 1963, Las was attending music classes at Memphis State University, when one of his professors the Methodist School of Nursing was looking for a director for the student nurses Glee Club. Las jumped at the chance and was quickly hired by the administrator of the school. His wife Sara played the piano and Las director the choir of nurses. Las continued as director of the Glee Club until 1974. Las has served as the founder and director of the performing group, ``TLC'' when he no longer directed the Glee Club.

In 1966, Las was appointed the Director of Students Activities for the school of nursing. A year later, Jim Crews, the long time administrator of Methodist Hospital, named Las the Director of Communications and Public Relations for Methodist Hospital. On March 13, 1967 he officially assumed the position and continued a successful and rewarding career with the hospital. In 1971 Las was appointed by the American Hospital Association to serve as Area Reprehensive for the State of Tennessee for the American Society of Hospital Relations Directors. Las and Sara combined their creative talents and produced a film about Methodist Hospital. Las was the executive producer on the project with Mel London, a well known director from New York. Sara provided musical direction for the film. ``Reach Out and Touch'' won two national awards. Las started a television studio for Methodist Hospital. Las also edited and published a magazine distributed to the public, which provided information regarding the many facets of Methodist Hospital and hospital communities in general. Las was the founder and managing editor of ``The Methodist Hospital Journal of Medicine.''

For over 30 year Las has been a choir director and church musician at Grace United Methodist Church, Colonial Park United Methodist Church, Central Church, Graceland Baptist Church and Whitten Memorial Baptist Church. Las's rich bass-baritone voice has carried him through 19 operatic performances with Memphis Opera Theatre, 2 operas at Memphis State University, 10 theatrical productions including venues at the Beethoven Club, Memphis Little Theatre (now Theatre Memphis) and Front Street Theatre. He served as a regular staff singer on ``Good Morning from Memphis'' with WREC (now WREG).

In 1980 Las Savell opened up his jewelry store and in 1983 Las began his search for the new location of the jewelry store and soon purchased the property at South McLean and Union which has been open for over 30 years. He first began his journey in Antwerp, Belgium, the diamond cutting center of Europe. After making connections with businesses in Antwerp and later Israel, Las began to regularly attend jewelry shows in New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Tucson and Hong Kong, China. His family owned business soon grew from 2 to 9 employees and became nationally recognized in the jewelry industry and was chosen best jewelry store in Memphis Flyer and in The Commercial Appeal numerous times and was also featured in the 1997 movie The Rainmaker.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Church Health Center, Lindenwood Christian Church, The Beethoven Club of Memphis or charity of donor's choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home, ``Behind the stone wall'', 901-767-8930.

Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com