Savath Chanthavane

On May 14th 2025, Savath Chanthavane passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family & loved ones as she was called home. Savath was born in her hometown Soukkama, Champasack in the country of Laos on Dec 1st, 1945. Savath Khamphouy married Khamphanh Chanthavane and was blessed with their three sons. For many years, she raised her three boys on her own while her husband was away at war protecting their country from the inevitable Communist takeover. She lived a fierce life with the strongest will for survival. Savath was taken away from her family and arrested in 1975 for aiding in her husband’s illegal escape and her voicing opposition against the Communist Party. She spent a year and half in a “re-education camp (prison)” in North Laos for helping her husband escape. Shortly after her release from prison, she endured many dangerous situations, such as venturing to Thailand under dangerous conditions to be reunited with her husband, who commanded the guerrilla forces to fight Laos’s communists. Knowing the war was impossible to win against the communists, she and her family decided to join others in a refugee camp in Thailand. In August of 1978, Grace Lutheran Church sponsored her and her family to live in America. She provided and served her family by working various miscellaneous jobs, including as a translator for the Catholic Social Service to help other Laotian refugees settle into their new lives in Mobile, Alabama. She was strong-willed and determined; she even started her own cleaning business with no to little resources. She stayed true to her mantra of “Never say ‘I can’t.’” Her handwork and dedication provided a home for her family, where she welcomed countless people in. Her home was well known for helping others in need. It was a place where meals were shared selflessly. She and her husband taught others the craft of welding out of their home. By teaching this trade, they would help other families find jobs that would provide for their families. Their home was known as the place one would feel safe as they would start their new lives in the States. The Chanthavanes became longtime residents of Mobile, Alabama where Savath became a pillar in her community. She was a true leader for her family and friends because of her selfless acts of service and her generous nature. Even after enduring some of life’s strongest battles, she graciously believed in having empathy for others and to always lead with kindness. By being brave and taking risks, she lived a blessed life and has finally found true, peaceful rest. Savath loved sharing meals with her family members, and loved cooking for her grandchildren. She spent time beside her husband growing vegetables in their garden, and they loved to share with others. Her favorite moments are the ones of watching her grandchildren growing up together, praying with others, and helping bring the community together. She was a skilled seamstress who loved seeing her garden filled with flowers, and hugging her grandchildren. Savath Chanthavane is survived by her three sons Khampheth (Pat) Chanthavane, Adethsack (Steve) Chanthavane, Arounsack(Arron) Chanthavane and her grandchildren Adele Chanthavane, Arlina Chanthavane, Georgiana Chanthavane-True, and Spence Chanthavane, and Logan Seabolt.

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Savath Chanthavane

December 1, 1945 - May 14, 2025