Celeste Ruth Bybee
1952-2012
Celeste Ruth Bybee, age 60, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on April 24, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, following a short illness.
She was born on February 7, 1952, in Harrisburg, Illinois, to the late John Thomas Hauptmann and Ruth Mary (Kellerman) Hauptmann. On August 14, 1976, Celeste Hauptmann and John Bybee were married in the First Congregational Church of Ottawa, Illinois.
Celeste obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University in 1976 where she met her husband John. In 2004, she obtained her Master Degree in Early Education from Valdosta University.
Celeste was an educator at Eastside Elementary School in Douglas. Photography, arts and crafts, music, reading, culinary experimentation, and Master Gardener were a few of her avid interests. Beyond these hobbies, Celeste was an active member of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Douglas.
Surviving family members include her husband: John Bybee of Douglas, GA; two brothers: David Hauptmann and Gene Hauptmann of Harrisburg, IL; two nieces: Amanda Prather and Katie Prather of Harrisburg, IL; and two nephews: Caldwell Hauptmann of San Diego, CA and Ronnie Hauptmann of Bonita Springs, FL. Her parents and sister, Annette Prather of Harrisburg, IL, preceded Celeste in death.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Douglas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or the American Heart Association.