Beloved Port Arthur Matriarch Hargie Faye Jacobs Savoy Passes Away at 96

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Hargie Faye Jacobs Savoy, a lifelong resident of Port Arthur, Texas, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 96. Savoy was a beloved matriarch, faithful servant, and pillar of the Port Arthur community, known for her deep Christian faith, decades of civic service, and unwavering commitment to advancing the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Why it matters

Savoy's life and work were deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality. As the founder and longtime president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Support Group of Southeast Texas, she ensured that Dr. King's legacy would live on through generations of community members.

The details

Savoy was born in Port Arthur in 1929 and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949. She married Jewel Savoy Sr. in 1951, and together they raised four children. Savoy was a devoted member of Sixth Street Baptist Church and later Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. In addition to her work with the MLK Support Group, Savoy served in numerous civic organizations, including CHRISTUS St. Mary Hospital, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to justice and unity earned her many honors, including the Life Member Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, and the Freedom Award from the NAACP.

• Hargie Faye Jacobs Savoy was born on December 30, 1929, in Port Arthur, Texas.
• Savoy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949.
• Savoy married Jewel Savoy Sr. on May 5, 1951.
• Savoy passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 96.
• Savoy founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Support Group of Southeast Texas in 1986 and served as its president for over three decades.