Savola Lautania (Garlington) Marks was born May 9, 1951 to the late George and Elsie Garlington in Beckley, West Virginia. She passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky.

At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in McAlpin, West Virginia, then united with Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Nelson B. Staples, Sr. in Beckley, WV. After moving to Lexington, she united with Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. J. Sterling Beverly.

Savola graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969. She worked at Cape Cod Restaurant, then St. Joseph Hospital as a surgical technician while attending vocational school for nursing. Later, she attended Kentucky State University while working towards her degree in early childhood development.

In 1971, she married the love of her life, Mr. Lee Ernest Marks, Sr. It was together that they joined her education together with her passion for caring for others into a sprawling and successful business venture. They opened and operated four child care centers throughout the Lexington area. The first was in 1982, called Smurf's Den located at 518 Ash Street. The last, Children's Treehouse of Knowledge at Third & Ohio Streets, is still going strong.

In addition to her parents, Savola was preceded in death by a son, Steven Lamont Marks; a brother, George Garlington; and a nephew, George Garlington, Jr.

Savola leaves to cherish her memories, her beloved husband of 51 years, Lee Ernest Marks, Sr.; a surviving son, Lee (Tammy) Marks, Jr.; three grandchildren, Leenisha (Jake) Marks-Morrison, Isreal Marks and Anthony Franklin; two great-grandchildren, Jenesis Morrison and Lael Morrison; siblings, Joyce Brazelton, Anthony (Arletta) Garlington, Debra (Marvin) Banks and Alice (David) Wilson (cousin/sister); Darnell Roberts who was like her son; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, all of the many children she had the pleasure of teaching over her long career; and special friends, Lillian Bunton, Kita Marks and others.