Mr.  Jerald Smith, age 59, 410 North Dooly Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed July 24, 2014  at the Phoebe Sumter Hospital, Americus, Georgia.  

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 31, 2014 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Whiteline Street, Montezuma, Georgia.
 
Jerald was born April 6, 1955  in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Norman Bateman and the late Mary Smith.    He was preceded in death by two siblings: Betty Brown and Johnny Smith.   He was a 1973 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School and a member of the Union Missionary Baptist Church.  Jerald had been employed with various companies, which included the Americus Sanitation Department of Americus, Georgia and Southern Frozen Food, Inc. of Montezuma, Georgia. After many years of dedicated service, he retired as a maintenance technician.
 
He is survived by a loving and devoted son, Jeremy Robinson, Warner Robins, Georgia; one granddaughter, Kaylen Robinson; one brother, Davis Smith, Montezuma, Georgia;  four nieces and nephews, Angela Jackson, Americus, Georgia, Albert Jackson, Antaures Jackson and Anthony Jackson; eighteen great nieces and nephews, Ashily Jackson, Adam Carson, Jr., Justin Carson, Sabrina Jackson, Marquel Jackson, Christian Jackson, Marcus Jackson, Quintavius Brown, Betty Jackson, Antaures Jackson, Evan Jackson, Alec Jackson, Mahogany Joiner, Abria Jackson, Anthony Jackson, II,  Amori Jackson, Tadrian Thomas,  and Aden Jackson; a host of beloved great nieces and great nephews; a host of cousins including four devoted, Gerallene  Brown, Travis Rock, Shannon Morris and Keelia Brown, Albany, Georgia; and a host of beloved friends.

Clyde J. Carson, age 71, 169 Ross Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Saturday, July 12, 2014 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.  Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. The Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia will officiate.

Mr. Carson was born June 4, 1943 in Macon County, Georgia to the late Luther Carson and Julia Mae Wilder Carson.  He was preceded in death by two siblings, Henry Carson and Luther Carson, Jr.  He was educated in the public school system of Macon County, whereas he acquired his elementary education at the old historic Rocky Mount School of Garden Valley Community.  He was employed with McKenzie Frozen Foods, Inc. for several years. Later he joined the work force of  Blue Bird Body Company of Fort Valley, Georgia.  After twenty-two years of dedicated services, he retired as an assembly line technician.  At a very early age, he joined the Freerun Missionary Baptist Church, Taylor County.  In his most recent time, he began to study Gideon Bible with the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Survivors include a beloved wife of 49 years, Mrs. Amye Carson, Montezuma, Georgia; two children, Christine McDonald and Adam Clyde Carson, both of Montezuma, Georgia; six grandchildren, Benecia McDonald and Ben Jamaal McDonald, both of Montezuma, Georgia, Adam Carson and Justin Carson, both of Americus, Georgia, Demarcus Slocomb and Alicia Slocomb, both of Lizella, Georgia; three siblings, Lillie Manson, Hartford, Connecticut, Clara Monford, Atlanta, Georgia and Loretha Brady (Ronnie), Smyrna, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joyce Carson, Montezuma, Georgia, Hazel Fuller, Roberta, Georgia, Inez Lizzie Wells, Atlanta, Georgia, Jonus Colbert (Lizzie) Oglethorpe, Georgia; two aunts, Mattie Will Gouch, Atlanta, Georgia and Lougia Henderson of Riverdale, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Carolyn Jolly Mallard, age 79, 713 Lewis Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed July 12, 2014 at the Macon Medical Center, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 17, 2014 at the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church, 415 Hosie Waters Street, Montezuma, Georgia.  The Reverend Hosie Waters, pastor, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Carolyn was born October 14, 1934 to the late Louise Benjamin McKenzie and Dan B. Clark.  She was preceded in death by four siblings: Alice Mae McKenzie, Willie James McKenzie, Mary Clark, and Henry McKenzie Jr.  She acquired her education in the public school system of Macon County, where she was a 1952 graduate of the historic Macon County High Training School.   As a graduate of MCHTS, she continued to be resourceful in maintaining the high standard of education of the historic MCHTS.  She was one of the recipients of the 1996 Macon County High Training School Service Award.   At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and Lord and joined the band of Christian believers at Magnolia Baptist Church of Montezuma, Georgia.   She served faithfully on the Women Missionary Auxiliary Board and Ushers Ministry Board.  She was a member of the Eunice Chapter No. 164 Order of Eastern Star. She was the recipient the 1999 District Educational Day Award and 1996 Complimentary Degree Queen Of The South.  She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Macon County and AARP.

Survivors include two children Gloria Mitchell (Ernest), Montezuma, Georgia and LaNorris Jolly (Barbara), Warner Robins, Georgia;  three grandchildren, Quinton J. Mitchell, Warner Robins, Georgia, Samaria D. Mitchell, Macon, Georgia, and Dana L. Mitchell, Montezuma, Georgia; one great grandchild, Jaiden A. Canady, Montezuma, Georgia; siblings, Muriel Harris (Willie James), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Betty Jean Clark, Jacqueline Clark, Manuel Clark, Constance Baldwin, Dan B. Clark Jr. all of Montezuma, Georgia,  and Daniel Clark, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; three sisters-in-law Liza B. Sanders (Thomas), Montezuma, Georgia, Elsie Martin, Warner Robins, Georgia, Mable Picken McKenzie, Sacramento, California; aunt, Dorothy Beal, Montezuma, Georgia: and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including a devoted relative Obie Ann Turner of Decatur, Georgia.

Larry “Sam” Barner, Sr., age 66, 308 River Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed Tuesday, July 7, 2014 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Monday, July 14, 2014 at the Saint James C.M.E. Church, Railroad Street, Marshallville, Georgia, where Reverend Billy Heard is pastor.  The Reverend Joe Richard Oglesby will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Colonel Felton Cemetery, Marshallville, Georgia.

Larry Barner, Sr., officially called “Sam,” was born July 3, 1948 to the late Mr. T.J. Barner and Ophelia Barner. He attended the public schools of Macon County. After many years of dedicated services, Larry retired from Tyson Chicken & Feed Plant of Oglethorpe, Georgia.

“Sam” was known and will be remembered for his heart-warming smile and conversations, his fancy Beetle cars, and his favorite place to go - Smiley's Flea Market.

He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted companion, Mary Frederick, Montezuma, Georgia, three children: Larry Barner II (Iris) of Macon, Georgia, Cynthia Frederick of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Angela Barner of Atlanta, Georgia; three children he raised as his own, Willie Frederick, East Point, Boris Black, Massachusetts, Christopher Stewart, Douglassville, Georgia; three sisters, Joyce Askew, Vertis Fuller, Imogene Barner, all of Marshallville, Georgia; nine brothers, T. J. Barner Jr., Herbert Barner, Terry Mcghee (Myrtice) of Marshallville, Georgia; Robert Barner (Betty) of Fort Myers, Florida, James Barner (Bert), Roger Barner, Hamp Barner, all of Miami, Florida, Claude Barner (Edith) of Jacksonville, Florida; 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild; two uncles, James Warren (Carrie) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Fred Towns of Reynolds, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including two close friends Eugene Crocker and Albert Brown. 

Mrs. Clara Colbert, age 79, 2161 Willow Lake Road, Fort Valley, Georgia passed on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at her residence surrounded by her loved ones.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 215 Railroad Street, Marshallville, Georgia.  Interment will follow in Colonel Felton Cemetery, Marshallville, Georgia. 

Clara White Colbert was born on September 20, 1934 in Marshallville, Macon County, Georgia to the late Willie White, Sr., and Lillie Johnson White. She was educated through the local public school in Marshallville, Georgia.  At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal savior. She was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, where she enjoyed attending services up until her health failed.  

Clara was joined in holy matrimony to Willie L. Colbert, and to this union, five children were born. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Vanessa, and eight siblings, Willie White Jr., Charlie White, Sr., Nathaniel White, Bessie M. West, Sam White, Eddie C.White, Dorothy Colbert, and Bobby White.

She leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to her husband, Willie L Colbert, Sr.; two sons Willie (Jacqueline) Colbert, Jr. and Gerald Colbert, both of Fort Valley, Georgia;  two devoted daughters, Gloria Colbert and Cassandra Colbert, both of Fort Valley, Georgia;  five grandchildren, three of which she reared as her own, Anvenitra Colbert, Fort Valley, Georgia, Randy Colbert, Sr., Fort Valley, Georgia, Rashad (Brittany) Colbert, Germany, Ashley Colbert, Hampton, Virginia, and Alexis Colbert, Fort Valley, Georgia; four great grandchildren, Randy Colbert Jr., Veronique Washington, Quron Colbert, and her special little helper who she called her little girl, Sannitra Colbert; step grandson, Courtney (Toya) Allen, and three step grandchildren, all of Fort Valley, Georgia; four siblings, Mary White, Fort Valley, Georgia, Mattie Wade, Shirley (Wesley) Culpepper, both of Decatur, Georgia, and Walter Crowder, Warner Robins, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, other relatives, and friends. 

Bobby Porter, age 63, 117 Winklefield Drive, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Midtown Medical Center, 701 Center Street, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Moody Road, Tazewell, Georgia.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.  The Reverend Joe Oglesby, pastor, will officiate.

Bobby Porter was born March 16, 1951 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to Harrison Porter, Jr. and the late Ida Mae Sales Porter.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Harrison Porter, III.    At the early age of 14, he joined the band of Christian Believers at Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Tazewell, Georgia.  He was educated in the public school system of Marion County.   Bobby was a 1969 graduate of Buena Vista High School.  In 1973, he graduated with a B. S. Degree from Fort Valley State University in Physical Education.  Bobby pursued a Master's Degree from Macon State University in Physical Education.

Bobby was employed with Lance, Inc. as a Sales Representative.  Bobby was employed with Twiggs County Board of Education as a Physical Education teacher for two years.  In 1973, he was married to the former Gail Foster Lawrence.  To this union, one daughter was born. After his accident on October 8, 1976, he received Rehabilitation from Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center and Emory Rehabilitation Center.  During that time, he received his certification in Sales Management.  Bobby was a member of West Central of Georgia-Fort Valley State University Alumni Chapter, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Survivors are a beloved daughter, Ida Nicole Adkins, Smyrna, Georgia; father, Harrison Porter, Jr., Buena Vista, Georgia; five siblings and their spouses, Calvin Swan (Thelma), Newark, New Jersey, Mae Lessie Swan, Brooklyn, New York, Ann Porter Germany (Anthony), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Doris Caldwell (Willie), Decatur, Georgia and Debra P. Graham, Buena Vista, Georgia; sister-in-law, Linda Slaughter Porter, Cuthbert, Georgia; eleven nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, Alma Ross (Moses), Buena Vista, Georgia, Ella Pearl Ramsey, Jacksonville, Florida, Louise Tennyson, Jimmy Porter (Ella), Irene Minter (Milton), all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Nancy Porter, Jacksonville, Florida, Eula Collins, Miami, Florida, Wilburt Sales, Sr., Mary Hansberry, both of Brooklyn, New York, Polly Finley (Neverlin), Miami, Florida, Billy Sales, Buena Vista, Georgia and Peggy Franklin, Plains, Georgia; a host of cousins and friends including two caretakers, Anne Melton and Kristin Melton.

Mr. Felton Minter, age 83, 81 Turkey Trail, Buena Vista, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Josh Gibson Center, Rogers Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Zion Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Reverend Coley Clark, Jr. will officiate.

Mr. Minter was born October 14, 1930 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to the late John Minter and Lucinda Jackson Minter. He was educated in the public school system of Schley County Georgia.

He was preceded in death by eight siblings:  Annie Mae Dixon, Edith Durrah, Bessie Adams, Smith Minter, Joseph Minter, Paul Minter, Robert Minter, and Irene Williams.

Survivors are a devoted wife of 61 years, Mary Lue Minter, Buena Vista, Georgia; four siblings, C.W. Minter (Rotha Mae), Rentz, Georgia, Milton Minter (Irene) Buena Vista, Georgia, Clarence Minter (Marjorie), and Willie Minter (Louise), all of Buena Vista, Georgia; sisters–in-law /brothers–in-law, Betty Ruth Myrick, Harvest, Illinois, Rosa Ramsey, Ernest Smith (Gracie), and Pecoral Holt (Roy), all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Naomia Edge (Eugene), Plains, Georgia, Movenia Smith, Hartford, Connecticut and Geneva Smith, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Johnny D. Cochran, Jr., age 54, 276 Travelers Rest Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed on Friday, June 20, 2014 at his residence.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 28, 2014 at First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where Rev. Paul McFarland is pastor. Minister Colby McKenzie will officiate.

Mr. Johnny Cochran Jr. was born on April 29, 1960 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Cora Bell and Johnnie Cochran Sr. Johnny was a 1978 graduate of D.F. Douglass High School in Montezuma, Georgia. He was employed with R.C.A Contracting Company for many dedicated years until his health declined in March 2014. Following his illness, Johnny was under the care of  Hospice Care Options. Johnny enjoyed hunting, fishing, car racing and watching western movies. His love for car racing showed through his love for his 1985 Chevy truck “The Beast”. He is preceded in death by three siblings, K.C. Cochran, Stephanie Cochran, and Gussie Cochran.

He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, Tovornea Cochran (Jessica) of Montezuma, Georgia, Johnathan Cochran (Marie), of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jeremy Cochran of Montezuma, Georgia; six grandchildren, Nancy Cochran, Towanda Cochran, Nathan Cochran, Jasmine Cochran, Trinity Cochran, and Nahla Cochran; three brothers, Jessie Cochran of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Wilbert Cochran of Vienna, Georgia, Delacy Cochran (Eloise) of Oglethorpe, Georgia; six sisters, Barbara Thompson of Hartford Connecticut, Bernice Lee (Amos) of Perry, Georgia, Sandra Davis, of Warner Robins, Georgia, Evelyn Rogers of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Margaret Cochran of Warner Robins, Joyce Cochran of Warner Robins, Georgia.; aunt and uncle, Ida M Green, Atlanta, Georgia, Frobell Cochran Sr. (Becky Mae), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and sorrowing friends, including a devoted cousin, Eugene Burnam.

Mrs. Linda D. Johnson Cephus was born on January 20, 1955 in Montezuma (Macon County), Georgia to the late Lillie Mae Davis Johnson and late John Thomas Haugabook. Linda’s godparents are J.C. and Hettie Oliver.

Mrs. Linda Johnson Cephus, age 59, departed her earthly life Thursday June 19, 2014, at the Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady Health System (formerly known as Grady Memorial Hospital) in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. A precious one from us is gone; a voice we love is still. A place is vacant in our hearts that can never more be filled.

The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Elder Michael Coley will officiate. Interment will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

She joined the Magnolia Baptist Church at an early age. She later became a dedicated working member at the First United Holiness Church where she served until her death.

She worked in every facet of the Church. She served as the Financial Secretary and Women’s Convention as Treasurer.

She was very instrumental in starting the Macon County Food and Clothing Bank as well as worked with the Georgia Legal Services.

She attended and graduated from Macon County High in Montezuma, Georgia; attended Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia; completed and obtained her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southwestern University, Americus Georgia; and obtained her Master’s degree from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. Linda was a teacher and a role model to so many of her peers. Her teacher career started in the Tri-County School System before moving to the Webster County School System. She was currently working as a 7th Grade Teacher at Macon County Middle School in Montezuma, Georgia.

Linda continues to live through the life of her husband Elzie Cephus Sr.; her five loving children,  Zelda (Nathaniel Jr.) Ashmon, Byron, Georgia, Elzie Cephus Jr., Lithonia, Georgia, Travis (Romona) Cephus,  Fairburn, Georgia, Lorenzé Cephus, Warner Robins, Georgia, Pamela Allen, Riverdale, Georgia. She raised Christopher (Renee) Reese, Byron, Georgia; Tommie (Bridgette) Griffin, Fairburn, Georgia; and Geneva (Jimmy) Molden, Lithia Springs, Georgia.

Linda’s grandchildren, Zariyah Ashmon, Nathaniel Ashmon III, and Noah Ashmon; Jaylen Cephus;  Camiyah Cephus, Taylor Coley, Adriel Cephus, and DaJon Cephus, Jasmine Allen; siblings Arthur (Aleen) Johnson,  Lakeland, Florida, William (Louise) Johnson,  Auburndale, Florida, Trent (Wanda) Johnson, Peoria, Illinois, John T.(Sandra)Haugabook, Warner Robins, Georgia, John E.(Tolley) Haugabook, Fort Myers, Florida, Thomas Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia; two aunts, Elizabeth (Willie) Larry and Eloise Nicholson; mother-in-law, Mrs. Emma Lee Cephus; sister-in-laws Mrs. Ida Johnson, Miami, Florida; Mrs. Vernessa Johnson, Perry, Georgia; Willie Mae Cephus, Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Mary Emma Davis and Cora Cephus, both of  Montezuma, Georgia. The brother-in-laws of Linda are Henry Cephus (Deceased); Jimmy and Joseph (Hazel) Cephus, both of Montezuma, Georgia; and Calvin (Anginette) Cephus of Perry, Georgia. godchildren Tarshea and Christopher Riley; and Leah Oliver; two god grandchildren, Christian Riley and Sha'Miyiah McKenzie; a  host of nieces, nephews, devoted friends and relatives, and Church family members including a special sister Bridgette(Paul)Johnson, Macon, Georgia.

Charlie Johnson, Geneva Reese, Gloria Griffin, Larry Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, and Mary Carrington all preceded Linda in death.

Linda Johnson Cephus Scholarship Fund 
C/O First United Holiness Church
P.O. Box 625 
Montezuma, Georgia 31063