Ellen Terry Minter, age 87, passed on February 19, 2020 at Magnolia Manor Marion County, Buena Vista, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held 12:00 P.M., Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 121 E Bridges Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow at Tazewell Cemetery, Tazewell, Georgia. 

William Woodson Jr. , age 52, passed on February 13, 2020.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, February 21, 2020 at St. Paul C.M.E. Church, GA Hwy 26, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery.

William Woodson Jr., also known as Junior, was born on June 2, 1967 in Brooklyn, New York to the late William Woodson Sr. and Josephine (Josie) Woodson. On February 13, 2020 William fell asleep in death at Mount Sinai Hospital.

William was educated in the New York City School System. Following his graduation he worked as a school fireman at Thomas Jefferson High School. 

William was dedicated to his work where he was employed for 34 years. His humble, self-sacrificing spirit endeared him to many. He had great qualities that made him a great son, brother, father and grandfather. 

He leaves behind his cherished children, Jasmine Woodson, Tyrell Woodson, Jaquan Woodson and his grandson Jaceyon; his sister, Beverlyn Gissett and her husband Alex and their daughter Briana; his sister, Evelyn Avery and her husband Andre and their son Kevin and daughters Sheann and Andrea; a host of aunts, uncles cousins, and friends. 

Mrs. Lunell Hannor McDonald, age 66, passed on February 12, 2020 at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at First United Holiness, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia.  Burial will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. 

Lunell Hannor McDonald was born December 21, 1953 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late John and Annie Mae Hannor. Lunell was married to the late Robert Lee McDonald, Sr. for 44 years and to this union they were blessed with four children.

Lunell was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie L. McDonald, Sr.; one grandson Ronnie L. McDonald, Jr.; and five siblings, Nancy Lee, Charles M., Rosa Marie, and Lewis, Jr. Hannor and Jessie Mae Cromer.

Lunell was educated in the Historic school of D. F. Douglass High and later moved to Bronx, New York where she graduated from the University of Touro.  She moved back to Macon County in 1994 and became the owner of McDonald Learning Center in Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Realizing that Jesus was her one and only Savior, she joined First United Holiness Church under the leadership of Elder Micheal Coley, Sr.

“Servant of God, well done, rest from thy love employ, the battle is fought, the victory is won, enter thy masters joy.”  

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, the Lord called her home. She will be remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved her. Survivors are her children: Cassandra Hannor of Montezuma, Georgia, Robert Lee McDonald, Jr. (Stephanie) of Perry, Georgia, Pamela McDonald of Warner Robins, Georgia, and granddaughter whom she reared as a daughter Nyneshia McDonald of Oglethorpe, Georgia; 12 grandchildren: Courtney, Cassy, Chelsey, Roshan, Joshua, Cam’ron, Kaitlynn, Kaela, Lenorris, Kayden, Kasim, and Kya; 7 great grand children: Peyton, Demya. Omariyah, Braylon, Brayah, Jeremiah, Azaria, and Tyler; Siblings: Mary K. Gray, Bronx, New York, John Henry Hannor, Sr. (Annie Bell) East Point, Georgia, Mary Louise Mathis, Niagara Falls, New York;  James Henry Hannor, Voncile Adams, Carolyn Hannor all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; Curla Hannor,  Sr. and Laura (Anias) Hubbard all of Montezuma, Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Reverend Willie C. Kleckley (Brenda) and Shirley Brown Cephus all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; one uncle, Frank Hannor of Fort Lauderdale, Flordia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

​Mr. Ernest Powell age 54, 56 Poplar Street, Ideal, Georgia passed Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia.

Ernest was born July 1, 1965 to the parents of the late Minor Edge and the late Essie Bell Powell. He was reared by his great aunt, the late Corene “Candy” Williams; aunt, the late Lorene “Bitty” Adams; and the late Ira Williams.

​Ernest was a member of Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church. He graduated from D.F. Douglass High School where he played Football. He was employed with the Thompson Chemicals Company, Conyers, Georgia.
​
He leaves to cherish his memories: two sisters, Ethel Adams and Yolanda Powell; one niece, Mikayla Jackson; three devoted cousins, Ollie Harris, Gwen Rucker and Mary Cochran; three devoted friends, Terrence Nelson, George Williamson, and Frances Respert; and a host of other relatives and friends.

​Larquenda Charmaine Abbott, age 41, 907 Lakeview Drive, Montezuma, Georgia passed Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday February 15, 2020 at Mt. Pleasant/Travelers Rest C.M.E. Church, 315 Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Montezuma, Georgia.

To Know Her Was To Love Her

Larquenda was born August 23, 1978 in Houston County, Georgia to Thelma Abbott and Jimmie B. Walters. She was preceded in death by two siblings, Duran Latauris Harris, Travis Burnam; her maternal grandfather, Essie B Abbott Sr., paternal grandparents, Catherine Walters, Elizjah; maternal great grandmother Isabel Hicks; great grandfather, Willie Hicks; and devoted cousin, Shenear Abbott. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County and was a 1997 graduate of the historic D.F Douglass High School. Following high school she was enlisted into the United States Army.  Over the years she was self-employed as a master barber.

She leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to her mother, Thelma D. Harris of Perry, Georgia; stepfather, William Harris, Oglethorpe, Georgia; siblings, Shagavya Harris of Perry, Georgia, Lafederia Hicks (Antoni) of Warner Robins, Georgia, Alisa Anderson (Keith) of Hampton, Georgia, Cornelius Abbott of Oglethorpe, Georgia; Rodridques Phillips of Lithonia, Georgia, Kareem Burnam (Shunda) Douglasville, Georgia, Morrell Burnam of Douglasville, Georgia, Kazinski Beal of Americus, Georgia, Lakevius Walters of Montezuma, Georgia, Timothy Rowland of Albany, Georgia; grandmother, Isabelle Abbott of Montezuma, Georgia; aunts, Sheronda Abbott of Jacksonville, Florida, Debra Bell-Dison of Albany, Georgia, Pauline Wynn, Lorene Brown, Bertha Ashmon, Clytie Walters, Atlanta, Georgia; uncles, Maurice Abbott,  Sr. (Ada) of Griffin, Georgia, Christopher Riley (Tarshia), Montezuma, Georgia, Essie B Abbott Jr. of Montezuma, Georgia, Charlie Journey of Americus, Georgia, Tony Westberry (Karen) Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Alonzo Smith, age 55, passed on February 7, 2020 at Perry Hospital, Perry Georgia.

The funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at St. James C.M.E. Church, 215 Railroad Street, Marshallville, Georgia. Burial will follow at Colonel Felton Cemetery in Marshallville, Georgia. 

Alonzo B’Nae Smith was born October 9, 1964 in Marshallville, Macon County, Georgia to the late Grover Smith and the late Edna Felton Hinton.  He was a 1982 graduate of Macon County High School.  He enlisted into the United States Marine in 1982.  He was a member of the Saint James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Marshallville, Georgia where he served on the Usher Board Ministry.  He enjoyed fishing, gardening, he enjoyed playing and watching football and playing baseball.  He was a fun-loving guy.

He leave a legacy of many fond memories to his beloved family which include two children, Jerdarrius G. Nedd, Sr. Marshallville, Georgia and Roydeshia Brown, Oglethorpe, Georgia; five grandchildren, Jerdarrius G. Nedd, Jr., Melody Trimble and Ahmir Ja’Torri. Harpe, Q’Teira Brown and Q’Teyanna Clements; two siblings, Shirley H. Rice (Clarence) and Sandra H. Battle all of Marshallville, Georgia; aunt, Caura Felton Johnson, Chicago, Illinois; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews including two devoted, Lakise Wheeler and Larry Barner, Jr.; a host of beloved great nieces and great nephews including several devoted, Jordyn Wheeler, Alisa Solomon, Larry Barner, III, Derrick Barner and Isaiah Barner; other cousins and friends including special ones, Mary Postell, Brenda Edwards, Vernon McDougald, Charles McGhee, Paulett Crocker, Tommy Harden, Rudolph Felton and Eddie Felton; and many other loved ones including the Marshallville Community at large.

Hubert Tymes, age 75, passed on February 4, 2020 at Columbus Hospice, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Josh B. Gibson Center, 20 Gibson Way, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow Bethel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Firehouse Tower Road, Cusseta, Georgia.

​Hubert Tymes was born into humble beginnings Wednesday, September 6, 1944, in Marion County, Georgia to a farmer and housewife, the late Mr. Eathern, Sr. and Mrs. Annie (Slaughter) Tymes. Being that of a country boy and second eldest son, Hubert quickly gained character traits and work ethics that would last him a lifetime. From a young man, Hubert took on responsibility with great determination and diligence. “A man’s word is his bond.” He would often quote his father in preaching this lesson to his own children and all with which he came in contact.

As Hubert grew up, he was formally educated in the Marion County School System, graduating from Buena Vista High School in the spring of 1962 with classmates who would remain close friends and would draw even closer this last month visiting him often and lifting him up in prayer. In combination with his giving spirit and variety of talents and skills, he found himself constantly working and/or helping people. He was dedicated to his work at Redman Homes for over 30 years, but perhaps more dear to his heart was his entrepreneurial endeavors as a master barber for his community for 37 years. Though never receiving formal training in barber school, he traveled to Atlanta and passed the state test to earn his master barber license.  With that in hand, he began an apprenticeship in September of 1966 under the guidance of Mr. Ruben Woods and eventually took ownership of the shop until 2003.

Aside from making a living and instead focusing on establishing a legacy, Hubert found a good thing when he found a most virtuous woman, the late Mrs. Lucile Daniel Tymes. October 15, 1972, a Sunday afternoon on the porch of Reverend Faval Napper, Hubert and Lucile were joined in holy matrimony. In addition to being a husband to the late Mrs. Lucile Daniel Tymes, Hubert is also father to Sonya Faulk (Wendell) of Buena Vista, GA; Gregory White (Shauntee) of Omaha, NE; Torica Tymes and Cassandra Porter (Brian) both of Buena Vista, GA, and a grandfather to 9: Joshua Faulk, Talayia Searcy of Atlanta, GA; Dequan and Taya White of Enterprise, AL; Gabrielle White of Omaha, NE; Daniel, Briana and Thomas Porter of Buena Vista, GA and Kaison Tymes of Buena Vista, GA.

Dr. King said that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge. This is most fitting for Hubert. Later in life, Hubert experienced challenges both spiritually and physically. Instead of giving up, he perhaps lived his best life. He accepted Jesus as his Savior and joined St. Mark Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James Thomas. Despite drear medical diagnosis, Hubert had a wall experience like that of Hezekiah and in Room 6 of Columbus Hospice called upon the Lord to extend his life. The Lord heard his cry and extended his life by almost 17 years. Then in His infinite wisdom and master orchestration, on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, in Room 6 of Columbus Hospice, the Lord called his servant home from earthly labor to his heavenly reward.

Hubert was preceded in death by his parents, wife and grandson, Joshua Faulk; brothers: Herman, Adam, Jonah, and Johnnie David Tymes; sister: Eva Mae Thornton; brothers-in-law: King David Thornton, King Edward, Albert, Joe, Arthur James, Johnnie, and David Daniel, Samuel and George Neal, Sr.; and sisters-in-law Aretha Tymes, Ola Mae Neal, and Julia Neal. He was not preceded but instead sweetly joined just hours after by his sister, Francis Tymes Pless.

The legacy Hubert leaves behind is one of courage, tenacity and love. He will be missed by all he touched.  To cherish his memories he leaves: his four children, eight grandchildren, three siblings: Eathern Tymes, Sr. (Ardessa) of Buena Vista, GA, Patricia Nixon (David) of Newnan, GA, Edward Tymes, Sr. (Roslyn) of Midland, GA; eight sisters-in-law: Eva Daniel, Geraldine Daniel, and Rose Tymes all of Buena Vista, GA, Rosabell Tymes of Cusseta, GA, Joyce Daniel of Powder Springs, GA, Carolyn Allison of Birmingham, AL, Lillian Daniel of West Palm Beach, Florida and Frances Tymes of Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers-in-law: Robert Daniel of Buena Vista, GA and Pete Pless of Americus, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

​Bessie Jones, age 74 , passed on December 4, 2019.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Brown Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, HWY 224, Montezuma, Georgia.

Bessie was born in Macon County, Georgia the late Walter Davis and the late Annie Davis on March 14, 1945. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Cora Manghram, Annie Kate Burnette, Katie Williams, Dan Davis, James Davis, John W. Davis, Gloria Jean Allen and Mary Lois Davis.

She is survived by siblings, Eunice Freeman, Fort Myers, FL, Eula Wilborn, Lyons, New York, Mary Darity, Montezuma, Georgia, Willie B. Davis, Willie C. Davis, Dora Kate McCants, and Nellie Mae Harris,  St. Petersburg, Florida; goddaughter, Susie Mae Manghram; a host of nieces and nephews.

Henry Robert Beal, age 73, passed on January 28 ,2020 at Montezuma Health and Rehabilitation in Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M., Sunday, February 2, 2020 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Johnson Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mr. Henry Robert Beal, well known as Robert was born June 5, 1946 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Willie Beal and Dorothy Hall Beal. He was preceded in death by his siblings George Beal, Willie Arthur Beal Jr., Helen Hubbert, and Dorothy Beal Loman. He was educated in the Macon County Public School system where he was a graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School. Robert accepted Jesus Chris as his personal Savior and joined the Mt. Zion AME Church of the New York Community and later along with his parents he joined the Travelers Rest CME of Montezuma, Georgia.

He worked for the Macon County Board of Education for several years before pursing his dream of owning his own business as a painter, carpenter, and electrician.

Robert enjoyed life to the fullest. He enjoyed being around his family and friends, telling folktales and making people laugh. He was very well known in the community and loved by many.

He leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to his wife, Vera Harpe Beal, Ideal, Georgia; his children, Bertha (Jerome) Clark, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Melinda Queen, Unadilla, Georgia, Tiecha Beal, Ideal, Georgia, Latorsha Town, Montezuma, Georgia and Brian Sanders, Atlanta, Georgia; a son he raised as his own, Otis Burden, Atlanta, Georgia; twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; siblings, Annie Lue Smith, Millard (Jannie) Beal, Obie Beal, Tommie (Cynthia) Beal, Raymond Beal, Beverly (Hayward) Hopper, Harriet Brown, and Willie Sanders; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marion Smith, Betty Harpe, Elzie Fulks all of Ideal, Georgia, Tarry (Barbara) Harpe Oglethorpe, Georgia and Eddie Harpe, Brooklyn, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

​Claude Deriso, Sr., 78, 125 A., Americus, Georgia passed Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Center, Americus, Georgia.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the New Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, Hook Mill Road, Leslie, Georgia. The Reverend Jesse Watts will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.
 
Mr. Deriso was born December 6, 1941 to the late Homer Deriso and Lula Mae Brown Deriso. Two siblings, McArthur Deriso and Bobbie Mae Deriso, preceded him in death. He was educated in the public school system of Sumter County.  At an early age he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at the United Headquarters Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Overseer Aaron Snipes.  After many years of dedicated services he retired as a vegetable farmer after being employed with Earl Bass and Powers Farm, Inc.
 
He was married to his one and only love of his life, Mrs. Gradean Denson Deriso, for fifty-seven loving years.  He was the father of eight children, twenty eight grandchildren and a host of beloved great grandchildren.
 
He leaves a legacy of love and fond memories to his beloved family which include: his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Gradean Denson Deriso, Americus, Georgia; his beloved children, Barbara Tatum, Covington, Georgia, Jacqueline Deriso Barnes, Claude Deriso, Jr. (Regina), Roscoe Deriso (Helen), Lisa Deriso all of Americus, Georgia, Tony Deriso (Wanda), Plains, Georgia, Brenda Wafford (Derrick), Americus, Georgia, Shawn Deriso (Latrena), Cordele, Georgia; twenty-eight grandchildren including three he reared, Kenisha Floyd, Taurus Deriso and Ronkeivous Deriso; and two who were very dedicated, Adrienne Reese and Crystal Deriso; one sister, Shirley Diann Deriso, Albany, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pearlie Davis, Johnny Davis (Gwen), Terry Davis, Johnnie L. Davis and William Davis; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.