​Mr. Lewis Merrell, Jr. passed January 17, 2020 at the age of 67.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Byromville, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery.

​​Life had its beginning for Mr. Lewis Merrell, Jr. on August 28, 1952 in Dooly County Georgia. He was born to the late Little Lewis Merrell and Sarah Hardrick Merrell. He was a very caring and loving person. He was not only loved by his family, but loved by many people and that love was reciprocated. At an early age he joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Dooly County.

He was educated in the public school system of Byromville Elementary and Vienna High School, in Dooly County. For many years he worked for Southern Frozen Foods in Montezuma, GA, Gold Kist in Cordele, GA, Southern State, Byromville, GA, and Macon County Public Works, Oglethorpe, GA. He worked for Macon County Public Works for over 15 years and retired after his health began to decline. Lewis was dedicated and a hard worker on all of his jobs. Lewis leave a legacy of love from all of his family, friends, and people who met him. He will be remembered by all of the lives he touched.  

On Friday, January 17, 2020 a life is gone and Mr. Lewis Merrell, Jr. will be greatly missed. We will always remember his great smile. A precious one from us is gone; a voice we love is still. A place is vacant in our hearts that can nevermore be filled. We thank God for embracing us and allowing us the opportunity to share moments in his life that will never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his beloved companion, Samantha Butts. His father and mother. His paternal grandparents Mr. Lewis Merrell, Sr. and Roberta Postell Merrell. His maternal grandparents Wilbert Hardrick and Annie Lou Hardrick. Also, his brother, Willie Merrell, and his cousin who was raised like a brother Jerome Merrell. 

Left to cherish his memories are his son Deon Merrell and step-son Gary Thomas. His devoted siblings, Wilbert Merrell (Linda), Montezuma, Georgia, Paul Merrell (----) , Atlanta, Georgia, Arthur L. Merrell (Denise), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Ricky Merrell (Tomica), Unadilla, Georgia, Bobby L. Merrell (Jackie), Pinehurst, Georgia, Antonyo Merrell (Andrea), Hinesville, Georgia, Doris Merrell, Vienna, Georgia.  A sister-in-law Patricia Merrell, Chattanooga, Tennessee; A brother-in-law James Butts, Garden Valley, Georgia; Uncle RC Merrell and Auntie Sally Merrell Lilly, Georgia; Aunties: Annie Mae Miller Mt. Vernon, New York, Mamie Sanders (Lewis) Lilly, Georgia, Maenell Hardrick Vienna, Georgia, Mary Merrell Vienna, Georgia, Shirley Mathis Vienna, Georgia.   A host of beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. The De’Vita Dialysis Center Staff and Montezuma Health Care Patients and Staff became a part of his family. 

Roosevelt Matthews passed on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

New York area wake and funeral services: Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn, 460 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York.  Wake service at 9:00 A.M., followed by funeral at 11:00 A.M.

Georgia area memorial and interment: Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1908 Dozier Road, Ellaville, Georgia.  Memorial at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Roosevelt Matthews was born to the late Nathaniel and Mary L. Haynes Matthews on May 7, 1936.  He accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Ellaville, Georgia.

He was educated in the public school system of Schley County, Georgia and was a 1954 graduate of Ellaville High School.  He was valedictorian of his class.  He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1957.  From 1957 to 1959, he attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1960, Roosevelt moved to New York City, where he lived for more than 50 years; Harlem, then Brooklyn. While in New York, he was employed as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service and as a Surface Line Operator for the New York City Transit Authority from 1966 until his retirement in 1986.

In 1968, he married Miss Brenda Dingle at Calvary A.M.E. Church in Brooklyn, New York and to this union they were blessed with two sons, Scott and Brett.

He joined the band of Christian believers at Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.  Roosevelt enjoyed singing in the choir and in 1999, he became a Deacon of Bethany.

In 2005, Roosevelt found love again; marrying Mrs. Norva Sharpe, also a member of Bethany Baptist Church.

On Sunday, January 12, 2020 the angel of death swiftly moved and released our beloved Roosevelt from his pain and called him home to rest.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his loving and devoted wife, Norva and her family, Brooklyn, New York; his sons, Scott and his wife Meg, Scituate, Massachusetts, and Brett and his wife Crysta, Mt. Kisco, New York; his grand-daughters Julia and Hannah Matthews, Scituate, Massachusetts; his sisters Barbara Ann Jackson, Columbus, Georgia, and Thelma Haynes, Fortson, Georgia; nephew James Jackson, Jr. and his wife Jacqueline, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; nieces Barbara L. Jackson, Melissa Hefflin, Charice Jackson, and Tanisha Y. Habersham and her husband Jimmy, Columbus, Georgia, and many beloved great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Deacon Roosevelt Matthews is asking that persons make a donation to the American Cancer Society.

​Betty Johnson, age 73, passed on January 14, 2020 at Miona Geriatric and Dementia Center, Ideal, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 20, 2020 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Minister Carl Green will officiate.

Betty was born on April 13, 1946 to the late Alton Williams and Ada Mae Gisbon. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Martha Duncan, and three siblings, Jessie Lee Nellie, Rose Williams, and Barbara Williams. She was educated in the public system of Lee County. She was employed by Southern Bell as a Janitor. Betty was married to the late James Johnson.

She is survived by three children, Joe Gisbon (Alice), Albany, Georgia, Mary Duncan Green (Charlie James), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Johnnie Roy Duncan (Eunice), Albany, Georgia; 26 grandchildren, including four devoted Amanda Duncan, Jonathan Duncan, Demond Duncan, and Sonja Nelson; a host of great grandchildren; siblings Joan Williams, Albany, Georgia, Alvin Smith, Albany, Georgia; a host of nieces and nephews and cousins and other relatives.

Deacon Ernest Griffin, Sr., age 98, passed on January 12, 2020 at his residence surrounded by loved ones.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Friendship Baptist Church, 411 Cotton Avenue, Americus, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia.

Deacon Ernest Griffin, Sr., the son of the late Milton Griffin and Johnnie Mae Brown, was born on June 29, 1921 in the city of Bronwood, the county of Terrell, and the state of Georgia. He was educated in the public school system of Terrell County.  His Christian background had it beginning in the First Bronwood Missionary Baptist Church of Bronwood, Georgia. His Christian training materialized this young man to be a devout Christian and dedicated church member.  He was ordained into the deacon ministry and later appointed as chairman of the Deacon Board Ministry. He supported every facet of the church he loved so well until his health failed.  Even though his health failed the church and its members were deeply embedded in his heart.

As a firm believer in Christ Jesus, Deacon Griffin set the foundation in his home with his wife, Louise, his children and grandchildren. They would have nightly prayer meeting, always praying for his children and church family. He would lift a hymn while Louise would lift her voice to Christ in prayer and song.  The children were taught bible verses and they repeated them during the service.  The memory of the nightly devotion will always be remembered and treasured within our hearts.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Louise; four children, Ernest James Griffin, Jr., Shirlene Griffin Adams, Albert Douglas Griffin, Connie Will Griffin; two grandson, Albert Milton Griffin,  Albert Douglas Griffin.; eleven siblings, Elizabeth Griffin Gaines, Clemmie Dodson, James Field Parker, Pauline Robinson, Roscoe Griffin, Jimmy Griffin, Bennie Griffin, Eddie Griffin, Sr., Essie Mae Massengill, Sarah Glover, and  Ozie Dell Wright.

Ernest was a World War II veteran and served during the Korean War. He was the recipient of several ribbons and metal commemorations.  The country he served was very appreciative for the service he rendered.

Ernest Griffin was a dedicated member and gold card holder of the Bartholomew Masonic Lodge #177 of Plains, Georgia.

On Sunday, January 12, 2020, Ernest Griffin, Sr. joined that great caravan which transitioned him from his earthly home  to his eternal home in heaven.  A home not built with hands but eternal in heaven.

Those who are left behind will cherish his legacy and love which include three daughters, Peggy Patterson (Will), Akron, Ohio, Pearline Marlin (Harold), Americus, Georgia, Joyce G. Dice, Americus, Georgia, and; nineteen grandchildren, Stg. Major Tyeez (Cordell) Gailliard, Sierria Vista, Arizona, LaTwinthia (Bobby) Hinton, Byron, Georgia, Tarsha Tarver, Brunswick, Georgia, Constance (Bernard) Lamb, LaShaunda Griffin, Contessa Moss, Stacy Adams, Lisa Adams, Kelsey (Mary) Adams, Marsha Robinson, Karen Reddick, Courtney Griffin, Nicole (Rick) Scott, Shenna Griffin, Latoya Griffin, Regina P. (Dorian) Davis, Ja Sand Patterson, Akron, Ohio, Nikita (Kareem) Hyman, Michael Douglas Griffin, Bayshore, New York; forty-one great grandchildren, and fifty great great grandchildren; five siblings, Delmarie (Johnathan) Judge, Monroe (Yolanda) Griffin, Milton (Jacquelyn) Griffin, and Otis Griffin; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wordly, Orland, Florida, W. Florence Gant, Hartford, Connecticut,  Bessie Smith, Yvonne Griffin, Atlanta, Georgia, Wilma Griffin, Gwendolyn Griffin and Celestine Griffin; all of Albany, Georgia  a host of beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and friends including caregivers and the Sheffield Street neighbors and the Phoebe Sumter Hospice Care.

​Mary Florence Walker Hillman, age 67, passed Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Long Term Acute Rehabilitation Hospital, Warm Springs, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 18, 2020 at First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Felton Chapel Church Cemetery, GA Hwy 128, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mary was born March 7, 1952 to the late Lula McKellar Walker and A.C. Walker. Her daughter, Kia LaShawn Hillman, and four siblings, Jack Walker, Betty Fulks, Wynell Walker and Joyce Felton, also preceded her in death. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County where she attended the historic D.F. Douglass High School. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at Felton Chapel Church.

“Mae Florence”, as she was affectionately called, was a homemaker and well known in the community. She was an outgoing fun person to be around who everybody loved.  To know her you couldn’t help but to love her, she always carried a big beautiful smile and she was a super fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

She leaves to cherish her memories ten children, LaTonya McCants (Milton), Marvin Hillman (Lelia), all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Rhonda Hillman, Montezuma, Georgia, Stanley Henderson, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Sherri Hillman, Montezuma, Georgia, Reginal Hillman, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Gwendolyn Allen, Freddie Allen, Shaqindor Hillman, and Ti’Juan Hillman, all of Warner Robins, Georgia; twenty-three grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; ten siblings, Larry Walker, Charlie Walker, Peggy Walker, Annie Mae Hill and Alice Green (Carl, Sr.) all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Robert Walker, Minnie Walker, Frank Walker, and J.B. Walker all of Atlanta, Georgia; one step-sister, Estella Kazinazruf, Oglethorpe, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Rosa “B” Walker and one brother-in-law, Howard Felton; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including two devoted friends Patricia Stewart and Barbara Ann McKellar.

Warren Brown Jr., age 60, passed on January 13, 2020 at the Coliseum Medical Center, Macon, Georgia.

The homegoing service will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Brown Chapel Baptist Church, Highway 224, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery.

Warren was born on February 27, 1959 to Mary Lizzie Prator Brown and the late Warren Brown, Sr. in Montezuma, Georgia.  He was preceded in death by two siblings, Linda Brown and Ernest Brown.  At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian Believers at Brown Chapel Baptist Church. He later moved his membership to St. Paul Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County and was a 1978 graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School. Following high school, Warren attended Fort Valley State College majoring in Electronic Engineering. Soon after, Warren found his calling in law enforcement. He became a POST certified Police Officer. He was employed for over 30 years within Macon County serving as a police officer in both the Montezuma and Marshallville police departments faithfully until he retired. He earned the rank of Sergeant. He was also employed with Proctor & Gamble. As a community servant, Warren served on the Marshallville City Council as Mayor pro-tem and police liaison. On August 24, 2013, two hearts became one when Warren and Marilyn Rumph were joined in holy matrimony. Warren was a people person who loved to fish, travel, garden and sit on his patio porch talking to family and friends.

On Monday morning, January 13, Jesus sent his angels to guide him home.  When he reached Heaven he said my cares are all past, I’m home at last.   

Left to cherish his memory are a devoted wife, Marilyn Brown, Marshallville, Georgia; two devoted sons, Octavious Brown (Mary), Fort Valley, Georgia, Antonio Brown (Denise), Warner Robins, Georgia, and a daughter, Briana Quinn, Ideal, Georgia; stepchildren, Shenita Joseph (Mike), Bonaire, Georgia, Rickey Barrett, and Carlislie Barrett, both of Perry, Georgia, Shanjelicia McClendon, Shakierya McClendon, Shaniekia McClendon, Antravon McClendon, Vontavious Moore; grandchildren, Ericka, Takeia, and Michael Willis, D’Nautica Peavy and Marquez Barrett, Ja’Core Daniels, Shamar Joseph, Khanijah Ellison; a loving and caring mother, Mary Lizzie Brown, Marshallville, Georgia; siblings, Hozie Brown, Mary King (Ricky), all of Warner Robins, Georgia, Liman Brown, Marshallville, Georgia, Willie L. Brown of Warner Robins, Georgia, Michael Brown (Virginia), Marshallville, Georgia; aunts, Bernice Brown, Miami, Florida, Catherine Taylor, Marshallville, Georgia; father/mother-in-law, Jeff & Betty Rumph, Montezuma, Georgia; brother-in-law, Jasper Rumph, Perry, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including devoted friends Emmitt Worthy, Sr.

​Ella Louise Golden, affectionately called “Pat”, passed on January 8, 2020 at the age of 75 at Lillian Carter Nursing Center in Plains, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, January 13, 2020 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery, Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

Ella was born in Americus, Georgia to the late Annie Kate Edge Golden and the late Willie Golden Sr. on January 14, 1944. A baby boy and four siblings, Mary Lou Paul, Amos Golden, Willie Golden Jr., and Claude Golden, preceded her in death. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined Antioch Baptist Church. She was employed as a domestic worker for many years. She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Jessie Monts.

Pat leaves to cherish her memories: four siblings Willie Mae Wilson, Warner Robins, Georgia, Eddie Reath Golden, Americus, Georgia,  James Golden, Warner Robins, Georgia, and  Annie Ruth Livingston, Gaston, South Carolina; brother and sister-in-law, Henry Battle, Louise Golden; three nieces whom she reared as her own, Dorothy Jean Mathis (Johnny) Desoto, Georgia, Marilyn Mance (Sidney), Kissimmee, Florida, Evangelist Helen Barlow of Americus, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, including a devoted cousin, Ethel Calloway (Joe).