John Lowe, Jr., age 69, 12740 State Route 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia passed Monday, January 28, 2013 at the Coliseum Medical Center, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Reverend Dr. George Porter, Jr., pastor of Shade Arnold Missionary Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Shade Arnold Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia. The repast will follow at the Shade Arnold Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the burial.

John Lowe, Jr. was born to the proud parentage of Elene Adams Lowe and the late John Lowe, Sr. March 11, 1943 in Macon County, Montezuma, Georgia. Born in a family of four siblings, he was preceded in death by one brother, Elmer Lowe, April 20, 2011. John was educated in the public school system of Macon County where he acquired his elementary education from the Flint River Farm School and later obtained his high school diploma from the historic D. F. Douglass High School in 1962. John as well as his other siblings was brought up in a home where God was given the honor and praise. His parents also taught him work ethics. His first job was on his father’s farm, where he learned and helped with planting and cared for the farm animals. Beyond the farm, his second job was forklift driver on the docks of McKenzie Frozen Food Plant. As the years began to pass, he desired more for his family and obtained a job with Armstrong of Macon, Georgia in 1971. After thirty-six years, seven months, and thirteen days, John retired as a Group Leader in 2003. After retirement John continue to farm, but he found the love and joy of his life in remodeling antique cars along with his son, Michael. They were the founders and owners of Lowe’s Paint and Body Shop. John was the recipient of several trophies.

John accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at the Shade Arnold Missionary Baptist Church where he supported every facet of the church he loved so well.  John was united in holy matrimony to the former Donnie Adkison and was blessed to be the father of three children and seven grandchildren. John loved his family dearly and that love was reciprocated. He was a great son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

He leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to his beloved family which include: a loving and devoted wife, Donnie Adkison Lowe, Montezuma, Georgia; his beloved children, Jackie Lowe, Mableton, Georgia, Michael Lowe (Contina), Montezuma, Georgia and Laquarlia Lowe Williams (Minister Brandon), Byron, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Saleta Butler, Kiera Lowe, Derronsdel Lowe, Noah Lowe, Myriah Lowe, Jaylen Lowe and Landon Williams; mother, Elene Adam Lowe, Montezuma, Georgia; two brothers, Billy Lowe (Lela) Atlanta, Georgia and Larry Lowe (Laverne) Warner Robins, Georgia; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willie B. Felder, Sr. (Martha Kate), Henderson, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rose Childs (Lyndon) Pinehurst, Georgia, Gloria Campbell (Rev. Chauncey), Beaufort, South Carolina, Dorothy Buckholts (Timothy) Albany, Georgia, Wanda Gomez (Tony) Warner Robins, Georgia, Sandra West (Otis), Perry, Georgia, Rosa Adams (Kilroy) Unadilla, Georgia, Willie B. Felder, Jr. (Jenatha) Perry, Georgia, Carla Archie (Robert) Fayetteville, North Carolina, Keith Felder (Kesha) Warner Robins, Georgia, Torry Felder, Delray Beach, Florida and Tabathy Felder, Kathleen, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Louise Lowe, Doris Adam both of Perry, Georgia, Dorothy Jean Williams, Jimmy Williams both of Montezuma, Georgia and Rose Mitchell Hartford, Connecticut, Emma Adkison, Henderson, Georgia, Marie McGhee, Orlando, Florida, Virginia Johnson (Willie), Henderson, Georgia, Geneva Taylor, Elizabeth, New Jersey, Connell Felder, Marshallville, Georgia, Fletcher Freeman (Rosetta), Mike Freeman, Monroe Freeman all of Montezuma, Georgia and Pauline Rumph, Perry, Georgia; godchildren, Kimora Childs, London Childs, Terro Parker, Lyndon Childs, Jr. and Chelsea Childs; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jimmie Lee Biggs Perry, age 93, 1820 Bunker Hill Rd., Columbus, Georgia passed Friday, January 25, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the New Home Baptist Church, 168 Tower Point Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Rev. Bruce McKenzie, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 30 New Providence Rd., Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mrs. Perry a native of Sumter County and a citizen of Buena Vista, Georgia was born October 22, 1919 to the late Jessie Biggs, Sr. and Eldora Thomas Biggs. She was preceded in death by three siblings: Rev. Jessie Biggs, Jr., Hosie Bailey and Thornton Biggs. She was educated in the public school system of Marion County, Georgia. At an early age she joined the New Home Baptist Church and served on the Hospitality Committee and Usher Ministry Board for a number of untiring years. She was married to the late Mercer Perry, Sr. and to this union they were blessed with eleven children. One daughter, Iona Burdett, preceded her in death. After many years of dedicated services, she retired as a homemaker.

Survivors are ten children, Eugene Perry (Amzie Bell), Pahokee, Florida, Mercer Perry Jr. (Elizabeth), Indian Town, Florida, Richard Perry (Sarah Johnson), Buena Vista, Georgia, Charlie Perry (Marilyn), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Jimmie Lou Perry Walton, Lithonia, Georgia, Benjamin Perry (Diana), Columbus, Georgia, Linda Smith, Stone Mountain, Georgia, Mildred Perry, Riverdale, Georgia, Dessie Perry, Decatur, Georgia and David Perry, Buena Vista, Georgia; twenty-one grandchildren and host of great grandchildren; two siblings, Annie Miller, Pahokee, Florida and Bessie McKnight, Miami, Florida: one sister-in-law, Allie Vann Biggs, Pahokee, Florida: and a host nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Bobbie Jean Brown Preston, age 61, 1346 Georgia Highway 27 East, Americus, Georgia passed Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Phoebe Sumter Hospital, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Chokee Road, DeSoto, Lee County, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Mrs. Preston was born August 22, 1951 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Lillie Brown Smith. She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County, where she was a 1972 graduate of Union High School, Leslie, Georgia. She joined Antioch Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of Reverend Reynolds. She served faithfully as a choir member, usher and Church secretary. She retired from Lillian Carter Nursing Home of Plains, Georgia after four years of dedicated services as a housekeeper.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two children; Trista Brown-Jenkins (Ray) and Feliciano Miquel Brown all of Americus, Georgia; a loving mother, Lillie Brown Smith, DeSoto, Georgia; husband, Charles Preston, Hartford, Connecticut; seven grandchildren, Raylin Jenkins, Rayona Jenkins, Brittney Myers, Felicia Brown, Quantavious Brown, Kadarius Washington and Ray Charles Jenkins, Jr.; one great grandchild, Lashayla Myers; two sisters, Cynthia Everett and Doreen Swain both of DeSoto, Georgia; two brothers, Alphonso Swain (LaSandra), Americus, Georgia and Carl Swain Albany, Georgia; brother-in-law/sister-in- law, Wash Girven (Jackie) Goodwater, Alabama; one aunt, Margaret Wright Cobb, Georgia; a host of beloved  nieces, nephews including a devoted niece, Amber Swain, DeSoto, Georgia, a host of others relatives and friends including a devoted friend, Betty Smith Americus, Georgia.

Isaac Gentle Lee Mathis, Jr., age 75, passed Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Pine Pointe Hospice Facility, 6261 Peak Road, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Shelton Temple Church of God In Christ, 231 East 5th Avenue, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 30 New Providence Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Elder Charlie Kelly will officiate.

Isaac Gentle Lee Mathis, Jr. was born January 24, 1937 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to the late Isaac Mathis, Sr. and Mattie Fate Mathis. He was preceded in death by three siblings, Richard Mathis, Alfred Mathis and Cora Mathis. He was educated in the public school system of Marion County. When he was a teenager, he dedicated his life to Christ and joined the band of Christian Believers at Hall’s Chapel C.M.E. Church.

Isaac leaves a legacy of love and memories to his beloved siblings, Joe Cecil Mathis (Clara), West Covina, California, Rena Nelson, Columbus, Georgia and Mae B. Mathis, Brooklyn, New York; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including a devoted friend, Jewel Killebrew, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mrs. Mary Emma Hudson Wallace, age 71, 484 Old VFW Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Flint River Community Hospital, Montezuma, Georgia.

A wake service will be held from 6:00-7:00 P.M., Friday, January 18, 2013 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where Rev. Glenn Bryant is Pastor. The Reverend Allen Hudson will officiate. Interment will follow in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, GA Hwy 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mary was born July 5, 1941 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Harvey Hudson, Sr. and Bertha Mae Tookes Hudson. Born in a family of ten, four siblings preceded her in death: Harvey Hudson, Jr., Archie Hudson, Irene Hudson and Bobby Hudson, Sr. At an early age, the family moved to Midland, Pennsylvania where she received her primary education. A couple of years later, the family moved back to their native land, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she acquired her elementary and middle school education at the historic Oglethorpe Grammar School of Oglethorpe, Georgia. In 1957, Mary married the love of her life, Newray Wallace, Sr. They were blessed with to be the parents of eight children. One son, Newray Wallace, Jr., preceded her in death.

Mary's parents made sure that she and her siblings were brought up in a Christian manner. Her mother, Bertha, and grandmother, Sister Elie Tookes, made sure that they attended Sunday School and church. Mary was trained to have good work ethics. She worked at various jobs and retired in 1997 from Gold King as a packer, and later, after reaching retirement age, she retired as a housekeeper from Montezuma Health Care in 2003.

She leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to her beloved husband of fifty-five years, Newray Wallace, Sr., Oglethorpe, Georgia; seven children and their spouses, Agnes Wallace, Patricia Law (John) all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Jeffrey Lee Wallace, Selena, Kansas, Sherri Williams (Ronnie), Maryland, Deborah Mathis (Jade), Phillip Wallace all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Tanya Wallace, Montezuma, Georgia; one daughter-in-law, Frances Wallace, Montezuma, Georgia; twenty-one grandchildren and six great grandchildren; five siblings and their spouses, Maxine Raines (Melvin), Albert Hudson, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Gloria Meadows (Roosevelt) and Earnestine Livingston all of Ideal, Georgia and Rev. Allen Hudson (Patricia), Albany, Georgia; aunt, Dorothy Haynes, Ellaville, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Clara Zanders (George) New York, Betty Ann Perkins (Richard) Martha Stewart all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Jessie Ford, Atlanta, Georgia, Michelle Gordon, Alma Jean Wallace and Todd Wallace, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Johnny Wallace, Germany; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Geneva Oliver Johnson, age 79, 801 Hawkins St., Americus, Georgia passed Thursday morning, January 10, 2013 at her home. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 14, 2013 at the United Holiness Church Headquarter, Inc., 901 Aaron Snipes, Sr. Drive, Americus, Georgia.  Interment will follow in the Union Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery, corner of Spivey and Poplar Streets, Ellaville, Georgia.

Geneva was born August 24, 1933 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia to the late Bruce Hankerson and Lessie L. Oliver.  She was a 1951 graduate of Ellaville High School.  She continued her education at Apex Junior College of Atlanta, Georgia where she earned a degree in Cosmetology.  She was employed with Tri-County Mental Health Retardation Center.  After many dedicated years of service, she retired after her health began to decline.    Geneva grew up in an environment where serving God was a must.  At an early age, she joined the New Corinth Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T. C. Cherry.  From childhood she sang in the choir, worked on the Usher Board and attended Sunday school. 

Later in life, she moved to Americus, Georgia where she had a new awakening in her Christian life and joined the Church of God Pillar Ground and Truth under the leadership of Bishop Lovie Staley.  After moving back to Ellaville, Georgia, she joined the Tabernacle of Faith Holiness Church under the leadership of Bishop James Lundy.  She served as “Mother of the church” and on the Missionary Auxillary Board.” Geneva was a Gospel Singing Promoter and  Emceed Gospel Singing Programs.  She was the “Mother” of the Gospel Sons of Montezuma.

Survivors are her four devoted children, Gregory Watson Oliver (Wanda), Americus, Georgia, Armick Lamar Oliver, Ellaville, Georgia, Sherry Francine Oliver, Ellaville, Georgia, and Beverly Anetria Oliver, Americus, Georgia; ten grandchildren, Karen Wakefield (Dexter), Dallas, Georgia, Gregory Levar Oliver (Sasha), Marietta, Georgia, Watson Dowsey (Abby), Derrick Bernard Dowsey, all of Columbus, Georgia, Shamika Oliver, Shallanda Oliver, both of Swananon, North Carolina, Reggie Sampson, Daphne Hamilton (Willie), all of Ellaville, Georgia,  Kimberly Oliver Petty (Mario), Kathleen, Georgia and Patrick Germany, Henry County, Georgia; twenty-one great grandchildren; Siblings, Annie Maude Hankerson, Amelia Hankerson, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Ola Mae Brown, Montezuma, Georgia, James Hankerson (Peggy), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Thomas Hankerson, South Bay, Florida and Catherine Waters, Montezuma, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews; other relatives, including five devoted cousins, Angeli Smith, Fred Douglas Oliver, Jr., Mildred Edge, Woody and Leila Wilson; a host of godchildren; and a host  of friends.

John Lee Kleckley, age 62, 501 Railroad St., Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Friday, January 4, 2013 at M. C. Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia.

The memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

John Lee was born July 19, 1950 to the late Tommie Lue Thomas Kleckley and J. “B” McDonald in Macon County, Georgia.  He was educated in the public school system of Macon County.  He was a 1969 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School.

Survivors are his wife, Dorothy Louise Kleckley, Warner Robins, Georgia; daughter, Tonya Solomon (Kennie), Montezuma, Georgia; grandchildren, Kenneth Solomon, Artrelle Solomon, and Kentorria Solomon; great grandchildren, Karmelo Solomon and Zay Boland; siblings, General Lee Kleckley, College Park, Georgia, Marshall Kleckley (Betty), Melvin Kleckley (Minnie), all of Atlanta, Georgia, and Bernice Kleckley Fulks (Daniel), Fayetteville, North Carolina; nine beloved nieces and nephews; five great nieces and great nephews, including a devoted great niece, Asia Robinson; and a host of other relatives, and friends.

Mort Douglas Davis, age 82, 1304 Elm Avenue Apt. #13, Americus, Georgia passed Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 7, 2013 at the Andersonville National Cemetery Rostrum, Cemetery Drive, Andersonville, Georgia. The Reverend George Williams will officiate.

Mort Douglas Davis was born October 29, 1931 Madison, Madison County, Florida to the late Reverend John Miles Davis and Bessie Bevel Davis. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Jamie Davis Matthews and George Davis. He was educated in the public school system of Madison, Florida. After acquiring his education Mort moved to Newark, New Jersey where he was inducted into the United States Army. During his time of service, he was with the Infantry-United States Army and was honorably discharged as a Corporal October 1, 1960. After his service time, Mort returned back to Newark, Jew Jersey where he was employed with Fair Kendol and retired as a forklift driver after thirty years of dedicated services around 1990.

Mort met and married the former Mamie Wilkerson of Americus, Georgia and was blessed to be the father of four children. He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include his wife, Mrs. Mamie W. Davis, Americus, Georgia; his four children, Albert Ranson, Melrose, Florida, Sabrina Davis Burt, Warner Robins, Georgia, Diane Davis, Americus, Georgia and Katrana Wilkerson Luellen, Atlanta, Georgia; six grandchildren and several great grandchildren; mother-in-law, Mamie Wilkerson, Americus, Georgia; nephews and nieces, George Williams, Jr. Madison, Florida, Bessie Hunter Sanford, Florida and Sheila Fudge, Deltona, Florida; and a host of other relatives and beloved friends.

Lugenia Byse Alridge, age 88 passed Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at Montezuma Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday January 8, 2013 at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church cemetery, Georgia Highway 240, Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia.

Lugenia Byse Alridge was born August 12, 1924 to the late Isaiah Byse and Lillie Mae Brown Byse. She was preceded in death by four siblings: Allie White, Hoye Byse, Willie Byse and Isaiah Byse. She was educated in the public school system in Macon County, Georgia. She was a devoted homemaker.

She was united in holy matrimony to Fred Alridge of Schley County, Georgia. From this union came five children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and trusted friend. Through her generosity and warm spirit, she was able to touch the lives of everyone around her. She enjoyed interacting with family and friends. She was quiet, yet a good listener and always willing to help others in time of need.

Those left to cherish her memory and to carry on her legacy include her children, Dorothy Mitchell (John Sr.), College Park, Georgia, Otis Alridge (Vicki), Kent Washington, Peggy Miles (Allen), Montezuma, Georgia, Lovie Alridge, East Point, Georgia and Frederick Alridge (Dorothy Renee) Accokeek, Maryland; two step-children, Nathaniel Alridge (Seener), Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Margarette Alridge Anderson, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Jacqueline Alridge, Mableton, Georgia, Denise Muller, Germany, John Mitchell, Jr. College Park, Georgia, Ysheka Mitchell, College Park, Georgia, Marques Alridge, Kent, Washington, Jessica Johnston, Brooklyn, New York, Erica Miles Jones (Charlie), Bonaire, Georgia, Jonathan Alridge, Antioch, California, Nathaniel Alridge, Jr., Ryan Alridge, Denver Coloroda, Jarvis Alridge, Accokeek, Maryland, Courtney Alridge, Accokeek, Maryland and Tiffany Frinks, Great Lakes, Illinois; great grandchildren, Lailah Alexandria Jones, Bonaire, Georgia, Elijah Alridge, Antioch, California and Jayda Alridge, Denver, Colorado; one brother, Luther Byse, Atlanta, Georgia; one nephew that she assisted in rearing, James Byse, Atlanta, Georgia; sisters-in-law; Umeko Byse, Seattle, Washington and Annie Loise Byse, Jacksonville, Florida; brother-in-law, Climmie Alridge, Moultrie, Georgia; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.