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.

​Deacon Roy Holt, Sr., age 102, passed January 26, 2020.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Moody Road, Tazewell Georgia. The Reverend Joe Oglesby, pastor will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Roy Holt Sr., was born March 15, 1917 in Tazewell, Marion County, Georgia to the late Obie Holt and Dove Smith Holt. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Holt and Betty Holt, and nine siblings, Bishop Murry Holt, Willie Clemon Holt, Eugene Holt, Cecil Holt, Robert Holt Sr., Annie Bell Holt, Rose Ella Holt and Mary Lee Holt Gibson.

Roy was joined in holy matrimony on December 27, 1945 to Mary Jane Parker Holt and to this union; they were blessed with five children.

He was married to Mary Jane Parker Holt for seventy-one years. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2016. Roy joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Tazewell, Georgia on August 21, 2016. He was a vegetable farmer by trade.

On Sunday, January 26, 2020, Deacon Roy Holt, Sr., God called one of His angels home. 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.
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He leaves a legacy of love and memories to his beloved family: three children, Roy (Pecoral) Holt, Jr., Mary Ann Underwood and Larry Holt Sr., all of Buena Vista, Georgia; twelve grandchildren, Pamela Denise Holt, Bridget Holt, Vickie Holt, Elaine (Dwayne) Cohen, Veronda (Pastor Ricky) Cladd, Gregory (Melissa) Holt, Shewann Underwood, Shaun (Kim) Underwood, Larry Holt Jr., Venny (Elaine) Holt, Anthony Holt, and Ricky (Laura) Holt; a host of beloved great grandchildren, beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Elizabeth Smith age 92, passed on January 24, 2020.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, January 27, 2020 at Union Hill A.M.E. Church, 370 Will Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Burial will follow in Galilee Cemetery, Ellaville, Georgia.

Elizabeth Smith, 92, returned to the Lord peacefully at home on January 24, 2020. Born into a loving and God-fearing home to the late Masco and Vera Swans in Schley County, Georgia, Elizabeth Swans Smith entered the world on February 6, 1927 born number 12 of 19 children. Elizabeth received her formal education from Spring Hill Elementary School where she completed her schooling in eighth grade. In 1946, following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Elizabeth moved north to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The loving bond of the Swans family kept the siblings together for years through worship, travel, and annual gatherings to honor their late father’s wishes.

In 1958, she married the love of her life, Bennie Smith. Raised to love and worship the Lord, Mrs. Smith found her forever church home at Mt. Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where she has been a faithful member in the 1970s. In 1955, she began working for the Pennsylvania State Mental Hospital; while there she integrated the hospital staff as the first African-American Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She stayed at the hospital for 32 years until her retirement in 1987. Following the passing of her beloved husband and her retirement, Mrs. Smith moved back home to Ellaville, Georgia in 1988. Elizabeth Smith loved and was loved deeply by anyone around her. She had a sharp tongue and soft laugh, and you never had to wonder what was on her mind.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving daughter Berlaine Smith Melton; two doting granddaughters Davonne and Alaina Reaves; one great-grandson Jamir MichaelDavid Reaves; her sisters Emily Ruff, Clara Davis, Mavis Settles, Mary Belle Davis, Bertha Mae Sales (Joseph), Mildred Brooks, and brother Martine Swans(Mary); brother-in-law Menzion Smith; and more cousins, relatives, and friends than numbers can count. She was preceded in death by her parents  Masco and Vera Swans; her devoted daughter Sandra Lynette Swans; Billie Joyce Farrior and siblings Ozell Alridge, John Swans, Bennie Swans, Eva Mae Blackshear, and Christine Wilkerson.

Elizabeth Smith would be the first to tell you that “love ain't what you say, but what you do.”  The family would like to extend sincere appreciation for the love, prayers, visits, and acts of kindness during this time of bereavement. Many thanks to Mrs. Pearlie Collins, a dear, lifelong friend who always saw about Mrs. Smith, her longtime physician Dr. John Marshall, and the loving, caring staff at Perfect Care and Phoebe Sumter Hospice.

​Mrs. Deborah Felecia Baldwin, age 51, 1519 Floyd Road, Columbus, Georgia passed Sunday, January 19, 2020. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1908 Dozier Road, Ellaville, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia.

Deborah was born March 11, 1968 in Schley County, Georgia to Alma Jones and James Merritt.  She was educated in the public school system of Schley County and Marion County.  She was a 1986 Graduate of Tri-County High School and she was a graduate of South Georgia Technical College with a degree in Nursing.

She was employed with several companies: Sumter Regional Hospital of Americus, Georgia Montezuma Health Care Center, The Medical Center of Columbus, Martin Army Hospital of Ft. Benning, Georgia including several nursing facilities around the Muscogee County area.

She was united in holy matrimony to Lawrence Baldwin.  She was the beloved mother of two children,  five step children and seven grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jassica; a beloved grandmother, Gladys Jones; aunt, Cora Jones;  and two beloved uncles, Charlie Jones and Henry Jones.

She leave to mourn her passing a beloved husband, 19 years, Lawrence Baldwin, Columbus, Georgia; children, Lakeshia N. Thornton, Columbus, Georgia and Jamarcus Moore, Columbus, Georgia; step children, Khoril Baldwin, Rochester, New York, Mhalik Baldwin, Rochester, New York, Dedra Pollard, Columbus, Georgia; a beloved mother, Alma Jones, Ellaville, Georgia;  uncle, Joseph Jones, Ellaville, Georgia; great uncle, Ike Jones, Columbus, Georgia; devoted cousins, Emmitt (Vivian) Lawson, Ellaville, Georgia, Ruby Solomon, Ellaville, Georgia and a host of other relatives and friends.

Receiving family and friends January 27–28, 2020 at the home of Emmitt & Vivian Lawson, 88 Dixon Drive, Ellaville, Georgia.   

​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.