Christopher Hughes Brown, age 49, 1135 Mt. Olive Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Flint River Community Hospital, Sumter Street, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at1:00 P.M. Monday, March 4, 2013 at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2835 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia. Reverend Rodney Duncan, pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Liberty Cemetery, Pineville Road & County Rd No. 163, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Christopher was born January 11, 1964 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Eugene Ivory, Sr. and Bobbie Mae Brown Ivory. He was preceded in death by one son, Eric Ivory, and two siblings, Kenneth Fowler and Edward Ivory. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. He obtained his GED from Turner Job Corps, Kentucky. He was employed with Souters Trucking Company of Montezuma, Georgia until his health began to decline.

Survivors are his children, Derrick Ivory (Dana), Vienna, Georgia and Claudette Ivory Larry, Oglethorpe, Georgia; grandchildren, Miekell Larry and Frankie Raines, Jr., both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Derrick Ivory, Jr., and Tykevious Ivory, both of Vienna, Georgia; siblings, Angela Grady Griffin, Georgia, Barbara Brown Harpe (Tarry), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Gwendolyn Leggett (Christopher), Ideal, Georgia, Rev. Rodney Duncan (Dr. Susie), Warner Robins, Georgia, Helen Ivory Hampton, Georgia, Eugene Ivory (Alex), Permishe, Germany, Patricia Ivory, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Eric Ivory (Tivisha), Perry, Georgia, Gloria Ivory James, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Ella Mae Bateman, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Rose Bateman, Buena Vista, Georgia; aunts and uncles, James Brown, Ideal, Georgia, Jeannie Kendrick, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Oceola Ivory, Buena Vista, Georgia, Mae Ola Taylor (Johnny), Buena Vista, Georgia, Sidney Ivory (Geraldine), Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Major Ivory (Rebecca), Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Everlene Hall, Oglethorpe, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley Ivory, Plains, Georgia, Virginia Fowler, Atlanta, Georgia, and M.L. Ellis, Atlanta, Georgia; great aunt and great uncle, Joe Walton, Albany, Georgia, and Eva Bell Rogers, Butler, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mrs. Diana Prather Perry, age 61, 1820 Bunker Hill Road, Columbus, Georgia passed Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Josh Gibson Center, Rogers Street, Buena Vista, Georgia.  Interment will follow in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery, 168 Tower Point Road, Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia.  The Reverend Bruce McKenzie will officiate.

Mrs. Diana Prather Perry, a native of Marion County and a citizen of Columbus, Georgia was born September 2, 1951 to the late Annie Lou Johnson and Charlie Andrew Prather.  She was preceded in death by three siblings, Betty Walker, Henry Prather and Sharon Chinn.  She was educated in the public school system of Marion County, Georgia.  At an early age, she joined the Popular Spring Baptist Church and served a number of years on the Usher Board Ministry.  Later she moved her membership to New Home Baptist Church after uniting in Holy matrimony to Benjamin Perry.  They were blessed with two children.  After ten years of dedicated service, she retired from McBride School of Fort Benning, Georgia as the head chef.

She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved husband of forty-one years, Benjamin Perry, Columbus, Georgia; her three children, Demetrice Perry, Tyia Perry, both of Columbus, Georgia and Rosanna (Mike) King, whom she reared as her own, of Columbus, Georgia; three grandchildren, Bre’Anna Prather, Davon King and Logan Smith; twenty-one siblings, Barbara Ann Green (Ronnie), Phenix City, Alabama, Elvira Trice (Richard), Louisville, Kentucky, Charlie Mae Prather, Jacksonville, Florida, Gail King, Brenda Prather, both of Buena Vista, Georgia, Sandra Prather, Ellaville, Georgia, Rose Moon (Kenny), Cathy Short (Keith), all of Columbus, Georgia, Stephanie Stickney (Bruce), Buena Vista, Georgia, Verlene Prather (Sidney), Columbus, Georgia, Andrea Chinn-Little (Richard), Kimberly Chinn, Charlie Prather, Jr., (Charlesa), all of Lousville, Kentucky, Willie Prather, Sr., (Eddie Rene), Buena Vista, Georgia, Elonzo Prather, Thaddeus Prather (Jeanette), all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Jeffery Chinn (Regina), Kenneth Chinn, all of Louisville, Kentucky, Tory Daniels (Joann), Steve Daniels and Mary Beth Daniels, all of Columbus, Georgia; four aunts, Clementine Sheppard, Louisville, Kentucky, Annie Miller, Allie Vann Biggs, both of Pahokee, Florida and Bessie McKnight, Miami, Florida; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, 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), Buena Vista, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ewing-Brooks, age 63, 2305 Stonepath Way, Pflugerville, Texas passed Saturday, February 23, 2013.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:30 P.M., Saturday, March 2, 2013 at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1619 Shiloh Road, Ellaville, Georgia. Interment will follow in Union Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery, 392 Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Rev. Lem Wright will officiate.

Elizabeth Ewing-Brooks was born February 11, 1950, in Ellaville, Schley County Georgia to the late Rev. John Ewing and Nettie Brooks-Ewing. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Brooks.

Elizabeth accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, and joined Jerusalem Baptist Church in Ellaville, Georgia. She later served with the Home Mission ministry. After her many travels and a distinguished military career, she returned to Georgia and joined Cleveland Chapel, A.M.E. Church under the leadership of Rev. Powers. Elizabeth later moved to Texas to reside with her son, Thomas. During her brief stay in Texas, she was a devout member of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Richard A. Coaxum, in Pflugerville, Texas.

Elizabeth graduated from John Lewis High School in 1968, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts degree from Golden Gate University. She enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971, and served honorably for twenty-three years, with assignments at Eglin AFB, Florida, McConnell AFB, Kansas, Yokota AFB, Japan, Beale AFB, California, Mather AFB, California, Clark AFB, Philippines, and Maxwell AFB, Alabama. She retired in May 1994, and began employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She retired from the federal work force in 2002, due to her illness. Subsequent employment was at Regions Bank in Montgomery, Alabama.

Survivors are one son, Thomas Chapman, Austin, Texas; siblings, Marilyn “Ruby” Singleton, Jacksonville, Florida and John Ewing III, of Hawkinsville, Georgia; one aunt, Mrs. Lucy Bass, Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Sandy Elston and Betty Armstrong; two brothers-in-law, Carlos and Jeff Elston; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives friends, including her caregivers in Georgia, Boyette , Sadie Brooks and Terry Hathorn.

Claudia Mae Matthews, age 48, 196 Preacher Street, Camilla, Georgia passed Saturday, February 23, 2013 at her residence.

Viewing will take place at Meadows' Funeral Home, 315 Madison Street, Albany, Georgia on Thursday, February 28, 2013 starting at 12:00 P.M.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Friday, March 1, 2013 at St. James Baptist Church, 144 MLK, Jr. Drive, Baconton, Georgia. Interment will follow in Oakview Cemetery, Martin Luther King Road, Camilla, Georgia.

Claudia was born June 6, 1964 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Arthur Lee Garry, Jr., and the late Lula Mae Deriso Gary.

She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County, where she was a 1983 graduate of Sumter County High School, Americus, Georgia. She was a member of Greater Harvest Church of Camilla, Georgia where she served faithfully as choir director. She was employed with Target for many years until her health failed.

Survivors are a loving and devoted husband of 10 years, Jason Matthews, Camilla, Georgia; three children, Gregory Roberts, Atlanta, Georgia, Kendrick Roberts, Americus, Georgia and BeShawn Roberts all of Albany, Georgia; a loving father, Arthur Lee Garry, Jr., Leslie, Georgia; six grandchildren; Zhyquane Roberts, Jhykeria Roberts, Kaninauh Roberts, Ka’Narious Roberts all of Albany, Georgia, Ke’Nydria Roberts and Kenya Roberts both of Americus, Georgia; two brothers, Arthur James Gary, Sr. (Christina), Americus, Georgia and Samuel Garry, his fiancé, Ella Woodson, Baconton, Georgia; grandfather-in-law, Charles Matthews, Camilla, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alicia Matthews, Atlanta, Georgia, Tameka Matthews Wesley (Johnny), Camilla, Georgia, Audrey Matthews Hill (Kinte‘), Waco, Texas, Cory Matthews, Atlanta, Georgia, Courtney Matthew, Camilla, Georgia, and Cedrick Vicks, Atlanta, Georgia; eighteen aunts and uncles; McArthur Deriso, Vickie Mae Mathis, Dorothy Fuller (Walter), Arthur Deriso (Betty) all of DeSoto, Georgia, Floyd Deriso (Georgia), Leslie, Georgia, Bertha Mae Ray (Charles), Cordele, Georgia, Will Garry, New York City, New York, Mary Lizzie Garry, Charlie Garry, Dorothy Wilson, and Pearlie Deriso all of Americus, Georgia, Marvalene Foster, Jonathan Matthew both of Atlanta, Georgia, Lillie Pearl Johnson, Charlene Gardner,  both of Camilla, Georgia, Robert Miller, Albany, Georgia, Rose Matthew Thomas (Anthony), Virginia and Antionette Lewis (Roger) Titusville Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including one devoted, Apostle Jack Lane.

Jerome Riley, age 68, 2815 Georgia Highway 90 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Flint River Community Hospital, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Miracle Temple Church, corner of Tarrer and Poplar Streets, Ideal, Georgia. Interment will follow in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery, 2095 Butler’s Mill Road, Reynolds, Georgia.

Jerome Riley was born to the late T. Jay and Willie Mae Mack Riley in Macon County, Georgia on January 13, 1945. One son, Chris Riley preceded in death. Jerome was preceded in death by two siblings, Bertha Hicks and Colonel Clifford Riley. He grew up in Taylor County and attended the public school system in Taylor County. In early years, Jerome worked in Macon County on the farm. He worked with the Simmons’ driving a bulldozer for many dedicated years.

He was a sweet and beautiful person that would always lend a helping hand. He will be truly missed.

Survivors are a loving and devoted wife of 14 years, Rosetta Wiggins Riley, Oglethorpe, Georgia; seven children, Carolyn McCants, Fort Valley, Georgia, Jerome Riley, Jr. (Linda), Fort Valley, Georgia, Edward Riley, Macon, Georgia, Anthony Riley, Marion, Ohio, Connie Riley, Fort Valley, Georgia, Charlie Ford and Deshawn Wiggins, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia; fourteen loving grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five siblings, Juanita McClendon, Reynolds, Georgia, Lindburg Riley (Inez), Reynolds, Georgia, Willie James Riley (Carolyn), Obilla, Texas, Thomas C. Riley (Rose Lee), Reynolds and Armon J. Hughey, Ideal, Georgia; two aunts, Margaret Montford, Reynolds, Georgia and Marjorie Mack, Atlanta, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Lizzie Wiggins, Irene Davis, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Mary Louise Wiggins, Betty Jean Wiggins, both of Montezuma, Georgia, Fannie Bell Wiggins, Mary Florence Wiggins, both of Ideal, Georgia, Willie Joe Wiggins, Oglethorpe, Georgia and Wisdom Hughey, Montezuma, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Brother Marvin Brooks, age 97, 22 Amy Dr., Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Monday, February 11, 2013 at the Montezuma Health and Rehabilitation Center, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:30 P.M., Sunday, February 17, 2013 at the Hopewell Independent Church, Brooks Mill Road, Rupert, Georgia. Rev. Dr. James Pugh, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Brother Brooks was born August 9, 1915 in Macon County, Georgia to the late Jessie Brooks, Sr. and Osa Grover Brooks. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. He was a member and deacon of Hopewell Independent Church. After many years of dedicated services he retired as a farmer. He was married to the late Ollie Kate Terry Brooks. He was preceded in death by his son, Aldean Brooks, and one grandson, Cary Fredrick. He was also preceded in death by thirteen siblings: John Clinton Brooks, Willie Brooks, Jessie Brooks, Jr., Henry Thomas Brooks, James Brooks, Marion Brooks, Warney Jackson Brooks, Albert Brooks, Arthur Clyde Brooks, Gennie Brooks Grover, Alma Brooks Parham, Myrtice Brooks Odom and Grady Lee Brooks.

He is survived by two siblings: Luther Brooks, Jacksonville, Florida and Minnie Brooks, Orlando, Florida; eleven grandchildren, Tammy Watts, Americus, Georgia, Cathy Carter (Johnny), Conyers, Georgia, Aldean Brooks, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia, Aldean Clark (Sakema), Eric Brooks and Andrian Brooks all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Andrea Bailey (Diane) and Eric Hughey all of Ideal, Georgia, Gregg Fredrick, Americus, Georgia, Keith Frederick (Pam), Americus, Georgia, and Timothy Frederick (Cannon), Andersonville, Georgia; sixteen great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Washington, Rupert, Georgia, Elder Henry Terry (Julia), Elder Willie Terry (Renee) and Frank Terry (Verlie Mae) all of Atlanta, Georgia and Julie Lee Brooks, Oglethorpe, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

Cora Turner Duncan, age 101, 104 Poplar Street, Ideal, Georgia passed February 10, 2013.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Faith Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia, where Reverend Zechariah Terry is pastor. Rev. Willie Green and Rev. Rodney Duncan will officiate. Interment will follow in the Hopewell Independent Church Cemetery, Brooks Mill Road, Rupert, Macon County, Georgia.

Cora Turner Duncan was born April 9, 1911 in Ideal, Macon County, Georgia to the late Obediah Turner and Dove Taylor Turner. She was preceded in death by her sister Leola Turner Golphin, stepdaughter, Mary Golphin, one grandson, Freddie Golphin, and one great grandson, Roderick McKenzie.

She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She was married to the late Tom Duncan and to this union they were blessed with three children. At an early age she joined the Hopewell Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which later became Hopewell Independent Church. She worked faithfully in all the church ministries. She especially dedicated her works as Secretary for a number of dedicated years, layperson in the LaGrange Circuit, which later on became the Cordele C.M.E. Circuit. She served faithfully on the Kitchen and Hospitality Committee. She was a faithful member of Ester Lodge No. 6 Order of Eastern Star. For a number of years, she was employed as a subsitute teacher with the Macon County Board of Education.

Cora was known for her good memories and informative ways. She will also be remembered for her tasty cooking, especially her cakes, pies, cornbread and greens. Being the person she was, she enjoyed people, giving and feeding people and serving God was her number one priority.

Survivors are three children, Henry Morris Duncan (Valgrace), San Antonio, Texas, Annette Duncan McKenzie, and Jeanette Duncan both of Atlanta, Georgia; nine grandchildren, Diane Duncan Middlebrooks, Charles Duncan (Daisy), Michael Duncan all San Antonio, Texas, Jerome Duncan, Bronx, New York, Eric McKenzie, (Emily) Ideal, Georgia Henry D. McKenzie (Clara) Atlanta, Georgia, Sandra Hillard (Jessie), Riverdale, Georgia Freddie Middlebrooks (Shelia), Atlanta, Georgia, Betty Golphin, Montezuma, Georgia; a host of great grandchildren; twenty-six great great grandchildren; a dedicated godson, Willie James Ogburn, Ideal, Georgia and a dedicated nephew, Joe Duncan (Betty), Ideal, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Willie Coleman Chinn, Jr., age 64, 222 Burkhalter Avenue, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Saturday, February 9, 2013.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Bridges Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Pastor Brian Foster of Love Fellowship Household of Faith Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Buena Vista City Cemetery.

Willie Coleman Chinn Jr., was born May 21, 1948 to Rosa Mae Meadows and Willie Coleman Chinn, Sr. He was educated in the public school system of Marion County. He was a mechanic and a tractor-trailer driver for Dent Poultry Company of Buena Vista.

Survivors include nine children, Tamara Robinson, Perry, Georgia, Mark Chinn, Dawson, Georgia, Tytrina Minion (Eric) Buena Vista, Georgia, Yoshanda Chinn, Buena Vista, Georgia, Tenesia Willis (Roderick) Waverly Hall, Georgia, Kim McKenzie, Buena Vista, Georgia, Clarence Phillips (Shanita) Buena Vista, Georgia, Bernard Robinson and Bruce Robinson both of Buena Vista, Georgia; his loving mother Rosa Chinn, Buena Vista, Georgia; twenty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; eleven siblings, Paul Chinn (Mae), Deerfield, Florida, Temmy Chinn, Buena Vista, Georgia, Lillian York, Florine Blakely, Robert Lee Chinn, David Chinn, Andrea Chinn Little, Jackie Chinn, Jeffery Chinn, Kenneth Chinn and Kimberly Chinn all of Louisville, Kentucky; one uncle, Ephraim Chinn (Minnie), Atlanta, Georgia; two aunts, Daisy Lee Hollis, Midland, Georgia and Mary Alice Meadows, Box Spring, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including a devoted friend Rose Weaver, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mary L. Yarn, age 79, 219 East Adams St., Montezuma, Georgia passed Tuesday, February 5, 2013.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 11, 2013 at the First Salem Baptist Church, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where Rev. Paul McFarland is pastor. Rev. Kendra Allen will officiate. Burial will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mary L. Yarn, the daughter of the late Collin and Thelma Curgil Bentley, was born in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia, April 20, 1933. She was the wife of the late Willie L. Yarn of Atlanta, Georgia. Along with her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Sue Bentley, and her sister, Doris Bentley Chatman.

In her early life, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at First Salem Baptist Church in Montezuma, Georgia. The Lord guided her life to Atlanta, Georgia where she made her home. She became a member of First Comfort Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Noel Battle, where she served as a faithful member on the Usher Board and Courtesy Gill. After her retirement, she moved back to Montezuma, Georgia and was reinstated as a member of First Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Paul McFarland, Pastor, where she attended faithfully until her health began to fail.

“Mama” shared her love and kindness with everyone who came to know her. God called her home at 11:00 p.m., February 5, 2013. Her memory shall be cherished by her son, Charles L. Neal (Mildred), of San Diego, California; her daughter, JoAnn Favors (Alton), of Decatur, Georgia; three grandchildren, Anatonia Lyn Struthers (Charles) of Indian Land, South Carolina, Nicole Walker (Scott), of Orlando, Florida, Alton Griggs, of Decatur, Georgia; three great grandchildren, Amaya, Caleb and Joshua; five sisters, Marie Walker (George), and Lilla Bentley, all of Montezuma, Georgia, Willie B. Williams, of Orlando, Florida, Rebertha Weeks and Georgia B. Spivey of Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Trelley M. Williams (Clarence) of Warner Robins, Georgia and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Lessie Biggins Reese, age 80, 310 DeSoto Seed Farm Road, DeSoto, Georgia passed Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the Crisp Regional Hospital, Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Friendship Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 195 North, DeSoto, Georgia. The Reverend James Thomas, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Counsel Cemetery.

Mrs. Lessie Biggins Reese was born April 26, 1932 in Webster County, Georgia to the late Clark Biggins and Mary Lizzie Jenning Biggins. She was preceded in death by four siblings: C. J. “Clark” Biggins, Rufus Biggins, Lillie Wilson and Jessie Biggins. She was educated in the public school systems of Webster and Sumter Counties. At an early age she joined the Friendship Baptist Church where she supported every facet of the church she loved so well. She served faithfully on the Kitchen and Hospitality Ministry and the Missionary Auxiliary Ministry.

She was employed as a pastry maker for Fine’s Donut Shop, which was later purchased by Sarah Donut Shop of Americus. After several years of dedicated services she retired. Her family and community will long remember Lessie as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will also be remembered for her tasty dishes and her mouth-watering collard greens that she served during their Sunday gathering.

She leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to her beloved husband of sixty years, Jake Reese, Sr. DeSoto, Georgia; ten children, Eddie Biggins (Annie), Jake Reese, Jr. (Mary) all of DeSoto, Georgia, Betty Rivers (Major), Leesburg, Georgia, Jimmy Reese (Nancy), Leslie, Georgia, Robert Reese (Vanessa Hubbard), David Reese (Tonya), Americus, Georgia, Susie Kearse (Jehovah), Severn, Maryland, Rosie Sims (Jerome), DeSoto, Georgia, Tommy Reese (Sandra), Americus, Georgia, Tawanna Reese (Dontate Monts); a devoted niece whom she reared as her own, Willie Mae Biggins, DeSoto, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Aggie Mae Williams, Elmotte Vance, Tampa, Florida and Geneva Jackson, Cordele, Georgia; godchildren, Minister Kelvin Lundy, Diana Mercer and Evangelist Ernestine Morgan; her special caregivers, Mary Hunt and Juanita Diana Pitts; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and beloved friends.