Deacon James Clarence Mann, age 75, passed on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 07, 2015 at First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Reverend Jeffery Randall, pastor. Interment will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.   

Deacon James Clarence Mann was born September 20 1939, to the late Rev. John Henry and Alberta Rackley Mann. He was also the grandson of the late Mr. Henry and Lillie Mckenzie Mann and John H. and Beulah “Pat” Jones Rackley. Deacon Mann, a man of exceptional vision and dedication he was labeled a “hard worker” from his childhood onto his adult years. As a hard working child, JC(as he was lovingly called by his family and friends) was taught to farm and labor by his parents to help take care of his siblings and that love and caring for his siblings and family never fizzle. JC was employed The Allens Canning Co. of Montezuma, Ga.(formerly Southern Frozen Foods) as a certified and dedicated maintenance specialist. Great at his craft, JC was known around his job and community for the ability to repair and build almost any and everything. After over 48 loyal years he retired in January 2007 from The Allens Canning Co.

            Earlier in life, at a young age, JC accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and join the band of Christian believers of the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church where he was later ordain as a deacon(1 Timothy 3.12 “Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.”) In better health Deacon Mann was devoted to his church and church family. He was a great grounds keeper and he and Deacon “Bruh” Collier made sure the church was spotless. Before Deacon Mann’s health declined he was proud to have had a small part in the construction of the new church building today, welding and installing the handrails entering the beautiful sanctuary.

            Later in life JC’s heart was captured by the love of his life, the former Louella Grant and on February 7th 1960 they were beautifully united.  To this union Mr. and Mrs. Mann was blessed to raised nine wonderful children, three to proceed him in death, Brenda(the eldest and his backbone) Debra(2nd oldest and funfilled)and James Donnell(His first son and hardworker). In addition to his parents and children, he was also proceeded in death  by several siblings including adult siblings, Chase William “CW”, Willie “Bill” and Lillie Mae Mann.

            This Earthly walk came to a close for JC on February 27th 2015 1:30pm at the Sumter Phoebe Medical Center, Americus, Ga. Leaving his earthly home and moving to his Heavenly mansion.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”. Left to celebrate the joy of his precious memories are his loving wife of  55years Louella G. Mann,  his caring children; Sandra J. Mann,Oglethorpe Ga., Shuwand D. Mann, Eric Mann,Felix Mann; all of Montezuma Ga. Antonio Barron Mann(Cashonda) Lisbon Portugal. Carl D. Akine(grandson whom he reared as his own) Boston, Ma. Devoted grandchildren; JonTasha Kaigler, ShuErica Mann, James Mann III , Paris Freeman, Keysha Haugabook, Shunika Fudge all of Montezuma Ga.  Tywann Mann(Alecia)  and Almon Joseph both of Oglethorpe ga. Dejuan Mann(LaKeta) and Takeria Hudson both of Warner Robins Ga. Gabrietta Fobbs Perry, Ga. Larry Fobbs(Tae)Moultrie Ga. Deontae Barron, Antonio Barron, Aluna Barron all of Portugal. host of great grands. Sibling; Inez Woolfork, Earl Mann Sr. both of Monotezuma. Ga, Mae Bertha Jones, John Henry MannII(Viola) Eirvin Mann Sr.(Pearl) all of West Palm Beach Florida. In-Laws; Betty Mann,  Kathy Mann both of Oglethorpe ga. Betty Carr. Irvington NJ., Betty Joiner Mtz. GA., Claude Grant Miami Florida, Willie Grant Vienna Ga., Larry Grant, Rex Ga. Aunts/Uncles; Carrie Rackley( his 2nd Mom), Fannie Hannor(Jerome) Sarah Hannor(Fred Lee) Christine Mann, Dorothy Mann, Maryland Mann, Rose Lee Thomas, and Henry Mann. A host of nieces and nephews; including devoted nieces Lisa Bryant(Arney) and Jeanette Mann devoted nephew Charles Mann. cousins other relatives and sorrowing friends including; The family of the late Mr. Willie James “Buster” Mcdonald,  Mr. John and Ernestine Moore and the the Davita Dialysis Center Family.

Mr. Jimmy Witcher, age 64, 105 Biven Street, Americus, Georgia passed February 21, 2015.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Reverend George Monts, pastor of Zion Hope Baptist Church, Sumter City, will officiate.

Jimmy was born August 16, 1950 in Dawson, Terrell County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Lloyd Witcher and the late Lois Monts Witcher.  Two siblings, Lloyd (Lutherine) Witcher and Gloria Sims, preceded him in death. He was educated in the public school system of Sumter County where he attended the old historic Plains High School of Plains, Georgia. He was a truck driver, and he worked for the Minor Brothers Cotton Gin in Smithville, Georgia.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at Mitchell Grove Baptist Church, Smithville, Georgia.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two children Monica (Byron) Berryhill, and Janet Morgan, both of  Americus, Georgia;  two godchildren, Theresa Johnson and Tiffany Sims; three grandchildren, Reggie Jones, Jr., Braylon Berryhill,  and Jada Thomas, siblings, Darlean (Alfred) Mack, and Joann Witcher, both of  Smithville, Georgia, Minnie (Clarence) Watson, Cleveland, Ohio, Delois (Arthur) Daniels, Detroit, Michigan; Luster (Ruby) Witcher, North Carolina; and a host of nieces,  nephews,  other relatives and friends, including three devoted friends John Hurley, Sammy Johnson, Otis Brown, and a beloved friend Carrie Morgan.

Mrs. Bessie Mae Reynolds Wright, age 54, Preston, Georgia passed Friday, February 20, 2015.  

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 Noon, Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Lebanon Baptist Church, 403 S. Hudson Street, Plains, Georgia. The remains will lay in state from 11:00 AM until the hour of service.  The Reverend Hosie Waters, pastor, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Smithville, Georgia.
 
Bessie Mae Reynolds Wright was born October 15, 1960 to the late Rosa Bell Baker Reynolds and the late Willie James Reynolds, Sr.  She was preceded in death by four siblings: Johnny Reynolds, James Reynolds, Ernest Reynolds, and Willie Bell Brown.  She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County, where she attended the old historic Plains High School of Plains, Georgia.
 
She was united in holy matrimony to Johnny Wright, Jr., and to this union, they were blessed with one son, Michael Bernard Wright, and three adorable grandchildren.  She loved her family dearly and that love was reciprocated by all.
 
“Pretty Gal,” as she was affectionately called by loved ones and friends, was employed with Tyson Foods, Inc. of Buena Vista, Georgia for twenty-one years as a Supervisor.   She was the recipient of many awards and certificates of appreciations for the services rendered to Tyson Foods.
 
Bessie loved and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.  She especially loved Lebanon Baptist Church, Rev. Hosie Waters, and the members.  She faithfully attended the services and supported its ministries. 
 
She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved husband, Mr. Johnny Wright, Preston, Georgia; one son, Michael Bernard Wright (Hesue Kitchens) Preston, Georgia; her beautiful grandchildren, Kayden Wright, Brandon Coon and Myi’Yunna Mo’Na Kitchens); three brothers, Louis Reynolds, Leroy Reynolds (Annie), and Willie James Reynolds (Martha); one sister, Bessie Thomas; one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law, William Wright (Shirley), Preston, Georgia, Deborah Reid and Gloria Dean Reynolds; a host of beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Idell Curgil-Haugabook, age 66, 218 Oak Grove Court, Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at her home.   

The funeral will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at First Salem Baptist Church, 191 Twin Churche Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Montezuma, Georgia.
 
Mrs. Idell Curgil-Haugabook was born November 12, 1948 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Leao Simpson and the late Leona Curgil McDonald.  She was preceded in death by one son, Terry Donavan Curgil, I,  and one great grandson, Master Terry Donavon Curgil, III.  She was also preceded in death by nine siblings: Willie James Bass, George McDonald, Cecil Curgil, Bobbie Hamilton, Rosa Pearl Quinn, Juanita Simpson, Frank Simpson, James Simpson and Archie T. Simpson.
 
Mrs. Idell Curgil-Haugabook was a 1966 graduate of the old historic D. F. Douglass High School of Montezuma, Georgia.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at First Salem Missionary Baptist Church where she was a dedicated choir member of the  “Voices Of Praise.”  She served as a faithful and dedicated member of the Deaconess Ministry and Women Missionary Auxiliary Ministry.  For many years, she was secretary of the Southwest Association of Georgia.   Her extra community activities include Macon County Association of Churches Clothing Bank.  Mrs. Idell Curgil-Haugabook was united in Holy matrimony to Curtis Haugabook, and she was blessed to be the mother of six children, thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
 
She leaves many loving memories to her beloved husband, Curtis Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia, five loving and devoted children, Melvyna Curgil (Jullius Jordan), Montezuma, Georgia, Leonard Curgil (Dornett) Ravanna, Ohio, Anthony Curgil (Atarbra Mitchell), Fort Valley, Georgia, Trinesa Ellison (Christopher Freeman) Montezuma, Georgia and Trenton Curgil (Tasha Sanders), Ravanna, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren, Terry Curgil (Cynthia), Brittany Curgil, Chauncey McGee, Antrenard Ellison, Leonard Curgil, II, DeMarqus Ellison, Maya Lawton, Sabreya Beal, Zephaniah Curgil, Shaniya Adams, M’Casie Stewart,  Dylan Curgil and Page Williams, Sr.  Six siblings, Melvia Burner, Cleveland, Ohil, Larry Curgil, Newark, New Jersey,  Willie Edward Simpson, Newark, New Jersey, Jessie Simpson (Mary), Orlanda, Florida, Lynn Simpson (Latesha), Rochester, New York, Elizabeth “Bitt” Simpson, Montezuma, Georgia; Mother-in-law, Lizzie Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia; Aunts and Uncles, Rosetta Kendrick, Montezuma, Georgia, Martha Campbell, Decatur, Georgia and Christine Simpson, Decatur, Georgia; her extended family include Raven Perkins, Helen Thomas and Family, Carlo Givens, Sister Carrie Rackley; two goddaughters, Rachael Coleman and Alicia Felton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Leggett (Hayward), Nettie Cephus all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Debbie Garner (Carlton) Columbus, Georgia, Diann Haugabook, Atlanta, Georgia and Rodrick Haugabook (Sharon), Americus, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Johnny Thompson, age 59, 78 Daniel Drive, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Saint Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.  Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Johnny Thompson was born on June 19, 1955 to the parentage of the late George and Virginia Golden Thompson, third among the six children.  When he was around, though he never said much, he would often smile and laugh, bringing joy and happiness to the conversation.  His devotion to family became evident at an early age when both parents passed away.  His grandparents, Julia “Aunt Julia” Golden Raymond and Felton “Uncle Felton” Raymond (both deceased), accepted responsibility to care for their grandchildren.
 
Being one of the oldest, Johnny, along with his older brother, Willie “Bud” Thompson (deceased), and older sister, Gerry, shared responsibility to care for the three younger siblings: Ed, Nell, and Bo.  He did not take his responsibly lightly; he began working odd jobs on farms to help provide for the family.  He never seemed to regret his decision to help make things just a little better for his grandparents and siblings.
 
Johnny attended Marion County public schools.  Following his formal education, he worked for many years in the pulpwood and manufactured housing industries.  Johnny was well known as a hard worker and for being on-time, though he never possessed a driver’s license.  He was not one to make excuses or ask for much help.  Even if his ride didn’t come on time, he would start walking to work, regardless of how far it was.  Then, after a long hard work day, he started walking from town to home, even if no one offered him a ride.  That’s what you call a “dedicated man”.
 
Johnny leaves to honor and cherish his memory: four siblings, Geraldine “Gerry” Daniel (the late Arthur) of Buena Vista, Georgia; Edward “Ed” (Merlene) Thompson of Monroe, North Carolina; Vanilla “Nell” Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rayford “Bo” Thompson, Sr. also of Buena Vista, Georgia; three nieces, six nephews, two great nieces, and one great great nephew, along with a host of cousins, neighbors and friends.