Mr. Charlie Belk, Sr., age 85, 103 Georgia Highway 137 West, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the Saint Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Josh B. Gibson Center, Rogers Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment followed in the Mt. Carmen Cemetery, Ebenezer Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mr. Belt was born July 6, 1925 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to the late Jim Belk and Ida Bell McCarter Belk. He was educated in the public school system of Marion County, Georgia. He was united in Holy matrimony on November 17, 1951 to Mary Ellison. To this union, they were blessed with eight children. He was formerly employed with Tom Food, Inc. of Columbus, Georgia. After twenty-five years of dedicated service, he retired from Tom Food, Inc. as a Truck Driver. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Survivors are wife, Mary Ellison Belk, Buena Vista, Georgia; eight children, Inez Johnson (Curlie), Lexington, South Carolina, Charlie Belk, Jr. (Barbara), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Carlton Belk, Stone Mountain, Georgia, Cornelia Easley (Gerard), Palmetto, Georgia, Calvin Belk (Glenda), Columbus, Georgia, George Belk (Annette), Columbus, Georgia, Anita Threatt (Albert), Palmetto, Georgia and Joann Rollie (Richard), Union City, Georgia; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; five sibilngs, Richard Belk, Albany, Georgia, Minnie Lee Chinn (Ephriam), Atlanta, Georgia, Annie Ruth Stewart, Buena Vista, Georgia, Margaret Walker (Lewis), Conyers, Georgia and Ida Durrah (Obb), Warner Robins, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Mickey "Cal" Thornton, age 42, 714 Lavender Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed on Monday, March 28, 2011 at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Highway 49, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mickey "Cal" Thornton was born May 17, 1968 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to Lillie Bell Thornton and Harvey Edge. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. At an early age, he joined Piney Grove Baptist Church. He was employed with Yoder Farms for over 16 years and with Cars-r-Us Towing Service for 5 years.

Survivors include a loving and devoted mother, Lillie Bell Thornton, Montezuma, Georgia; father, Harvey Edge (Ozie), Montezuma, Georgia; siblings, Shirley Ann Edge, Americus, Georgia, Elizabeth Tookes, Emma Thornton, and Lillie Brown (Kenneth), all of Montezuma, Georgia, and Sherronda Miller (Clifford), Syracuse, New York; stepsister, Sharonda Ladd (Bob), Montezuma, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Nettie Frederick, Agnes Montford (Leroy), Eddie Tookes (Annie), and Mary Brown, all of Orlando, Florida, Betty Harris, Willie James Odom (Norma), Rudine Martin, all of Montezuma, Georgia, Elizabeth Sutton (James), Villa Rica, Georgia, Dorsey Edge (Daisey), James Edge (Ida), Detroit, Michigan, Dallas Edge, Wetumpka, Alabama, Amos Edge (Mattie), Hope Hull, Alabama, and Emma Edge, Springfield, Missouri; his loving and devoted nieces and nephews he loves as his children, Lashunda, Lakeisa, Zalinski, Gerrod, Kenbretta, Javarrez, Katajia, Sherrontierra, Jakira, and KeMaurie; a host of cousins, including devoted cousin, Malcolm Harris, Montezuma, Georgia, and friends, including devoted friend, Eugene Turner, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mrs. Mamie Lou Hart Peterson, age 95, Americus, Georgia passed Thursday morning, March 24, 2011 at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Center, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 104 Packing House Road, Americus, Georgia. Interment will follow in Eastview Cemetery, Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

Mrs. Mamie Lou Hart Peterson was born March 30, 1915 in Lee County, Georgia to the late Clay Hart and Maggie Berryhill Hart Crouch. She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County. She was married to the late Richard Peterson in 1936. To this union, they were blessed with three children. She was also blessed with a stepdaughter. She was preceded in death by her son, Willie Peterson, and one step granddaughter, Pastor Amanda Thompson. She was also preceded in death by three siblings, Willie Haywood Hart, Artie Charles Hart and Annie Lucy Ware.

Mamie Lou accepted Jehovah God as her personal Savior and joined the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1978 for 30 dedicated years. She was a very devoted member until her demise. After many dedicated years of service, she retired as a homemaker.

She leaves to cherish her memories three loving and devoted daughters, Bettye Peterson, Americus, Georgia, Annie Ruth Smith, Detroit, Michigan and Betty Stephens, Americus, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Felecia Peterson, Tywanna Peterson, Kim Smith, Andre' Lawrence Smith, Murray Peterson, Loretta Tatum, Charles A. Williams and Cheryl Williams; twenty great grandchildren, Maya, Ronnie, N'Dia, Destine, Nerissa, Allante', Lavelle, Darryl, Kamari, Elijah, Candice, Tiana, De'Ambra, Ashley, Fernado, Laquilla, Deanna, Lynette, Brittaney and Breone'; fourteen, great great grandchildren, Bre', Shay, Ramiyah, Christopher, Ronnie, Aubrielle, William, Darrell, Taisha, Markeith, Marquis, Quayshawn, Dondrea and Nykeria; a daughter-in-law, Rosa Peterson, Americus, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Geneva Hart, Detroit, Michigan; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including two devoted friends, Francis Perry and Mamie Singleton, both of Americus, Georgia.

Sister Sophia Lee Richardson Austin, age 47, 85 Sidney Lane, Montezuma, Georgia passed March 22, 2011 at Flint River Community Hospital, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., March 28, 2011 at Living Sacrifice No. II Church of God In Christ, Corner of Whiteline Street and River Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Elder Walter Austin, pastor of New Phillip Primitive Baptist Church and Moderator of the Flint River Primitive Baptist Association, will officiate. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Sister Sophia Lee Richardson Austin was born December 16, 1963 in Macon County, Georgia to Mrs. Emma Kate Range Richardson and the late George Washington Richardson. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County, Georgia. She was a 1982 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School. At an early age, she join Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church on February 8, 1983. Sophia was a very easygoing person. She captured her heart to Mr. Henry Alton Williamson on December 4, 1984. To this union, she was blessed with one daughter. In June 1995, she was united in Holy matrimony to the late Charles LaRue Spearmen. To this union, she was blessed with another daughter. In mid 1997, she moved her membership to Mount Calvary Primitive Baptist Church of Andersonville, Georgia. After the death of her husband in 1998. On May 13, 2000, she moved back to her home church (Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church), Montezuma, Georgia. In June 2000, she met Elder Terry Austin who became the pastor of Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church. On August 17, 2007, with the blessings of God, they were united in Holy matrimony. To this union, she was blessed with two stepsons. At Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church, she served as a clerk and committee for many dedicated years.

After many dedicated years of service, she was employed with Cooper Lighting Company of Americus, Georgia. She was a faithful employee with Cooper Lighting until her health began to fail.

She leaves to cherish her memories a devoted husband of four years, Elder Terry Austin, Montezuma, Georgia; two loving daughters, Trameca Williamson and Karie Spearman, both of Montezuma, Georgia; two stepsons, Dewayne Swarn, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Terrance Austin (Kim), Cairo, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jordan Williamson and Amari Williamson, Montezuma, Georgia; three step grandchildren, TaCameron Austin, Kymeria Austin and Dezstany Austin, all of Cairo, Georgia; a devoted mother, Emma Richardson, Montezuma, Georgia; six beloved siblings, Walter Richardson, Atlanta, Georgia, Otis Richardson, Montezuma, Georgia, Elder Nancy Lee, Montezuma, Georgia, Mildred Harrison (James), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Georgette Richardson, Forest Park, Georgia and Emma Hall, Oglethorpe, Georgia; six aunts, Patsy Range, Atlanta, Georgia, Katherine Dunham, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Julia Martin, West Palm Beach, Florida, Alice Sherten, Atlanta, Georgia, Thelma Sherten Hall, Atlanta, Georgia and Jessie Sherten Milner (Henry), Atlanta, Georgia; her Godson, Caleb Range, East Point, Georgia, mother-in-law, Sylvia Austin, Macon, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Elder Walter Austin (Deloise), Macon, Georgia, Elder Richard Austin (Ruby), Juliett, Georgia, Valerie Austin, Macon, Georgia, Elder Alonzo Austin (Marian), Riverdale, Georgia, Avis Austin, Macon, Georgia and Todd Austin, Macon, Georgia; a host of loving and caring nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including her church family of Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church.

Mrs. Rosetta Williams McDonald age 88, of Andersonville, Georgia passed Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Phoebe Sumter Hospital, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Saturday March 26, 2011 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Church Street, Andersonville, Georgia. Rev. Charles McDonald will officiate. Interment will follow in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Georgia Hwy 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mrs. McDonald was born July 7, 1922 in Macon County Georgia to the late Doctor Field and Smithe Cox Williams. She was the widow of the late Albert McDonald. She was preceded in death by two sons, Otis McDonald and John McDonald. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Andersonville, Georgia. She was a member of the Women Missionary Auxiliary Board and was a dedicated attendant of the Church Sunday school. She retired from Georgia Southwestern University in 1983 as a Custodian.

She was preceded in death by three siblings, Albert “Frog” Williams (Mary Dorothy), Rufus Williams and Doc Williams.

Survivors are eight children, Albert, Jr. (Wylene) McDonald, Miami, Florida, Shirley Wells, Catherine McDonald, Milton McDonald all of Andersonville, Georgia, Deacon Charlie (Burnette) McDonald, Montezuma, Georgia, Willie (Irene) McDonald, Tampa, Florida, Etta Mae McDonald, Andersonville, Georgia, and Edward McDonald of Buena Vista, Georgia; fifteen grandchildren and forty-two great grandchildren; siblings, Mary Lou Stewart, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Tincy Wiggins, Detroit, Michigan, Moses (Minnie Lee) Williams Decatur, Georgia and Arris (Pearl) Williams, Decatur, Georgia; sister-in-law, Ola Mae McDonald, Miami, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, a host of cousins including The Towns Family and a host of friends including Katie Collins and family.

Mrs. Mazie Cephus, age 91, of Andersonville, Georgia passed Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Montezuma Health Care Center, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Cephus was born March 14, 1920 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Newt Harris and Ida Dunlap Harris. She was preceded in death by four siblings: West Harris, George Harris, Fannie Harris, and Ester Bell Towns.

She was educated in the public school system of Macon County and she received her Christian training in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Willie Cephus and to this union they were blessed with twelve children: Baby Boy Cephus, Cora Love, Frederick Cephus and Henry James Cephus all preceded her in death. After many years of dedicated service she retired as a homemaker.

Survivors are her children, Leroy Cephus, Atlanta, Georgia, Eula Green (Rev. Cyrus), Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wallace (Carolyn) Cephus, East Orange, New Jersey, Willie Cephus, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Newt Cephus, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Eddie Cephus, Matawan, New Jersey, Johnny Cephus, Andersonville, Georgia, Mary (Keith) Everett, Oglethorpe, Georgia; 43 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren; devoted daughters-in-law, Shirley Cephus, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Joyce Cephus, Byron, Georgia and Linda Cephus, Asbury Park, New Jersey; devoted friend, Catherine Durham, Oglethorpe, Georgia; 2 sisters-in-law, Pearlie Harris, Americus, Georgia and Emma Lee Cephus, Montezuma, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Eula Bell McKellar, better known as “Sook McKellar,” passed Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Peach Belt Nursing& Rehab Center, Warner Robins, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Rev. Richard Lockett and Reverend Governor Gibson will officiate.

Mrs. McKellar was born in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia September 28, 1932 to the late I. J. Lockett and Annie Kate Troutman Lockett. She was the beloved wife of the late Deacon K. C. McKellar. Eula Bell was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church. She was a very smart and talented lady, she worked with various companies, which include the following: Dixie Queen Restaurant, Poteet Restaurant, Macon County Board of Education as a Bus Driver, Southern Frozen Food as a poly repack machine operator, Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. as a driver ,and was a caregiver for Beverly Manning.

Survivors include three children, Raymond (Glennice) Dugger, Bonaire, Georgia, Leonard (Patricia) McKellar, Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Mary (Robert) Bullard, Bonaire, Georgia; siblings, Leola (Harvey) Terrell, Tifton, Georgia, I.J. Lockett, Jacksonville, Florida, Hazel Gray, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Richard (Alfreda) Lockett, Macon, Georgia; sister-in-law, Mary Parker, Reynolds, Georgia; grandchildren, Braxton Dugger, Brooke Dugger, Raymon Dugger, Jr., Trina (Lorenzo) Majette, Erica (Travis) Porter, Robert (Obreziah) Bullard, Leonard McKenzie, Leonard Jarrod McKellar, Travis Harp, and Victor Davis; 14 great grandchildren; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mr. Tracy Davis, age 85, a native of Macon County and a citizen of Chicago, Illinois passed Monday, March 14, 2011 at his home. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment  will follow in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, GA HWY 26, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mr. Tracy Davis was born in Macon County, Georgia April 10, 1925 to the late Dock Davis, Sr. and Georgia Rogers Davis. He was preceded in death by two brothers, James Davis and Frank Davis. He was a graduate of the Flint River Farms High School and a World War II veteran. He was the widow of the late Grace Cooper Davis and the father of the late Carolyn Davis.

Mr. Davis was a citizen of Chicago, Illinois where he was employed as a mechanic with the International Truck and Engine Cooperation and retired after many years of dedicated services.

Survivors are two adopted daughters, Angela Heard, Byron, Georgia and Bernadine Gailey, Chicago, Illinois; three sisters, Vera Smith, Albany, Georgia, Essie Davis, Montezuma, Georgia and Ella Washington, Birmingham, Alabama; one brother, Dock (Myrtis) Davis, Jr., Hartford, Connecticut; four grandchildren of Hammond, Indiana; a host of beloved cousins including, Annie Mae Hollinshead, Miami, Florida; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Rosia Mae Tookes Jones, age 89, 629 Sam Carter Road, Reynolds, Georgia passed Monday, March 14, 2011 at the Montezuma Health Center, Montezuma, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Corinth Baptist Church, State Route 127 West, Garden Valley Community. The Reverend Governor Gibson, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Whitewater Road, Ideal, Georgia.

Mrs. Jones was born September 12, 1921 in Ideal, Macon County, Georgia to the late Ed Tookes and Ida Mae Duncan Tookes. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She was married to the late Bat Jones and to this union they were blessed with eleven children; six preceded her in death, Billy Jones, Fred Jones, Kenny Jones, Morris Jones, Willie C. Jones and Georgia Mae Jones.

She was a devout member of the Corinth Baptist Church, where she supported every facet of the church she loved so well. She was a mother of great strength and honor. She loved her family, her Christian family and the community at large with unconditional love.

She leaves to cherish her memories one daughter, Georgia Ann Jones, Reynolds, Georgia; four sons, T. J. Jones Montezuma, Georgia, Ernest Jones (Venus), Atlanta, Georgia, Jessie Joe Jones, Reynolds, Georgia, Melvin Jones: fourteen grandchildren: Frances Jones a granddaughter she reared as her own, Greensboro, Georgia, Kentrivius Jones, Ft. Valley, Georgia, Shamica Kaigler, Jennifer Jones, Lekenny Kaigler all of Montezuma, Georgia, Sylvia Jones, Tony Jones, Randy Jones all of Atlanta, Georgia, Arlena (Bobby) Walker, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Danny Jones, Atlanta, Georgia, Bridgett Jones, Jessie James Jones, Jr. both of Florida, Gwen Williams, Montezuma, Georgia, and Eddie C. Jones, Macon, Georgia; daughters-in-law, Lillie Jones, and Louvenia Jones, both of Atlanta, Georgia, Catherine Jones, Butler, Georgia and Mary Kaigler, Warner Robins, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Wallace Lee Williams, Sr., age 70, 272 Foxhill Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia, formerly of Henderson, Georgia, passed Friday, March 11, 2011 at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Thursday morning, March 17, 2011 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Whitworth Road, Henderson, Georgia. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cemetery.

Mr. Wallace Lee Williams, Sr. was born February 3, 1941 to the late Mr. Daniel C. and Mrs. Ceola T. Williams of Perry, (Houston County Community of Henderson) Georgia. He attended the public school system of Houston County. He accepted Christ and joined the Ollie Grove A.M.E. Church at an early age serving faithfully. In June 1958, he was united in holy matrimony to the former Clara M. McKenzie. To this union, four children were born.

Mr. Williams was employed at Bragg Construction Company, Perry, Georgia building many houses in Houston County and surrounding areas. He also was employed with Wright Construction Company, Georgia Lime Rock Plant, Clinchfield, Georgia and other employments in Cordele, Georgia. He also worked on the Family Farm.

Wallace had a God-given knowledge for electrical mechanics. He worked and repaired many cars, trucks and etc. Wallace attended the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institution for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia. It mission was to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve personal independent Not only did Wallace get medical and physical rehab but vocational training as well. His passion became repairing Lawn Mowers. Wallace loved gardening and planted a vegetable garden each year. Preparing the soil, making his rows and planting the seeds, corn, turnips, collards, etc.

Wallace was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Dollie W. Lockhart, Austin, Texas and Evelyn W. Jones, Buffalo, New York. Wallace's courage, giving spirit, humbleness, inspiration strength and love will live on in the hearts of those who love him. His survivors are four loving and devoted children, David L. Williams (Teresa), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Wallace L. Williams, Jr. (Carolyn), McDonough, Georgia, Clara D. Williams, Oglethorpe, Georgia and Douglas Williams (Cassandra), Stone Mountain, Georgia; seven loving grandchildren, Latasha Williams, David Leon Williams, Shaneka Williams, Neisha Hudson, Jasmine Williams, Douglas Williams, Jr., and Monica Williams; three great grandchildren, Delvin Williams, Nyla Evans and Da'Karri Whitehead; five siblings, Charlie J. Williams (Lillian), Rochester, New York, Rev. Lawrence Williams , Perry, Georgia, Rev. Adam L. Williams (Irene), Decatur, Georgia, Carrie W. Childs (Rev. Edward), Atlanta, Georgia and Sara P. Scott, Miami, Florida; two brothers-in-law, Elder G. L. Lockhart, Austin, Texas and Joseph Jones, Rochester, New York; to helped to rear, Edward Pryor (Sharon), Lula P. Stokes (Thomas), Elton Pryor, Gloria P. Greene and Linda P. Woodard; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.