The funeral service for Henry J. Holton will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Shady Grove  Baptist Church, Whitewater Road, Ideal, Georgia.  Burial will follow at Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church cemetery, Highway 26, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

​Henry J. Holton was born on April 3, 1938 to the late parentage of Doshie and Lucius Holton in Schley County, Georgia. After an extended illness he entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 13, 2020 in Henry County, Georgia. One daughter, Taahsela K. Holton, and one sister, Mary Lois Holton, preceded him in death. He is survived by a loving wife of 57 years, Earnestine Jones Holton; three sisters, Mattie Haynes of Chicago, IL, Bessie Wright of Americus, GA and Lucille Turner of Tyler, TX; two daughters, Deborah Ann (Dr. Wilbur) Troutman of Mesa, AZ and Dr. Rose M. Holton of McDonough, GA;  two grandchildren, Jean (Haze) Troutman of Gilbert, AZ and Diamond Ashleigh Troutman of Dallas, TX.

Brothers-in-law: David (Monica) Jones of McDonough, GA, Kenneth (Olivia) Jones of Lawrenceville, GA; Dr. Alonzo (Kathy) Jones of Columbus, GA; Ray Jones of Byron, GA; Michael (Melita) Jones of Stone Mountain and Alfred (Wylonda) Jones of Lithonia, GA; Charlie Jenkins of Ellenwood, GA. Sisters-in-law: Dr. Alma Jones and Sandra Mays of Lithonia, Carolyn (Claude) Glover of Macon, GA; Cresie (DeMarco) Fulks of Stockbridge, GA. Nephews: Homer (Patricia) Haynes of Renton, WA; Roosevelt Wright III of Americus, GA; and Romel Turner of Bethlehem, GA; Kenneth (Lauren) Jones, Jr of Seattle, WA; Torris Jenkins of Atlanta, GA; Ryan Jones of Dallas, TX; Taylor Seay Mays of Covington, GA; Tony Mays  and Alfred Jones, Jr. of Lithonia; Alonzo Jones, Jr of Columbus, GA; Caleb and Patrick Jones of Macon, GA; DeMarco Fulks, Jr. of Stockbridge, GA. Nieces: Rosonya Adil of McDonough, GA and Romya (Matt) Turner of Tyler, TX; Andrea Michelle Harper, Cheryl Jenkins, Morgan Jones, Christina Glover of McDonough, GA; Alexis Jones of Cambridge, MA; Alycia Jones of Stone Mountain, GA; Sara Turner of Lithonia; Nadia K. Fulks of Stockbridge, GA. A devoted and caring neighbor: Deacon Johnny Cephus.

​Gloria Ann Jones, age 53, 826 McMath Mill Road Ext, Americus, Georgia passed Thursday, March 11, 2020 at her residence.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 14, 2020 at First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery 500 Block, Americus, Georgia.

Gloria Ann Jones was born April 4, 1966 to the parents of the late Joseph Jones, Jr., and Erma Jean Westbrook Hill. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gladys Westbrook, Lonnie Westbrook, Leola Mathis Jones and Joseph Jones Sr.  She was educated in the public-school systems of Sumter and Macon Counties.

Gloria gave her life to Christ, was baptized and became a member of First United Holiness Church in Montezuma, Georgia under the leadership of Rev. Michael Coley, Pastor.

She worked several years at Collins & Aikman (formerly Davison Textron Automotive) as a painter; she also held other positions until the plant closed in 2007.  She was most recently employed by Hyundai Transys Georgia Seating System until her health declined.

Gloria enjoyed talking and playing games on her cell phone, spending time with her family, shopping with her grandbabies Jazz and Brooklyn, and dancing under the stars.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Gloria departed her earthly life in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. 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.

Precious memories will forever be cherished by her devoted son Jeremy R. White (Chuqita); grandchildren, Jezeriah, Brooklyn, Taju, Isyss, and Keristine; three sisters, Yolanda McClaster (Jason), Mamie Allen, Demetrious Walton (Robert); one brother, Joseph Jones III; stepfather, Dexter Hill; stepmother, Mary Jones; special nieces and nephews, Miesha, Ashlyn and Kamari; and a host of other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles other relatives and friends.

​Robin Lucille Davis, age 54, passed on March 7, 2020 at St. Francis Medical Center, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 13, 2020 at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery, 500 Block of Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

On December 10, 1965 during the Christmas holidays Mr. and Mrs. Melvin and Hattie Ragan Black was blessed with a beautiful daughter, they named her Robin. Robin grew up in Americus, Georgia where she attended and graduated with honors from the Sumter County Comprehensive High School.

She later went on to further her education at Fort Valley State University where she pursued a degree in Criminal Justice. She was employed with Georgia Sheriff Youth Home as a Den Mother in Lagrange, Georgia.

Love was definitely in the picture for her life when she met Eugene Davis.  They were united in holy matrimony on December 22, 2012.  Her extended family included four sons, Kenneth, Calvin, Bryan and Brandon.

She and her husband joined the Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Glynn Bryant where she served on the Missionary Ministry and helped in the kitchen.

On Saturday March 7, 2020 Robin's loving and caring heart left a legacy that impacted the hearts of those whom she has left behind.  Powerful memories will forever be cherished by her loving and committed husband of seven wonderful years, Eugene Davis, Oglethorpe, Georgia; a beloved niece/daughter she reared, Selena Black; her stepchildren, Kenneth Mitchell, Calvin Mitchell, Bryan Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell; ten step grandchildren; three brothers, Melvin Black, Jr., Gene Merritt (Cathy) and Mark Clark (Sharon); one uncle, Curtis Black; one aunt, Harriett Black; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Calvin Perry (Cynthia), Lorenza Davis, Sandra Harris, Steve Askew (Lois), Bobby Childs (Rose), Curtis Holmes (Lakeitha); a host of beloved nieces and nephews;  and a host of beloved cousins and best friends, including Mary Howard, Aretha Holmes, Kim, Towanda and Lula Neal and Magnolia.

Richard Phillips passed on March 5, 2020 at the age of 66.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 9, 2020 at Union Baptist Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow at 2:00 P.M. in the Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia.

Richard was born June 18, 1953 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late Charlie Phillips and Jessie Sanders Phillips. Two brothers, Jimmy Phillips, and Charlie Richard Phillips, Jr., preceded him in death.

He was educated in the public-school system of Macon County and a 1971 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School. After graduation he attended Fort Valley State University. He served in the United States Navy where he received several awards. Richard was a carpenter and painter by trade.

He was united in holy matrimony to the former Shonda Renee Thompson in 2013. He was a member of the Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joe Hairston, Pastor.
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He leaves to cherish his fond memories to his wife, Shonda Phillips, Montezuma, Georgia; two daughters, Freda Phillips, Perry, Georgia and Jessica Phillips, Americus, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Eric Sparks, Americus, Georgia, Quadrevion Phillips, Americus, Pierre’ Mann, Perry, Georgia, Jacoby Pride, Americus, Georgia, Keiosha Ellis, Perry, Georgia, Jamarion Phillips, Americus, Georgia and Miyana Kearse, Americus, Georgia; one great-grandchild; two siblings, Belinda P. Moore (William L.), Knoxville, Tennessee and Sylvia Moore (MacArthur), Knoxville, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Douglass Flowers, Montezuma, Georgia; sister-in-law, Dollie Phillips, Montezuma, GA; great aunt, Christina Simpson, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

​Sylvester Lee Harper, age 65, 331 Pineville Road Apt 13, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Friday morning, March 6, 2020 at the Piedmont Medical Center, Columbus, Georgia. 

Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the Buena Vista City Cemetery, 3rd Avenue, Buena Vista, Georgia. The Reverend Ula C. McCray, pastor of Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, will officiate. 

Sylvester Lee Harper was born April 1, 1954 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama to the late Ed Harper and Erma Herron Harper. He was a 1971 graduate of Wenonah High School and a veteran of the United States Army.
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He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marilyn Hale. He was a member of the Hamilton 365 Masonic Lodge of Montgomery, Alabama. 

A loving and devoted wife of forty-three years, Geneva Evans Harper, Buena Vista, Georgia; six children, Anthony Evans, Sr., Buena Vista, Georgia, Sylvester Evans (Akeyvya) Cusseta, Georgia, Lakishia Evans, Buena Vista, Georgia, Jeanetta Harper, Birmingham, Alabama, Scharlita Evans, Warner Robins, Georgia and Shacorriol Sampson, Buena Vista, Georgia; eight grandchildren; four siblings, Harvis Harper (Sylvia) Birmingham, Alabama, Charles Harper (Janice), Hoover, Alabama, Joseph Harpse (Loretha), Atlanta, Georgia and Antoinette McCray (Rev. Ula C. McCray), Birmingham, Alabama; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Leila Jolly, Atlanta, Georgia, Emma Coleman and Melvin Charley, Birmingham, Alabama; a special niece, Shondra Jolly, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

​Mines Jack Cross, Jr., age 49, of 807 Hawkins Street, Americus, Georgia passed Thursday morning, February 27, 2020 at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 132 Bumphead Road, Americus, Georgia. Burial will follow at the Vienna City Cemetery, East Woodward Street, Vienna, Georgia.

Mr. Mines Jack Cross Jr. was born on August 7, 1970 in Americus Georgia to the parentage of Annie Ruth Pride and the late Mines Jack Cross Sr. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jessie and Annie Mae Floyd, Sam and Earner Mae Cross; two aunts, Ms. Jessie Dean Floyd and Ms. Ada Williams; four uncles, Jessie and Robert Floyd, EC Cross, and AC Cross Sr. Jack was educated in the public-school system of Sumter County where he was a graduate of Americus High School, class of 1988.

At an early age, Jack joined New Shady Grove Baptist Church. He was employed at Caravelle Boats. Jack was a die hard "Pittsburg Steeler Fan" and he enjoyed grilling.

Precious memories will forever be cherished by his devoted daughter, Shardae Cross, McDonough, Georgia; a loving mother, Annie Ruth Cross Pride and stepfather, James Pride, Americus, Georgia; three devoted loving sisters, Sylvia Cross Barner (Willie Fred) Americus, Georgia, Vandella McDonald, McDonough, Georgia, Cassandra Engram (Kelby), Hampton, Georgia; four nephews, Antonio Germane Calloway, Americus, Georgia, Antawan Cross (Chantilly), Fredericksburg, Virginia, Keldrick Engram (Kateisa), McDonough, Georgia, Justice Craig Voliton, McDonough, Georgia; two great nieces, Indya Cierra Calloway, Montezuma, Georgia, Mikaila Cross, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Antonio Germane Calloway Jr., Americus, Georgia; aunts/uncles Betty Jean Milliner (James), Otha Floyd (Lorraine), Homer Floyd (Cassie), Frank Floyd (Clara), Walter Floyd, all of Americus, Georgia, Albert Cross (Shirley) Samples, Walley Georgia, George Raymond Cross (Gloria), Americus, Georgia, Jimmy Cross (Betty) Americus, Georgia, Willie B. Cross, Palm Beach, Florida; one great uncle, George Jordan, Americus, Georgia; one great aunt, Margaret Jordan, Americus Georgia.  Jack also leaves behind six-step brothers, one step-sister; and a host of other relatives and friends.   

Deacon Walter Edward Hicks, Sr., age 75, of 2970 Hwy 41 South, Buena Vista, Georgia, passed on February 29, 2020 at Navicent Health Medical Center, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, March 6, 2020 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 121 East Bridges Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow at the New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church cemetery family lot, Mt. Pleasant Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Deacon Walter Edward Hicks, Sr. was born August 26, 1944 to the late Edress Hicks and Louise Swan Hicks. He was the oldest of six children; one brother preceded him in death, Willie Hicks. He was a 1962 graduate of Buena Vista High School. He continued his education at the Columbus Technical and Vocational School where he received his certification in Building Construction. In 1968 on the 7th of October, he enlisted into the United States Air Force and after serving his country for six years he was honorably discharged on October 6, 1974 as a SGT E-4.

He was united in holy matrimony to the late Mary Ann Milliner. They were happily married for twenty-seven years until her passing. They were blessed with two children, Wilhelmina Hicks and Walter Edward Hicks, Jr. Being reared in a Christian family, Walter learned early in life his path of duty. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Ministry for a number of untiring years. He was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church where he was Vice Chairman of the Deacon Ministry. He truly loved his church. He worked wherever he was needed. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and supported the activities of the church. He worked on the foundation and masonry work for the new Mt. Pleasant Church.
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For forty years Walter was employed with the United States Department of Agriculture as an Inspector. At that time, Walter and his dear friend, Willie Minter were the first African-Americans with that responsibility for south & middle Georgia. He retired at the rank of GS-10. After his retirement, he spent his time working in his garden and deer hunting. He loved growing vegetables and making fruit preserves that he freely shared among family, friends and the community at-large. He was a true outdoorsman; He had a love for fishing and hunting. He loved bowling, family outings, grilling, and telling funny stories. He was known for his love of photography. As the owner of Hicks Photography, he was commissioned by many to take photos of their special events.

He served on the Marion County Hospital Board and supported the Marion County Recreation Department. Walter organized the Draneville Community Fire Department Unit, where he served as a volunteer firefighter. He was also a member of Gideons International.

On December 15, 2001, he married the former Mattie Jorden, who preceded him in death. He was blessed with an extended family; daughters, Wanda Jorden, Rhonda Jorden-Neal (George, Jr.), and granddaughter Raven Jorden.
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He leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to his beloved family: a daughter, Wilhelmina Hicks (and her devoted friend, Patrick Mobley), Macon, Georgia; a son, Walter Edward Hicks, Jr. (Katrina), Fayetteville, Georgia; one granddaughter, Kendall Hicks; four siblings and their spouses, Revonia Britten, Atlanta, Georgia, Mamie Grimes (Earnest), East Point, Georgia, Andrew Hicks (Mamie), Tucson, Arizona, Virginia Rogers, Riverdale, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert Milliner (Bobbie), Winfred Milliner (Mary Ann), Arelena Warmington (Johnnie), Nathaniel Milliner (Katie), all of Hartford, Connecticut, Bernice Muff (Martin), Annie Bolden, Aries Lee Harris, Gloria Slaughter (Elder Eddie Slaughter), Ernestine Kelly (Bobby) all of Buena Vista, Georgia and Rev. Paul Smith (Annie Pearl), Phoenix City, Alabama; a host of beloved nieces and nephews; a host of cousins including several devoted, Mrs. Edna Baker Champion, Deidre Baker Sterling and Donna A. Baker Tennyson; god-daughter; Yolanda Edwards, Jefferson City, MS; and a host of other beloved family and friends.