Deacon James Zonie Sellars, age 90, passed Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Phoebe Sumter Hospital, 126 Georgia Highway 280, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday May 5, 2012 at the New Corinth Baptist Church, Will Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Interment service will follow 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 7, 2012 at the Andersonville National Cemetery Rostrum with military honors.

Deacon James Zonie Sellars was born January 22, 1922 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia to the late Clara Sellars Merritt. He was reared by his beloved maternal grandparents, the late Horace and Mary Sellars. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Force. October 13, 1942 and was honorably discharged November 5, 1945 as a corporal. He joined the New Corinth Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend N. A. Coes where he served as a deacon, a loyal member and golden cardholder of Ellaville Light Masonic Lodge, and he was self-employed as a carpenter. He was the widower of the late Lula Bell Sellars and the father of the late Lewis Sellars.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include: two loving grandchildren, Keisha Sellars, Great Lake, Illinois and Cpl. Justin Sellars (Porche), Ft. Drum; four great grandchildren, Isaiajah, D’Murerie’re, Joi, and Derrion; two sisters and brother-in-law, Lillie M. Wilson (Woodrow), Chicago, Illinois and Juanita G. Wade, Ellaville, Georgia; sister-in-law, Catherine Sellars, Baltimore, Maryland; several devoted nephews and nieces, James Milliner (Betty), James P. Milliner, Sr., Betty Nicole Tyson and Jeannette Clark; a host of other relatives and beloved friends, including his homecare nurse, Francis Haugabook.

Mrs. Lizzie Mae Smith, age 88, 1337 Hooks Mills Rd., Leslie, Georgia passed Saturday, April 21, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 28, 2012 at New Corinth Baptist Church, Hooks Mills Road, Americus, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. Reverend Sterling Vereen will officiate.

Mrs. Lizzie Mae was born May 26, 1923 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to the late Mary Bartlett and the late Ben Carter. She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County, Georgia. At an early age she joined Oak Grove Baptist Church. She was united in holy matrimony to Ned Smith, Sr., and to this union they were blessed with six children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned Smith, Sr., her brother, Henry Walker, sister, Georgia Mae Floyd, grandson, Leon Boone, Jr., and great grand daughter Chamiracle Wright. Lizzie served as the mother of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Deaconess ministry, and supported every facet of the church she loved so well.

Survivors are her loving and devoted children, Emma Wright (Wardell), Leslie, Georgia, Brenda Green (Ricky) Americus, Georgia, Ned Smith, Jr., William Smith, Abbey Boone (Leon) and Issac Smith,  all of Leslie, Georgia; godson, Otha (Lorraine) Hawkins, Albany, Georgia and god-daughter, Angeline Lockett, Albany, Georgia; twenty six grandchildren and sixty great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Cornelia Bell, Americus, Georgia, Fletcher Palmore, Atlanta, Georgia and Earnest Floyd, Americus, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, including George Barney and Curtis White, and godchildren, Willis, Battle, Pitts, Grover and Griffin Families.

William “Pap” Rocquemore, age 61, 308 River Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed Saturday, April 21, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. The Rev. Alfred Wynn will officiate.

William Rocquemore was born March 19, 1951 to Inez Fredrick Rocquemore and the late Clarence James Rocquemore in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County, Georgia. He was employed as a construction worker with Tom Marshall Construction Company. He also was employed as a vegetable farm seasonal worker.

Survivors are a devoted and loving mother, Inez Fredrick Rocquemore, Montezuma, Georgia; two brothers, Glenn Rocquemore and Jerry Rocquemore, both of Chicago, Illinois; four sisters, Clara Rocquemore, Chicago, Illinois, Pauline Rocquemore, and Sonya Rocquemore, both of Montezuma, Georgia and Tonya Goodlove, Detroit, Michigan; three aunts, Louise Fredrick, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Mildred Fredrick, Montezuma, Georgia and Nettie Mae Fredrick, Orlando, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, including devoted cousins, Norma Williams and Willie Gamble, and friends, including his caretaker, Mary Stewart, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mrs. Margery Farley Hargrove, age 76, passed April 20, 2012 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 420 East Jefferson Street, Americus, Georgia. Rev. Dr. H. C. Wilson, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Staley Memorial Cemetery, corner of Souther Field Road and Mayo Street, Americus, Georgia.

Mrs. Margery was born September 20, 1935 in Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia to the late Ulysses Farley and Ada Key Farley. Born in a family of eight, four brothers and three sisters preceded her in death. She was educated in the public school system of Putnam County where she also was a 1955 graduate of Butler-Baker High School.

At an early age, she joined the Union Baptist Church of Eatonton, Georgia. Several years after moving to Americus, Georgia she joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. H. C. Wilson. She served faithfully as a choir member and supported every facet of the church she loved so well.

Survivors are: a loving and devoted daughter, Mrs. JoAnn Hudson Mathis, Oglethorpe, Georgia; three grandchildren, Richard D. Hudson, Jr. (Sondra), Americus, Georgia, Tracy Lamar (Charles, II), Mableton, Georgia, Melissa Hudson, Sandy Springs, Georgia; two great grandchildren, De’Ondria and Devin Hudson; two nephews that grew up with her as brothers, Oris Farley, Sr. (Shirley), Eatonton, Georgia, Ulysses Farley, III (Deloris), Port Hueneme, California; a host of nieces and nephews; God daughters, Eula Butts and Carolyn Ross both of Americus, Georgia; and a host of other relatives and friends including two devoted friends of the family, Wavie Foster, Fort Valley, Georgia and Angela Redding, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Eva Lou "Tootsie" Haugabook Kleckley, passed Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Macon Medical Center, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 111 Walnut Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Eva Lou "Tootsie" Haugabook Kleckley was born April 11, 1935 to the late Otis Polk and Sally Haugabook Powell. Her brothers, James Haugabook, Willie Haugabook and Hoppy Powell preceded her in death. Eva was educated at the Flint River Farms School. She worked some years at Southern Frozen Food, Inc. but retired early and became a dedicated homemaker.

On December 15, 1956, Eva married the love of her life, Johnny Kleckley, Jr., sharing 55 years of marital bliss. To this union, five children were brought forth. In 1974, Eva took another vow. A vow to do God's will, symbolizing that vow by being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Eva enjoyed sharing Bible truths with others at every opportunity. Even during periods of illness her faith in the Bible's promises remained strong.

Eva leaves many fond memories in the hearts of those whom she knew and those who knew her, but especially her family. He beloved husband, Johnny Kleckley, Jr., her devoted children, Daughters: Linda Kleckley Hankerson, Carla Kleckley, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia and Jeshanah "Shan" Kleckley, Americus, Georgia; Sons: Donnie Kleckley and Tommy J. Kleckley (Ruby), all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; three loyal grandchildren: Harold Hankerson (Lazetta), Marietta, Georgia, Stacey Mathis (Timothy), Fort Valley, Georgia and Candace Kleckley, Oglethorpe, Georgia; Affectionate great grands includes Simone Hankerson, Hailey Hankerson, both of Marietta, Georgia and Timberly Mathis, Fort Valley, Georgia; a dearly loved sister-in-law, Eddie Ruth "Honey" Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia; brothers-in-law / sisters-in-law, T. J. McKellar (Lois), Atlanta, Georgia, Essie Mae Kirven (Leroy), Waterbury, Connecticut and Ricky McKellar, Oglethorpe, Georgia; warm-hearted nieces, Betty Mathis, Marianne Curry (Russell), Laner "Carolyn" Maloy (Abner), Clara McKenzie, Doris Haugabook and Gloria Wells; caring nephews: Willie H. Haugabook, Freddie Haugabook, Jerome Haugabook, Edward Thomas; a special cousin, Vienell Killings, Atlanta, Georgia; a hundred fold of spiritual brothers and sisters; a host of great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Minnie Pearl McDonald-Howard, age 49, passed Thursday, April 12, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 21, 2012 at New Hope Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Reverend Allen Waters, Jr. is pastor. Rev. Dr. Johnnie Cooper will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. 

Mrs. Minnie Pearl McDonald-Howard was born on February 18, 1963 in Macon County, Georgia to Minnie King McDonald and the late Johnny C. McDonald. She was the eldest of three children. She received her early childhood education in the Macon County public school system. She accepted Christ at an early age and worshipped with the Saint Esther Temple family while in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, she tried her skills in the field of dentistry before finding her true calling working with young children. She worked approximately 10 years as a Director of a daycare prior to becoming a loving and devoted housewife to her husband and sons.

She spent the last 25 years close to her best friend, Willie J. Howard, whom she married in 1991. They shared many wonderful years and experience together. She was preceded in death by her father, the late Johnny C. McDonald.

She leaves a legacy of memories and love to her dear family and friends. She is survived by a devoted and caring husband, Willie J. Howard; three loving sons, Marchaffin McDonald, Martez Howard, Keith Garrett and one daughter, Kimberly Garrett; four grandchildren, Kennan, Damonti, Kennedy and McKenzie; one goddaughter, Taylor Jones; her mother, Minnie McDonald, Oglethorpe, Georgia; sisters, Stacey Walton (Charlie), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Shirley Smith, Lithonia, Georgia, Ruthie Fowler, Forest Park, Georgia, and one brother, Johnny McDonald (Tawana), Austell, Georgia; In-law, Alice Jordan, Milner, Georgia, Harold Odom, College Park, Georgia, Lottie Haddock (Algie), Atlanta, Georgia, Gloria Jelks (Clarence), Atlanta, Georgia, Jimmie Howard (Brenda), Atlanta, Georgia, James Howard (Regina), Decatur, Georgia, Iris Turner (Oliver), Montezuma, Georgia, Norman Williams, Montezuma, Georgia, Bruce Palmer (Barbara), Montezuma, Georgia, Johnny Williams, Jr. (Ludy), Coral Springs, Florida, James Williams (Jewell), Augusta, Georgia; Lewis Williams, Lauderdale, Florida, Ruthie Whitfield (Waymon), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Leonard Williams (Chanto), Ft. St. Lucie, Florida and Ronnie Williams (Sherrie), Hawaii; Devoted niece, Sharonda Haddock, Atlanta, Georgia; devoted cousin, Agnes Howard, Oglethorpe, Georgia, close neighbors, Ms. Dorothy and Debra Wise; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Eula Mae Dice McCants, age 89, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Monday, April 9, 2012 at the Montezuma Health Care Center, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Church Street, Andersonville, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery, Grangerville Community, Ideal, Georgia.

Mrs. McCant was born October 25, 1922 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Will Dice and Ossie Harpe Ford. She was married to the late Charlie McCant, Sr. and to this union they were blessed with fourteen children. Eight children preceded her in death: Charlie McCants, Jr., Will McCants, Ulysses McCants, Eddie McCants, Curtis McCants, Bernice McCants, Jeffery McCants, and Zettie Davis. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County, a member of the Travelers Home Baptist Church and a retired homemaker.

She leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to her beloved children which include: Ocie Lee Ivory, Bessie Raines, J. W. McCants (Margaret), Richard McCants, Ida Pearl McCants, Aaron McCants (Karen), and Cynthia Banks all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Mary McCants, Oglethorpe, Georgia; forty seven grandchildren, 144 great grandchildren and a host of great, great grandchildren; two siblings, Mary Annie Stewart and C. T. Ford both of Oglethorpe, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, including a devoted cousin, Ida Mae Tookes, Oglethorpe, Georgia, and friends.

Mary Linda Dixon, age 42, 318 Welch Road, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Columbus Hospice House, 7040 Moon Road, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Nazarene Church of Jesus Christ-COGIC, 2286 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Elder Larry Franklin, Jr., pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Zion Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mary was born May 29, 1969 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to Paul Dixon and Emma Ruth Street. She was a 1988 graduate of Tri-County, High School. She joined the Cool Spring Baptist Church at an early age. She was a regular attendant of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church along with her mother and family. She was employed with Home Nursing as a caregiver.

She leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to her beloved family which include her parents: Emma Ruth Street (Nathaniel), and Paul Dixon (Earnestine)-mother), all of Buena Vista, Georgia; her five children, April Dixon Columbus, Georgia, Larico Dixon and Derico Dixon both of Buena Vista, Georgia, Trynesha Dixon, Columbus, Georgia and Antonius Dowsey, Buena Vista, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Troytavia Denmark, Trimaya Dixon, Emmanuel Walton, Jr., Kavious Dixon, Jamirra Dixon, Aleriyah Walton, and Airyanna Dixon; five siblings, Ricky Dixon (Latrice) Boston, Mass., Steve Dixon, Natoria Street, both of Buena Vista, Georgia, Marcus Rogers, and Jermaine Jolly, both of Ellaville, Georgia; grandmother, Oris Tymes, Buena Vista, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Mary Ann Haynes, Cusseta, Georgia, Moses Dixon (Eula), William Winkfield, Roger Tymes (Gwen), and Sammie Tymes all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Robert Tymes, Ft. Mitchell, Alabama, Linda Robinson (Charlie), Columbus, Georgia, Mary Lee, Winter Haven, Florida, Mary Helen Tymes, Columbus, Georgia and Glaydean Johnson, Buena Vista, Georgia; two great aunts, Marie Coley and Leslie Hunt, both of Miami, Florida; beloved nieces and nephews, Nyla, Roderick, Keisha, Anthony, Ricky, Jr., DaQuan, Jamorris and Manyetta; a host of beloved cousins and friends including one devoted friend, Sandra Ingram, Columbus, Georgia.

Crystal Bernette Nelson, age 50, 204 Tom Watson Avenue, Ideal, Georgia passed Wednesday, April 4, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, April 9, 2012 at the Faithful Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia, where the Reverend Zackery Terry is pastor. Interment will follow in the Hope Well Independent Church Cemetery, Brooks Mill Road, Ideal, Macon County, Georgia.

Crystal was born September 8, 1961 in Reynolds, Taylor County, Georgia to J.C. Nelson and Bessie Lou Duncan Nelson. She was a 1979 Graduate of Macon County High School and a member of the Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church. For many years she was employed as a nurses aid with the Ideal Health Care and for several years she was employed with Gold King as a line technician.

Crystal was a beautician at heart. She enjoyed her grandchildren and was always trying new hairstyles to make her boos look good. She dedicated her life to her family, lending a helping hand where it was needed.

She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved family which included: her parents, J.C. Nelson and Bessie Lou Duncan Nelson, Ideal, Georgia; four children, Shurell Nelson (Tina McDonald), Montezuma, Georgia, Antonio Perkins (Sheanett Griffin), Bryant Nelson (Shalanda Griffin) all of Ideal, Georgia and Maquita Nelson (Victor Bonner), Ideal, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren, Tiawanna, Za’Marquies, Zamarrion, Noah, Ethan, Breunnia, Antonio, Hikeem, Jakeem, Shabrya, Shaleya, Makevion and Maquez; eight siblings, Letitia Miller (Chuckie), Atlanta, Georgia, Gwendolyn Nelson, Terrance Nelson (Shelia) all of Ideal, Georgia. Jonathan Nelson (Lakeshia), Laquiva Haslam (Lawrence), Eric Ross (Olivia), all of Warner Robins, Georgia, Derrick Ross, Marshallville, Georgia and Lisa Ross, Ft. Valley, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Joe Duncan (Betty), Ideal, Georgia, Eva Duncan, Atlanta, Georgia, Orris Duncan (Ellis Johnson, Jr.), Ideal, Georgia, Doris Respert, Atlanta, Georgia, Raymond Duncan, Sarah Nelson and Ilene Nelson all of Ideal, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Marion Martin, age 55, Gatesville, Texas passed Tuesday, April 3, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the New Hope Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow at 2:30 P.M. in Andersonville National Cemetery Rostrum, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia. The Reverend Alfred Biggs, pastor of Harrison Chapel Baptist Church, will officiate.

Marion Martin was born February 16, 1957 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to Addie Mae Whittaker Martin and the late Melvin Martin, Sr. He was preceded in death by one brother, Milton Martin. At an early age, he joined the band of Christian believers at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church. He was a 1976 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School. On April 23, 1994, he received a certificate in Pre Service Correctional Training from Central Texas College.

Marion retired from the US Army as a Combat Engineer after 22 years of service. He served in various commands and received numerous service and achievement medals which include the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Bronze Service Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal. He served during the Persian Gulf War. He was currently working as a Correctional Officer with the Gatesville, Texas Department of Corrections.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving mother, Addie Whittaker Martin, Montezuma, Georgia; his children, Timothy Warren, Montezuma, Georgia, Natalie Gable, Dallas, Texas and Jonathan Martin (Eryn), Fort Lewis-McChord, Washington; his siblings, Edith Brown (Hozie), Montezuma, Georgia, Melvin Martin, Jr. (Ernestine), Americus, Georgia, Felicia Martin, Warner Robins, Georgia, Malinda Johnson, Montezuma, Georgia, Rohonda Hite, Montezuma, Georgia, Peggie Davis (Wayne), Perry, Georgia and Cynthia Martin, Montezuma, Georgia. Also left to cherish his memories are a special cousin reared as a sister to him, Gloria Childs, Warner Robins, Georgia; aunts & uncles, Irene Felder (Earl), Perry, Georgia, Nissie Felton, Montezuma, Georgia, Annette Smith (Emmitt), Montezuma, Georgia, Rudine Martin, Montezuma, Georgia, Jerry Granville, Warner Robins, Georgia, Mary Hill, Naples, Florida, Alice Carswell (Charles), Tampa, Florida, Roberta Stockner (Robert), Naples, Florida, Ruth Martin, Phoenix City, Alabama and a host of beloved nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.