Mr. Rudolph Coley, age 71, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2014 at St Francis Hospital, Manchester Expressway, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Monday, May 5, 2014 at the William Grove Baptist Church, 71 Gill Street Hwy 19, Ellaville, Georgia, where the Reverend Michael Edge is pastor.  Minster Donavon Coley will officiate. Interment will follow at 12:00 noon at Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia.

Airman Rudolph Coley was born June 11, 1942 in Americus, Georgia to the late Timothy O. Coley Sr. and the late Lila Mae Neal Coley. He was a member of the Sumter County High School Class of 1960. Subsequently, after graduation, he and his best friend, Airman Waldo White, joined the United States Air Force. 

Rudolph leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Velma Jean Pride Coley. To their union five kids were born - two daughters, Sonya Carina Scarborough (Randy) and Fatima Crystal Coley and three sons, Victor Rudolph Coley, Terrance Dane Coley, and Donavon Overnun Coley (Tonia).  He also leaves his lifelong best friend, Waldo White (Mary); two sisters, Otis Calloway (Ernest) and Grace Millner; three brothers, Robert Coley (Gwen), Stephen Coley (Gislea), and Ronald Coley; sister-in-law, Tommie McCuller, five brothers-in-law, Frank Pride (Alice), Charlie Pride, Michael Pride, Kirkland Pride, and Ernest Pride (Sonja); his William Grove Church Family, where he's known as "ROOT,” a host grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Mrs. Alice Davis, age 85, 405 Shumate Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. The Reverend Billy T. Marshall will officiate. Interment will follow in the Champ Waters Memorial Garden Cemetery, 181 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Alice Mae Davis was born January 12, 1929 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the parents of the late Guss Turner and Maria Hicks. Her husband, Arthur Lee Davis, one sister, Mary Owens and one uncle, J.D. Marshall preceded her in death.  She joined Evangelical Faith Vision Ministries, Inc., Albany, Georgia, under the leadership of the late Bishop Isaiah Revills. She was a retired homemaker.

Survivors include her children, Billy T. Marshall (Evelyn) Lynn Haven, Florida, John Turner (Suki) Texas, Mary Frances Butts, Elizabeth Greaves, Willie Jo Davis and Joann Davis Woolfork all of Montezuma, Georgia; grandchildren, James Campbell Jr., Gerald Greaves, Yabalah Israel, Nola Marie Butts, Connie Ann Ash, Arthur Davis, Donnie Denard Woolfork, Teresa Davis, Zachery Turner, Jeffery Turner, Michell DeRamus, Jaclyn (Tony) Parker, and Felisia Turner; great grandchildren, James Campbell III, Javonne Campbell, Yoshua, Israel, Daijon Greaves, Tavion Greaves, Tajae Greaves, Gerald Greaves Jr., Dejuan Damari Woolfork, Shiheem Narkez Rutherford, Nakiyah Ariell Kinder, Kwinton DeRamus, Kapri DeRamus, Ariana Paker, and Jada Parker; a great great granddaughter Kaliyah DeRamus; and a host of cousins other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Josie Raven Williams, age 62, Brookdale Drive, Americus, Georgia passed Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at her home.

The memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. Mark A.M.E. Church Community Life Center, 1667 Bishop Johnson Circle, Plains, Georgia.

Mrs. Josie Raven Williams was born August 2, 1951 to the late Blummie Tommie, Jr. and Nancy Raven Tommie in Plains, Sumter County, Georgia. She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County. She obtained her nursing degree from South Georgia Technical College of Americus, Georgia. She was a licensed Nurse for over twenty years. She was employed with Sumter Regional Hospital, Plains Nursing Home and Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. She was married to the late Johnnie B. Williams.

Survivors are two loving daughters, Sheila Carter (Blair), Marietta, Georgia and Kristie Boone (Robert), Springdale, Arkansas; three loving grandchildren, Cameron Michael Carter, Madison Camille Carter, and John William Boone; six siblings, Evelyn Tommie, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Flora Tommie, and Freddie Tommie, both from Atlanta, Georgia, Fred Walker, Jr. (Charlotte), Flint, Michigan, Raymond Walker, Lansing, Michigan, and Donna Walker, Hartford, Connecticut; Aunt, Dorothy Merritt, New York City, New York; nieces and nephews, Shaneika Reddick, Jazmain Tommie, both of Americus, Georgia, Fredrick Walker, Flint, Michigan, Nicole Walker and Joshua Walker, Hartford, Connecticut; two great nephews, Kingston Lyles and Eden Tommie, both of Americus, Georgia, other relatives, and friends.

Martha Bryant Wooden, age 92, of 5131 Warm Spring Road, Columbus, Georgia, passed April 20, 2014 at River Town Center Nursing Home, Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, McDuffie Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. The Reverend Gregory Porter will officiate. Interment will follow in Mahalia A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Mahalia Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Martha Bryant Wooden was born April 4, 1922 to the late Dave Bryant and Eula Mae Jones Bryant in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia. She was educated in the Marion County School System. Martha was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher Board Ministry. She was joined in Holy matrimony to the late Willie Oliver Wooden. Martha is preceded in death by one stepson Anthony “Tony” Wooden and two siblings, Lizzie Mae Johnson and James Bryant.

Survivors are her beloved twin sister, Mary McGrady, Buena Vista, Georgia; nieces and nephews Barbara Times, Columbus, Georgia, Mary Alice Watson, Palm Coast, Florida, Eula “Poochie” Cochran, Gloria Jean Bryant, Carolyn Bryant, all of Chicago, Illinois, Lois (Rev. Tommy) Terry, Buena Vista, Georgia, Marilyn (Robert) Shelton, Detroit, Michigan, Jimmy McGrady, Detroit, Michigan; a stepdaughter, Carolyn Wooden, Connecticut; and a host of great nieces and nephews other relatives and friends, including two devoted cousins, Alfonzo King and Felton “Jack” King and a beloved family friend, Joanna Johnston.

Mary Alice Holloman Wilson, age 72, 331 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Georgia passed Thursday, April 17, 2014 at her home. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Josh Gibson Center, 20 Gibson Way, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Evans Chapel C.M.E. Church cemetery, 498 Enterprise Church Road, Preston, Georgia.

Mary Alice was born November 16, 1941 in Preston, Webster County, Georgia to the late Henry Holloman and Lilia Hall Holloman. A son, Tony Wilson, and great great great grandchild, Gabrielle, preceded her in death.  Eight siblings, Irena Ingram, Pearl Mae Jossiey, Leila Walton, Ruby Williams, Felton Holloman, Jessie Holloman, J.C. Holloman, and Roosevelt Holloman, also preceded her in death.

Mary was educated in the public school system of Marion County, where she graduated for Marion County High School. She was a member of Evan Chapel C.M.E Church, where she served on the Usher Board Ministry over the years. She was employed by Tyson Foods Inc. as a housekeeper and retired from the company after many dedicated years of service. Mary was formerly married to William Wilson Sr., and they were blessed to raise seven children.

Survivors include her children, Brenda Green, Cheree Slaughter, Sylvia (Maurice) Carter, all of Buena Vista, Georgia, William (Octavia) Wilson, Jr. Americus, Georgia, Linda Wilson, Buena Vista, Georgia, Vicky Chambliss (William), Ewa Beach, Hawaii; 19 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; siblings, Charlie (Carolyn) Holloman, Richland, Georgia and Azzie (Walter) Adams, Oakland, California; daughter-in-law, Margie Wilson, Buena Vista; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Johnnie B. Williams, age 71, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida passed April 15, 2014.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014 at New Hope Baptist Church, 8620 State Route 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Rev. Allen Waters is Pastor.  The Reverend Jerome Glover will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Johnnie B. Williams was born September 15, 1942 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Johnnie B. Williams, Sr. and Jennie Williams.  He was a 1960 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School.  Later in life, he attended vocational school and studied electrical engineering.  He married the former Daisy Hannor.  To this union, they were blessed with two sons.  He served his country in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged. Johnnie received the following badges, medals and other from the U. S. Army: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service, Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Purple Heart Medal. 

In 1964, Johnnie moved to Ft. Lauderdale, where he was employed with the Department of Sanitation for many years.  He continued to serve the Lord with all his heart. In 2002, he married Rudy, the wife who is left with his precious memories. Those who are gone before him include his parents, Johnnie B. Williams, Sr. and Jennie Williams, his son, Fredrick Williams, and four siblings, Oscar, Burt, Carolyn and Norma.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rudy; one son, Curtis, Sr. (Amanda); six grandchildren: Curtis II, Alex, Brianca, Andrew, Evelyn and Matthew; siblings, Alguria Miller (Jimmy), Willie James (Elizabeth), Lewis (Gina), Leonard (Ella), Willie Joe (Betty), Bruce (Barbara), Ronnie (Sherrie), Iris (Oliver), Ruthie Felicia (Waymond); uncle, Lonnie Rogers (Marilyn); two aunts, Abbie and Vicky; mother-in-law, Gerture Pitts; three sisters-in-law, Sarah, Clara and Mary; five brothers-in-law, Zebedee, Willie Richard, Jesse Lee and Eddie Lee; live-in caretaker, Linda, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Jackie Wilson Sampson, age 46, 1095 Jimmy Wells Rd., Ellaville, Georgia passed Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Wilson Hospice House, Albany, Georgia.  

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 19, 2014 at New Corinth Baptist Church, Will Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Reverend Brian Ramey, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery, McDonald Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Jackie Wilson Sampson was born November 6, 1967 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia to the parentage of Mrs. Regina J. Sampson and the late Mr. Kelly Sampson, Jr.  He received his education in the public school system of Schley County and Tri-County High School, Marion County.

At an early age, he joined the New Corinth Baptist Church family.  Jackie was a kind, loving, hardworking young man, who always had the biggest ‘Smile’ on his face.  He was definitely one who never complained. His grandparents, Mattie Mae Johnson, Elizabeth Williams, and Kelly Sampson, Sr., preceded him in death.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Regina Johnson Sampson, Ellaville, Georgia; grandparents, Jack (Ruth) Johnson, Seaford, Virginia; seven brothers, Sherman (Pam) Sampson, Americus, Georgia, Timothy (Michelle) Walton, Joseph (Charlette) Walton, Jerome (Dorothy) Livas, Columbus, Georgia, Fredrick (Nakeia) Shelton, Decatur, Georgia, Reginald (Paula) Sampson, Anthony Moore, all of Ellaville, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Betty Range, Celestine Sampson, Lillie Williams, Milton Sampson, all of Ellaville, Georgia, Benita Sampson, Buena Vista, Georgia, Richard (Mae Francis) Brown Marshallville, Georgia, Mattie  (Sam) Ridley, Perry, Georgia, Benny Sampson and Ronza King, all of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary Dorothy Johnson, Edison, New Jersey,  Marion (Linda) Johnson, Detroit, Michigan, Sharon Clark, Decatur, Georgia, Bobby Sampson and Milton Sampson, both of Columbus, Georgia; great aunts and great uncles, Ethel Jones, Ellaville, Georgia, Alton (Maggie) Jones, Annie Pearl Jones and Marie Ray, all of Jacksonville, Florida, Albert (Maggie) Jones, Los Angeles, California, Lucille Denmark, Buena Vista, Georgia; a loving and devoted friend, Ms. Brenda Slappey, Americus, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Pat Hollis and Armick Oliver.

Mrs. Mattie Pearl Joseph Harpe, age 83, passed Saturday, April 12, 2014 at A.G. Rhode Health and Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 18, 2014 at Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church, 601 Railroad Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Antioch Church Cemetery, McDonald Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mattie Pearl Harpe was born February 17, 1931 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Dewey and Artizell Joseph.  One son, Lester Harpe, Jr., and seven siblings, Minnie Joseph, Ardell Joseph, Less Joseph, Mitchell Joseph, Roy Joseph, Willie Joseph, and Cornelius Joseph preceded her in death. She was married to the late Lester Harpe Sr. and worked as a homemaker.

Mattie Pearl leaves to mourn her passing her children Mattie Tookes, Forest Park, Georgia, JoAnn Rockamore, Atlanta, Georgia, Glandice Fitzhugh, Walter Clarence Ford Jr. both of Stone Mountain, Georgia and  Varnell (Mario) Sneed, Byron, Georgia; eight  grandchildren, Tamala (Paul) Fountain, Tasha Grimes both of Orlando, Florida,  Kwitessa (Clyde) Nelson and Kristen Tookes,  both of Atlanta, Georgia, Tavarus  Rockamore, Riverdale, Georgia, Shakeitha Haynes (Aaron) and Stan Scott all of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Diondra (Channing) Blair, Jacksonville, North Carolina; 20 great grandchildren; two sisters Daisy (Robert) Swillie, Fort Valley, Georgia, Queen (James) Mace, Perry, Georgia; two brothers, Johnny (Corine) Joseph, Gary, Indian and Norman Joseph, Fort  Valley, Georgia; a daughter-in-law, Doris Anderson, Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Frazier Joseph, Warner Robins, Georgia, Alice Joseph, Gary Indiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends,  including a supportive caretaker, Shirley Allen-Jackson,  Montezuma. Georgia.

Ms. Vera Davis Smith, age 77, Autumn Leaf Drive, Albany, Georgia passed Thursday, April 10, 2014. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at New Hope Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia. Reverend Allen Waters Jr., pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Ms. Vera Davis Smith was born in Macon County Georgia on March 25, 1937 to the late Dock Davis, Sr. and Georgia Rogers Davis. Three brothers, James Davis, Frank Davis, and Tracy Davis, and two sisters, Essie Mae Davis and Ella Mae Washington, preceded her in death. At an early age, she joined New Hope Baptist Church. She graduated from Flint River Farm High School. She was married to the late James Sanders Smith. After many years of dedicated service, she retired from Southern Frozen Foods.

She leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to her beloved family, which include two children, Cynthia Smith Lassiter (Leon) Albany Georgia; Ronnie James Smith (Gema) Woodbridge Virginia; one granddaughter Joy Angelica Smith and one grandson Andre Alexander Dukes; one sibling, Dock Davis (Myrtis) Hartford, Connecticut; a host of beloved cousins, including Annie Mae Hollingshead, Miami, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends, including devoted friend Edythe and James Brown and family.

Ocie Lee McCants Ivory, age 75, 400 Sumter Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Wednesday, April 9, 2014.  

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Church St., Andersonville, Georgia, where Reverend Edward McKellar is pastor.  Reverend Keith Gibbons will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery, Travelers Home Road, Ideal, Georgia. 

Mrs. Ocie Lee McCants Ivory was born October 28, 1938 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Charlie McCants, Sr. and Eula Mae Dice McCants.  She was  preceded in death by seven siblings: Charlie McCants, Jr., Eddie McCants, Ulysses McCants, Richard McCants, Reverend Curtis McCants, Sr., Gary McCants, and Will McCants.  She was educated in the public school system of Macon County, and   she was married to the late Eugene Ivory, Sr. Ocie was blessed to be the mother of nine children; three preceded her in death: Michael Ivory, Kelly Ivory and Mark Ivory.

She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.  After many years of dedicated services, she retired as a homemaker and seasonal farm worker.

She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved family which include six children and their spouses and devoted friends,  Gloria James (her friend, Jerome Williams), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Darrell (Gloria) Ivory, Waycross, Georgia, Debra Ivory (her friend, Lorenzo Davis), Demetrius  (Jackie) Ivory, Carlia (a very devoted son-in-law, Deacon Tony) Walker, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Rodricus (Latonya) Ivory, Montezuma, Georgia; twelve grandchildren, including one devoted, Amanda James; nine great grandchildren; five siblings and their spouses, Bessie Raines, J.W. (Margaret) McCants, Ida Pearl McCants, Aaron (Karen) McCants, and Cynthia Banks, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; sister-in-law, Mary McCants, Oglethorpe, Georgia;  uncle, C. T. Ford, Oglethorpe, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces and nephews; a host of beloved friends including, Janette Leggett, Ollie Harris, Lois Terry, and Ernest (Annie Pearl) Golphin, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia.