Mrs. Lue W. Edwards, age 86, passed Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the Langdale Hospice House, 2263 Pine view Drive, Valdosta, Georgia.

The viewing will be held Friday, May 30, 2014 from 6:00-7:00 P.M. at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Staley Memorial Cemetery, corner of Souther Field Road and Mayo Street, Americus, Georgia.  

Lue W. Smith Edwards was one of the seven children of Will Smith and Alma Fuller Smith.  Lue was born March 17, 1928 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia, where she grew up with Allene, Charles, Cora, Mary Dean, Cornelia, and William.  Living on the border of Schley and Sumter Counties, she acquired her education from both school systems.  She also accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at the old historic Marietta Methodist Church.

Lue was united in holy matrimony to the late Clyde Edwards, and to this union they were blessed to raise five children. Almadean Kleckley and Annette Edwards preceded her in death.   She was also preceded in death by three siblings, Cora Smith Baisden, Charles Hopkins and Allene Smith Edwards.

Lue was a loving and caring mother, daughter, sister and friends.  She instilled in her children and grandchildren the important of an education.  She was a positive person with encouraging words.   She taught her family and friends that Jesus was the right way, the truth and the life.

She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved children, including Willie Gene Smith, Greensburg, North Carolina, Louise Edwards, Americus, Georgia and Clyde Leon Edwards, Valdosta, Georgia; five grandchildren, Dameon (CaSandra) Cumming, Kisha Nicole Cumming (Eric) Evans, Felicia Smith, Terence Edward and Andreas Edwards; ten great grandchildren; three siblings, Mary Dean  (Norman) Smith, Brooklyn, New York, Cornelia Sellars, Macon, Georgia and William (Lorene) Smith, Ellaville, Georgia;  two sisters-in-law, Jessie Hopkins, Americus, Georgia and Inez Trice, Saint Petersburg, Florida; a host of beloved nieces and nephews, including one devoted, Lewis Hopkins, Americus, Georgia; a host of beloved cousins, including several devoted  E. J.  (Irene) Edge, Ellaville, Georgia, Eddie Lee Wiggins, Macon, Georgia, Wilbur Tookes and O. C. Jordan, both of Detroit, Michigan; and a host of beloved friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donation in loving memory of Lue W. Edwards to 
Langdale Hospice House
2263 Pineview Drive
Valdosta, Georgia 31602
Telephone No. 229-433-7127

Shelia Gene Dowdell, age 56, 1403 Parker Street, Americus, Georgia passed Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the Gentiva Hospice, 2425 Williams Road, Columbus, Georgia.   

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Friendship Baptist Church, 411 Cotton Avenue, Americus, Georgia. Bishop Melvin McCluster, pastor, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Eastview Cemetery, Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

Ms Shelia Gene Dowdell was born November 5, 1957 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Matthew Lewis, Sr. and the late Iona Dowdell.  She was preceded in death by one sister, Catherine Dowdell.  She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County, where she attended the old historic Union High School of Leslie, Georgia.  She was a member of the Faith of Deliverance of Americus, Georgia.  Also, she was employed with First United Methodist Church, where she was a Pre-School Teacher.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories three children and their spouses, Fatema Holmes (Antonio), Antonio Dowdell (Erica) and Terell Dowdell all of Americus, Georgia; eight grandchildren,  Lashay Dowdell, Tyeesha Walton, La’Shia Dowdell, Janiya Thomas, Jaylen Thomas, Na’Tahja Dowdell, Zackery Denmark, and Tristen Holmes; one great grandchild, DeAron Dowdell; twelve siblings and their spouses, Annie Pearl Lewis, Ideal, Georgia, Mary Taylor, Leslie, Georgia, Gloria Franklin (Otis), Leslie, Georgia, Willie Lou Fuller (Lee) Trenton, New Jersey, Jannie Jones, Kingland, Georgia, Janice Lusane (William), Americus, Georgia, Pamela Dowdell, Americus, Georgia, Lucille Davis, Americus, Georgia, Carolyn Dowdell, Americus, Georgia, Matthew Lewis, Jr. (Ruth), Americus, Georgia Willie James Lewis (Ethel), West Palm Beach, Florida, and Clarence Lewis, Americus, Georgia; aunt and uncles, Eddie Mercer, Sr., Americus, Georgia Charles Dowdell (Wilhemina) Milton, Delaware, Alberta Dowdell, Tampa, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Lisa Rambo, Mary Asberry, Bernice Watts, Demetrice Harper, Janice Hawkins and Willie Ann Lockhart.  She was very dedicated to the children she help to raise and nurture, including Morgan and Madeline Jones.

Fred Hosley, age 95, 5740 State Route 240, Ellaville, Georgia passed May 20, 2014 at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where the Reverend Glenn Bryant is pastor.  The Reverend Carl Munns, pastor of Travelers Home Baptist Church, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Taylor’s Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Payne’s Bottom Community, Ellaville, Macon County, Georgia.

Mr. Hosley was  born March 6, 1919 in Sylvester, GA Worth County, Georgia to the late Zack Hosley and Nathan Deverne McElmurray Hosley.  He was educated in the public school system of Macon County.  He enlisted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1947 (World War II Veteran).

He was an active member of the Dowdell American Legion Post No. 558 of Americus, Georgia.

He was a member of the Payne’s Bottom Community Club since 1983.  He hosted the Fish Fry Event from 1984 to 2012.

Fred was a farmer and carpenter.  He built the family home in the fall of 1952.  He loved his upbringings in the Primitive Baptist Church.  He loved prayer meetings, hymns, preaching and fellowship, especially feet washing and the union meeting honoring his Grandpa Jack Hosley.  He helped build the first black modern school for the students of Ideal, Georgia.  The school itself was named, “Ideal Modern Elementary School."

He was united in holy matrimony on the 2nd Saturday of June 11, 1949 at 7:00 PM to the former Bobby Lee Fulks, and to this union, they were blessed with seven children.  One son, Jimmie Lee Hosley, preceded him in death.  He was also preceded in death by two grandchildren and one great grandchild, Twanesia Holt, DeVonte’ Williams and Baby Elaine.    Born in a family of seven siblings, he was preceded in death by six: Julious Hosley, James Hosley, Walter Hosley, Willie Hosley Mack, Wilson Hosley and Addie Lee Clayton.

Fred was a great historian, and reader and was notorious for starting fires.  He enjoyed talking and sharing with his children and those who always like to hear about his adventures.

He leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to his beloved family which include his wife of sixty-four years, Mrs. Bobby Lee (Fulks) Hosley, Ellaville, Georgia; six children and their spouses, Agnes Sumner (Bobby), Baxley, Georgia, Mary Hosley  Bryant, Ellaville, Georgia, Jesse Hosley (Doris), Ideal, Georgia, Bobbie Elaine Hogan (Albert), Brunswick, Georgia, Melenda Henry (Eddie) Montezuma, Georgia and Alma Lynette Hosley, Ellaville, Georgia; one grandchild he reared as his own SPC Tevin Hosley, Fort Polk, LA,  eighteen grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Gail Hosley, Ellenwood, Georgia; sisters and brothers-in-law, Pearl Harris Atlanta, GA, Christine Bolden (Gus), Detroit, MI, Lillie Mae Fulks Atlanta, GA, Daisy Williams (Robert) Atlanta, GA and Bernice Edwards Atlanta, GA, a devoted first cousin, Katie Hosley Tookes, Miami, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Sonya McMillian Miller, age 46 of Montezuma, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be at conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 23, 2014 at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Ideal, Georgia. The Reverend David Thomas, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at 1:00 P.M. in the Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia.

Mrs.  Sonya McMillian Miller was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 15, 1967 to to Mary Harris McMillian and the late Mr. Edward Lee McMillian.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at an early age. Sonya was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Ideal, Georgia.  She received her education through the Macon County School system and was a 1985 graduate of Macon County High School in Montezuma, Georgia. Sonya went on to further her education at South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia earning a Diploma in Administrative Assistant. On March 19, 2002, Sonya was joined in holy matrimony to the late Lenorris V. Miller. After many years of dedicated services, Sonya retired from Davita Healthcare Center as a Dialysis Technician.    

Left behind with a legacy of love and memories are her two devoted children, Kyler T. Phelps and Nickolas E. Phelps, both of Montezuma, Georgia; mother, Mary Harris McMillian, Oglethorpe, Georgia; four loving siblings, Kimberly Paster, Gwendolyn McKenzie, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Michael Harpe, Byron, Georgia, and Wylonda Jones (Alfred), Lithonia, Georgia; uncle and aunts, Earl Jean Harris (Aurora), Augusta, Georgia,  Fred Turner, Atlanta, Georgia, Laura Ann Harris, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Earnest Gaddy, Lorice Washington, both of North Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Mr. Willie Young Callier, age 90, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed away on May 19, 2014, at Miona Geriatrics and Dementia Center, Ideal, Georgia, after a lengthy health battle. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2014 at St. Paul A.M.E Church, 114 Johnson Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where Reverend Norris Harris is pastor. The Reverend Coley Clark Jr. will officiate.

Born on December 1, 1923 to Mrs. Annie B. (Daniel) Callier and Mr. Jimmy Lee Callier in Cusseta, GA.   Preceding him in death were his parents and his two sisters, Valeria Chappell and Imogene Dean.  Raised as a Primitive Baptist, he furthered his religious training through attendance of local churches in the community.

He married Lois Batchelor in January 1949.  She preceded him in death on May 8 - just 11 days prior to his death.  Now they are reunited.  Their marriage lasted for more than 65 wonderful years and produced five children.

He was a charismatic man who loved a good joke, told a good joke, was creative, and dependable.   After an early retirement from the old ‘Gold Kist’ peanut plant in Oglethorpe, he stayed busy with a life of farming and raising cattle. He was up at the crack of dawn tending the farm, checking fences and tinkering around.  He was active until his health began to fail. 

Survivors include four daughters and two sons, Linda Callier Rogers, Hampton, GA, Marilyn Callier Tillman (Earl), Fort Valley, GA, Tabitha Callier Herring, Marshallville, GA, Pamela Jean Callier, Oglethorpe, GA, Curtis Tyrone Callier, Oglethorpe, GA, Charles Harmon (Fran), East Point, GA; grandsons, Kevin Rogers, Earl Tillman II, Ronald Herring II, and Christopher Harmon; great grandchildren, Kevanna, Alexis, Dallas and Noah; a host of nieces, a nephew, cousins and friends.

Juanita Dianne Pitts, age 42, 136 Foster Street, Americus, Georgia passed Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the St. John Baptist Church, 144 Allen Street, Leslie, Georgia, where the Reverend Calvin James is pastor.  Burial will follow in the Old St. John Cemetery, Kaylor Road, Leslie, Lee County, Georgia.

Juanita was born October 21, 1971 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Rena Mathis Watts and Minister David Watts.  She was a 1991 graduate of Sumter County Comprehensive High School.  She continued her education at Brewton Parker College of Mt. Vernon, Georgia, where she pursued a degree in Nursing.  After returning home, she found employment with Wood Grain Mill Works of Americus, Georgia.

She acquired her Christian training in the family home church, St. John Baptist Church, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers.  She exemplified her works and dedication as secretary of the Senior Choir and secretary of the Youth Department.  Her Christian outreach work included her membership with the Women Deliverance Ministry, where she served as secretary of the organization.

Juanita was united in holy matrimony to Franklin Pitts on March 15, 2006.  She was blessed to be the mother of five children.  She had that agape love for all her children.  One son preceded her in death, Zachary Terrell Watts.

She leaves a legacy of love and memories to her beloved family which includes her loving and devoted husband of eight years, Franklin Pitts, Americus, Georgia; four children, Sha’Miracle E. Watts, DeSoto, Georgia, Keidrick Pitts, Lithonia, Georgia, Quintavion Pitts, Americus, Georgia and Pvt. Jeffrey L. Wright, stationed in Seoul Korea; her beloved parents, Rena Mathis Watts and Minister David Watts, Leslie, Georgia; her maternal grandparents, Vickie Mae Mathis, DeSoto, Georgia and Eddie B. Mathis (Lillie), Cordele, Georgia; eight siblings, Matthew J. Watts (Ann), Canton, Ohio, CaSandra D. Watts, Americus, Georgia, David Bernard Watts (Barbara), Forest Park, Georgia, Nakia R. Watts, Leslie, Georgia, Timothy T. Watts (Shateria), McDonough, Georgia, Marcus Watts, Leslie, Georgia, Pvt. Alisha M. Harvey, stationed in Korea and Ashley D. Harvey, Americus, Georgia; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Hattie Butler and Thomas Butler,  Americus, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorann Thomas, Robert Pitts (Tracie), all of Americus, Georgia, James Pitts (Felicia), Plains, Georgia, Joann Pitts, Dalton, Georgia, and Marce Pitts, Warner Robins, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Deacon Johnny Mathis (Dorothy), DeSoto, Georgia, Bobby Mathis, San Antonio, Texas,  Lucy McKenzie (Jessie) DeSoto, Georgia, Mary Thomas (William), Ruthie King (Gregg), Linda Hawkins (Walter), all of Leslie, Georgia, Henry Mathis (Beverly), Ft. Lynwood, Missouri,  Vivian Mann (Jeff), Valdosta, Georgia, Eddie Lee Mathis, Jr., Norris Mathis, and Casandra Mathis, all of Cordele, Georgia, and Ricky Mathis (Belinda) Jacksonville, Florida, Arthur Mae Williams,  Pastor Jessie Watts, (Louise), Cleveland Watts, and Deacon Floyd Deriso, all of Desoto, Georgia,  Pastor Anthony Walker (Shaunda), Americus, Georgia, and  Randy Walker, DeSoto, Georgia, Tyqueppa Clemons, Americus, Georgia, Carrie Durham, Emma M. Crowell (John P.), Marilyn Ferguson (George), Annie Jean Williams, and Alexandra Jaackson all of Columbus, Georgia and Lawrence Williams (Meshia), Plains, Georgia; great  aunts and great uncles, Minister Authur Deriso, Deacon Arthur Lee Deriso (Betty), Dorothy Fuller (Walter), all of DeSoto, Georgia, Bertha Ray (Charles) Cordele, Georgia, Pearlie Deriso, Americus, Georgia, and Arthur Lee Garry, Jr., Leslie, Georgia, Minister Ruby Jackson, Cordele, Georgia, Adell Harrell (Willie), and James Mathis (Norma), all of Orlando, Florida, and Annie L. Brown, Titusville, Florida. Also included are a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, other relatives and friends.

Samuel “Sammie” Sykes, age 71, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where Reverend Glenn Bryant is pastor.  Reverend Charles Morris will officiate.  Interment will follow in Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Samuel  “Sammie” Sykes was born April 18, 1943 to the parents of the late Bosie Sykes and Susie Morris Sykes.  He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. He worked with various companies including Marta, Southwest Air Lines and Ford Motor Company in Atlanta, GA.

Left to remember him with love and affections are his loving son and daughter in-law Varick Melvin (Chaka) and 3 grandchildren Meosha, Yasmine and Khaliya Melvin of Atlanta, GA; four children, from a union with Ilene Tookes Sykes, Constance Skyes, Alecia Skyes, Kimmie Sykes Heard and Timothy Sykes Sr., all of Atlanta, GA; 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A Second union with Rita Sykes welcomed 2 sons, Mark Sykes and Kenneth Sykes of Hattiesburg, MS. He is also survived by devoted sisters, Vivian Law and Pearl Fitzhugh, both of Oglethorpe, GA; an aunt Pearlie Morris of Pitts, GA; a host of nieces and nephews, including a dedicated nephew, Richard English, Jr., other relatives and friends, including a devoted friend, Leonard McKellar.

Barbara Lue Laramore, age 60, 356 King Drive, Plains, Georgia passed Monday, May 12, 2014 at her residence.

The graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2014 at Piney Grove Baptist Church #3 Cemetery, Piney Grove Road off Mays Road, Lee County, Smithville, Georgia.

Barbara Lue Laramore was born October 20, 1953 to the late Willie C. Laramore and Bythal L. Hall Laramore in Desoto, Sumter County, Georgia.  She was preceded in death by  four siblings, Margaret Clemons (Obie), Frank McKay, Earnest Laramore and Eddie Laramore. Barbara was known by family and friends as “Boot Bobbie L.”  She received her Christian training at the Piney Grove Baptist Church #3.  She attended the Middle Flint Community Service in Americus, Georgia.

She leaves to cherish her memories six loving and devoted siblings, James Laramore, Chicago, Illinois, Freddie Laramore, Leslie, Georgia, Clara Mae Walker (Joseph), Albany, Georgia, Ethel Stinson, Social Circle, Georgia, Esther Kate Brown (Eddie), Plains, Georgia and Joann George (Bobby), Leslie,  Georgia; sister-in-law, Gladys Laramore, Chicago, Illinois; a host of beloved nieces, nephews; a host of great nieces, great nephews; other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Lois Batchelor Callier, age 84, passed Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, May 12, 2014 at the William Grove Baptist Church, 71 Gill Street Hwy 19, Ellaville, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mrs. Lois Batchelor Callier was born in Schley County, Georgia on March 1, 1930 to the late Reverend John Scott Batchelor, and Minnie Jewell Batchelor.  She was the third of five siblings: Martin Luther Batchelor, Quincy Batchelor Hicks, Artelia Batchelor Tookes, who all preceded her in death. 

Through the guidance of God and a Christian home, she joined The William Grove Missionary Baptist church at an early age. She served there faithfully for many years until her health began to fail. Though she could no longer physically attend (church), her faith in God remained strong and steadfast.

In January 1949, she married Mr. Willie Young Callier – the love of her life. They had a loving marriage that lasted 65 years and produced five children. They remained married until God called her home last Thursday.

A wonderful person and great listener, she always stressed the importance of a good education and provided that guidance to many children. Proud that this lesson was not lost on her children, she often commented on how “she would have made a good teacher.” We agree.

Left behind with a legacy of love and memories are four daughters: Linda Callier Rogers, Hampton, Georgia, Marilyn Callier Tillman (Earl), Fort Valley, Georgia, Tabitha Callier Herring, Marshallville, Georgia and Pamela Jean Callier, Oglethorpe, Georgia; one son, Curtis Tyrone Callier, McDonough, Georgia; grandchildren: Kevin T. Rogers, Earl Tillman II. and Ronald Herring II.; great-grandchildren: Kevanna, Alexis, and Dallas; one brother and sister-in-law,  Thomas Allen Batchelor (Lillian) of Ellaville, Georgia, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Wylene Ashmon Amadi, age 60, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at her residence.

The wake service will be conducted from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 16, 2014 at Brown Chapel Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 224, Montezuma, Georgia.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.  

Wylene “Bay Ray” Ashmon Amadi was born April 4, 1954 to the late Willie and Florence Haugabrook Ashmon in Perry, Houston County, Georgia.  Her son, Gabriel Ashmon preceded her in death.  She also was preceded in death by five siblings, Jimmy Simmons, Bertha Mae Ashmon, Willie H. Ashmon, Barbita Ashmon and Adolph A. West.  At an early age, she joined Brown Chapel Baptist Church.  She received her early education in the public school system of Macon County.  Wylene was a 1972 graduate of Northeast High School, Macon, Georgia.  She received her B. S. Degree from Fort Valley State College in 1977 in Elementary Education.  Later in life, she received a B. A. Degree in Accounting from St. Leo University in Duluth, Georgia.  She was employed with Madison County as a Teacher.  Wylene was employed with Rock Tenn Corporation in Norcross, Georgia for five dedicated years in the accounting department.  She also was employed with Hartford Mutual Insurance as an Insurance Specialist for 17 dedicated years of Service.

She leaves to cherish her memories twelve loving and devoted siblings and their spouses: Willie James Larry (Elizabeth), Montezuma, Georgia, Elberta Ashmon Harris, Perry, Georgia, Freddie Ashmon (Bertha M.), Montezuma, Georgia, Shade Ashmon (Hattie), Augusta, Georgia, Willie C. Ashmon (Marie), Orville, Alabama, Nathaniel Ashmon (Anna), Fort Valley, Georgia, Evangelist Lillie R. Ashmon Ambles (Eddie), Snellville, Georgia, Mamie L.  Ashmon Mills, Grayson, Georgia, Delores Ashmon Peterson (Elijah), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Carolyn Tharpe (Richard), Lilburn, Georgia, Calvin Ashmon (Geraldine), Montezuma, Georgia, and Victoria Ashmon Rice, Lawrenceville, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Nettie Ashmon, Montezuma, Georgia; two uncles, Joseph Haugabrook (Jo Ann), Rockmart, Georgia, Sam Felder, Perry, Georgia; a devoted friend, Muzadi Kalala; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.