Mrs. Annie Lee Rushin Howard, age 90, formerly of Buena Vista, Georgia passed Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Webster-Stewart Hospital, Richland, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery Rostrum, 553 Highway 165, Fort Mitchell, Alabama 36856. The Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., will officiate.

She was born August 14, 1921 to the late Sam Rushin and Bloomie Burton Rushin in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia. She was the widow of the late Retired SSG Henry M. Howard. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Beverly Howard Walker. She also was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Rushin.

Survivors are one daughter, Betty Howard; four grandchildren, Rhonda Michelle Walker (Rev. Walker), Bonita Walker, Valerie Walker and Tara Walker, all of Miami, Florida; other relatives and friends.

Mr. Clarence Henry Fulks, age 86, 1218 Cooks Mill Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the Montezuma Healthcare and Rehab, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Antioch Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia. The Reverend Dr. George Porter, pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mr. Clarence “CH” Henry Fulks was born December 14, 1925 to the late Edgar Fulks and Jessie Davis Fulks in Macon County, Georgia. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. “CH” as he was called by family and friends was employed with Macon County Board of Education as a custodian with Macon County Jr. High School. After forty-one years of dedicated service, he retired in 1998. He was united in Holy matrimony to the late Ilene Harris Fulks. To this union, he was blessed with six children. Two sons preceded him in death, Roy Fulks and Henry Lee Fulks. He was also preceded in death by eight siblings: Sarah Fulks Brooks, Tommy Lee Fulks, Eloise Fulks, J. D. Fulks, Hattie Fulks, J. L. Fulks, Hennie Mae Griffin and W. D. Fulks. On Sunday, June 24, 2012, Mr. Clarence Henry Fulks dedicated his life to God and joined Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. George Porter.

Left to cherish his memories are his four loving daughters, Virginia Fulks, Mary Fulks, Pearlie Fulks, (Roy) all of Oglethorpe, Georgia and Gwendolyn Lockett, Montezuma, Georgia; eleven grandchildren and twenty-two great great grandchildren; siblings, Carrie Bell White, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Charles Fulks (Ann) Brunswick, Georgia and Farris Rice, New York City, New York; sisters-in-law / brother- in-law, Alice Pearl Thomas and Gertude Hudson, both of Miami, Florida and Willie Harris, California; daughter-in-law, Barbara Fulks, Oglethorpe, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Horace McKenzie, age 74, passed Thursday, June 21, 2012. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 29, 2012 at First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where Rev. Paul McFarland is pastor. Rev Coley Clark, Jr., of Zion Grove Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mr. Horace McKenzie was born May 12, 1938 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Mary Anna Fletcher and Ulysses McKenzie. He was preceded in death by one sister, Gloria Dean. He acquired his education from the historic Flint River Farm School of the Five Point Community. He moved to Clearwater, Florida where he was a chef in several of the local restaurant and hospital.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include: a loving aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Montezuma, Georgia; a beloved niece and nephew, Latifa Byrd (Dejuan), Irvington, New Jersey and Najee Durant, Hillside, New Jersey; A host of beloved cousins who was reared as sisters and brothers, Patricia Paremore, Marvin Williams, Shirley Pizarro, Curtis Williams, Bobby Fletcher, Brenda Warren, Jerry Williams and Joan Agee; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ms. Vivian Hill, age 66, 906 Kings Grant Dr., North West, Atlanta, Georgia passed Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Emory Midtown Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, 1202 West Marietta Street, North West, Atlanta, Georgia. Burial will follow in Freeman Hill Cemetery, Andersonville, Georgia.

Vivian was born August 18, 1945 in Andersonville Sumter County, Georgia to the late Joseph Hill and Sarah Peoples Hill. She was a 1963 graduate of Sumter County High School. She worked as an Automotive Assembler.

Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Hill Hollis (William) and Felicia Hill, three sisters, Earlene Slocomb, Jacqueline Hill and Glenda Spivey; two grandchildren, Cody Hollis and Joy Hollis, one aunt Theresa Hayes, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Barbara Jean Respert Bartley, age 64, 838 Bunker Hill Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida passed Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida.

A wake will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Travelers Home Baptist Church, Travelers Home Road, Ideal, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Taylor’s Cemetery, Paynebottom Community, Ideal, Georgia.

Barbara Jean was born May 19, 1948 in Ideal, Macon County, Georgia to the late Homer Lester Respert and Ruth Williams Respert. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She was a 1966 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School of Montezuma, Georgia.

Barbara Jean was preceded in death by four siblings, Julia Neal, Bennie Respert, Velma Ann Respert and Willie George Respert.

Survivors are three children, Alexia Johnson, Mankato, Minnesota, Lakiesha Bartley, Conyers, Georgia and Michael Bartley, Jacksonville, Florida; six grandchildren, Lauren Mikayla Merten, Alexander James Johnson, Christopher Bartley, Jacqueline Bartley, Joshua Jaden Noel Gallemore and Ariel; seven siblings, Voncella Respert, Lithonia, Georgia, Estelle Respert, Houston, Texas, Herman Respert (Patricia), Cleveland, Ohio, Henry Respert, Jacksonville, Florida, John Alton Respert (Iris), Shreveport, Louisiana, Rev. Earl Respert (Eilene), Conley, Georgia and James Respert, College Park, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Annie Mae Jackson Burrows, age 85, 215 Burton Circle, Americus, Georgia passed Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Center, Americus, Georgia.

A wake will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, June 22, 2012 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Big Bethel Baptist Church, North Jackson Street, Americus, Georgia, where Rev. Calvin Rolline is pastor. Pastor Vernell Carter, pastor of Prayer Praise Preach And Deliverance Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Eastview Cemetery, Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

Mrs. Burrows was born October 26, 1926 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia to the late Willie Jackson and Anna Snipes Jackson. Born in a family of twelve siblings, six preceded her in death (four babies and two adults, Willie B. Jackson and Marie Jackson). She was educated in the public school system of Schley County. After moving to Americus, Georgia, she joined the Union Tabernacle Baptist Church on Hampton Street, Americus, Georgia. She served faithfully on the Usher Board Ministry for many years. She had a new awakening in Christ and joined the band of Christian believers of Prayer Praise Preach And Deliverance Church, under the leadership of Pastor Vernell Carter. She was united in holy wedlock to her first love, the late Ike Seay, and to this union they were blessed with six children, one son, Isaiah Seay, also preceded her in death. After the death of her husband, Ike, she later met and married the late Robert Lee Burrows.

She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her beloved family which include: five children and their spouses, Bobby Seay, Dawson, Georgia, John Lee Seay, Gloria Sims (Charles) and Helen Gordon (James) all of Americus, Georgia and Eddie Seay (Lucille), Montezuma, Georgia; twelve grandchildren, thirty seven great grandchildren and twelve great great grandchildren; six siblings, Martha Black, Ellaville, Georgia, Rosa Mae Harrell, Orlando, Florida, Louise Jackson, Ellaville, Georgia, Nettie Ruth Kendrick, Tampa, Florida, Bobby Jackson (Henrietta), Ellaville, Georgia and Alma Banks, Americus, Georgia; and a loving and devoted neighbor, Reatha Tyson, Americus, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sgt. Johnny Bateman, age 64, of Temple, Texas passed Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Central Texas Veteran’s Health Care System, Temple, Texas.

The graveside service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Andersonville National Cemetery Rostrum, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia. Reverend Alfred Wynn will officiate.

Sgt. Johnny Bateman was born October 27, 1947 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Clarence Bateman, Sr. and Mamie Lou Johnson Harris. Four siblings preceded him in death, Geraldine Rucker, Jacqueline Bateman, Clarence Bateman, Jr. and Alfred Harris. He was a 1966 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School. He enlisted into the U. S. Army on December 16, 1966 where he served two consecutive terms and was honorably discharged on February 11, 1983. During his tenure, he was the recipient of many badges, awards, campaign ribbons, commendations and medals which include the purple heart, Silver Star 2 O/S Bars, SPS (Rifle M-14), VCM, NDSM, VSM and AM.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include: wife, Joyce Bateman, Marlin, Texas; three children, Andre Bateman (Tristy), Ailey, Georgia, Monica Bateman and Vanessa Bateman, both of Marlin, Texas; seven grandchildren; five siblings, Elizabeth McLean, Raleigh, NC, Gloria White (Paul), East Point, Georgia, Retha Jones (Alton), Stone Mountain, Georgia, William Harris, Montezuma, Georgia and Willie Glover (Mattie), Byromville, Georgia; a host of beloved cousins including Geraldine Warren, Brooklyn, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Alfred Tookes, age 74, 544 Tookes Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Sunday, June 10, 2012 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday June 16, 2012 at the William Grove Baptist Church, 71 Gill Street, Ellaville, Georgia. The Reverend Michael Edge, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Georgia Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Alfred was born April 13, 1938 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Ed Tookes, Sr. and Florinda Nelson Tookes. He was preceded in death by three siblings: Catherine Tookes Jones, Goodwin Tookes and Eddie Junior Tookes. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County and in 1959 he graduated from the historic D. F. Douglass High School. In 1960 he moved to Detroit, Michigan where he engaged in several jobs and later in 1964 he became employed with Garwood, Inc. In 1973 he was employed with Ford Motor Company and after twenty-five years of dedicated services he retired in 1997. During his tenure in Detroit, Michigan he acquired a certificate in tailoring from Coopers Tailoring School in 1979, a certificate in Auto Paint and Body in 1996 and a certificate in welding in 1980. In September 1966 Alfred was united in holy matrimony to the former Elmer Jolly and to this union they were blessed with one daughter, After the death of his wife Elmer, he was united in holy matrimony to the former Sandra Clemons Blount June 14, 2003, and to this union he was blessed with four stepsons.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include a loving and devoted wife of nine years, Sandra Clemons Blount Tookes, Oglethorpe, Georgia; one daughter, Jacquelyn Teresa Tookes Lawson (Kimbly), Buena Vista, Georgia; four step sons, Donald Clemons and Dewayne Clemons both of Americus, Georgia, Thomas Clemons, Frederickburg, Virginia and Michael Clemons, Santa Clara, California; two grandsons, eight step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren; three siblings, Lula Pearl Hudson, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Irene Bias, College Park, Georgia and Evern Sanford, Detroit, Michigan; four sisters-in-law and brother-in law, Delores Argo, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Mary Wiggins Tookes, Ellaville, Georgia, Blanch Reedy, St. Petersburg, Florida and Lewis Clemons (Jessie), Conyers, Georgia; and as host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Tommie Lee Brown, age 79, 404 Southerfield Road, Americus, Georgia passed June 6, 2012 at her home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Friendship Baptist Church, 411 Cotton Avenue, Americus, Georgia. Reverend Dr. H.C. Wilson will officiate. Interment will follow in Staley Memorial Cemetery, Americus.

Mrs. Brown was born August 10, 1932 in Preston, Webster County, Georgia to the late Stout Taylor and Celia Shelton Taylor .Six siblings preceded her in death, Thelma Hurley, Elma Culivert, Georgia Bronner, Essie Johnson, Annie Colbert and Rosa “Polly” Lee Young. She was educated in the Marion County Public School System. She was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and co-owner of Brown's Grocery Store.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Alex Brown, Sr., Americus, Georgia; eight children, Annie Ruth Kendall, Albany, Georgia, Alex Brown, Jr., Hartford, Connecticut, John Alfred Brown (Earlean), James Phillip Brown (Dale), all of Americus, Georgia, John Thomas Brown (Gloria), Las Vegas, Nevada, Carl D. Brown (Gwendolyn), Americus, Georgia, Pastor A. L. Brown (Pamela), Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Gary Brown (Tammy), Americus, Georgia; 17 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; five siblings, Ceola Roberts, Bishop J. T. Taylor (Lois), Lady B. Sims, Lillie Cladd (Robert) and Elnora Girvens, all of Americus, Georgia; brothers-in-law / sisters-in-law, Gladys Williams, Cordele, Georgia, Mayor Dorothy Hubbard (Robert), Albany, Georgia, Ernie Brown (Veda), Atlanta, Georgia and Ann Marie Brown, Cleveland, Ohio; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations be made to The Phoebe Foundation c/o Cancer Center, 425 3rd Ave., Suite 220, Albany, Georgia 31701 or 1-877-312-1167.

Mrs. Myrtis Turner, age 76, 514 Travelers Rest Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the Montezuma Health & Rehabilitation Facility, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Hopewell Independent Church Cemetery, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia.

Myrtis Martin Turner was born in Macon County, Georgia August 8, 1935 to the late Jimmy Martin and Melissa Haugabook Martin. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Benjamin Turner. She was also preceded in death by seven siblings, Hosea L. Martin, Willie Hill Martin, Thomas Martin, Joel Martin, Nathan Martin, Oakley Martin and Annie Kate Martin Whitehead. Mrs. Myrtis was educated in the public school system of Macon County. At early age, she became a member of Harrison Chapel Baptist Church.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Benjamin Turner on September 26, 1953. To this union four daughters and six sons were born. They built their lives together in Chicago, Illinois. There she worked at Michael Reese Hospital and Illinois Bell where she retired in 1992. After retiring, in November 1992 the threesome (Benjamin, Myrtis and Sonceria) relocated to Montezuma, GA. While in Chicago, Myrtis joined Monument of Faith Evangelistic Church under Pastor Richard D. Henton. She was as faithful at Monument as she was at Montezuma Church of Christ under Pastor Hall and later Pastor Bobby Smith.

During her almost 20 year stay in Georgia, she enjoyed working at Mrs. Hill's clothing store in Downtown Montezuma and traveling. She was a seamstress who enjoyed beautiful attire. She was an active member at Riverview Senior Citizens Center until her health began to fail. Those who came into her life found her to be a loving, caring person. She had a love for animals whether they were her own or strays. Myrtis always took time to offer encouraging words to the less fortunate. She was a very generous soul!

On Wednesday morning, June 6, 2012, Mrs. Myrtis Martin Turner, transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home where there are no more tears and no more pain! She exchanged her name "Myrtis" for her new name written in glory.

Those she leaves to cherish her memory are her ten loving children, Protreen Crenshaw (Eddie), Chicago, Illinois, Shirley Ray (Barry) (Harbor City, California), Larry Turner (Ramona), Ilean Taylor (Jack), Tyrone Turner, Benjamin Turner III, Terence Turner, Andre Turner (Lachelle), Tremell Turner, all of Chicago and Sonceria Turner (and her daughter Taylor Turner), Montezuma, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sibling Etherene Martin Johnson of Montezuma, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Marion Martin and a nephew, Hosea Martin, both of Chicago; along with a host of nephews including a devoted nephew, Curtis Turner, nieces, other relatives, church members and friends.