Mr. Felton Minter, age 83, 81 Turkey Trail, Buena Vista, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at his home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Josh Gibson Center, Rogers Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Zion Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Reverend Coley Clark, Jr. will officiate.

Mr. Minter was born October 14, 1930 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to the late John Minter and Lucinda Jackson Minter. He was educated in the public school system of Schley County Georgia.

He was preceded in death by eight siblings:  Annie Mae Dixon, Edith Durrah, Bessie Adams, Smith Minter, Joseph Minter, Paul Minter, Robert Minter, and Irene Williams.

Survivors are a devoted wife of 61 years, Mary Lue Minter, Buena Vista, Georgia; four siblings, C.W. Minter (Rotha Mae), Rentz, Georgia, Milton Minter (Irene) Buena Vista, Georgia, Clarence Minter (Marjorie), and Willie Minter (Louise), all of Buena Vista, Georgia; sisters–in-law /brothers–in-law, Betty Ruth Myrick, Harvest, Illinois, Rosa Ramsey, Ernest Smith (Gracie), and Pecoral Holt (Roy), all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Naomia Edge (Eugene), Plains, Georgia, Movenia Smith, Hartford, Connecticut and Geneva Smith, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Johnny D. Cochran, Jr., age 54, 276 Travelers Rest Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed on Friday, June 20, 2014 at his residence.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 28, 2014 at First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where Rev. Paul McFarland is pastor. Minister Colby McKenzie will officiate.

Mr. Johnny Cochran Jr. was born on April 29, 1960 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Cora Bell and Johnnie Cochran Sr. Johnny was a 1978 graduate of D.F. Douglass High School in Montezuma, Georgia. He was employed with R.C.A Contracting Company for many dedicated years until his health declined in March 2014. Following his illness, Johnny was under the care of  Hospice Care Options. Johnny enjoyed hunting, fishing, car racing and watching western movies. His love for car racing showed through his love for his 1985 Chevy truck “The Beast”. He is preceded in death by three siblings, K.C. Cochran, Stephanie Cochran, and Gussie Cochran.

He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, Tovornea Cochran (Jessica) of Montezuma, Georgia, Johnathan Cochran (Marie), of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jeremy Cochran of Montezuma, Georgia; six grandchildren, Nancy Cochran, Towanda Cochran, Nathan Cochran, Jasmine Cochran, Trinity Cochran, and Nahla Cochran; three brothers, Jessie Cochran of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Wilbert Cochran of Vienna, Georgia, Delacy Cochran (Eloise) of Oglethorpe, Georgia; six sisters, Barbara Thompson of Hartford Connecticut, Bernice Lee (Amos) of Perry, Georgia, Sandra Davis, of Warner Robins, Georgia, Evelyn Rogers of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Margaret Cochran of Warner Robins, Joyce Cochran of Warner Robins, Georgia.; aunt and uncle, Ida M Green, Atlanta, Georgia, Frobell Cochran Sr. (Becky Mae), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and sorrowing friends, including a devoted cousin, Eugene Burnam.

Mrs. Linda D. Johnson Cephus was born on January 20, 1955 in Montezuma (Macon County), Georgia to the late Lillie Mae Davis Johnson and late John Thomas Haugabook. Linda’s godparents are J.C. and Hettie Oliver.

Mrs. Linda Johnson Cephus, age 59, departed her earthly life Thursday June 19, 2014, at the Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady Health System (formerly known as Grady Memorial Hospital) in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. A precious one from us is gone; a voice we love is still. A place is vacant in our hearts that can never more be filled.

The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Elder Michael Coley will officiate. Interment will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

She joined the Magnolia Baptist Church at an early age. She later became a dedicated working member at the First United Holiness Church where she served until her death.

She worked in every facet of the Church. She served as the Financial Secretary and Women’s Convention as Treasurer.

She was very instrumental in starting the Macon County Food and Clothing Bank as well as worked with the Georgia Legal Services.

She attended and graduated from Macon County High in Montezuma, Georgia; attended Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia; completed and obtained her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southwestern University, Americus Georgia; and obtained her Master’s degree from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. Linda was a teacher and a role model to so many of her peers. Her teacher career started in the Tri-County School System before moving to the Webster County School System. She was currently working as a 7th Grade Teacher at Macon County Middle School in Montezuma, Georgia.

Linda continues to live through the life of her husband Elzie Cephus Sr.; her five loving children,  Zelda (Nathaniel Jr.) Ashmon, Byron, Georgia, Elzie Cephus Jr., Lithonia, Georgia, Travis (Romona) Cephus,  Fairburn, Georgia, Lorenzé Cephus, Warner Robins, Georgia, Pamela Allen, Riverdale, Georgia. She raised Christopher (Renee) Reese, Byron, Georgia; Tommie (Bridgette) Griffin, Fairburn, Georgia; and Geneva (Jimmy) Molden, Lithia Springs, Georgia.

Linda’s grandchildren, Zariyah Ashmon, Nathaniel Ashmon III, and Noah Ashmon; Jaylen Cephus;  Camiyah Cephus, Taylor Coley, Adriel Cephus, and DaJon Cephus, Jasmine Allen; siblings Arthur (Aleen) Johnson,  Lakeland, Florida, William (Louise) Johnson,  Auburndale, Florida, Trent (Wanda) Johnson, Peoria, Illinois, John T.(Sandra)Haugabook, Warner Robins, Georgia, John E.(Tolley) Haugabook, Fort Myers, Florida, Thomas Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia; two aunts, Elizabeth (Willie) Larry and Eloise Nicholson; mother-in-law, Mrs. Emma Lee Cephus; sister-in-laws Mrs. Ida Johnson, Miami, Florida; Mrs. Vernessa Johnson, Perry, Georgia; Willie Mae Cephus, Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Mary Emma Davis and Cora Cephus, both of  Montezuma, Georgia. The brother-in-laws of Linda are Henry Cephus (Deceased); Jimmy and Joseph (Hazel) Cephus, both of Montezuma, Georgia; and Calvin (Anginette) Cephus of Perry, Georgia. godchildren Tarshea and Christopher Riley; and Leah Oliver; two god grandchildren, Christian Riley and Sha'Miyiah McKenzie; a  host of nieces, nephews, devoted friends and relatives, and Church family members including a special sister Bridgette(Paul)Johnson, Macon, Georgia.

Charlie Johnson, Geneva Reese, Gloria Griffin, Larry Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, and Mary Carrington all preceded Linda in death.

Linda Johnson Cephus Scholarship Fund 
C/O First United Holiness Church
P.O. Box 625 
Montezuma, Georgia 31063

Mr. Robert Lee Davis, Sr., age 82, 69-B Masonic Street, Americus, Georgia passed Friday, June 20, 2014 at Phoebe Sumter Hospital, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at the Zion Hill Baptist Church, Hwy 118 (Allen Street) Leslie, Georgia.  Rev. Willie James Hill will officiate.  Interment will follow in East View Cemetery Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.

Robert was born July 7, 1931 to Tom Davis and Gabriel Womack Davis.  He attended Union High School of Leslie, Georgia.  At an early age, he joined Zion Hill Baptist Church, where he served as Father of the Church.  He was employed with the City of Americus for 19½ years as a Water Treatment Operator.

Survivors are eight children, Robert Lee Davis, Jr. (Ronda) Milan, Georgia, Brenda Davis, New Haven, Connecticut , Elizabeth Diane Burts (Otis), Americus, Georgia, Jonathan Wallace (Sabrina) Jacksonville, Florida, Tracy Ellis, Americus, Georgia, Derrick Mitchell (Chandra) Atlanta, Georgia and Lisa Davis, Americus, Georgia, Bertha Banks (Jesse), Jonesboro, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren; several great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including three devoted friends, Catherine Cross, Willie Mae Mitchell and Alonzo Pace. 

Master Ja’Darius Keshun Hudson, age 8, 6730 GA State Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia passed Tuesday, June 17, 2014 in the Children Hospital, Macon, Georgia.  

The wake service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday morning, June 21, 2014 at the First Salem Baptist Church, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where Reverend Paul McFarland is pastor.  Brother Bobby Smith, pastor of Montezuma Church of Christ, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.   

Master Ja’Darius Keshun Hudson was born in Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia  February 17, 2006 to Donald Hudson, Jr. and Laekate Hudson.  He was beloved paternal grandson of Donald and Gloria Hudson, Sr. of Montezuma, Georgia and the maternal grandson of Dorothy Felder (Danny) of Unadilla, Georgia and Curtis Clayton.  He was the beloved great grandson of John and Ernestine Moore of Montezuma, Georgia and the late James and Dorothy Royal and the late Harvey Jr. and Rosie Jean Hudson.

Ja’Darius was the recipient of many awards and honors at the Macon County Elementary School and was an upcoming 2nd Grader.  He also attended Little Hud Day Care Center of Oglethorpe, Georgia. Ja’Darius was eager to learn and quick to make friends.  He enjoyed talking to people and telling them about his adventures. Ja’ Darius continues to live through his gift to other by being an organ donor.  Ja’ Darius was a very caring little boy at the Montezuma Church of Christ.

Other survivors are five uncles and aunts, Lantario Clayton, Sparta, Georgia, Naiekatae Clayton, Unadilla, Georgia, Caven Johnathan (Chanell) Hudson, Hawaii, Harvel Hudson, Ft. Hood, Texas, Casandra (Daniel) Rogers, Montezuma, Georgia;  great aunts and great uncles, Juanita (Ben) Laidler, Montezuma, Georgia, Shirley (Rodney) Caldwell, Stone Mountain, Georgia, John (Jackie) Moore, Jr., Cordele, Georgia, Rosetta Hines, Pinehurst, Georgia, Mary Morgan, Unadilla, Georgia, Sherry Royal, Vienna, Georgia, Patricia Royal, Cordele, Georgia, Mary Cross, Byromville, Georgia, Monica Royal, Unadilla, Georgia, Laquasha Royal, Marshallville, Georgia, James Royal (Wylene James)  Royal, and Michael (Jessica) Royal, Pinehurst, Georgia, Amdrilla (Delory) Erskine, Hartford, Connecticut, and Beverly (Terry) Gaines, McDonough, Georgia, and a host of other relatives and friends and a very Special “PaPa”, Donald Hudson, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the following:
Ja'Darius Keshun Hudson Asthma Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 525
Montezuma, Georgia 31063

Contact: Gloria Hudson
478-244-8920 or ghudson44@yahoo.com

Ms. Sarah Ann Hill, age 59, passed Sunday, June 15, 2014 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Good News Ministries, 201 Mayo Street, Americus, Georgia, where Bishop Wallace is pastor. Pastor Al Robinson will officiate. Interment will follow at Eastview Cemetery, Ashby Street, Americus, Georgia.
 
Ms. Sarah Ann Hill was born on July 12, 1954 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to the late Mamie Ruth Hill Lockhart and the late Curtis Thomas James. She received her GED from South Georgia Technical School in 2000.  Sarah joined Reach Out & Touch Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Al Robinson. She was employed with Middle Flint as a House Parent, where she retired after her health began to decline in 2006.
 
She leaves a legacy of golden memories to her children, Jacquelene Hill (Emanuel Davis), Samuel Hill (Martha Fuller), Covery Antwan Hill, Sr. (Marissa), all of Americus, Georgia;  nine grandchildren Anthony Walker, Cadecia Hill, April Fuller, Bridget Hill, LaKerya Hill, DeShaila Hill, Nadia Monts, JaCori Hill, Covery Hill, Jr.; three siblings Johnny Lockhart, Willie Lockhart, and Willie Ann Kimbrough (Bernard), all of Americus, Georgia;  aunts and uncles, Jesse Fields, Anderson, South Carolina, Jacob Phills, Garysburg, North Carolina, Anne Grey, Trenton, New Jersey;  a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, including  devoted cousins, friends, and caretakers,  Madeline Cook, Floyd & Shirley Harper Gaston, Bessie Robinson, Arthur Robinson, and the Staff and  Doctors at Phoebe Sumter Hospital.    

Mr. Johnny Loftley, age 68, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at  his residence.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. The Reverend Glenn Bryant Sr. will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery in Oglethorpe, Georgia.
 
Mr. Johnny Loftley  was born in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia on October 31, 1945 to the late Johnnie Loftley and Hattie Lucy Lumpkin Loftley.   He was also the grandson of late Horace T. Lumpkin, who was the founder of the Historic Lumpkin Academy in Oglethorpe, Georgia, one of the first schools for African Americans in the state of Georgia.
                                                                                                
Johnny acquired his education from the Macon County Public School System whereas he attended D.F. Douglas High School in Montezuma, Georgia. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was a member of Jehovah Baptist Church in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he served on the Usher board over the years.
 
Johnny was united in holy matrimony to Aretha Turner, and to this union, they were blessed with four children. After many years of dedicated services as a Sanitation Worker he retired from Gold King. He is preceded in death by one brother Leonard Loftley. Johnny was a loving and caring father, brother and friend. 
 
He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved children, including Beverly Loftley, Sirena Loftley, Carlos Loftley, and Eric Loftley all of St. Petersburg, Florida; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grands; siblingLawrence Loftley (Constance) Columbia, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Kimothy Kinisky Collins, age 26, 35 Wesley Carroll Lane, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at the Phoebe Putney Hospital, Albany, Georgia.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where Rev Glenn Bryant is pastor.  The Reverend Keith Gibbons, pastor of Felton Chapel Church, will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Lebanon Church Cemetery, Travelers Home Church Road, Ideal, Georgia.
 
Kimothy was born October 29, 1987 to Eddie Harp, Jr. and Willie Pearl Collins.  He acquired his education in the public school system of Macon County.  He was employed with several companies as a clerk and stock control worker with Walmart, Perdue, Miona Geriatric and Dementia Center and Oglethorpe Housing Authority.  He acquired his Christian training at Travelers Home Baptist Church.
 
Survivors are his daughter, Kamaria K. Collins, Vienna, Georgia; parents, Willie Pearl Collins (Raymond Hill) and Eddie Harp, Jr. all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; maternal grandmother, Nellie Kate Collins, Oglethorpe, Georgia; paternal grandparents, Earlene Harp, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Eddie  Harp, Sr., Oglethorpe, Georgia; six siblings, Markell R. Collins, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Tamika S. Collins, Ft. Valley, Georgia, Cassey S.  Collins, Montezuma, Georgia, Raymond Collins, Shakeria D. Collins, Alexis M. Collins, Jermarkis Morales all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Porsha Ray, Americus, Georgia, , Myonta Jackson and Jacquanna Jackson  both of Atlanta, Georgia;   aunts and uncles, Lillie (Eugene) Hill, Eloise Brown, Nellie Harp, Peggy Collins,  all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, John (Angela) Collins, Kathleen, Georgia, Kenneth Hughey,  Oglethorpe, Georgia, Brenda Harp, Tampa, Florida, Sheena McDonald, Hartford, Connecticut, Milton Harp, Spring, Colorado, Sanford (Kristina) Harp, Oglethorpe, Georgia and Roderick (Valerie) Harp, Montezuma, Georgia;  great aunts and great uncles, Rosa R. Bivins, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Arthur (Rebecca) Bivins, Warner Robins, Georgia, Albert Bivins, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Annie Bivins, Ideal, Georgia, Bennie (Juliette) Raines, Montezuma, Georgia, Willie (Joyce) Raines, Maulk, Georgia, Betty Walker, and Ocie (Harvey) Edge, all of Montezuma, Georgia;  a special friend, Careisha Glover, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and beloved friends.