Deacon Robert Lee Vaughn, Jr., age 81, departed this life on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. 

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Union Tabernacle Baptist Church, Georgia Hwy 30, Americus, Georgia. Burial will  follow in the Eastview Cemetery  in Americus, Georgia. 

He was born on November 6, 1937 to the parents of the late Mr. Robert Vaughn, Sr. and Mrs. Bertha Vaughn in Russell County Alabama. Deacon Vaughn was educated in the public schools of Sumter County and graduated from A. S. Staley High School in 1957. At an early age, Deacon Vaughn gave his life to Christ, and he worked faithfully in the Union Tabernacle Baptist Church until his death. He was married to Mother Johnnie Vaughn, and they lived a blessed, happy life for fifty-eight and a half years. 

Deacon Vaughn was a devoted father to Mrs. Sheila Vaughn Moran and a loving grandfather to Mrs. Alisa Janay Trout and Mr. Timothy Trout.

He is survived by several close cousins, Mr. Nelson Brown (Luneda), Mrs. Virginia Minter (Walter), Mr. Charlie B. Brown (Yvonne), Mr. John Bottley, Jr. (Geneva), Mrs. Bobbie Ann Williams, Mrs. Bertha Day, Mrs. Betty Lewis (David), Mrs. Glenda Leonard (Henry), and Mrs. Ruth Ann Middleton. He is survived by three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Hazel Brown, Mrs. Patricia Walton, and Mrs. Sharon Woody (Jimmie). Deacon Vaughn was an uncle to several nieces and nephews, Mrs. Stacey Towns (Ricky), Mr. Carlton Zanders (Sarah), Ms. Kamika Davis, Mr. Christopher Walton  (Tachelle), Mr. Willie Walton, Jr. (Telesa), Ms. Kenyatta Thomas, Ms. Whitley Walton, Mrs. Teresa Stewart, Mrs. Shonda Reed. He was also a godfather to Mr. Carlton Glenn Maye (Patricia), Rev. Paul Little and Natalie Little, Ms. Koreen Davis, Ms. Keondria Banks, and Mrs. LaSondra Swain.

He was a good provider for his family. He worked at Marlette Coach Company as a supervisor until they closed. He also worked as a supervisor at Cooper Lighting for thirty years until his retirement in 2002. 

Deacon Vaughn was truly a man of God. He served in many capacities in the church. He was the leader of the Deacon’s Ministry, Adult Sunday School teacher, Finance Committee member, Serving Team member, and a member of the Music Ministry until illness prevented him from continuing to sing. Deacon Vaughn believed in the word of God. He believed that we should walk by faith and not by sight and that we should be faithful until death. 

Deacon Vaughn was a strong, quiet man who loved God, his church, and his family. He was a father figure and role model to many. Whenever you saw “Dec” as everyone called him, you saw Mother Vaughn. They were always together on this lifelong journey. ”Dec” had a fun-loving side because he loved sports, especially cheering for his Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Bulldogs. Psalms 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed spirit.” We love and miss you Deacon Vaughn, but we all say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

​Prophet Corley, age 68, better known as “Sponk” of 301 Railroad Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Tuesday morning, June 25, 2019 at the Coliseum Park Hospital, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at the Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Railroad Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church,  will officiate.

Prophet was born November 26, 1950 in Andersonville, Sumter County, Georgia to the late Dalzie Wallace Corley and the late Obie John Corley, Sr.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Obie John Corley, Jr. and Ernest Corley. Prophet was educated in the Macon County Public School system.  After high school Prophet moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he lived with his sister, Cora Corley Sanders.  After several years in Atlanta, Georgia he returned back to Oglethorpe, Georgia where he acquired a job with the city of Oglethorpe Sanitation Department.  After about thirty years, he retired as a truck driver.

Sponk leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to his beloved family including three sisters, his oldest sister, Gladys Corley Baldwin, his sister and caretaker, Cora Corley Sanders, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Emma Corley Silas (Calvin) Atlanta, Georgia; a beloveth aunt, Willie Ruth Higgins (Champ) Atlanta, Georgia; nieces and nephews including devoted nephew, Ervin Baldwin (Annette), Antonio Corley (Teresa), Ernest Sanders, Jr. all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Obie Corley, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia, Anthony Baldwin, New York, a loving and dedicated nephew he assisted in rearing Calvin Sanders, Tashika Roberts (Charlie) Atlanta, Ga, Leola Griffin, Oglethorpe, Georgia; great nieces & nephews, Jessica Baldwin, Jeromy Baldwin, Ervin Baldwin Jr., Kendra Baldwin, Estee Griffin, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Sierra Cromer, Albany, Georgia, Tiffany Baldwin, Perry, Georgia; great great nieces and nephews, Antiliyah & Antonio Corley Jr., Caniya & Caleah Sanders all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Krischian McClain, Charli Roberts and Cameron Roberts of Atlanta, Georgia and a host of beloved cousins and friends.

Charlie James Pride, of Dallas, Texas originally from Andersonville, Georgia, passed at the age of 68 on June 17, 2019.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Charlie James Pride was born August 3, 1950 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late Mr. Calvin Abraham Pride and the late Mrs. Willie Mae Davis Pride. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Alice J. Brown Pride, and a brother-in-law, Mr. Rudolph Coley.

He received his education in the public schools of Sumter County, Georgia and graduated in 1968. After high school, he enlisted and joined the United States Army. During his tour in the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. He was honorably discharged in 1974.

He leaves to cherish his memories: four children: Kerri Pride, Donald Bernard Pride Sr., Desmelda Pride Hill, all of Americus, Georgia, and Charlene Johnson of Columbus, Georgia; 7 grandchildren: Naija Abdul-azeez, Brianna Pride, Donald Bernard Pride, Jr., Jacolby Pride, Kelliondrea Hill, all of Americus, Georgia, Jacorey Rivers and NyAsia Rivers of Columbus, Georgia; his brothers, Frank B. Pride of Columbus, Georgia, Michael Pride of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Kirkland (Kerri) Pride of Americus, Georgia, and Ernest (Sonja) Pride of Albany, Georgia; his sisters, Velma Coley and Ms. Tommie McCuller of Andersonville, Georgia; and a daughter like his own, Sharece Willey of Dallas, Texas. He has a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family who loved him dearly. Several relatives and friends also survive.

Mrs. Mildred Williams Edmonds passed June 17, 2019.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 110 South McDuffie Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Zion Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Mildred Edmonds was born in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia on October 5, 1942, to the late Irene Jackson Williams and Ananias Williams Sr. She was also predeceased by two brothers, Joe Lewis Williams and Ananias Williams Jr. She graduated from John Lewis High School in 1961, Ellaville, Georgia. She was employed by Pratt & Whitney of E. Hartford, Connecticut for many years. She later moved to Georgia and worked for the Travelers Insurance Company of Alpharetta, Georgia, retiring in 2007. She received her Real Estate license while living in Douglasville, Georgia.  She was married to the late Levi Edmonds.

She is survived by her daughters: Veronica Williams of Vernon, Connecticut, Jacqueline Williams, Manchester, Connecticut and Bridget Edmonds, Hartford, Connecticut; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren; seven siblings, Harold Williams, Sr. (Beulah), Columbus, Georgia, Annie Rene Williams, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Dorothy Graves (Linwood), Killeen, Texas, Mary Ann Williams (Dan), Manchester, Connecticut, Sallie Williams, Bloomfield, Connecticut, Larry Williams (Bonnie), Bloomfield, Connecticut, and John D Williams, Sr. (Paris), Lithonia, Georgia; three uncles, Milton Minter (Irene), Clarence Minter (Marjorie), and Willie Minter (Louise); an aunt, Mary Lou Minter, all of Buena Vista, Georgia; sister-in-law, Thelma Williams, Americus, Georgia; and a host of nieces , nephews, relatives and friends.

Rosemary  Bryant Douglas, age 62, passed on June 20, 2019.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. James C.M.E. Church, 215 Railroad Street, Marshallville, Georgia. Burial will follow in Colonel Felton Cemetery in Marshallville, Georgia.

Rosemary Bryant Douglas was born June 12, 1957 in Montezuma Georgia to Stuart Carter and Ruth F. Bryant Sr.  She gave her life to the Lord at a young age and was a member of Saint James C.M.E. Church.

Rosemary was educated in the Macon County school system.  Soon after she would marry and have four children whom she loved with all her heart.  She had an infectious personality and a heart of gold.  She never met a stranger and opened her arms to anyone who needed comforting.  She spent her time nurturing her four grandchildren who loved her dearly.

On Thursday June 20, 2019, Rosemary was called home to be with the Lord.  She was surrounded by her beloved family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Levi Newton and Jessie Bryant, and her maternal grandparents, Samuel Sr. and Alma Felton.

Left to cherish her always are her adoring father, Stuart C. Bryant and her loving mother Ruth F. Bryant; four children, Nicholas L. Douglas, Marshallville, Georgia, Shinitra L. Douglas, Marshallville Georgia, Alexis (Michael) Clarington, Perry Georgia, and Alicia Douglas, Marshallville, Georgia; three brothers, Stewart C. Bryant, Jr., Melvin Bryant, and David (Shari) Bryant all of Marshallville, Georgia.; four adoring grandchildren, Akiyah A. Douglas, Nykema A. Douglas, Aidan N. Watkins, and Nadia Douglas; an uncle, Samuel Felton, Sr., Marshallville, Georgia and two aunts, Catherine Bryant, Florida and Louise Bryant, New Orleans, Louisiana; two devoted friends, Cathy Barnes, Marshallville, Georgia and Brenda Durham (Hollis), Perry, Georgia and a devoted great nephew she raised as her own DeAlonzo D. Clark, Fort Valley, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friend.

​James Calvin McCarter, age 87, passed on June 10, 2019 at Columbus Hospice, Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Nazarene Church of Jesus Christ, 2286 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will take place in the Church cemetery.

James Calvin McCarter was born in Buena Vista, Georgia on December 28, 1931 to the late L.C. McCarter and Melnee Black McCarter. He was preceded in death by 6 siblings:  Joseph McCarter, Marvin McCarter, Leroy McCarter, Marilyn McCarter Hamilton, Gloristeen McCarter Hall and Mary Lee McCarter Napper.

James was educated in the Marion County School System.  At a young age, he dedicated his life to Christ and served as an usher at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church where Reverend Davis was Pastor and officiant of his future marriage.  Soon after he met and fell in love with his cherished Clemmie Thomas.  They met in Sunday School at Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Buena Vista.  They later married and their love bloomed for 67 years.  After marriage, the couple relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where James worked at Charles Wedding Nursery.  To this union 3 children were born; one child preceded him in death.  While in Florida the couple were members at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend Cubby was Pastor.  After 5 years the couple relocated to New York where he was employed by the New York City Board of Education until he retired in 1986.  Also, in NY two additional children were added to the union.  During this season, James was a faithful member of First Freedom Baptist Church under Reverend Samuel Dixon where he sung in the Male Choir.  In 1987 the couple returned to their roots in Buena Vista, Georgia.  James became a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Reverend Curtis Bason.  His favorite song was "There’s a Dark Cloud Rising" and his favorite hymn was "Must Jesus Bear This Cross Alone." Before he left this life, James was a faithful member and Deacon at Nazarene Church of Jesus Christ under the leadership of Elder Larry Franklin, Jr., a devoted Pastor.

Deacon McCarter leaves a multitude of loving memories with his family and friends.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  He is survived by his faithful wife, Clemmie affectionately known as Candy, and four beautiful children:  Edna Mae McCarter Taylor (Jeffrey), James Randolph McCarter (Linda), Rodist McCarter, and Tammy Renée McCarter Coakley (O’Neil).  James raised many children in his household which included 13 foster children and his oldest grandchild whom he loved as his son; Jamaal Hasan McCarter (Wendy).  He also leaves behind grandchildren James Duvón McCarter (LaChrista), O’Neil Rashon Coakley, Samone Alexa McCarter Choice (Tyree), Latrice Rena McCarter, Briana Chenille Coakley, Jarée Cavon Coakley, and Veronica India Taylor Hayes (Curtis); 6 great grandchildren: Jayden Jamaal McCarter, Jasmyne Ayanna Hayes, Justin Hasan McCarter, Brooklyn Renee Hayes, Alori Lindi Eden McCarter Choice, and Curtis Hayes, III.

James is survived by two loving brothers: Moses McCarter (Pauline), Brooklyn, New York and Eldridge McCarter (Antoinette), Clayton, North Carolina, two additional sisters-in-law, Catherine McCarter, Columbus, Georgia and Annie Pearl McCarter, St. Petersburg, Florida, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

​Mr. Reginald Christopher Miller went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 3, 2019.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 14, 2019 at Union Baptist Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia.  Rev. Joe Hairston, pastor, will officiate. 

Reginald Christopher Miller, the son of Mrs. Gracie Deloris Smith and Sammy James Miller, Jr., was born on March 31, 1960.  He went home to be with the Lord on June 3, 2019 in Miami Florida.

Reginald graduated from the historic D. F. Douglass High School and furthered his education at South Georgia Technical Community College where he graduated in 1981.

For those who knew him well, Reginald will be most remembered for his kindness, generosity and commitment to friends and family. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory: a dedicated and loving mother, Gracie D Smith, two sisters, Barbara and Audrey Miller, his favorite niece Libby, extended family and a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Union Baptist Church in Reginald Christopher Miller's name.

Mrs. Melody Latrece Jackson Lockett, age 41, passed on June 3, 2019 at her residence.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Liberty Praise Ministries, 211 Davidson Drive, Fort Valley, Georgia. Burial will follow in the New Home Baptist Church Cemetery, 2095 Butler’s Mill Road, Reynolds, Georgia.

Melody was born on August 29, 1977 in Vienna, Georgia to Lillie Pearl Jackson and the late Ben Boston.  She was educated in the public school systems of Dooly and Macon Counties. She was a 1997 graduate of Macon County High School.  Melody furthered her education at Georgia Military College receiving an Associate degree in Pre-Nursing.

Melody met the love of her life in high school, and on May 9, 2015 two hearts became one when she married her high school sweetheart Antwan Lockett.

She leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to her beloved family which include her loving and devoted husband, Antwan Lockett, Sr.; three wonderful children, Arysha Lockett, Antwan Lockett, Jr., and Amonee Lockett; two beautiful granddaughters, Aliyah Locket and Ayla Lockett; a loving mother, Lillie Pearl Jackson; a loving sister, Ronesscia Hughes (Detrick); a loving brother, Norman Jackson; a caring mother-in-law, Shirley Walters; sisters in-law, Tracy Rogers and Bobbie Lockett; brothers-in-law, Travis Lockett (Shay Lockett), Shimeka Lockett, and Anthony Lockett. Melody also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles  and other family members and friends.