Carolyn Simpson, age 68, 156 Ross Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Montezuma Health Care Center, Montezuma, Georgia.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Friday, August 2, 2019 at First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.
 
Carolyn was born January 3, 1951 to the parents of the late Miles J. Simpson, Sr. and the late Ruth Fobbs Simpson. Carolyn was preceded in death by four siblings, Geneva Harvey, John W. Simpson, J.B. Simpson and Kenny Simpson.
 
She was a 1969 graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School. She became a member of First Salem Baptist Church at an early age. She served as church announcer, Missionary Ministry and a member of the choir. 
 
She is survived by two children, Marcellus (Jameela) Simpson, Ellenwood, Georgia and Sonja Renae Simpson, Montezuma, Georgia;  seven grandchildren, Sade, Shantel, Kimberly, Marc, Marcela, Makayla, and Lorenzo; two great grandchildren; six siblings, Bertha Turner, Montezuma, Georgia,  Dorothy S. (Lewis) Felton, Perry, Georgia, Lamar Simpson, Jonesboro, Georgia, Clovis L. (Debra) Simpson, Atlanta, Georgia, Miles J. (Linda) Simpson, Montezuma, Georgia, Glenda Simpson, Jonesboro, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Annie B. Simpson, Decatur, Georgia; seven aunts, Nannie M. Tooke, Mary L. Harrison, Bertha Fobbs, Rosetta Kendrick, Montezuma, Georgia, Martha Campbell, Christine Simpson, Atlanta, Georgia and Jannie Smith, Midway, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Mrs. Christine McCants Jones, age 90, passed July 23, 2019 at Coliseum Northside Hospital, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Shady Grove Baptist Church, White Water Road, Ideal, Georgia. Burial will follow at Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

On September 17, 1928, the late Knolton McCants and Pearlie Giles McCants gave birth to their youngest daughter, Christine.  She was raised in Macon County, Georgia with her five siblings to whom have gone to their resting place.

Reared in a Christian home, she acknowledged the Lord early in life and joined the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in August 1939 under the leadership of Rev. Stanback.  She remained a devoted member of Shady Grove and served in various capacities: Usher Board, Missionary Baptist Ushers Convention, Mission Board and Mother of the Church until her health declined.

On February 11, 1944 she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Willie C. Jones, Sr. and to this union thirteen children were born. Christine was a devoted homemaker, avid reader and Christian who spent her life providing for her children and grandchildren.  She ensured that her children had an opportunity for a better life through prayer, love and education.

The matriarch of the Jones family was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-three years, Willie C. Jones; daughter, Fannie Pearl Jenkins; her son, Willie Jones, Jr. and granddaughter, Taahsela Kenyetta Holton.

Left to forever cherish the memory of this remarkable woman are her children, Earnestine (Henry) Holton of Ellaville, Georgia; Dr. Alma R. Jones of Lithonia, Georgia; David (Monica) Jones of McDonough, Georgia; Sandra Mays of Lithonia, Georgia; Charlie Jenkins of Ellenwood, Georgia; Kenneth (Olivia) Jones of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Carolyn (Claude) Glover of Macon, Georgia; Alfred (Wylonda) Jones of Lithonia, Georgia; Dr. Alonzo (Kathy) Jones of Columbus, Georgia; Ray Anthony Jones of Albany, Georgia; Michael (Melita) Jones of Stone Mountain, Georgia; Cresie (DeMarco) Fulks of Stockbridge, Georgia. Twenty-three grandchildren: Deborah (Dr. Wilbur) Troutman, Mesa Arizona; Dr. Rose M. Holton, Attorney Michelle Harper and Danielle Jones, all of McDonough, Georgia; Taylor Seay Mays, Tony Mays and Sara Turner of Decatur, Georgia; Kenneth (Lauren) Jones, Jr. of Seattle, Washington; Ryan Jones of Dallas, Texas; Cheryl Jenkins and Torris (Audri) Jenkins of Ellenwood, Georgia; Patrick and Caleb Jones of Albany, Georgia; Christina E. Glover of Stockbridge, Georgia; Alfred Jones, Jr. of Lithonia, Georgia; Alycia Jones and Amber Martin of Stone Mountain, Georgia; Alexis Jones and Alonzo Jones, Jr. of Columbus, Georgia; DeMarco Fulks, Jr. and Nadia Fulks of Stockbridge, Georgia; Decettric Robinson of Tacoma, Washington; one brother-in-law, Thomas F. Jones and one sister-in-law, Annie Suggs both of Ellaville, Georgia. Two devoted and loving caregivers, Ms. Nellie Cephus and Ms. Jeanette Leggett of Macon County, Georgia; a host of loving great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Sarah Leen Duncan Nelson, age 91, 103 Nelson Avenue, Ideal, Georgia, passed Sunday, July 21, 2019.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Friday, July 26, 2019 at Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia.  Interment will follow in the Hopewell Independent Church Cemetery, 2280 Brooks Mill Road, Ideal, Georgia.

​Mrs. Sarah Leen Nelson was born June 27, 1928 to the late Mary Lou Duncan and the late Bishop Knight.  She was educated in the public school system of Macon County.  She was married to the late Henry Nelson and to this union fourteen children were born.  One son, Willie James “Sonny” Nelson, preceded her in death. 
 
She joined Pinehill C.M.E Church at an early age which later became known as Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church.  She served as a Stewardess.
 
She retired from the Ideal Nursing Home.  After her retirement she was a dedicated caretaker for her husband and several of her grandchildren.  Her hobbies included quilting, watching the Braves on television, and helping others.
 
To be present with the Lord, is to be absent from the body.  On Sunday evening, Mom stepped past the confines of her flesh and entered eternal rest surrounded by her loved ones at home in Ideal, Georgia.  A precious one is gone.
 
She leaves to cherish her memories thirteen (13) children, Elizabeth “Polly” Gilstrap, Betty Rogers (Nathaniel), Coneal Nelson, Deloris Nelson all of Ideal, Georgia; Lucile Southall (Stedman), and Alonzo Nelson of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Carson and Alfonzo Nelson (Shirley) of Fort Valley, Georgia; Shurman Nelson (Annette), Butler, Georgia; Vivian King (Ronnie), Ellaville, Georgia; Lynn Nelson (Sandra) and Tracy Nelson (Michelle) of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Virginia Whitehead (Kenyas), Lexington, Georgia.  She is also survived by one daughter-in-law, Thelma McGhee Nelson, 32 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, one brother-in-law, J. C. Nelson, Ideal, Georgia and two sisters-in-law, Bessie Nelson and Ilene Nelson, of Ideal, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

​Dondi Maurice Prather, age 40, passed on July 16, 2019 in Columbus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Bridges Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, New Providence Church Road, Buena Vista, Georgia.

Dondi was born in Columbus, Georgia on October 30, 1978 to Willie A. Prather Sr., and the late Helen McBride Prather. He was reared by his father and stepmother Eddierene Sanders Prather. He was educated in the public school system of Marion County.  Over the years he was employed with Tyson as a live catcher. As a child he attended Popular Spring Baptist Church in Buena Vista, Georgia. Dondi was a social butterfly; he enjoyed being around family and friends providing them with a laugh. 

He leaves to cherish his memories: his parents, Willie & Eddierene Prather of Buena Vista, Georgia; two children, Jourdin Maurice Prather, Rockhill, South Carolina and Mariah Prather, Columbus, Georgia; a companion Stephanie Banks alongside her children whom he reared as his own Markayla Banks, Janiya Banks, and Kourtney Banks all of Columbus, Georgia; four siblings Willie Prather Jr., Buena Vista, Georgia, Rosana King (Mike) Columbus, Georgia, Monica Sanders, Buena Vista, Georgia and Timothy Prather (Clarice), Buena Vista, Georgia; nieces and nephews, Da’Von King, Keveon Sanders, Bre’Anna Prather, Ti’myia Prather and Meori Wells; aunts and uncles, Mozelle Ramsey (Jerome), Buena Vista, Georgia, Charles Prather Jr. (Carlesa), Louisville, Kentucky, Barbara Green (Ronnie), Phenix City, Alabama, Elvira Trice (Richard), Kentucky, Charlie Mae Robinson, Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda Prather, Columbus, Georgia, Elonza Prather, Cusseta, Georgia, Thad Prather (Jeanette), Buena Vista, Georgia, Sandra Taylor, Rosie Moon, Mary Shorter (Keith), all of Columbus, Georgia, Stephanie Stickney (Bruce),  Verdell Prather all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Verlene Smith (Sidney), Gail King, Japhus Daniel, Marybeth Daniel, Tory Daniel (Joann), and Steven Daniel all of Columbus, Georgia, Lula James, Annie James, Mathew Jones, Fannie Murray (Otis), Mamie Sanders, Vernon Sanders, Benji Sanders, all of Buena Vista, Georgia, Mary Cooper (Tyrone), Hawaii, and  Talitha Sanders, Columbus, Georgia;  great aunts and uncles, LC Robinson (Loretta), Columbus, Georgia, Ernestine Simmons and JC Robinson, New York, Lorretta Storey (Larry), New Orleans, Louisiana, Edna George Jacksonville, Florida, and a host of cousins and friends. 

Mrs. Ethel M. Bateman Hinton, age 99, of Ideal, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on her birthday, July 6th, 2019.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Friday, July 12, 2019 at Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church, Brooks Road, Ideal, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Hopewell Independent Church Cemetery, 2280 Brooks Mill Road, Ideal, Georgia.

​Ethel M. Bateman Hinton was born to John and Minnie Bateman on July 6th, 1920, in Turner County, Georgia. Ethel accepted Christ at an early age. She attended Old Pine Hill C.M.E. Church, which later became Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church. She served faithfully as an Usher. She attended Schley County Public Schools. She was a wife, mother and grandmother to her family and later worked at Southern Frozen Foods. On March 2nd, 1941, she married the love of her life, J. C. Hinton, who preceded her in death. To that union, 10 children were born: James E. Hinton (Willie Lou), Lucile Seay (Eddie) all of Montezuma, Georgia; John W. [JW] Hinton of Warner Robins, Georgia; Aldean Hinton, Eddie Hinton (Shelia), Nanette English (Reginald), all of Ideal, Georgia; Ethel T. Kemp of Decatur, Georgia; Alfonia Hinton (Dollie) of Atlanta, Georgia; Arthur L. Hinton of Mableton, Georgia; and Bobbie Hill (Booker) of Marietta, Georgia. Ethel had three sisters and two brothers who preceded her in death. She is survived by all 10 children; 36 grandchildren; 88 great grandchildren; 38 great great grandchildren; 2 great great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Annie Jo Lucas Phillips, age 80, 112 Easy Street, Americus, Georgia passed on July 7, 2019 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Friendship Baptist Church, 411 Cotton Avenue, Americus, Georgia.

Mrs. Phillips was born February 1, 1939 in Roberta, Crawford, County, Georgia to the late Joe Jones and the late Willie Faye Raines. She was reared by her mother and stepfather, the late Freddie Lee Raines. She was preceded in death by her five siblings, Rosa Mae Jones, Robert Raines, Agnes Raines Walker, Emma Raines Cook, and Georgia Ann Murchison. She was educated in the public school system of Crawford County.  Annie was a member of Travelers Home Baptist Church where she remained until her demise. She was married to Emmitt Heath and to the union five children were born. Annie retired from Magnolia Manor Nursing Center after 12 years of dedicated services.

Survivors are her five children, Sorrell Phillips (Kim), Lascalla Phillip, Girard Heath  (Dorothy), Tony Phillips,  all of Americus, Georgia, Danny Heath, Ellaville, Georgia; a goddaughter Ruth Robertson (Gregg), Americus, Georgia;  eleven grandchildren; six siblings, Ilene Raines, Ideal, Georgia, Clara Braswell, Christine Jones, both of Warner Robins, Georgia,  Eloise Raines, Ideal, Georgia,  Tommy Lee Jones (Bernice), John H. Jones (Gladys), all of Warner Robins, Georgia; brother-in-law Gilbert Marchison, Roberta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including devoted friend, Patricia Waters.

Teresa Ann Brown, age 46, 120 Apt. A, Hanson Drive, Americus, Georgia passed July 2, 2019 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. 

​Teresa Ann Brown was born to the late Reverend Charlie Brown, the  late  Annie  Lou  Asberry  Brown,  and  the  late Jack Sims in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia, June 10, 1973.  Teresa was preceded in death by two siblings, Vera Mae Brown and Jeanette Dodson.  She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Ella Lou Hamilton and James Brown, and an uncle, David Brown.  She was a 1991 graduate of Americus High School of Americus, Georgia. After several years of dedicated services, she medically retired from the Light House Restaurant as a cook.  She joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her demise.  Servant of God, well done. 

Survivors  are her grandmother, Vera Mae Brown, Americus, Georgia; eleven siblings, Charles L. Brown (Sandra), DeSoto, Georgia, Cynthia Denise Brown, Americus, Georgia, Bobbie Jean Brown (James), Florida, Patricia Styles, Mac Arthur Sims (Essie), Americus, Georgia, John Sims,  Clyde Sims, Hollywood, Florida,  Willie Fred Sims, Michael Styles (Brenda), Charlie Brown, Jr. and Lincoln Brown, both of Trenton,  New  Jersey; aunts, and uncles include, William Brown (Yvonne), Joe  Brown, Walter Lee Brown, James Brown (Bobbie Jean), Ozie Mae Walton, Katherine Hamilton, and Katie Hamilton; a host of nieces and nephews including two devoted, Morgan Brown and Charles A. Brown; a host of loving cousins and friends including Verna  Bryant Thomas,  Lois Hamilton, Keneth Hamilton, Nancy Bryant Green, John Solomon, Liz Hodges, Jewell Josey, Annie B. Bryant, Annie Bell Moss, the Mount Olive Baptist Church family, Phoebe Sumter Hospice, Magnolia Manor, and Innovative Senior Solutions. 

Mrs. Gwendolyn Delois Redding Thornton, age 58, passed on June 29, 2019.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 109 Moody Road, Tazewell, Georgia.  Burial will follow at Evans Chapel C.M.E. Church Cemetery, 498 Church Hill Road, Preston, Georgia

Gwendolyn was born on August 21, 1960 to the late Leroy Redding and the late Eddie Mae Williams Redding in Buena Vista, Georgia. She was educated in the public school system of Marion County and was a 1978 graduate of Tri-County High School. She furthered her education at South Georgia Technical College where she received a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. She went on to earn her Master of Business Administration degree from Ashford University. Through the years she was employed with Marion County Headstart and Middle Flint Behavior Healthcare in Administration. At an early age Gwendolyn accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She was a faithful member of Evans Chapel C.M.E. Church where she served as the church secretary and was a Member of the Women’s Missionary Society. She also served on the South Columbus-Cordele District.  Gwendolyn served as Vice-President of the Board of Christian Education. On the West Georgia Region, she served as treasurer of the Women’s Missionary Society. She was elected to serve as a delegate to the 19th Quadrennial of the Women’s Missionary Council on the connectional level of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Gwen was on the battlefield for the Lord.

Two hearts became one when Gwendolyn was joined in holy matrimony to Ellis Thornton Jr. and to this to union two children were born.

She leaves precious memories to her devoted and loving husband, Ellis Thornton, Jr., Buena Vista, Georgia; two caring children, Ellis Fidel Thornton, Buena Vista, Georgia, Brandon Lamar Thornton (Shandra), Phenix City Alabama, two sons in love,  Patrick Peeples (Regina), Columbus, Georgia, and Deondrick Thornton, Jacksonville, Florida; six precious grandchildren, Kameron Thornton, Kamelia Thornton, Syniah Brown, Kamethian Thornton, Keon Hart, Jamarcus Peeples; two loving siblings, Mary Dell Houston, Samuel Askew, (Chiwan),  all of Richland, Georgia; loving aunts and uncle, Rose McGhee, Columbus, Georgia, Ludie Rozier, Annie Redding and Henry Mack Redding, all of Linden, New Jersey, and Willie Elma Williams; loving sisters/brothers-in-law, Mary Morris, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ruby Solomon, Ellaville, Georgia, Bobby Gaines (Sylvester), Dexter, Georgia, Linda Murray, Ellaville, Georgia, and Nathaniel Thornton (Shearlean); a host of loving and caring nieces, nephews, other  relatives and friends including a devoted cousin Ocie Baker (Robert), Preston, Georgia.

​Mrs. Annie Ruth Smith Harris, age 69, passed on June 30, 2019 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 5, 2019 at Zion Grove Baptist, 91 Whitehouse Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Montezuma, Georgia.

Annie was born on March 6, 1950 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late Willard Smith Sr. and Lola Brown Smith. She was preceded in death by one son, Felix Bernard Smith, and four siblings, Willard Smith Jr., Samuel Josh Canady, Lillie M. Smith, Elgen Smith Sr. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. Annie was a member of Zion Grove Baptist where she enjoyed singing in the Church choir. She was employed at the Southern Frozen Food where she retired as a Line Technician. Annie met and married the love of her life the late James Harris Sr. and to this union three children were born.  

She leaves to cherish her memories: two children, Mrs. Casstine Alford (Eddie), Oglethorpe, Georgia and Mr. James E. Harris Jr., Montezuma, Georgia; six grandchildren, Ryan McKenzie, Warner Robins, Georgia, Justin Jenkins, Kenyetta Passmore, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, SSG Mack Passmore Jr. (Ronnay), Fayetteville, North Carolina, Jamez Harris and Kennetra Harris, both of Montezuma, Georgia; great grandchildren, Nyla Passmore, Mack Passmore III, Kennedi Davis; four siblings, Robert Smith, Erie Calvin, both of Americus, Georgia, Percella Smith, Byron, Georgia, Jerry Chastine, Atlanta, Georgia; aunts, Louise Lee and Min. Jessie Mae Canady and both of Montezuma, Georgia; her phone buddies; and a host of loving & caring nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.