Omar Daviyale McDonald, age 20, 624 South Dooly Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Friday Morning, August 31, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at the New Hope Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Reverend Allen Waters is Pastor. Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church of Montezuma, Georgia, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Omar Daviyale McDonald was born October 7, 1991 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Kimberly Smith Davis and Donnie McDonald. At an early age, Omar joined Zion Grove Baptist Church where he served as an usher and a member of the youth choir. He was a 2010 merit and honor graduate of Macon County High School and a junior at the Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. Omar was employed with Wal-Mart in Americus, Georgia. Before being employed with Wal-Mart, he was employed with Harvey’s of Montezuma and Fort Valley. Omar was an exceptional person who enjoyed being with friends and relatives.

Omar, also affectionately known as “Big O”and “Rascal” to his family and friends, leaves a legacy of beautiful memories to his beloved parents; Kimberly Davis (stepfather, Jimmy), Montezuma, Georgia and Donnie McDonald (stepmother, Cassandra Clay), Oglethorpe, Georgia; his beloved brother and sister, Jary Smith, Montezuma, Georgia and Amber Frince, Americus, Georgia; stepbrothers and step sisters, Sean Hinton, Kecia Lee (Coreal) and Sharonda (Javian) Williams; his beloved maternal grandmother, Percella Smith and Willie Harris; his paternal grandparents, Ernest and Oneita McDonald, Oglethorpe, Georgia; step grandmother, Ethel Davis, Oglethorpe, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Agnes M Howard, Ernest (Velma) McDonald, Jr. and Reginald McDonald all of Oglethorpe, Georgia and Jetendra M Lloyd, Perry, Georgia; great aunts and great uncles, Erie Calvin and Robert Smith Americus, Georgia, Elgen (Nancy) Smith, Chicago, Illinois, Annie Harris and Louise Lee both of Montezuma, Georgia, Elizabeth Smith, Albany, Georgia, Francis (Lee Willie) Hayes, Louise Taylor and Ernestine (Joe) Howard all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Theresa Hankerson, Donna Hankerson, Crystal Hankerson, Jannie McDonald, Veradine McDonald, Joyce McDonald, and Jerry Chastine all of Atlanta, Georgia, Pauline Harris (a loving and devoted aunt), and Cassandra ( Samual) Phillips, Columbus, Georgia; step uncles and step aunts, Willie (Barbara) Fulks, Detroit, Michigan, Zettie Davis, Atlanta, Georgia, Moses Davis, Patricia Thomas, Velma Davis, Deborah Green, Jackqueline, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Sharon (Michael) Moore, Charlotte, North Carolina, Shirley Williams, Ideal, Georgia, Joyce (Larry) Russell, Montezuma, Georgia Etta M (Joe) Harris, Barbara Ann Fulks and Ruthie Dean Perry all of Detroit, Michigan. His loving and extended family include: his godparents, John and Reatha Lakes; goddaughter, Kaya Waters; two special aunts, Vanecia Johnson and Tangela Cochran; God aunt, Nealie Johnson; God nephew and nieces, Jai Marion, Ja’Meriya Baldwin and Chloe Robinson; special cousins, Rodney and Tyler; his best friends, Martavian Tyrie Mann, Sherman Jarmiles Saffold, Roderick Gerome Haugabook, Alton Andrews, Keondria Monique Mallard, Treffan Roberts and Trawanna McDonald; and a host of other beloved cousins and friends. 

Mrs. Brenda Jean Carter McCormick, age 50, of Ellaville, Georgia passed Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Rockdale Medical Center, Conyers, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at William Grove Baptist Church, 71 Gills Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Interment will follow in Taylor’s Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Ellaville, Paynebottom Community, Macon County, Georgia.

Mrs. Brenda Jean Carter McCormick was born October 28, 1961 to the late Spencer Carter, Sr. and Mrs. Ida Lene Perkins Carter in Rochester, New York. She was preceded in death by one brother, Calvin Carter. She was educated in the public school system of Schley County / Tri-County High School. Brenda received a degree in Nursing from South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia. She received her Christian training in the local churches.

Brenda was employed with the following companies: Sumter Regional Hospital, Americus, Georgia, Pinehill Nursing Home, Byromville, Georgia and Macon State Prison, Oglethorpe, Georgia as a nurse.

Survivors are husband, Cleotha McCormick, Oglethorpe, Georgia; two children, Ernest Dwight Lyles, Ellaville, Georgia and Le’ Anna Lyles, Oglethorpe, Georgia; twelve grandchildren; ten siblings, Johnnie Carter (Hazel), Henry Carter (Alice), both of Americus, Georgia, Spencer Carter (Mary), Kernersville, North Carolina, Lee Morris Carter, Austell, Georgia, Alma J. Hicks, St. Mary’s, Georgia, Charlamange Brown (Lee), Columbus, Georgia, Rosa Marie Feagins (Ricky), Ellaville, Georgia, Jeanette C. Lee (Hildebrand), Conyers, Georgia, Marcey Harris (Carlos), Austell, Georgia and Tammy Smith, Americus, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Doris Lloyd, Dublin, Georgia, Fred Douglas Carter, Detroit, Michigan, George Carter, Chillisburg, Alabama, Christine Davis, Greensboro, North Carolina, Annie Kate Williamson (Johnny B.), Ellaville, Georgia, Mary Henry (Clarence), Greensboro, North Carolina, Bernice Hill (Charles), Burlington, North Carolina, Walter Perkins (Emma Jean), Greensboro, North Carolina, Sylvester Perkins (Marie), Americus, Georgia, Vera Johnson (Willie), Ellaville, Georgia and Geraldine Perry (James), Sharpsburg, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Clarence Leon Carr, age 46, 2628 Ironside dr., Las Vegas, Nevada passed Friday morning, August 24, 2012 at the Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the First Salem Baptist Church, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Reverend Paul McFarland is Pastor. Prophet Charlie C. Carr will officiate. Burial will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Clarence was born February 2, 1966 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to Bessie Hillmon Carr Tookes and the late Charles Carr. He was a 1984 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School. He also attended the South Georgia Technical College of Americus, Georgia whereas he majored in aircraft sheet metal. For a number of dedicated years he was employed with Blue Bird Body Company of Ft. Valley, Georgia as a painter until his health failed. He was the founder of Angels Over The City and he started the Soup Kitchen Program in Montezuma. He also presided as Chaplain of the Montezuma Police Department and a temporary volunteer fireman of the Montezuma Fire Department. At an early age he joined the First Salem Baptist Church and later he became a member of the First United Holiness Church in Montezuma.

Clarence was married to the former Angienette Jordan and to this union they were blessed with one daughter. Later in life he married the former Wanda Wilson.

On Friday, August 24, 2012, Clarence Carr departed his earthly life for an eternal life. “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.” He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Wanda Wilson Carr, Las Vegas, Nevada; his daughter, Chassidy Keonte’ Carr, Montezuma, Georgia; three step-sons, Tomarriane Wilson and Tayvion Wilson, both of Las Vegas, Nevada and Derrick Jordan, Atlanta, Georgia; his parents Bessie Carr Tookes and John Tookes, Sr., Montezuma, Georgia; two grandchildren, Chasen Mills and Camren Jackson; siblings, Doris (Nathaniel) Harris, Calvin Carr, Martha (Charles) Harris, Barbara (Michael) Felton, Prophet Charlie C. Carr, all of Montezuma, Georgia; Jim Butler, Perry, Georgia: two step-brothers John Tookes, Jr. Savannah, Georgia and Willie Frank (Helen) Roberts Montezuma, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ervin Peterson, Johnny Green, Lawrence Green, Joyce Chalmers, Patricia Green, and Alice Green all of Las Vegas, Nevada; aunts, Gussie Harris, Oglethorpe, Georgia and Linda Clayton, Jacksonville, Florida; one uncle, Sylvester Hillmon, Lantana, Florida; godsister, Shirley Harvey, Warner Robins, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Deacon Charlie Jones, Sr. age 88, 305 King Rd., Ellaville, Georgia passed Thursday, August 23, 2012 at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Center, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1908 Dozier Rd., Ellaville, Georgia. The Reverend William Laster is pastor. Rev. Solomon Loud will officiate.

Deacon Jones was born April 13, 1924 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Rev. Arthur L. Jones, Sr. and Clara McDonald Jones. He was preceded in death by four siblings, Arthur L. Jones, Jr. (his wife, Catherine), Sam Jones (his wife, Lexie Pearl), Mattie Johnson and Ozella Anderson. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County and he acquired his Christian training in the local churches. The family moved to Ellaville, Georgia where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at Ebenezer Baptist Church. After becoming a member at Ebenezer he was soon ordained as a Deacon and served some forty-nine years. He was an avid bible study and Sunday school teacher. His prayers were uplifting and soul stirring. After eighteen years of dedicated services he retired from Cooper Lighting as a section leader. He was also a cabinet builder for seventeen years with Sherman Waters.

Deacon Jones met his one and only love, Ethel Minter, whom he married in 1950. To this union they were blessed with five children.

Deacon Jones enlisted into the United States Army December 22, 1945 and was honorably discharged December 3, 1946. During his tenure he served abroad for six months in Okinawa and seven months in the United States. He served with 4516th Quarter Masters Co. and 28th Quarter Master Tng Co., and 9136 TSU Quarter Master Company. He was the recipient of several citations and decorations which included Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and Marksman, Cal. 30 M1903 - 167. He was a member and gold card holder of the Ellaville Light F & AM Masonic Lodge No. 443.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include: a loving and devoted wife of sixty-two years, Ethel Lee Jones, Ellaville, Georgia; five children and their spouses, James C. Jones (Harriett), Americus, Georgia, Ozella Hinton (L.D., Jr.), Marilyn Jackson (Nathaniel), and Charlie Jones, Jr. all of Ellaville, Georgia and Timothy Jones, Warner Robins, Georgia; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren; four siblings, Marie Ray, Annie Pearl Jones and Rev. Alton Jones (Maggie) all of Jacksonville, Florida, Albert Jones (Martha), Los Angeles, California; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Albert Minter (Ruby) Americus, Georgia, Eula Minter, Brooklyn, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Herman “Dink” Bearden, Sr. age 60, 217 Swift Drive, Montezuma, Georgia passed Thursday, August 23, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, August 27, 2012 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. The Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Jallape Road, Byromville, Dooly County, Georgia.

Herman was born February 11, 1952 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mary Hill Bearden and the late Grady Bearden. He acquired his education in the public school system of Macon County. He was an alumnus of D.F. Douglas High School.

He moved back to Philadelphia where he was employed as a construction worker. He returned back to Macon County around 1977 whereas he met and married Mary Witchard.

Survivors are his wife, Mary Witchard, Montezuma, Georgia; two children, Janice Bearden, and Herman Bearden, Jr. both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; mother, Mary Hill Bearden, Marshallville, Georgia; siblings, Grady Bearden, Orlando, Florida, Ella Brown, Fort Valley, Georgia, Gregory Bearden, Marshallville, Georgia, Tracy Bearden (Joanne), Columbus, Georgia, Tyrone Bearden (Mildred), Buford, South Carolina and Janice Johnson, Warner Robins, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. 

Lawrence McKenzie, age 50, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Thursday, August 16, 2012 at the Flint River Community Hospital, Montezuma, Georgia.

The wake service will be held from 6:00-7:00 P.M. Monday, August 20, 2012 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the Jehovah Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Lawrence was born July 20, 1962 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Della Robinson McKenzie Asberry and J. W. McKenzie. He was preceded in death by four siblings: S. W. McKenzie, Ethel Lee Maynard, Gladys McKenzie and Dan McKenzie. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County. He was a 1980 graduate of Macon County High School. He was united in holy matrimony to the former Gwendolyn McMillian September 10, 2005. He was employed with Simmon and Sons, Inc. as a heavy equipment operator for twenty-seven years.

He leaves a legacy of golden memories to his beloved family which include: his wife of seven years, Gwendolyn McMillian McKenzie, Oglethorpe, Georgia; three children, Derrick McKenzie, Danna McKenzie both of Warner Robins, Georgia and Breann McKenzie, Ideal, Georgia; one stepson, Jeremy Westberry, Oglethorpe, Georgia; five grandchildren, Trevon McKenzie, Beenyisha McKenzie, Jarmonce Lee all of Warner Robins, Georgia, Janiya Westberry and Jewun Westberry both of Oglethorpe, Georgia; six siblings, Shirley McKenzie, James McKenzie and Linda Diann Robinson (Ellie) all of Greensboro, North Carolina, Blanch Roquemore (Clarence), John McKenzie, and Mamie Horsley (Kenneth Hudson) all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; mother-in-law, Mary McMillian, Oglethorpe, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kimberly Paster, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Sonya Miller (Lanorris), Montezuma, Georgia, Michael Harpe, Warner Robins, Georgia, Michael McMillian, Cicerly McKenzie and Carlton Maynard all of Greensboro, North Carolina and Savannah McKenzie, Marshallville, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including one devoted, Gary Simmons, Ideal, Georgia.

Mrs. Essie Mae Davis, age 90, 142 Horsehead Creek Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Montezuma Health & Rehabilitation Center, Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 18, 2012 at the New Hope Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Davis was born May 31, 1922 in Dooly County, Georgia to the late Dock Davis, Sr. and Georgia Rogers Davis. She was married to the late John Lee Rogers, Sr. and to this union they were blessed with five children and one preceded her in death, Charlie Rogers. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. After many years of dedicated services, she retired from Southern Frozen Food, Inc. as a Line Technician.

Survivors are five children, Marvin Davis, Sr. (Irene) Elko, Georgia, John Lee Rogers, Jr. (Cecil) Winston, Georgia, Gloria Rogers Montezuma, Georgia, Dianne Lockett (Eddie B.) Leesburg, Georgia, Lee Norris Rogers (Glenda) Oglethorpe, Georgia: Ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Two siblings: Vera Smith Albany, Georgia and Dock Davis, Jr. Hartford, Connecticut: daughter-in-law, Linda Rogers; A host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends including two devoted friends, Edith Brown and Mr. and Mrs. James Brown and family.

Earnest Jerome Taylor, age 54, of Phoenix, Arizona passed Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 P.M., Friday, August 24, 2012 at the Andersonville National Cemetery Rostrum, Cemetery Drive, Andersonville, Georgia. Rev. Edward McKellar, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Andersonville, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery with military honors.

Earnest Jerome Taylor was born February 16, 1958 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late A.C. Taylor and Susie Williamson Taylor. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and joined St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Oglethorpe, Georgia. He was a 1976 graduate of D.F. Douglass High School. In 1976, he also enlisted in the U.S. Army. After many years of dutiful service, he was honorably discharged. He settled in Phoenix, Arizona and worked as a tractor-trailer driver.

Survivors include three children, Olivia Taylor, Columbus, Georgia, Earnie Taylor, and Victoria Taylor, both of Phoenix, Arizona; siblings, Loretta Johnson, Charlie Taylor, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Arthur Taylor (Mary), Warren, Michigan, Edward Taylor (Rochelle), Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Gwendolyn Rumph (George), Fort Valley, Georgia, Carolyn Williams (Don), Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Randy Taylor (Carolyn), Fort Valley, Georgia; aunt, Catherine Melvin, Andersonville, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including devoted friends, Benny Fisher, Joe Smith, and Lee Roy Harris.

Vernon Antonio McClendon, age 49, 710 Vienna Rd., Apt C-1, Montezuma, Georgia passed Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 111 Walnut Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Brother Tommy Kleckley will officiate. Burial will follow in the Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Vernon was born May 31, 1963 in Daytona Beach, Florida to Helen McClendon Barron and Lee Otis Fredrick. He was reared by a loving and devoted stepfather, the late Albert Barron. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County whereas he was a 1981 graduate of Macon County High School. He acquired his Auto Mechanic Certificate from South Georgia Technical College of Americus, Georgia in 1983. As a certified tractor trailer driver he was employed with several companies which included: Roberta Trucking Company of Roberta, Georgia, J & M Trucking Company of Americus, Georgia and Pine Timber of Oglethorpe, Georgia. After many years as a dedicated services, he retired as a tractor-trailer driver.

Suvivors are a loving and devoted mother, Mrs. Helen McClendon Barron, Montezuma, Georgia; five siblings, Retha Ballestracci (Myles), Fredrickburg, Virginia, Christene Gary, Fairfax, Virginia, Lesa Bodine, Concord, North Carolina, Debie Johnson (Johnny), Jacksonville, Florida and Cyndria Barron, Montezuma, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces and nephews including five devoted; a host of beloved aunts and uncles; other relatives and sorrowing friends.

Willie Lee Thomas, age 80, 113 Keith Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia passed Sunday, August 5, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Open Bible Church, 611-A North Davis Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia. Interment will follow at 4:00 P.M. at Parkway Memorial Gardens, 720 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, Georgia. Reverend Willie Thompson, Sr., pastor, will officiate.

Willie Lee Thomas was born to the late T. Lee Lattimore and Katie Ware Thomas on December 26, 1931 in Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Eddie Lee Thomas and Nettie Mae Lattimore. He was educated in the public school system of Washington County. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and joined the Piney Mount Baptist Church of Sandersville December 26, 1949 he was united in holy matrimony to his one and only love Mattie Williams, and to this union they were blessed with five children, one preceded him in death, Johnnie Thomas.

In 1962, the family relocated to Warner Robins, Georgia where he was employed with Shephard Construction Company and after many dedicated years of service, he retired as a heavy machine operator in June 2004. He leaves a legacy of love and golden memories to his beloved and golden memories to his beloved family which include a loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Mattie Williams Thomas; children, Willie H. Thomas (Cheryl), Mary Ware (Henry), Ora Lee Thomas, and Veronica Pompey; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.