Billy James Keith, 78, passed on  August 29, 2021 at Perry Hospital, Perry, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Champ Waters Cemetery, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

​Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services, including burials, are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Billy James Keith was born on March 21, 1943 to the late John Henry Keith and Lucille Sherman Keith. He was preceded in death by four siblings Joe, Ray, Winnie and Moses. Keith was educated through the Talladega Vocational Training School in Alabama. Billy later moved to Columbus, Ohio where he was employed at West House for several years in the paint Dept. After he left Ohio he moved to New York City where he worked for several dedicated years at Burns Fry and Timmy and retired. Following retirement he moved to Montezuma, Georgia and worked at Macon County High School as a Custodian.

Billy enjoyed deer hunting and planting vegetables in his garden. He loved talking with family and friends while listening to music on the weekends. He also loved to attend Church. He was joined in holy matrimony to Gloria D. Whitehead Keith. 

He leaves cherished memories to his devoted and loving wife Gloria Keith and his devoted and loving children, Annette Hallett (Johnnie), Robert Hallett (Tywanza ), Corey Hallett, Crystal Keith Jolly (Jeff), Carol Reed (Robert), Eleanor CarMichael, Billy Keith Jr. (Lashawnda). He also leaves grandchildren Shania, Deontae, Veronica, Calise, Corine, Corey, Messiah, Dareese, Shelly, Robert Jr., Desmond, Johnnie, Janesha, Tam, Shenae, Tia, Brittanni, Arielle, Fannasia, Tre Jr., Billy III, Amarion, Shannell, and Myana; fifteen great grands, eight great great grands. A host of nieces and devoted nephews Joseph Quinn and Darryl and devoted friends Jackie, Joe, James, Will, and Jean.

Minnie Pearl Blue, age 72, passed on August 26, 2021.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Willow Lake Cemetery, Willow Lake Road, Fort Valley, Georgia.

​Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services, including burials, are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Minnie Pearl Blue was born March 5,1949 to the late Fedow Blue and late Nellie Wells Haugabook.

She was a faithful member of the Brown Chapel Baptist Church  where she served on the Usher Board. She also served wherever she was needed.

Minnie was a proud 1967 graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School and a 1972 graduate of Voorhees College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English. She was also a 1978 graduate of Atlanta Area Technical School where she majored in Basic Childcare. She was preceded in death by her brother, Horatio Walker.

Minnie worked as a Lead Teacher for over 20 years at several headstarts such as Economic Opportunity Atlanta Headstart Child Development Program, Providence Learning Center and Development Corporation Headstart, Morris Brown College Headstart, and Clark Atlanta University Headstart Program. She worked as a Substitute  Teacher at Macon County Board of Education from 2003 until the pandemic. She was the Assistant Chairperson for the Harriet Tubman Scholarship Foundation. She was a member of Voorhees College Alumni. She was a member of the Unified Historic D. F. Douglass Class Reunion Committee. Throughout her years of teaching, she received countless  certificates and awards.

On Thursday evening, August 26, 2021, Jesus sent his angels to guide her home. When she reached Heaven she said my cares are all past, I’m home at last.

Minnie leaves a legacy of love and many wonderful memories to her beloved family which includes her loving and devoted great niece, Lunden Zoe Hill, Montezuma, Georgia, whom she was instrumental in her upbringing; six  siblings and their spouse, Willie Walker (Connie), Montezuma, Georgia, Robert Johnny Buckner (Alice), Molena, Georgia, Mary Diane Ross, Marshallville, Georgia, Francine Stewart, Eatonville, Florida, Gloria Wells (Wesley Owens), Montezuma, Georgia, Charlette King (Raymond), Eatonville, Florida; aunts and uncles, John Blue (Artisher), Birder Mae Wright (Columbus), Polly Marin (Ben Richard), Charles C. Hayes, Sylvenia Wells; a devoted cousin, Ethel L. Polk, Chicago, Illinois; a devoted niece, LaShonda Owens Hill (Alonzo), Montezuma, Georgia; devoted friends and neighbors, Evonne Moore and Virginia Mathis; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and beloved friends as well as the many neighborhood kids she mentored throughout the years including Joshua Perkins.

Fatema Denetria Holmes, age 46 110 Apple Blossom Lane, Americus, Georgia passed Sunday, August 22, 2021 at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, Georgia. 

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Eastview Cemetery, Americus, Georgia.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services, including burials, are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Fatema was born November 10, 1974  in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to the late Sheila Dowdell and Edward Lockhart.

She was a 1993 graduate of Americus High School.  She majored in Early Childhood Education in 1995.  She retired from Church's Chicken in 2018. Fatema was an entrepreneur and owner of T&R Fashion.

Survivors are: husband, Emmitt Worthy II, Americus, Georgia; her children, Lashay Dowdell, Americus, Georgia, Tyeesha Woods (Adrian) Americus, Georgia and Tristen Holmes, Americus, Georgia; four grandchildren, De’Aron Dowdell, Kelli Banks, Katelyn Banks and Karsyn Banks; stepchildren, Antonio Holmes, Jr., Veonte Shoats, D’Quinton Worthy, Kyron Smith and Kimberly Worthy; father-in-law, Emmitt Worthy Sr., Montezuma, Georgia; siblings, Antonio Dowdell, Stanley Lockhart, Wanda Thomas (James), Marcus Cooper and Terell Dowdell all of Americus, Georgia; in-laws, Rev. Edwin Dale Worthy (Kena) Athens, Georgia and Laveta Jones, Montezuma, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, a devoted friend Patricia Hunt, Thomasville, Georgia.

Willie Roy Shelton, age 59, 389 Steven Street, Ellaville, Georgia passed Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Rocky Hill Primitive  Baptist Church Cemetery, 3498 Concord Road, Ellaville, Georgia.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services, including burials, are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Willie Roy Shelton was born February 20, 1961 to the late Roy Shelton and Geraldine Peeples Shelton.  He was preceded in death by two brothers James Shelton and Jimmy Shelton He was educated in the public school system of Schley County and was an honor graduate of Tri-County High School. He was a member of New Corinth Baptist Church.

He  leaves to cherish his memories a son, Frederick Shelton, Atlanta, Georgia : 2 stepdaughters, Cheryl  Brooks, Denise Dupree both of Ellaville, Georgia; aunts, Minister Harriett Peeples, Ellaville, Georgia, Rachael Peeples, Florida, Connie Peeples, Ellaville, Georgia, Mack Garrett Peeples, all of Americus Georgia; a companion, Emma Dupree, Ellaville, Georgia, and a host of nieces and  nephews, other relatives, and friends.  

​Tyler Danyell Walton, age 35, passed on August 13, 2021 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 19, 2021 on the lawn of Zion Hope Baptist Church, 681 US Hwy 19 South, Americus, Georgia. Burial will follow in Israel Cemetery, Americas, Georgia.
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Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services, including burials, are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Tyler Danyell Walton, was born August 29, 1985, to the parentage of the late Love Walton Jr. and Jacquelyn Johnson Walton.

At a very early age, Tyler was a faithful member of the Zion Hope Baptist Church, Sumter City, Ga.

During his time on this earth, Tyler was an avid farmer. He was the owner of Walton Farms, Smithville, Ga.

Tyler leaves to cherish his memories a loving mother, Jacquelyn Walton; a son, Christian Z. Walton, both of Smithville, GA. He also leaves a brother, Ivan Troy Walton (Doris), Fayetteville, GA, two sisters, Shantae Richardson (Cobby), Smyrna, GA and Natasha Thompson (Vaughn), Silver Springs, MA. He leaves 8 aunts, Regenia Wright (Albert), Miami, FL; Brenda Johnson, Smithville, GA; Mary Banks (Howard), Smithville, GA; Anola Hall, Albany, GA; Alice Johnson, Smithville, GA; Mary Johnson, Smithville, GA; Erma Fish (John), Americus, GA and Elaine Monts (John Keith), Smithville, GA. He also leaves 2 uncles, Willie H. Walton, Sr., Greenwood, SC; Lee Marvin Walton (Shirley), Americus, GA. 3 great aunts also survived, Annie Mack, Americus, GA; Evelyn Smothers, Garner, NC; and Ozzie Walton, Americus, GA.

To his legacy he leaves a beloved niece, nephews, cousins including a special cousin, Veronica Wright, Miami, FL. Tyler was blessed to have several true friends that he met on his journey, Sedrick Swan, Tremaine Anderson, Vincent Cutts and George Fish. They were his friends to the very end. He will truly be missed by his aunt, Mary Howard, her riding partner.

​Zelma Griffin Bunkley, age 57, 3516 Garden Valley Road, Ideal, Georgia passed Saturday morning, August 14, 2021 at University Hospital, Savannah, Georgia.

Graveside service will be conducted Thursday morning, August 19, 2021, at 11:30 A.M. in the Rocky Mount Cemetery, Georgia Highway 127, Garden Valley Community, Ideal, Georgia. Minister Phillip Wayne Fowler will officiate.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Zelma was born March 13, 1964 in Macon County, Ideal Georgia to Beulah Williams Griffin and the late Charlie H. Griffin, Sr. She acquired her education in the public school system of Macon County whereas she was a 1982 graduate of D.F. Douglass High School. Zelma was united in holy matrimony to Ronnie Bunkley and to this union they were blessed with one son. She was preceded in death by two siblings, Bennie Griffin and Randall  Griffin.  

She was a lovely lady with a sweet personality. She loved her mother, her son, her grandson, her siblings and her nieces and nephews.

She touched the lives of many and now she’s resting in the loving arms of Jesus. Survivors include: her dear mother, Beulah Williams Griffin, Ideal, Georgia her husband, Ronnie Bunkley, Butler, Georgia: her son and grandson, Desmond Griffin and Braylen Griffin; her brothers and their spouses, Charlie Griffin, Jr., Andrew Griffin, (Mary), Alvin Griffin (Betty), Larry Griffin Sr. (Mary) all of Ideal, Georgia; sister in-law; Doris Griffin, Reynolds, Georgia: an aunt Ola Turner, Oglethorpe, Georgia;  a step-daughter, Akita Searcy (Dontavius), a step-son Ronnie (Visa) Bunkley Jr; two step- granddaughters and two step-grand sons; brothers in-law and sisters –in law, Earnest Bunkley Jr., Clifford (LaTina) Bunkley, Donnie (Rhonda) Bunkley, Jarvis Hodges, Arlene (Joe) Harper and Audrey Chambless;  and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Barbara Ann Jackson, age 65, passed on August 14, 2021, at MUSC Medical Center, Florence, South Carolina.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Sunday, August 22, 2021 at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery, 221 Tower Pointe Road (CR#21), Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Barbara Ann Jackson was born August 17, 1955 in Buena Vista, Georgia to the late Walter Meadows Sr. and the late Mary Alice Forehand Meadows. She was preceded in death by siblings Willie Mae Davis, Leon Meadows, Gean Meadows. At an early age she joined the band of Christian believers at New Home Baptist Church in Buena Vista, Georgia and later moved her membership to  Welcome Baptist Church in Box Springs, Georgia. She was educated in the public school system of Marion County. She was married to the late Jimmy Jackson and to this union one daughter was born. Barbara was a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and doing crossword puzzle. 

She leaves cherished memories to her daughter Cassandra Jackson, Florence, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Jikedion, Michelle, and Malia; two siblings, Ricky Meadows (Winene), Ideal, Georgia, Gloria  Henderson (JD, Jr.), Pine Mountain, Georgia; aunt  Rosie Mae Chin; uncle, Jerry Williams (Lily); a host  of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Juanita Green Wade, age 89, of Ellaville, Georgia passed on August 13, 2021.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 20, 2021 at Staley Memorial Gardens, corner of Mayo Street and Southerfield Road, Americus, Georgia.   
Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

​Mother Bessie Lee Howard Hadley, age 76, passed on August 11, 2021.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 A.M., Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Duncan “Dunk” Smith Cemetery, 2350 Funston Doerun Road, Doerun, Georgia. Viewing will take place at gravesite one hour prior to services.

The family procession will line up at 10:30 A.M. at Bicentennial Park, 112 East Bay Avenue, Doerun,  GA  31744.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

Mother Bessie Lee Howard Hadley was born in Mayo, Florida August 15, 1944. She was the daughter of Carrie Bell Sanders Jackson and Isaac Howard, Sr.

Mother Hadley’s wisdom and ministry of love was evident in her early childhood years, as she and her brother Izie Howard walked in the roles of caretakers and providers for their siblings during the tough years of racial and economic hardships. Her role as a mother began before and extended well beyond her biological family. She was a loving mother of those she called “my half a dozen”: Bobbie, Freddie, Essie B (deceased), Sebrena, Jessie, and Demple.

She married the late Freddie Lee Hadley, Sr in 1963. Then, by divine love years later, they remarried again, sharing 41 years of raising children and supporting family, friends, neighbors, community, strangers, and church family.

Known as Mother Hadley to so many, she lived the life. She Labored in the Kingdom of God at First Doerun Holiness Deliverance Church.She received the Warrior on the Battlefield Award to honor her willingness to do all that she did unto the Lord, whether easy or difficult, whether recognized or not. She often went early in the morning “on her face in the rug,” praying and interceding for anyone who asked for prayer. She traveled to homes during the church’s Prayer Band, being used by God to bless as many as He led her to encourage. She let the Lord use her to teach, preach and be a witness of the Grace of God. one of her favorite sayings was ‘Keep a prayer in your heart. Faith moves Jesus, and prayer changes things.”

August 11, 2021, Mother Bessie Hadley finished her course, “making it to the end of her row.” She kept a prayer in her heart, a thank you, Jesus, on her lips. She was called into rest, and her labors shall praise her in the gates.

She leaves to cherish her legacy of Love, and to continue family covenant in Jesus Blood, four daughters, Bobbie (Avery) Strutchen of Cordele, Ga., Sebrena (Willie, Sr.) Fulks of Mableton, Ga., Jessie (Albert) Williams of Moultrie, Ga., Demple (Maurice) Orr of Savannah, Ga. One son, Freddie Lee Hadley, Jr. of Moultrie, Ga.  Grandchildren, Shekette (Mark) King, Curtis Fulks, Willie Fulks, Jr., Shenika Hadley, Dominique Hadley, Enorris Hadley, Dewayne (Hollie) Hadley, and Diamonique Orr. Great-Grand Children, Kelvyn Howard, Lemarcus King Jr., Jayliah King, Ivy J., Emilio, Amaya, and Maharia. One great-great grandchild, Yari Green. Sisters, Mary Williams and Doris Parish (Jerome) of Moultrie, Ga. and brother, Izie Howard. Special loving friends, Helen Rainey, Jo Ann Blackwell, and Liz Martin. She is preceded in death by two sisters, Devon Wright, and Evelyn Brown,one brother, Frank Jackson, and one special sister, Mary Hadley of Americus, GA. She also leaves special memories with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

James Calvin Hillmon, age 59, 1962 Coogle Road, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed on August 10, 2021.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates at all services at this time. We are limiting graveside seating to no more than 10 with masks being strongly encouraged. Other masked attendees are welcomed but will be expected to practice social distancing.

Graveside services are likely to be held on ground that is uneven, which is out of the control of Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. We ask that you take this into consideration when choosing footwear, such as shoes with high, thin heels. Please be advised that Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries at a grave site because of this.​

James Hillmon was born July 18, 1961 to the late Charlie G. Hillmon and the late Hattie Ellis Hillmon in Oglethorpe, Georgia. He was preceded in death by five siblings, Johnnie Hillmon (Louvenia), Rene Johnson, Marvin  Hillmon (Margaret), John Hillmon (Lena), Mary Ann Floyd (Alex) and a mother-in-law, Hazel Harp. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County and was a graduate of Macon County High School.

James was united in Holy matrimony to the late Stephanie Harp and they were blessed with two children, his daughter Katoshara Simone Hillmon preceded him in death.  He was employed over the years with Mulcoa, Walter Mathews, and also worked as a painter.

James was a gifted musician. He was a talented guitar player and songwriter, well-known for his song "When You Pray." His music will forever play in the hearts of all who knew him.

He leaves cherished  memories to his son, DeCarris Hillmon; siblings, Gloria Bennett, Celessie Hillmon, Georgia Ann Hillmon, Gladys Hillmon, Shirley Hillmon, Eddie Hillmon, Terry Hillmon (Barbara), and Larry Hillmon (Betty); father-in-law, Ernest Harp, Jr.; sisters/brothers-in-law, Sheila Allen (Reginald), Cynthia Harp, Ernest B. Harp, Stanford Harp (Debra), Charles Harp; devoted cousins, Marilyn and Gail; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends including Lola, Miss Ann, and Jennifer Martin.