Deacon J.D. Colbert, age 98, passed away on September 23, 2015 at the Montezuma Health and Rehabilitation Center in Montezuma, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Railroad Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.  Elder James Grier will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, Whiteline Street, Montezuma, Georgia.

Deacon J.D. Colbert, Sr., favorably known as J.D. or Jam Boggy, was born in Macon County, Montezuma, Georgia on December 19, 1916 to the late Mr. Ben (Cora) Patterson. Deacon  J. D. departed this life on September 23, 2015 at the Montezuma Health Care in Montezuma, Georgia.

Having been reared and lived his life in Macon County, he received his early education in Macon County Public School System.  He was employed by the Southern Frozen Food, Inc. for over forty years. Deacon  J. D. accepted Christ as his Heavenly Father at a young age.  He joined New Phillip Primitive Baptist Church of Montezuma, Ga. He later moved his membership to Brown Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia.  He served as an outstanding Deacon and was known for his “mighty spiritual praying”.

He later was married to Mrs. Abbie L. Caldwell Colbert-Weaver. Their union welcomed three children and supported in the rearing of his children. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Mamie Aniton; two sisters, Catherine Porter and Corrine Colbert; and two brothers, John Willie Patterson and Ernest Patterson.

In January 1991, Deacon J. D. Colbert was blessed to join in marriage to the late Mrs. Annie Ruth Harris-Colbert, of Desoto, Ga. He was accepted into the Harris-Clayton Family by her son, Minister George (Elaine) Clayton, Jr., and the family affectionately called him sweet names, such as the following: ”Shugg" by Ruth; "Dad" by George; and “Grandpa” by the children. Deacon  J. D. and Ruth abided together in the Montezuma Health Care Center, until she departed on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

He leaves to cherish his memory: seven sons, James D. (Larether) Colbert, Sr., College Park, Georgia; Gene P. (Shelia) Colbert, McDonough, Georgia, Robert (Marilyn) Howard, Augusta, Georgia, Jewel (Linda) Howard, Georgia, Curtis (Alice) Howard, Pastor Marvin (Susie) Howard, Savannah, Georgia, Minister George (Elaine) Clayton, Americus, Georgia, Larry (Janet) Daniels, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Jimmy (Thelma) Daniels, Oglethorpe, Georgia; six daughters, Evangelist Carolyn (Abraham) Cokley, Americus, Georgia, Mary Ann Rucker, Montezuma, Georgia, Denise Colbert, Montezuma, Georgia, Elizabeth Colbert, Linda (Leon) Smith, all of Reynolds, Georgia, and Emma Rumph, Fort Valley, Georgia; 14 grandchildren and 17 great great grandchildren; a host of many special nieces and nephews, friends, and neighbors.  He was proud and loved all his grandchildren but would say ”Thank You” to his granddaughter, Colonel Rolanda D. Colbert-Mitcham, for serving our country in the United States Army.

Frank Martin, Sr. age 83, passed Sunday,  September 20, 2015.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Union Baptist Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia.  Burial will follow at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, September 29, 2015 in Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia with Military Honors. 

March 1, 1932 was a joyous day in Montezuma, Georgia for Edward B. and Wyolene Hunter Martin as they celebrate the birth of a son names Frank Edward Martin.  He was the only child.

Frank accepted Christ at an early age and became an active member of Union Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia where his grandfather, Eddie Hunter, served as a deacon and chairman of the Deacon Ministry.

He received his early education in the, then, segregated public school system in Montezuma, Georgia and graduated from the Macon County Training High School.  With an ambition to press forward, he attended Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU) for two years and was then drafted into the United States Armed Forces where he served three (3) years in Korea (1951-1954).

After a tour of the duty United States Army he graduated from FAMU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Mechanics.  He did further study at Florida International University (FIU).

He was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Frances Hankerson Martin for over 50 Years, and to this union three sons were born, Frank, Jr., Curt Von and Eric Boris Martin.

He was employed at Motor Parts and Bearings, Inc. for several years.  He was employed by the Miami-Dade County School board where he taught auto mechanics at North Western Senior High School for several years.  As a result of Brown VS the Board of Education decision, he was transferred to D. A. Dorsey Skills Educational Center (Adults) where he taught auto mechanic until retirement in 1995.  He was a dedicated educator.

In his spare time he would enjoy deep sea fishing in his boat. He was a dedicated member  of the following organization:  FAMU National Alumni Association, United Teachers of Dade (UTD) for faithful service as an educator;  Outstanding Service Award – D A Dorsey Educational Center; Member of the NAACP; recipient of Certificate of Appreciation –the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida 1995; recipient of 25 Year Dedication and Commitment Award, United Teachers of Dade County, Florida; and recipient of Certificate of Appreciation from Circuit Court of the State of Florida Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

He left with loving memories, a wife, Mary Frances Hankerson Martin; three sons, Frank E. Martin (Geneva), Curt V. Martin (Christine), and Eric B. Martin all of Miami, Florida; four grandchildren, Catrecia V. Martin, Atlanta, Georgia. Selena Martin, Miami, Florida, Chloe Martin, Washington, D.C. and Curt Martin, Jr., Miami, Florida; one sister-in-law, Louise H. Ibim (Dr. Geoffrey Ibim), Fort Valley, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Ulysses Hankerson (Zetta Mae), Montezuma, Georgia; and a host of devoted nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Mae Ola Russell English, age 83, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Friday, September 18, 2015.

The funeral service will conducted at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 110 Johnson Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.  The interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia. 

Mae Ola Russell English was born February 5, 1932 to the parentage of the late Mr. Smithie Dewey Russell and Mrs. Lizzie Mae Fulks Russell.  She was educated in the public school system of Macon County, Georgia.  She advanced her education at the former Fort Valley State College, where she studied Early Childhood Education.  Mae Ola was truly a servant to mankind, for she served her community for 31 years as a teacher.  Even after her retirement, she devoted her life to the betterment of others by being a member of the Baccheus Chapter #124 of the Order of Eastern Star and the Macon County Retired Teachers’ Association.

Mae Ola was married to the late Mr. Sipp English.  To this union, two sons, Cedric and Torryce, and a daughter, Rosa Lee, were born.  She worked hard to fill their hearts with the love of others and God.  Mae Ola truly led her children by example as a dutiful member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oglethorpe, Georgia.  She was a servant of many capacities: a stewardess board member, assistant church secretary, choir member, Sunday school treasurer, Junior Class teacher, Trustee Secretary, Advisory and Grievance Committee member, the Hospitality Committee, and President of the Missionary Society. The Missionary Board now carries the name “The Mae Ola English Missionary Society.”  She was also well known throughout the district because she was a steadfast member at Sunday school conventions, Missionary, Lay, and many other church meetings over the years. 

Preceding her in death is her brother, Mr. George Russell. 

She leaves to cherish her memory and uphold her legacy: her sons, Cedric B. English, Sr. (Earnestine) of Oglethorpe, Georgia and Torryce English (Valerie) of Decatur, Georgia; her daughter, Rosa English Marshall (Eddie) of Oglethorpe, Georgia; her brother, Daniel Russell (Ellen Rose) of Decatur, Georgia; her sisters, Ruthie Bell Dooley of Atlanta, Georgia, Annie Mae Jairrels of Decatur, Georgia, and Emma Parrish of Bonaire, Georgia; a devoted companion, Marvin Johnson of Montezuma, Georgia; her grandchildren, Monica English, Carol E. Hollis (Charles), Cedric B. English, Jr., Demarco Witchard, Justin Torryce English, Bianca Hardin, and Myrisha E. Willis (Arico); her great grandchildren, Precious Williams, L’Zariah Williams, Damonica Hollis, Demarco Barksdale, Jasanti Monae English, Jordan Hudson, Zyan Hardin, Aubree Willis, Nortori Willis, and LaPrincess Willis; a host of nieces, nephews, former students, other loving relatives, and friends.

Bernice Davis, age 65, 105 Peachtree Street, Americus, Georgia passed Monday, September 7, 2015 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Union Tabernacle Baptist Church, 900 Adderton Street Americus, Georgia, where Reverend Larry Sims is pastor. Elder Benford Stokes will officiate. Interment will follow in the Staley Memorial Gardens, corner of Mayo Street and Southerfield Road, Americus, Georgia.

On August 23, 1950, a very special baby girl, Bernice Davis, was born in Americus, Georgia to Ms. Myrtice Nell Davis, who preceded her in death.  Bernice was reared by her grandparents, Eugene and Lucy Mae Davis, who also preceded her in death.

She held a special place in the lives and hearts of her three sisters and four cousins with whom she was reared. All of them at some time and place had a role in helping take care of her.  After Bernice’s grandmother, Lucy Mae, passed, she went to live in Hartford, Connecticut with her mother and stepfather, Walter Lee Thomas.  After her mother, Myrtice, passed, her youngest sister, Carolyn Brown, became her guardian and took care of her until her death.

Bernice is survived by six sisters, Ernestine (George) Maddox, Albany, Georgia, Ruby (Mike) Harris and Carolyn Brown, Americus, Georgia, Irene Thomas, Dendia Spence, and Donna (Ronald), Holley, Hartford, Connecticut; stepfather, Walter Lee Thomas, Bloomfield, Connecticut; and one aunt, Hattie Bess, Americus, Georgia.  She is also fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, three of which was reared in the home with her and provided extra support – Crystal (Elder Benford) Stokes, Calvesa Davis, Americus, Georgia and Corey Davis, Atlanta, Georgia.   Other nieces and nephews include Tavis (Juana) Maddox, Latundra (Rodrick) Gaskins, Keith Spence, Loran Spence, Brandon Holley, and Raven Harris. Bernice is also survived by many cousins, four of whom were reared with her, Hattie Simpson and Teresa Davis, East Hartford, Connecticut, Lola (Jerry) Dent, Atlanta, Georgia, Freddie (Juanita) Davis, Orlando, Florida. Fond memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.  

Lilla Bentley, age 64, 215 East Adams Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Houston Medical Center, Warner Robins, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel. Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.  Interment will follow in McDonald Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.  

Lilla Bentley was born November 8, 1950 to the late Collins  Bentley and Thelma Curgil-Bentley in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia.  She was preceded in death by one daughter, Joann Coretta Bentley.  She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Bentley Chapman and Mary Yarn.  She was a 1968 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School.   Lilla was a member of First Salem Baptist Church. She was employed with Southern Frozen Food, Inc.

Survivors are two children, Bernice Bentley, Montezuma, Georgia and Arthur Bentley (Tonya), Warner Robins, Georgia; eleven loving grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; four siblings, Marie Walker, Montezuma, Georgia, Willie B. Williams, Orlando, Florida, Roberta Weeks and Georgia B. Spivey, both of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.