On October 27, 2013, Nellie W. Taylor was softly and gently called home. Awaiting her arrival are her parents, Ben and Bessie (nee Rodgers) Williams; daughter, Leota R. Taylor; sons, Oakley P. (Paul) and Wilburn D. (Dale) Taylor; brothers Clyde, Kenneth and Earnest Williams; sisters Mabel Williams Martin Wyrick and Ruth Williams Haney; plus a host of other dear relatives and friends who also predeceased her.

Celebrating Nellie’s 96 years of life are her son, Raeburn and his wife Doris of Brooksville, FL; daughter-in-law Gail Taylor of Cadyville, NY; grandson Wade Taylor of Tampa, FL; 4 granddaughters, Dawn (Bruce) Chapple of Cadyville, NY, Diana (Dennis) Livermore of Dannemora, NY; Debbie (Kevin) Rose of Plattsburgh, NY; and Amanda Taylor of Brooksville, FL; 4 great-grandsons, Benjamin (Kiley), Keith, Wesley (Kaycee) and Taylor Chapple; 5 great-granddaughters, Nichole (Nick) Darrah , Tiffany and Rachel Livermore and Korrine and Heather LaBarre; 7 great-great children, Kamryn, Ryan, Aiden, Owen, Alexis, Piper and Adrian. She is also survived by one brother, Ben Williams of Ideal, GA.

Ms. Taylor was born on March 26, 1917 near the banks of her beloved Laurel River in Laurel County Kentucky. In 1944, she moved to Detroit , Michigan to join the war effort at Briggs Manufacturing (later Chrysler Corporation) as a “Rosie the Riveter”. Having fought for the civil rights movement since the 1950s, many will remember her fierce passion for equal justice for all. After retiring from VanPelt Corporation, she spent countless hours keeping in touch with relatives, both close and distant; and friends, both old and new. A woman of many talents, Nellie was an accomplished seamstress, doll maker, ceramics designer, historian, artist and author. Among her 7 published books are works of fiction, life experiences and compilations peppered with her own artwork and family photos.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public services. In lieu of flowers, she asked others to support their favorite charity; remember the least among us; and practice unexpected good works.

Ms. Johnnie Louise Lowe, age 81, passed October 22, 2013 at Perry Hospital. Perry, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 P.M., Saturday, October 26, 2013 at Shade Arnold Baptist Church, 11190 Georgia Highway 26 East, Montezuma, Georgia, where Reverend Dr. George Porter is pastor. Reverend Coley Clark Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church of Montezuma, Georgia, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Ms. Johnnie Louise Lowe was born April 15, 1932 in Macon County, Georgia to the parents of the late Eddie Lowe and Fannie Lee Lowe. She was also preceded in death by three siblings, John Lowe, Sr., Virginia Maxwell, Jessie Bell Scott, Eddie Lowe, Jr., O.J. Lowe, A.W. Lowe, Della Westberry, Melinda Bell, Will Lowe, Eddie Mae Lowe, and Robert Lowe. She attended Shade Arnold Baptist Church throughout the years. After many dedicated years of service, she retired as a Homemaker.

She leaves to cherish her memories: devoted son, Curtis Lowe, Jr., Detroit, Michigan; one granddaughter, Jeanna Young, Detroit, Michigan; one sister, Rose Mitchell, Hartford, Connecticut; one sister-in-law, Elene Adams Lowe, Montezuma, Georgia; brother-in-law Willie Westberry, Hartford, Connecticut; loving nieces and nephews Larry Lowe, Warner Robins, Georgia and Billy Lowe, Atlanta, Georgia, Bernice Latson, Detroit, Michigan, Rosetta Bullock of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Louise Little, Fort Valley, Georgia, Carlton Scott, Warner Robins, Georgia, Marilyn Kirkland (Joe), Douglasville, Georgia, Carolyn Barnes (Larry), Indianapolis, Indiana, Billy Roy Scoot, Detroit, Michigan, and Marie James (Larry), Atlanta, Georgia; a host of other relatives and friends, including Dorothy Solomon, Bennie Rose Solomon, Lessie Solomon, Kowetta Solomon, Orrie J Wright and Calvin Lowe.

Anthony Woolfork, Jr., age 55, 2020 Horseshoe Bend Road, Montezuma, Georgia passed Monday, October 21, 2013. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2013 at First Salem Baptist Church, 181 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Reverend Paul McFarland is pastor. Bishop Jimmy Woolfork will officiate. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Anthony Woolfork, Jr. was born January 14, 1958 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Elder Anthony Woolfork, Sr. and Mother Anna Whitehead Woolfork. At an early age, he joined Shade Arnold Baptist Church. He received his education in the public school system of Macon County. Anthony was a 1976 graduate of Macon County High School. He furthered his education at Georgia State University where he was a 1980 graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Public Administration. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Anthony was employed several years with Fulton County Administration.

Survivors are his loving and devoted siblings, Bishop Jimmy Woolfork (Cassandra), College Park, Georgia, Theodora Woolfork Tookes, Fort Valley, Georgia, Bernadette Woolfork Hughes (Jerome), Macon, Georgia, Paula Woolfork Johnson (Jimmie), Bonaire, Georgia, Donald Woolfork (Tamu), Ellenwood, Georgia, Ronald Woolfork (Denise), and Stanislaus Woolfork (Aldasha), all of Conyers, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Euis B. Bazile, Warner Robins, Georgia, Irene Johnson (Oscar), Fairburn, Georgia, Rev. Amos Whitehead, Sr. (Shirley), Montezuma, Georgia, Cleveland Whitehead, Jr. (Lildora), Lithonia, Georgia, Fredrick West (Gwendolyn), Earl Woolfork (Mattie Mae), Marie Woolfork, Joann Woolfork, Inez Woolfork, all of Montezuma, Georgia, Evelyn Whitehead, Greensboro, Georgia, Oscar McKenzie, Clayville, New York, Roosevelt Woolfork (Yvonne), Orlando, Florida, Jewell Lee Woolfork, Immockalee, Florida, Mollie Reed (Robert), Warner Robins, Georgia, Geneva Carter (James), Tifton, Georgia and Eddie Woolfork (Michelle), Canton, Michigan; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Andrew Lee Lockhart, Jr., age 52, of 127 Melody Lane, Americus, Georgia passed Saturday, October 19, 2013 at his residence.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, October 26, 2013 at New St. Paul Baptist Church, Americus, Georgia.  Interment will follow in the Old Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery, Americus, Georgia.

Mr. Andrew Lee Lockhart, Jr. was born June 22, 1961 to the late Andrew Lockhart, Sr. and Edna Mae Brooks Lockhart in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia. He was educated in the public school system of Sumter County. He was a devoted member of New St. Paul Baptist Church of Americus, Georgia. For many years, he worked as a plumber for a number of employers. He will be remembered as a man who enjoyed life, always ready to laugh.

Survivors include his companion of over 30 years, Margie Ann Wilborn, Americus, Georgia; his children, Travis Lockhart, Oregon, Sophia Cross, California, Darnell Sims, Lakeza Lockhart, and Kareemah Dowdell, all of Americus, Georgia; stepchildren, Teresa Wilborn, Laquita Wilborn, Shonna Wilborn, Robert Burton, Milton Kleckley, Lisa Wilborn, and Krystal Kleckley, all of Americus, Georgia; 24 grandchildren; siblings, Vernon Lockhart (Mary), Annie Ruth Taylor, Betty Crudup, Charlie Lockhart, Edward Lockhart (Eva Nell), Sammie Lockhart (Melanie), Robert Lockhart, Ella Greene, and Ola Baisden, all of Americus, Georgia; aunt, Sarah Range, New Jersey; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including devoted friends, Christopher Foster, Albert Barthell, and David Green.

Deacon Charlie Stewart, Sr., age 77, 341 Heath Road, Ellaville, Georgia passed Saturday, October 19, 2013 at his residence.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at William Grove Baptist Church, Gill Street, Ellaville, Georgia, where the Reverend Michael Edge is pastor. The Reverend Alfred Rushin, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Charlie was the son of the late Mr. Charlie Wilbert Stewart and the late Mrs. Mary Lou Kleckley Stewart. He was preceded in death by a stepmother, Mrs. Josie Stewart; two sisters, Ms. Bessie Mae Martin and Mrs. Lillie Ruth Newman; and one great granddaughter, Miss Zamiyah Ross.

He was born in Macon County and moved to Schley County at a young age. He received his education at Marietta/Schley County School. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where he served on the Deacon Board. He was also a gold card member of the Ellaville Light Masonic Lodge No. 443 A&FM with over 50 years of service. He was a farmer until 1983. He was employed by Schley County from January 1983 to January 1999.

He married the former Christine Williamson in December 1955, and to this union, seven children were born.

He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Christine Williamson Stewart, Ellaville, Georgia; five sons and two daughters, Charlie (Cara) Stewart, Jr., Catherine Hamlin, Mack Arthur Stewart, Earnestine (James) Smith, all of Ellaville, Georgia, Tony (Virginia) Stewart, Americus, Georgia, Jeffery (Melena) Stewart, Warner Robins, Georgia, Michael (Susan) Stewart, Albany, Georgia; twenty-three grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren; sister and brothers, Annie Mae English, Eatonville, Florida, Leroy (Francis) Stewart, James Stewart, all of Americus, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary L. Beavers, Josephine (Sammie) Mercer, Robert (Ella Pearl) Williamson, Felix (Minnie) Williamson Jr., all of Ellaville, Georgia, Annie Mildred Williamson, Atlanta, Georgia, Annie Pearl (Rev. Paul) Smith, Phenix City, Alabama, Mary Francis Hayes, Americus, Georgia, Willie Arthur Williamson (Rose) Pinetown, North Carolina, Eugene (Eddie Mae) Williamson, Lola Mae Patterson, all of Americus, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Eddie Wiggins Sr., age 83, 506 Sumter Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at House of God Miracle Temple, Hoke Smith Road, Ideal, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery in Oglethorpe Georgia.  The Reverend Bennie Postell Jr. will officiate.

Eddie Wiggins Sr. was born July 13, 1930 to the late Susie Wiggins in Americus, Georgia. He attended the public school system of Macon County. Eddie gave his life over to Jesus Christ at an early age. He was employed as farmer over the years.

Survivors include his children, Willie C. Powell, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Eddie Wiggins Jr., Oglethorpe, Georgia, Rickey Lee Wiggins (Betty), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Albert Wiggins, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Patricia Ann Wiggins, Ideal, Georgia; stepchildren, Florene Hunter (Greg), Powder Springs, Georgia, Daniel Ford (Ruby), Montezuma, Georgia, Mae Ruth Ford, Ellaville, Georgia, Betty Sue Griffin, Marietta, Georgia; siblings Mary Turner, Orlando, Florida; Joe Wiggins Sr., Winter Park, Florida, Samual Wiggins (Pearlene), Winter Park Florida, and Paulene Wiggins, Eatenville, Florida; 24 grandchildren, and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Mrs. Willie Mae Davis Pride, age 91, 202 Church Street, Andersonville, Sumter County, Georgia transitioned Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family and friends.

The funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 18, 2013 at William Grove Baptist Church, 71 Gills Street, Ellaville, Georgia, where the Reverend Michael Edge is Pastor. Interment will follow at 12:00 P.M. in the Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia. Pastor Donavon O. Coley will officiate

Willie Mae Davis Pride born February 2, 1922 in Junction City, Georgia to the parentage of the late Reverend Curly Davis and Hattie Jackson Davis Flowers. She was preceded in death by a devoted parent, the late Cullen Flowers, and two brothers, Willie James Davis and Walter Lewis Davis.

She was educated in the Macon County school system. She was a domestic engineer. She was married to the late Calvin "Abraham" Pride, Jr. Mrs. Pride was faithful member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Andersonville, Georgia until her health declined.

She is survived by two daughters, Velma (Rudolph) Coley and Tommie Pride McCuller, all of Andersonville, Georgia; five sons, Frank (Alice) Pride of Columbus, Georgia, Charlie James Pride of Dallas, Texas, Kirkland Jerome Pride of Andersonville, Georgia, Michael Carl Pride of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and Earnest (Sonja) Pride of Albany, Georgia; 19 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; devoted niece, Vernocia Davis-Hunter; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Edith Mae Watson Caldwell, age 69, 413 Morse Avenue, Montezuma, Georgia passed Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Union Baptist Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia. The Reverend Joe Harrison, pastor, and The Reverend Coley Clark, Jr., pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Champ Water Cemetery, 181 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mrs. Caldwell was born August 6, 1944 to the late Mrs. Laura Wisharp Watson and E. V. Marshall in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia. She was married to the late Deacon Oscar Caldwell. She was blessed to be the darling mother of four children. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Dooly County, Georgia. She was retired from Cooper Lighting of Americus, Georgia. She was a 1964 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School.

Survivors are four children, Rodney Thomas, Montezuma, Georgia, Jevette Moone (Rufus), West Palm Beach, Florida, Robby Thomas, Montezuma, Georgia, and Quintin Haugabook (Brittany), Atlanta, Georgia; siblings, Alice Hill, Atlanta, Georgia, Elizabeth Boster, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rev. Edward Marshall (Georgetta) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Lucille Haugabook, McDonough, Georgia; five stepchildren, Marilyn Shanks (James Willis), Deborah Caldwell, Tony Caldwell (Peggy), Oscar L. Caldwell III, all of Atlanta, Georgia and Curtis Thomas (Sharon) Irvington, New Jersey; one aunt, Iline Wisharp, Norwalk, Connecticut; eight grandchildren, Devin Thomas, Atlanta, Georgia, Darius Thomas, Tampa, Florida, Yolanda Moone, Atlanta, Georgia, Aisa Moone, Daytona Beach, Florida, Alexzandra Moone, West Palm, Florida, Kaydance Haugabook, McKenzie Haugabook, and Hailey Haugabook, all of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Paul Giddings, Henderson, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, including one devoted, Lorna Mathis, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, other relatives including Hubert West and Rosetta Collier, and a host of beloved friends, including Mary Stokeling, Betty Golphin and Bernett Boland.

Patsy Vernell Burton Tuff, age 57, 402 River Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Thursday, October 10, 2013 at her home.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at the Mt. Pleasant/Travelers Rest C.M.E. Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Whiteline Street, Montezuma, Georgia. The Reverend Sidney Kendrick, pastor, will officiate.

Mrs. Tuff was born February 7, 1956 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia to the late Mrs. Verna Mae Turner Burton and George Burton. She was preceded in death by three siblings: Jerome Turner, Cedric Burton and Jerry Burton. She was a 1975 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School and a life member of the Mt. Pleasant/Travelers Rest C.M.E. Church. For many years she was a volunteer for the Macon County Health Services and was the recipient of many awards for her dedicated services. She was employed for several years with Southern Frozen Food as a line technician and housekeeping at Montezuma Health Care.

Patsy was married to Keith Tuff, Sr., and to this union they were blessed with two children; Keith Jr. and Verna.

Survivors include a husband, Keith Tuff, Sr., Montezuma, Georgia; two children and daughter-in-law, Keith Tuff, Jr. (Alison), Americus, Georgia and Verna Victoria Tuff (Kyle Robert), Montezuma, Georgia; four grandchildren, Zereouna Wiggins, Montezuma, Georgia, JaTavion Jackson and Jaylem Jackson, both of Marshallville, Georgia and De’Asia Hart, Americus, Georgia; four siblings, Harold Turner (Daisy), Danny Turner, all of Atlanta, Georgia, Zona Riley (James) and Terry Burton, all of Montezuma, Georgia; mother-in-law, Mildred Tuff, Austin, Texas; niece and nephews, Juliett Turner, Kareem Turner, both of Albany, Georgia, Officer Harold Bernard Turner, U.S. Army, Antonio Riley and James Riley, Jr. both of Montezuma, Georgia. Her extended family include six brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rose Marie Brown (Marvin) and Wayne Tuff, Malcolm Harris, all of Montezuma, Georgia, David Tuff, Miami, Florida, Norma Tuff and Mamie Ann Keith both of Austin, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends including one devoted, Helen Roberts, Montezuma, Georgia.

Eula Mae Frazier Crawford, age 94, 246 Pryor Street, Cobb, Georgia passed Sunday morning October 6, 2013.

The funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Jackson Grove Baptist Church, Pryor Road, Cobb, Georgia.  Interment will follow in Hawkins Cemetery, Seed Farm Road, Desoto, Georgia.

Mrs. Crawford was born July 22, 1919 in Desoto, Sumter County, Georgia to the late James Frazier and Emma Frazier. She was preceded in death by one sister, Rebecca Brown of Dalton, Georgia.

Mrs. Crawford was educated in the Public School System of Sumter County and later became an educator herself. She taught school in her community for several years. She was united in holy matrimony to the late John Crawford and union they were blessed with four children. One daughter, Emma Crawford Vaughn of Detroit, Michigan preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by four grandchildren Phyllis Brown, Towanda Crawford, George Wright, and Lamar Wright. She joined the Mt. Ramah Primitive Baptist Church of Leslie, Georgia. She later moved her membership to Little Rock Primitive Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan and actively served as a committee member.

Survivors are three children, Fred Crawford, Atlanta, Georgia, Gladys Wright (George) and James Frazier Crawford (Lillie) all of Cobb, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and one devoted caregiver, Nikki Crawford and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.