Deacon Craig Lamorris Sparks Sr., age 60, passed on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Magnolia Baptist Church, 415 Hosie Waters Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow at the Champ Waters Cemetery, 191 Twin Churches Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

Deacon Craig Lamorris Sparks was born May 19, 1957 to Ola Mae Smith Sparks and the late Willie C. Sparks. He was educated in the public school system of Macon County and graduated in 1975 from the Historic D.F. Douglas High School in Montezuma, Georgia. He furthered his education at Kentucky State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. At an early age he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He was a faithful member of Magnolia Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Ministry. With a humble heart Deacon Sparks was a great supporter of every facet of the church he loved so well.

He was employed with Proctor & Gamble/Weyerhaeuser as one of the original Advance Evaporator and Advance Recovery Boiler Operators. He trained the KILN and was the C Team 1st Responder. He also helped wrote the CBA’s. After many years dedicated services he retired.

On October 15, 1988 two hearts became one when Craig and Doris Harris bonded in holy matrimony.
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Craig leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife, Doris Sparks, Montezuma, Georgia; five children, Tiawanna McGhee (James), Warner Robins, Georgia, Craig Sparks, Jr., Montezuma, Georgia, Joshua Sparks (Quesha Stokeling), Valley, Alabama, Kierra Sparks, Montezuma, Georgia, and Cabrina Williams, Oglethorpe, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Jariyon, Javion, Jaylen, Ja’Quaylen, Te’Nijyah, Za’Morian, and Ja’Quayvious; a mother, Ola Mae Sparks, Montezuma, Georgia; four siblings, Tim Caldwell, Orlando, Florida, Anthony Smith (Shirley), James Sparks, and Regina Odom (Willie), all of Montezuma, Georgia; two uncles Johnny Sparks (Mable) Atlanta, Georgia, George Eddie Sparks, Montezuma, Georgia; a great uncle, I.D. Bailey, Atlanta, Georgia; a great aunt, Louise Lee, Montezuma, Georgia; sister/brothers-in-law, Helen Ogburn, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Theodise Harris (Zandra), Chicago, Illinois, and Douglas Harris, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

​Mrs. Zola Minter, age 78, 123 Beauchamp Road, Smithville, Georgia passed Friday, November 24, 2017.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 Noon, Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Quebec Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 West, Ellaville, Georgia. Reverend Clinton Aldridge, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Hopewell Cemetery.

Mrs. Minter was born in Sumter County, Georgia, May 7, 1939 to the late Julius Burton and Mamie Nixon Burton.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Lewis Minter. She was educated in the public school system of Sumter County and she acquired her Christian training in the local churches. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at the Bethesda Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and homemaker.

Zola was united in holy matrimony for 38 loving and devoted years to the late Eddie Lewis Minter and to this union, they were blessed with six children.
 
Survivors are six loving children, Patricia Minter, Americus, Georgia, Priscilla Minter, South Bend, Indiana, Marilyn (Johnny) Hollis, Albany, Georgia, Carol (Willie) Williams, Kenneth Minter his fiancée, Cheryl Goover  all of Americus, Georgia,  and Eddie Minter, Sr., Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Brittney Williams, Christopher B. (Tomeisha) Minter, Calvin Minter, MacKenzie Minter, Kenyatta Minter, Willie Williams, III, Steven Minter, Eddie Minter, Jr., Marquavious Minter, Taleak Minter, Shanell Minter, Tyrell Minter, Tyheim Minter and Tyress Minter; seventeen great grandchildren; two siblings,  Mildred (Booker T.) Jones,  Americus, Georgia and Jossie Woodruff of California; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

​Mr. Freddie B. Jolly, age 48,  departed this life on November 25, 2017.
 
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Meadows Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.  Burial will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Freddie (Fred) B. Jolly, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, the youngest of five children, was born in Buena Vista, Georgia to Mrs. Mary Frances Jolly Prince and the late Freddie Lee Jolly, October 7, 1969. Fred was baptized at an early age and became a faithful member of New Zion Baptist Church in Mauk, Georgia, where he sang in the youth choir. Fred loved God and family more than anything. Throughout his life he showed a great passion for music, food and the performing arts (he loved to dance!). The one thing he loved more was travel. Fred spent many years cruising on the high seas and vacationing with friends and loved ones within the United States and abroad.  His sweet spirit, huge personality, smile and even bigger heart touched the lives of many. He was truly one of a kind!

Fred leaves to cherish his memories: his mother, Mrs. Mary Frances Jolly Prince (A.K.A his girlfriend) of Americus, Georgia; three brothers: Joseph (Esther) Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Derundo (Sandy) Jenkins of Phoenix City, Alabama, and Michael Jolly of Buena Vista, Georgia; one sister, Vicky Jolly of Buena Vista, Georgia and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. Fred also leaves special loves of his life, Peter Prioleau III (Life Partner) and his four legged son Gage (Pomeranian) of Wesley Chapel, Florida;  adopted stepdaughter, Kiera Prioleau of New Albany, Ohio and many other friends. 

​Elizabeth Kitchens Angry, age 58, passed on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Plains, Georgia. Reverend Shirley Strawter, pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in the St. Mark A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Archery Community, Plains, Georgia.

Mrs. Angry was born on December 16, 1958 in Sumter County, Georgia to the late Pauline Kitchens and the late Thomas “Harry” Williams. She was a graduate of Plains High School class of 1976. She was the widow of the late Roger Ross. She was united in holy matrimony to Eugene Angry July 1980 and to this union two daughters were born. She was a member of St. Mark A.M.E. Church. She was a loving mother and homemaker. She retired from the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site as a secretary.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two daughters, Lenekia McKnight (Xavier) of Stockbridge, Georgia and Eugenia Spivey (Derrick) of Americus, Georgia; four grandchildren, Braylon Thomas, Kolbie Cooper, McKenzie McKnight, and Kierston Spivey; siblings, Annie Laura Kitchens-Harris, Ernestine Wright-Martin (Melvin), Wayne Kitchens, Cornelius Kitchens all of Americus, Georgia, Janice Pless (George) of Warner Robins, Georgia, Thomas Williams, Jr. (Luvenia) of North Carolina, Sharon Holmes (Ozie), Edward Benard Williams, Ernest Sims, Johnny Sims, Edgwardo Williams (Juliette), Keyon Williams, Eric Williams, Orlando Williams, LaShonda Williams, Tosha Williams, NaTonya Williams all of Miami, Florida; aunts/uncles, Rubie Willoughby, Clara Thomas, both of Plains, Georgia, and Annie Bell Kitchens Pitts Allen of Warner Robins, Georgia; a host of friends including two devoted, Shirley Green and Judy Wallace; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives.

Ms. Hazel Ina Shellings, age 87, passed on November 16, 2017 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
 
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow at Union Hill A.M.E Church Cemetery, Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia.
 
Hazel Ina Shellings was born on May 28, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to the late George Shellings  and Minnie Black Shellings. She attended school in the New York Public School System.  Hazel worked as a Seamstress. Through her love of fashion, she was a trendsetter.   Her style was very bold. She was very active in the Harlem Renaissance era. She enjoyed styling hair and loved Jazz music. She will be remembered for her bohemian spirit.
 
She leaves to cherish her memories: a daughter, Deborah Crouch, Palmdale, California; an aunt Martha Black, Ellaville, Georgia; first cousins, Jackie Chester, Atlanta, Georgia, Minnie Montford,  Atlanta, Georgia, Carolyn Edge (Tim), Ellaville, Georgia, Shirley Anderson, Baltimore, Maryland, Ina Black and Emily Black of Newark, New Jersey; adopted daughters, Kai Adwao-Thomas, Rosa Rios, Minter Lazon Smith and other cousins and friends.   ​

​Alonzo L. Richardson, age 58, 838 Cooper Lakes Court, Grayson, Georgia passed on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Gwinnett Medical Center, 1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, Georgia.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the New Corinth Baptist Church, 220 Spivey Street, Ellaville, Georgia. Reverend Andre Mathis will officiate. Interment will follow in the Union Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Ellaville, GA.’
 
Mr. Alonzo L. (Zoe) Richardson was born October 25, 1959 to the late Mr. Cicero Richardson and Mrs. Lucille Smith-Richardson. He attended Tri-County High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1977. Alonzo attended and graduated the Atlanta College of Medical and Dental Technology. He worked as a dental technician in the Atlanta area for several years. After leaving his employment as a dental lab technician, he began a 38-year career with UPS. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jessie L. Richardson. Alonzo became a member of New Corinth Baptist Church at an early age.
 
He leaves to cherish his memories to a brother, Oliver Richardson of Lawrenceville, GA; a niece, Jessica Richardson of Atlanta, GA; an uncle, Ernest Smith (Gloria) of Hartford, CT; an aunt, Mary D. Williams of Americus, GA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Eloise “Weedie” Quinn Miller, age 66, passed Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Montezuma Health & Rehabilitation Center, Montezuma, Georgia. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 20, 2017 at First United Holiness Church 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, 191 Twin Churches Road, Montezuma, Georgia. 

She was born to the late John Lee Quinn and Nettie C. Sutton Quinn in Macon County, Montezuma, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Lee Quinn. She attended Flint River Farm School in Montezuma, Georgia and was a graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School, Class of 1970. She was employed at Miona Healthcare in Ideal, Georgia for 19 years as a certified nursing assistant. At an early age, she joined Zion Grove Baptist Church where she served faithfully in the adult choir. Later in life, she moved to Second Salem Baptist Church. She loved all of her family and friends unconditionally. She truly loved the lord and her favorite saying was, “Thank God for life as well as it is!”

She leaves a legacy of love and many fond memories to her beloved husband, Willie Roy Miller, and two children Jasmine and Jashaya Miller, all of Montezuma, Georgia; six siblings, Billy Mack Quinn (Edith), Montezuma, Georgia, Irvin Quinn (Brenda) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mildred Ellison, Valdosta, Georgia, Gloria Quinn Ager, Linda Hill, Adell Quinn and Karen Oliver (Ralph) all of Montezuma, Georgia; a host of loving nieces and nephews that she reared as her own; other relatives and friends.

​Deacon Benjamin “Ben” Perry, age 64, 1820 Bunker Hill Road, Columbus, Georgia passed on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia. 

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 18, 2017 at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery, Hagin Road (off of George McCorkle Road, 229),  Buena Vista, Georgia. 

Benjamin was born on March 23, 1953 in Buena Vista, Georgia to the late Mercy Perry, Sr. and Jimmie Lee Biggs Perry.  He was preceded in death by three siblings, Eugene Perry, Linda Smith, and Iona Burdett. He was educated in the Marion County School System where he was a graduate of Buena Vista High School. Following high school he enlisted into the United State Navy where he served his country proudly. He was honorably discharged in November 1978. He was a Deacon at New Home Baptist Church. Deacon Perry started working at an early age and was always a hard worker.  He retired from Fort Benning as a civil service worker, Panasonic, and Columbus Valley Rescue Mission.  

He leaves to cherish his memories: three children, Linda King, Demetrice Perry, Tyia Perry, all of Columbus, Georgia; a granddaughter, Aubrey Stephen, Columbus, Georgia; seven siblings, Mercy Perry, Jr. (Liz), Indian Town, Flordia, Richard Perry, Buena Vista, Georgia, Charlie Perry (Marlyn), Atlanta, Georgia, Jimmie Lue Walton Lithonia, Georgia, Mildred Perry, Riverdale, Georgia, Dessie Percy, Riverdale, Georgia, and David Perry, Buena Vista, Georgia; aunts and uncle, Annie Lee Miller Peokee, Florida, Bessie Harris, Miami Florida, and Allie Van Biggs (Jessie) Peokee, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many devoted friends.