Mr. Willie “Bill” Mann, age 62, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed Sunday, December 30, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 5, 2013 at First Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 191 Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Memorial Cemetery. Bishop Melvin McCluster will officiate.

Willie was born October 2, 1950, to the late Reverend Henry and Alberta Rackley Mann. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Chase William Mann and Lillie Mae Mann. Willie was educated in the public school system of Macon County. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at First Salem Baptist Church.

On October 8, 1973, Willie married the love of his life, the former Kathryn Felder, and to this union, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Tomika and Jarius. Willie enjoyed many things about life especially his family. In his younger years he enjoyed playing his guitar with friends. He was a calm and easygoing soul that could accomplish any task. He was an overall handyman.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Left to celebrate the joy of his precious memories are his loving and devoted wife of thirty-nine years, Kathryn Mann, Oglethorpe, Georgia; two loving and caring children, Tomika Mann (Chari), Lithonia, Georgia and Jarius Mann, Sr. (Laquanda), Lithonia, Georgia; five grandchildren, Ta’Naya, Yazmin, Ja’Bria, Jarius, Jr., and Haven Mann all of Lithonia, Georgia; six siblings, James C. Mann (Luella), Montezuma, Georgia, Inez Woolfork (Alonzo), Montezuma, Georgia, Mae Bertha Jones, West Palm Beach, Florida, John Henry Mann, Jr., (Viola), West Palm Beach, Florida, Earl Mann, Sr., Montezuma, Georgia, Ervin Mann, Sr. (Pearl), West Palm Beach, Florida; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edna Snipes (Eddie C.) Atlanta, Georgia, Rev. Grady Felder (Sonja), Kansas City, Kansas, Wyngia Felder Brown, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Janice Love, Lucious Felder, Jr., James Felder (Floria) all of Atlanta, Georgia Larry Harvey (Betty) Americus, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Carrie Rackley, Sarah Hannor (Fred) all of Montezuma, Georgia, Fannie Hannor (Jerome), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Christine Mann, Jacksonville, Florida, Betty Mann, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Joan Waters, Montezuma, Georgia, Marilyn Mann, and Dorothy Mann both of Hartford, Connecticut and Henry Mann, Jacksonville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mary Annie Dice Stewart, age 87, of 307 Railroad Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia passed December 25, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, December 31, 2012 at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 201 Chatham Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia, where the Rev. Glenn Bryant is pastor. Rev. Matthew Raines will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Mrs. Mary Annie Dice Stewart was born December 15, 1925 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Ocie Bell Ford an the late Will Dice. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Ocie Mae Stewart and Lizzie Mae Tookes and one nephew, whom she reared as her own, Will McCants. One daughter-in-law, Cordelia Stewart, also preceded her in death. Five siblings preceded her in death: Eula Mae McCants, Cathelean Wimberly, Beulah Humphries, Eddie Thomas Ford and Tommie Lou Frazier.

Mrs. Mary Stewart was educated in the public school system of Macon County, Georgia. She was a merry and cheerful person that loved her family unconditionally. She was the type of person that would give or try to help you in anyway she could. After many dedicated years of service, she retired from Southern Frozen Foods, Inc.

Mary had the heart of gold. At an early age, she joined the band of Christian believers at Mt. Olive Baptist Church and served for several years. Mary enjoyed attending several churches showing her love and faith for God.

Survivors include a loving son, Ernest Stewart; three loving grandchildren, Damian Tookes, Kimberly Brown, Kelvin Stewart, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; four step grandchildren, Derrick Ivory (Dana), Vienna, Georgia, Decarris Dean, Domonique Larry, Montezuma, Georgia, and Claudette Larry, Oglethorpe, Georgia; nine great grandchildren, Quaneisha and Quadeisha Tookes, Vienna, Georgia, Sanyia Tookes, Macon, Georgia, Tyquarne Tookes, Americus, Georgia, Tre’Garyin and Te'Yana Fudge, both of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Kelvin Stewart, Jr., Ja’Marion Stewart and Ca’Mauri Stewart, all of Oglethorpe, Georgia; one brother Charles Thomas Ford, Oglethorpe, Georgia; a loving Goddaughter, Dorothy Cross, Unadilla, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews whom she loved dearly; a host of other relatives and friends.

Ulysses Cephus, Sr., age 74, passed Monday, December 24, 2012 at the South Fulton Medical Center, East Point, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church, Georgia Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Rev. Norris Harris, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery.

Ulysses was born March 16, 1938 In Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late Ernest Cephus and Maxine Mae Tookes. He was educated in the Macon County Public School system and received his Christian training in the local churches.

Ulysses moved to Greensboro, North Carolina around 1961 and later moved to Jacksonville, Florida. In 1972 he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he remain until his demise. He retired from Country Home Bakery after many years of dedicated services as a foreman in the year of 2000.

He leaves a legacy of love and memories to his beloved children which include: Angela Finch, Greensboro, North Carolina, Mavis Carmon, Greesboro, North Carolina, Evelyn Gibson (Wayne), Greensboro, North Carolina, Annie Watson (Michael), Greensboro, North Carolina, Cheryl Pender (Danny), Greensboro, North Carolina, Beverly James, Greensboro, North Carolina, Bernice Cephus, Greensboro, North Carolina, Ulysses Cephus, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia and Jamarques Cephus, Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Annie Ruth Cephus, Atlanta, Georgia; twenty one grandchildren and twenty one great grandchildren; one aunt, Emma Lee Cephus, Montezuma, Georgia; one niece, Keshia Cephus; one great niece and two great, great nieces; and a host of other relatives including two devoted cousins, Leroy Cephus, Sr. and Henry Lenton Tookes.

Mrs. Thelma Jean Brown Henderson, age 58, of Perry, Georgia passed Monday, December 24, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary of Antioch Baptist Church, Georgia Highway 26 West, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Rev. Dr. George Porter, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Thelma Jean Brown Henderson was born February 8, 1954 in Oglethorpe, Macon County, Georgia to the late William “Doc” Brown, Sr. and Levorn McDonald Brown. She was preceded in death by one brother, William Brown, Jr. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and joined the St. Paul A.M.E. Church at the age of ten. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she met the love of her life, John Henderson. They were united in holy matrimony on October 22, 2009.

Survivors include her husband, John Henderson, Decatur, Georgia; two children, Tonya Brown (Keith), Perry, Georgia and Maurice Brown (Robin), Perry, Georgia; three grandchildren, Tiara Brown, Brianna Brown, and Keith Wilder; siblings, Willie Kleckley (best friend and sister-in-law, Brenda), Oglethorpe, Georgia, Robert McDonald (Luenelle), Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Shirley Cephus, Oglethorpe, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Susie Mae Lumpkin, Montezuma, Georgia, Minnie Washington, Marshallville, Georgia, Wedie Bell Stewart, Montezuma, Georgia, Vernestine Brown, Miami, Florida, Annie Pearl Leary, Atlanta, J.B. Brown, and George Brown, Oglethorpe, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Essie Favor (Darnell), Cila Mae Wilkes, Davis Greene, all of Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends, including several devoted friends: Shirley Taylor Yancy and Joe Lewis Favors, both of Atlanta, Georgia.

Eloise Williams West, age 93, 529 Idella Road, Ideal, Georgia passed Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Miona Geriatrics Nursing Center, Ideal, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Eloise was born January 12, 1919 in Ideal, Macon County, Georgia to the late Idella Huff Williams and Will Williams. She was preceded in death by seven siblings, Jessie Williams, Lessie Williams, Willie Henry Williams, Jr., Hattie Bell Williams Hankerson, Homer Williams, Elizabeth Williams Hicks and Willie Williams. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County and she acquired her Christian training from Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was retired from Columbia University of New York, and she was the widow of the late George West.

Survivors are siblings, Jossie Mae Meadows, Oglethorpe, Georgia Sallie Anna Little, Beulah Griffin, Betty Duncan (Joe Eunice) and Ola Mae Turner, all of Ideal, Georgia and Dessie Taylor, Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Earnestine Williams, Jacksonville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Jonathan Middlebrooks, Jr., age 48, 676 Coogle Road, Ellaville, Georgia passed Friday, December 21, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, December 27, 2012 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 411 Cotton Avenue, Americus, Georgia. Bishop Melvin McCluster, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Zion Road, Ellaville, Georgia.

Jonathan Jr., better known as Buck, was born February 7, 1964 to Georgia Ann Haynes Middlebrooks and Jonathan Middlebrooks, Sr., in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia. He was preceded in death by one sister, Myra Middlebrooks. He was educated in the public school system of Schley County and Marion County. He was a 1981 graduate of Tri-County High School and continued his education at South Georgia Technical College where he majored in CDL Truck Driving.

On the 29th day of March of 1996, he was united in holy matrimony to Bobbie Ann Hartage. To this union they were blessed with one daughter, Martina Middlebrooks Barkley (Keelan). He was employed as a service maintenance man and a driver with Reeves Construction Company of Albany, Georgia for over six years. He was previously employed with Cooper Lighting for twenty years as a forklift operator. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and joined the Eastview Church of Christ.

Survivors are a loving and devoted wife of 16 years, Bobbie Ann Middlebrooks, Ellaville, Georgia; One daughter, Martina Middlebrooks Barkley (Keelan), Americus, Georgia; mother, Georgia Ann Middlebrooks, Ellaville, Georgia; Father, Jonathan Middlebrooks, Sr., Americus, Georgia; Siblings, M. Elaine Kendrick, Americus, Georgia, Melissa Middlebrooks, Ellaville, Georgia; Sisters-in-law/Brothers-in-law, Eddie Lee Heritage, Ellaville Georgia, Annie Jackson (Zebb), Americus, Georgia, Betty Peeples (Mac), Americus, Georgia, Mary Cummins, Brooklyn, New York; Aunts/Uncles, Rose Cauley, Montezuma, Georgia, Alice Tymes, Cainbridge, Massachusetts, Margaree Maynard, Americus, Georgia, Darnell Booker (Elwood), Boston, Massachusetts, Curtis Haynes (Judith), Ellenwood, Georgia, Thelma Haynes, Columbus, Georgia, and Pat Hollis (Randy), Americus, Georgia; great aunt, Mary Lee Mathis, Brooklyn, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. John C. Jones, Jr. age 84, 402 South Street, Marshallville, Georgia passed Friday morning, December 21, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Monday morning, December 24, 2012 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Willow Lake Road, Fort Valley, Georgia. The Reverend Henry Hill, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow Wednesday morning, December 26, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia.

Mr. John C. Jones, Jr. was born January 5, 1928 to the late John C. Jones, Sr. and the late Magnolia Plant Jones in Marshallville, Macon County, Georgia. One brother, Clifford Jones, preceded him in death. He attended Macon County public school system. At an early age, he confessed Christ and joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Valley, Georgia. In March 1946, he enlisted into the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged on November 27, 1974. During his tenure, he served from April 12, 1954 to May 28, 1974 in the following countries: Germany, France, Vietnam, and Japan. He was the recipient of several citations and decorations, which included Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal, to name a few. After many dedicated years of service, he retired as a Medical Specialist.

“J C,” as he was known by family and friends, was an active member of the Marshallville Senior Citizens Center. He was instrumental in getting a building for Marshallville Senior Citizens Center.

He leaves a legacy of love and memories to his beloved family which include, his children, Earlene Greene (Walter), Fairfield, Alabama, Davine Watson (Terry), Warner Robins, Georgia, and John C. Jones, III, Warner Robins, Georgia; his loving and devoted grandchildren, Sharonda Smith (Jason), Birmingham, Alabama, Kimberly Morrow (Anthony), Temecula, California, Bernadette Winn (Demetrius), Pensacola, Florida and Walter Greene, Jr., Fairfield, Alabama; six great grandchildren; one great great grandson; siblings, Robert E. Jones (Catherine), Panama City, Florida, Della Ruth Henderson (Hosie), Macon, Georgia and Carolyn Waller, Macon, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, including his devoted and loving Crocker Family and friends.

Lenorris V. Miller, age 46, of Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church, 415 Hosie Waters Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia at 2:00 P.M. with full military honors.

Lenorris was born June 10, 1966 in Milton, Delaware to the late Ernest Sanders, Sr. and Carrie Veronica Miller Antione. He was reared by his beloved grandmother, Mattie B. Hannor and the late Deacon S. T. Hannor. Lenorris was a 1984 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School of Montezuma. Prior to enlisting into the United States Army, he attended Fort Valley State University. He was honorably discharged and retired in 2006 after 21 years of dedicated services. During his tenure, he received many honors, medals, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons awards. His tour of duty was served on the homeland and abroad during the Persian Gulf Crisis and Desert Storm. After retiring from the military he continued to serve his country in the United States National Guard as an engineer. Lenorris also resumed his employment with Blue Bird Body Company of Ft. Valley, Georgia, as an assembly line worker. He retired this year after his health began to decline.

Lenorris accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the tender age of six and joined the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church. He served dutifully as a junior usher, junior deacon, Sunday School secretary and Sunday School teacher. On the 19th of March 2002, Lenorris was united in holy matrimony to the former Sonya McMillian and was blessed to be the stepfather of Kyler T. Phelps and Nicholas Phelps.

He leaves golden memories to his beloved family, including his wife of ten years, Sonya Miller, Montezuma, Georgia; two stepchildren, Kyler T. Phelps and Nicholas Phelps, both of Montezuma, Georgia; his beloved maternal grandmother who reared him as her son, Mrs. Mattie Hannor, Montezuma, Georgia; his paternal grandmother, Norris Sanders, Douglassville, Georgia; his mother-in-law, Mary McMillian, Oglethorpe, Georgia; his stepfather, Antione, Delray Beach, Florida; his four siblings; a host of aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Robert Lee Garry, age 81, passed Monday, December 10, 2012.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 5311 Whitewater Road, Ideal, Georgia. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Dozier Road, Ellaville, Georgia.

Robert Lee Garry, Sr. was born June 19, 1931 in Ellaville, Schley County, Georgia to the late Joseph Garry and Mary Elizabeth McKellar Garry. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Annie Mae Trice, Ocie Lee Harris and Lillie Bell Walker. He was educated in the public school system of Schley County. After completion of high school, Robert married his high school sweetheart, the late Pearlene Harris Garry. Their union welcomed five children. One son, Christopher, preceded him in death. In 1952, the family moved to Hartford, Connecticut where he was employed with Taylor and Fenn where he worked as a foundry worker. Around 1963 Garry moved to Syracuse, New York where he was employed with Crouse-Hind where he continue as a foundry worker. Around 1990 he retired after many years of dedicated service.

He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved children; Robert Lee Garry, Jr. (Paula), Decatur, Georgia, Maxine Garry-Jones (Tory), Stone Mountain, Georgia, Susan Garry, Conyers, Georgia, Jeannine Blackwell (Truitt), Conyers, Georgia; four grandchildren, Shanqunette Young-White, Rahway, New Jersey, Kelly Garry, Decatur, Georgia, Angelique Manson, Conyers, Georgia and Christopher Blackwell, Conyers, Georgia; three great grandchildren, Dominque White, Shakayla White, and Paris Manson; three siblings, Arridean Walker, Oglethorpe, Georgia, Mamie McKellar, Ft. Valley, Georgia and James L. Gary (Annie Mae), Bloomfield, Connecticut; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Beverley Diane Neal, Age 49, 213 Ivy Street, Montezuma, Georgia passed Wednesday, December 4, 2012 at Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Road, Northeast Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, River Road, Montezuma, Georgia, where the Reverend A. J. Jones is Pastor. Interment will follow in Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia. The Reverend Leonard Neal will officiate.

Beverley Diane Neal was born January 1, 1963 to the late Geraldine Clayton Neal and Johnny B. Neal, Sr. Beverley was educated in the public school system of Macon County. Beverley was a 1981 graduate of D. F. Douglass High School. She also attended Morris Brown College and Albany State University. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Dooling, Georgia. Later in life, she attended Bethel AME Church, Montezuma, Georgia. She lived in Hartford, Connecticut, Orlando, Florida and Albany, Georgia. She later moved back to her native land of Montezuma, Georgia where she remained until her demise.

She was employed at Southern Frozen Foods and Weyerhauser. Beverley always enjoyed walking and if you asked her, “Do you want a ride?” She would reply, “No thanks, I’ll walk.”

Survivors include her son, Kenyada C. Neal (Jillian), McDonough, Georgia; two grandsons, Kenley & Kyle Neal, McDonough, Georgia; her loving siblings, Jimmie L. Neal (Carol), Montezuma, Georgia, Sue Carolyn Neal, Hartford, Connecticut, Faye Neal Henderson, Montezuma, Georgia, Bettye J. Neal, Montezuma, Georgia, Johnny B. Neal, Jr., Meridan, Connecticut, Patrena Neal Journey, Warner Robins, Georgia, Rev. Leonard Neal, Marietta, Georgia, Daryl Neal (Tracy), Warner Robins, Georgia, Curtis Neal (Julie), Columbia, South Carolina, Kirk Neal (Jackie), Dimebox, Texas and Geraldine Neal Northcutt (Ben), Oglethorpe, Georgia. Beverley also survived by a loving great aunt, Mrs. Annie Huff Ballard and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.