Mrs. Linda Johnson Cephus, age 59, departed her earthly life Thursday June 19, 2014, at the Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady Health System (formerly known as Grady Memorial Hospital) in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. A precious one from us is gone; a voice we love is still. A place is vacant in our hearts that can never more be filled.
The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Elder Michael Coley will officiate. Interment will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Church Road, Montezuma, Georgia.
She joined the Magnolia Baptist Church at an early age. She later became a dedicated working member at the First United Holiness Church where she served until her death.
She worked in every facet of the Church. She served as the Financial Secretary and Women’s Convention as Treasurer.
She was very instrumental in starting the Macon County Food and Clothing Bank as well as worked with the Georgia Legal Services.
She attended and graduated from Macon County High in Montezuma, Georgia; attended Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia; completed and obtained her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southwestern University, Americus Georgia; and obtained her Master’s degree from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. Linda was a teacher and a role model to so many of her peers. Her teacher career started in the Tri-County School System before moving to the Webster County School System. She was currently working as a 7th Grade Teacher at Macon County Middle School in Montezuma, Georgia.
Linda continues to live through the life of her husband Elzie Cephus Sr.; her five loving children, Zelda (Nathaniel Jr.) Ashmon, Byron, Georgia, Elzie Cephus Jr., Lithonia, Georgia, Travis (Romona) Cephus, Fairburn, Georgia, Lorenzé Cephus, Warner Robins, Georgia, Pamela Allen, Riverdale, Georgia. She raised Christopher (Renee) Reese, Byron, Georgia; Tommie (Bridgette) Griffin, Fairburn, Georgia; and Geneva (Jimmy) Molden, Lithia Springs, Georgia.
Linda’s grandchildren, Zariyah Ashmon, Nathaniel Ashmon III, and Noah Ashmon; Jaylen Cephus; Camiyah Cephus, Taylor Coley, Adriel Cephus, and DaJon Cephus, Jasmine Allen; siblings Arthur (Aleen) Johnson, Lakeland, Florida, William (Louise) Johnson, Auburndale, Florida, Trent (Wanda) Johnson, Peoria, Illinois, John T.(Sandra)Haugabook, Warner Robins, Georgia, John E.(Tolley) Haugabook, Fort Myers, Florida, Thomas Haugabook, Montezuma, Georgia; two aunts, Elizabeth (Willie) Larry and Eloise Nicholson; mother-in-law, Mrs. Emma Lee Cephus; sister-in-laws Mrs. Ida Johnson, Miami, Florida; Mrs. Vernessa Johnson, Perry, Georgia; Willie Mae Cephus, Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Mary Emma Davis and Cora Cephus, both of Montezuma, Georgia. The brother-in-laws of Linda are Henry Cephus (Deceased); Jimmy and Joseph (Hazel) Cephus, both of Montezuma, Georgia; and Calvin (Anginette) Cephus of Perry, Georgia. godchildren Tarshea and Christopher Riley; and Leah Oliver; two god grandchildren, Christian Riley and Sha'Miyiah McKenzie; a host of nieces, nephews, devoted friends and relatives, and Church family members including a special sister Bridgette(Paul)Johnson, Macon, Georgia.
Charlie Johnson, Geneva Reese, Gloria Griffin, Larry Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, and Mary Carrington all preceded Linda in death.
C/O First United Holiness Church
P.O. Box 625
Montezuma, Georgia 31063