Graveside Service for Austin Brian Busbee will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus, Georgia

The Funeral Service for Mr. Thomas Gibson of Smithville, Georgia will be held Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Hope Baptist Church.

Thomas Gibson was the eighth child born to the late Annie Rose Champion Gipson in Sumter County, Georgia on September 13, 1947.  His mother passed when he was a toddler but fortunately God blessed him to be adopted by his mother’s sister, the late Ola Mae Champion Bohanon. Thomas grew up in Smithville but would often spend time on the family farm in Sumter City.

Thomas, who could also be known as Mr. “Green Thumb”, was well-known for his ability to grow beautiful plants, fruits and vegetables.  He had a knack for aesthetically enhancing and maintaining landscapes and gardens.   He was a prolific storyteller and loved to reflect on past days as he did seasonal work in various places including Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and Florida.  He set out as a young man on these journeys which helped him to become an independent and self-sufficient adult. God blessed him with his protection over the many years that he was out and on his own.  Thomas was uniquely helpful and a sharp dresser.  He liked to laugh and cherished the time that he spent with those he loved.

Thomas was extremely energetic, resourceful, and innovative; he appreciated the gift of working with his hands. He had no problem letting you know how he felt about any and every topic that was dear to him. Thomas was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, after a brief illness, Thomas met God’s call from labor to rest. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his siblings: Freddie, Cephas, Bertha, Rudolph, Elizabeth, Abidel and Wilma.  

Left to cherish his life are his wife, Mrs. Jean Covington Gibson of Smithville, Georgia; his children: Eric Stevens of Orlando, Florida, Luther Washington of Americus, Georgia, Burk Washington of Austin, Texas, and Gailer Baity of Augusta, Georgia; his devoted nieces: Sharon (Ansley) Jackson of Americus, Georgia and Selina T. Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma;  his doting great-nephew,  Kyle Champion, who lovingly renamed him “Uncle Bobo” as a young child; his caring aunt, Edna Champion of Buena Vista, Georgia; sisters-in-law: Mildred Gipson of Stuart, Florida, Rosa Lee Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Carrie Covington of Tampa, Florida; brothers-in-law: Edward Covington of Tampa, Florida, Albert Cherry of Illinois, and Jacob Battle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends and neighbors including the Bradley Family and best friends, Dennis and Annie Pearl Young survive.

The Graveside Service for Mr. Anthony Collie will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Hwy 118, Smithville, Georgia.

Mr. Anthony Collie was born April 11, 1971, to Willa Collie in Brooklyn, New York. Anthony departed his life June 20, 2024, at Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Florida. He worked many years as a truck driver. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Willa Collie; his grandmother, Magnolia Taylor; aunt, Cora Benefield; and three uncles: Jimmie Benefield, Lewis Benefield, and James Taylor Jr.

Anthony leaves to mourn his passing two aunts: Ossie Lockett and Mary Henderson of Leesburg, Georgia; three uncles: Jerome Taylor of Americus, Georgia, Bobby Taylor and Thomas Taylor of Leesburg, Georgia; his godbrother, Lorenzo Smothers; godmother, Mary Folger of St. Petersburg, Florida; cousins: Kwanis (Julius), Jason, Courtney, and Justin; a dear friend, Dwayne Clark of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and a host of friends.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below or watch on our Facebook page.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/CTFY4VcAPbQ 

The Funeral Service for Mrs. Brenda Faye Coates of Montezuma, Georgia will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Grove Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Montezuma, Georgia.

The Funeral Service for Gunnery Sgt. Curtis Banks, Jr. of Americus, Georgia will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Union Tabernacle Baptist Church, 900 Adderton Street, Americus, Georgia. Interment will follow at Eastview Cemetery in Americus, Georgia.

Curtis Banks, Jr., affectionately known as “Man”, was born in Americus, Georgia on August 9, 1963, to the late Curtis Banks, Sr. and Annie Bell Banks. He gave his life to Christ at an early age and joined Union Tabernacle Baptist Church. Curtis received his education in the Sumter County School System. He played on the high school football team and graduated from Americus High School in 1981.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army in June of 1981. He served four years in the Army then joined the National Guard for two years. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1987, served sixteen years, then retired in 2003 as Gunnery Sgt. Curtis Banks, Jr.

Gunnery Sgt. Curtis Banks, Jr. departed this life on June 6, 2024. He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Banks, Sr.

He leaves precious memories with his mother, Annie Bell Banks; his siblings: Beverly King, Edgar Banks, Sr. (Jackie Banks), Kenneth Banks (Mary Banks), Teresa Banks, Cotina Banks, and Doug Banks, Sr. (Angela Banks) all of Americus, Georgia; aunts and uncles: Lee Roberts (Mauderia) of Bainbridge, Georgia, Ella Mae Burns, Thelma Branch, Betty Mitchell, and Dan Roberts all of Florida.

Curtis was loved by many. He also leaves many memorable moments with his devoted friends: Michael Charles Wright III, Artiesa Ellis, Hence King, and Reverend Roosevelt Zanders all of Americus, Georgia, Walter Davis of Pensacola, Florida and Ben Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; devoted cousins: Lafayette Banks of Americus, Georgia and Linda Virgin of Jacksonville, Florida; several other loving relatives and friends.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below or watch on our Facebook page.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/CTFY4VcAPbQ  

The Funeral Service for Veteran Willie Lee Cooper, Sr. will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Old Corinth Baptist Church, 425 Brown Small Road, Leslie, Georgia. Interment will follow at L.S. Cooper Memorial Gardens, Leslie, Georgia.

Willie Lee Cooper, Sr. was born October 19, 1927, in Sumter County Georgia to the late Rev. Leaston Samuel Cooper, Sr. and Elnora Westbrook Cooper of Leslie, Georgia. He was number five of twenty-two children.  

Willie attended Welcome Church School in Sumter County. When he finished school, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving two years during the Korean Conflict. He was shot on a recon mission; the bullet penetrated a pocket bible that he had in his pocket which saved his life. From that time on, the Bible has held a special place in his life.

After being honorably discharged from the army, he attended the Gillespie Trade School for Coloreds on the GI Bill, graduating with certificates in Auto Mechanics and Electrical Wiring.  He continued to work on the family farm until he was able to transition to ownership of his own farm.

On January 8, 1954, he married the love of his life, Ozzie Mae Gaines. To this union six children were born.  It was a dream to have his own farm, and soon his family moved to the property on Georgia Highway 195. He built a shop to repair and maintain his equipment as the farm expanded to cotton, peanuts, corn, oats and fresh produce. He raised swine and cattle for additional farm income and at peak seasons employed over 50 individuals who lived in the community.  

In later years, Willie took a night job at Kinder Manufacturing to supplement his income. Later he transitioned from row crop farming to poultry production contracting with Cargill and later with Tyson Foods, for which he was a contract grower for over 44 years.  He was a member of the Black Farmer’s Association.

Deacon Willie Cooper, Sr. was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. At an early age, he joined the New Pineville Baptist Church, which merged with the Old Corinth Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully with dedication for the duration of his life.  Because of his love for teaching and ministering to others, he taught Sunday School for over 60 years. He also taught the youth and young adults in Vacation Bible School. Willie served on the church Deacon Board, building committee, and in other leadership roles.

Willie’s home was the center for all family activities. He loved his family and friends, and they loved him. Every Sunday after church, family and friends would visit the home and share stories about life and family, and eat Mae’s pound cake. He was the one on whom his parents (Papa and Mama) and the rest of the family depended. 

Willie was proud of his accomplishments as a farmer and family man. If you were hungry, he gave you food. If you needed money, he gave freely, and many came just to be in his presence.  The family, church and scriptures were the center of his life. The last few years, his children were his most devoted health caregivers. In the last few months of his life, Rudine Ross Harris devotedly helped with the caregiving, and is much appreciated by the family.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, this faithful servant was called home.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ozzie Mae Gaines Cooper; his parents, Rev. Leaston S. Cooper, Sr. and Elnora Westbrook Cooper; seven brothers: Leaston, Jr, Nathaniel, Joe, Eugene, Ceaser, Eddie Lee, and Arthur; five sisters: Annie Clara, Gertrude, Sara Mae, Eddie Mae, and Etherine; and one grandson, Alexander Jerod Anthony.

Willie leaves to cherish his memories six loving devoted children: Willie, Jr. (Jolayne) of Americus, Georgia, Christine Anthony (Thomas) of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Larry of Baconton, Georgia, Khadijah Cooper-Pitts (Damian) of Decatur, Georgia, Gregory (Atonya) of Macon, Georgia, and Craig of Covington, Georgia; three brothers: Tony Cooper (Amanda) of Americus, Georgia, Thomas Cooper (Angellette) of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Royzell M. Cooper (Shirley) of Vienna, Georgia; five sisters: Nadene King (John) of Smithville, Georgia, Vera Arney of Dallas, Georgia, Barbara Linnear of Augusta, Georgia, Eartha M. Robinson (Johnny) of Augusta, Georgia, and Annie Irene Rutherford of Powder Springs, Georgia; sisters in-law: Effie Cooper of Leesburg, GA, Lula Harris of Americus, Georgia, Eutha Dee Foster of New York, New York, and Minnie Cooper of Americus, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; devoted blood relative and brother in Christ, Albert Cooper (Josephine) of Americus, Georgia; two devoted friends: Mathis Lewis and Harrell David “Doc” Holmes; The Old Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Family, and the surrounding community.     

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below or watch on our Facebook page.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/CTFY4VcAPbQ