Funeral services for Mr. James Curtis Byrd Strange of Americus, GA will be held Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastview Seventh Day Adventist Church with Elder Edd Ross officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.

James Curtis Byrd Strange affectionately known as “Cody Moe” was born on January 10, 1950 to the late Ruby Lee Strange and the late Roy Byrd in Mt. Vernon, GA. James was educated in Montgomery County, GA, He began farming at a very early age working with Chris McCray for forty years. James was preceded in death by his parents & his daughter, Audrey Byrd. On Saturday, July 18, 2015, James peacefully passed away at his home.

Graveside Services for Trevious Maquan Murrell, Jr. were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Colonel Felton’s Memorial Cemetery in Marshallville, Georgia with Reverend Freddie Golphin officiating.

Trevious was born on July 13, 2015 at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia to Shandon Lashawn Allen and Trevious Maquan Murrell. An angel, in the book of life, wrote down the date of his birth and whispered as she closed the book, “Too beautiful for this earth.”

 

Funeral services for Everline Powell Hudson of Oglethorpe, GA will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Kenny Gouch officiating. Burial will follow at the Oglethorpe City Cemetery.

Everline Powell Hudson was born on April 17, 1940 in Jeffersonville, Twiggs County, GA to the late George Powell, Sr. and the late Nellie Ford Powell.  In her youth, she moved to St. Petersburg, FL to live with her uncle and aunt, the late J.C. and Laura Young. She attended Catholic School and 16^th Street Middle School in St. Petersburg, FL.  Later in her teen years, she moved back to Georgia where she attended and graduated from Macon County Training School in the Montezuma Five Points Community. 

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Eugene Powell, George Powell, Sr., Toby Powell, and Johnny Lee Powell, two sisters Bessie Mae Powell Wiggins and Mary F. Powell Clark, mother-in-law, Sue Mae Walton Brown, fathers-in law, Artist Brown and Lonnie Hall, three sisters-in-law, Bobbie Mae Brown Ivory, Ella Mae Brown Duncan, Aree Hall Edwards, one brother-in-law, Roy Lee Kaigler, and one daughter-in-law, Anna Bell Hall.   At an early age she joined New Pond Baptist Church in Oglethorpe, GA where she served faithfully until the church closed.

Everline had a sweet, gentle spirit and a special love for children. She helped care for her nieces and nephews and she enjoyed cooking for her family.  Her love for cooking led her to work at Dixie Queen Restaurant in Oglethorpe from 1968 until the restaurant closed.  After the restaurant closed she began working from her home preparing meals. On February 8, 2005, she opened her own restaurant called Granny’s Soul Food Kitchen in Oglethorpe, GA.  Everline prepared and served delicious country vegetables, meats and baked goods.

The former Everline Powell was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Charlie Willis Hall in January 1955 and to this union they were blessed with six children, Charlie Roy, Marvin, Eddie Charles, Jimmy Lee, Tyrone and Lee. In later years, Everline became a member of From Disgrace to God’s Grace Ministries where she was the Mother of the Church. She served faithfully until her health declined.  Mother Hudson was a partner with the Life Builders Recovery Program, a Member of the Kairos Outside Team. 

She leaves to cherish her memory six devoted sons: Charlie (Tammy) Hall of Ft. Valley, GA; Marvin Hall of Atlanta, GA; Eddie Charles of Oglethorpe, GA; Jimmy Lee (Debra) Hall of Ellaville, GA; Tyrone (Chrispian) Hall of Ellenwood, GA and  Lee Willis Hall, Oglethorpe, GA; sister Ceola Powell Griffin,  Brother-in-law, James Davis Brown, Ideal, GA; Sisters-in-law, Gloria Davis Powell, Oglethorpe, GA; Ilvea Powell Dean, Forest Park, GA; Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle Joe and Emma Walton, Albany, GA; eleven loving grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren a host of beloved nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Alma Ruth Young of Americus, Georgia will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Smithville, Georgia with Elder Kenneth A. Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Mrs. Alma Ruth Smith Young was born on June 30, 1950 in Sumter County, Georgia to the late Mrs. Willie Mae Smith-Saffi and the late Freddie Smith.  At the age of 24 she joined the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church on the forth Wednesday night in October of 1974. She was baptize on the fourth Sunday of November, 1974 at 11:00. Since then she has been a faithful and dedicated member also serving as Mother of the Church till her health failed.

Alma Ruth loved her family and her family loved her. She would always say family is important “Y’all stick together cause “We All We Got”. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members, including her mother.

She was married to Mr. Walter Lee Young Sr. who survives and to this union four children were born. She was proceeded in death by a daughter Maggie Ruth, two sisters: Celestine Hightower and Jessie Mae Smith and one brother, Mr. Arthur Lee Smith. During the morning of June 26, 2015, God made a visit to get his Angel and said my faithful servant you have fought a good fight and you have kept the faith. Now let’s go home and rest.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband Mr. Walter Lee Young Sr.    Her loving children Mr. Walter Lee (Monica) Young Jr., Mrs. Linda (Ralph) Leverette, and one devoted daughter Ms. Darline Young, whom live in the home with her. Also one God daughter Ms. Belinda Roberts McDonald all of Americus, GA; 13 grandchildren- Markel, Navoris Sr. (Natasha), Johntavion (Jasmine), Kindrick (Octavia), Juarez (Carlissa), Jeremy, Shanekka, Melinda(Alvin), Shambretta, Wynita, Almatha, Jaylen, and Jamaya, and 11 great-grands; Two brothers: Jessie James Smith of Americus, GA and Freddie B. Smith of Smithville, GA; two sisters: Eva Saffi of Smithville, GA and Mamie Saffi of Americus, GA; two aunts: Ms. Hazel Mae Cooper of Albany, GA and Ms. Lizzie Mae Jones of Tallahassee, FL; four nieces and nephew that she raised as her own Anthony Brown, Latasha McCoy, Tyfany McCoy all of Albany, GA and Lakeisha Smith of Savannah, GA, Tiffany Stone of Americus, GA and Noelle and Kimberly Sparks of Albany, Georgia; her sisters and brothers-in-law: Dennis (Annie Pearl) Young, Johnny Mae Hayes, Jessie Pearl McCoy, Bobbie Lee Young all of Smithville GA,  Gussie (Bill) Reddick of Desoto, GA, Ronnie (Sheila) Young of Albany, GA and Dollie Mae Merritt of Americus, GA. Several other relatives and friends also survive including her nurse Denesha Harvey, her doctor Dr. John Marshall and The DaVita Staff.

Mr. Eddie Clay, Jr of Montezuma, GA passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, GA.  Born December 13, 1950 in Waco, Tx, Mr. Eddie Clay Jr. was the son of Mr. Eddie Clay, Sr. and the adopted and bonus life joy of his paternal grandmother, Ms. Edna McLennan.

He served in the U.S. Army as a paramedic and later retired with honors.  He later worked at the Veterans hospital in Waco and in 2013 he relocated to Macon County, GA with his sister, Evangelist Marie Holmes.  Both were reared in the Church of God in Christ where Mr. Clay was a drummer. 

He is survived by Two daughters:  Ms. Phoenicia Bush and Ms. Edwina Clay DeGrate, both of Waco, TX; Three sisters:  Evangelist Marie Holmes, Oglethorpe, GA; Ms. Johnnie Mae Coleman Walker and Ms. Carolyn Cleveland both of Waco, TX; one brother, Charles Clay of Waco, TX and his many loving nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Pastor Ola Mae Nixon of Americus, Georgia will be Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Restoration Church of Americus on Douglas Circle in Americus, Georgia with Pastor George Edge officiating.

 Ola Mae Nixon was born on June 29, 1925. She was the youngest daughter of (11) children born to the late Ned and Amanda Moore. Ola Mae received her formal education in Americus, Georgia (Sumter County). When she was twenty years old she met a young man named R.J. (Ira) Nixon also known as "Jake". On July 2, 1946, Jake and Ola Mae were united in Holy Matrimony and from that union they had two daughters, Rosezena Nixon and Cynthia Ann Nixon.

 Ola Mae and her husband Jake moved to New Jersey looking for greater career opportunities. Jake became a steel worker and Ola Mae pursued a career in Beauty Culture. She attended Madam Scott's Beauty Culture School on High Street in Newark, New Jersey. After she graduated from Scott she found a job in Millburn, NJ working at Vin Ed's Beauty Salon and was there for many years. In the early 70's she also worked for Martin and Vivian Levins in South Orange, NJ until she relocated to Georgia

Ola loved her family and she always was willing to make sacrifices to keep her family happy. After her husband passed away she continued to work hard to support her family until she decided to go back home to Georgia to take care of older sister, the late Louis Williams. When she returned to Georgia she was employed as a live in Home Health Care aide. She was very compassionate towards the sick and disabled. She enjoyed caring for her patients and she did it with such love and patience.

Ola Mae was a woman of God. She had given her life to Christ many years ago and was determined to live a faithful and holy life. She was called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to evangelize. During her stay in Newark, NJ she was the Pastor of the New Testament Pentecostal Church for several years. She amazingly impacted the lives of her members in the ministry as well as in the community through the power of the Gospel. She had a phenomenal relationship with God, she was anointed and full of the Holy Ghost. God used her mightily in the prophetic ministry and she was indeed a prayer warrior and loved to praise God. Ola enjoyed dancing in the presence God because the joy of the Lord was her strength. She really loved people and was always willing to help someone. She did not hesitate to show love to the poor and needy and through her ministry many souls were saved and delivered. She was a humble and faithful servant in the Kingdom of God. Ola Mae was Co-Pastor with Pastor Scott at the New Birth Church in Americus, Georgia and she also served in ministry under Pastor Mathis and later served under Pastor Mercer.

On Monday, May 18, 2015, the Lord escorted Ola Mae to her heavenly home. Her memory will be cherished until we see her again by her daughters, Elder Rosezena Perry and Cynthia Ann Nixon (Felipe Bartalone). (Nephew/Son), George Allen Nixon (Angela) (Grand Children) Jennifer Monique Nixon, Ivory Ray Nixon (Stephanie Lewis), Special W. Thompson(Louis), Tymina Jacole Perry (Allen Ashby) Lisa Nixon, Kara Fontaine-Perry, (5)Great Grands) Charity Amanda Nixon, Cynthia Alasha Lewis, Ivanie Alexis Nixon, and Jayla Ray Nixon, Allen Lawrence Ashby (AJ) (l)Great Great Grand) Makayla Mackey (Nieces and Nephews) Theartis Wilkerson (Terry), Mary Alice Wilkerson, CoCo, Tameeka, Sheryl, Shakira, Shawn, Jamar, Roxanne, Louise, Cornelia Oliver, Debbie, Kathy, Kym, Rose Marie, Angie, McArthur (Lisa), Johnnie, Mark, Angelica, Robert, Allen Nixon, Pierce, Ashley, Angela and Alicia (God Sons) Jermaine Batemon , Felix Kimbrough (Spiritual daughter) Evang. Josephine Woodson, Special Friends: Helen Mays, Myrtle Batemon, Evang. Frances Haugabook, Pastor Mathis and Pastor Mercer.

 

Funeral services for Ms. Lizzie Mae Seay of Ellaville, Georgia will be Monday, May 25, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of West’s Mortuary in Americus, Georgia with Bishop James Lundy officiating.

 Ms. Lizzie Mae Seay, the only child of the late Mr. William & Sarah Ann Seay, was born June 11, 1940 in Americus GA. She was educated at the John Lewis High School in Ellaville, Georgia. She was a member of the Tabernacle of Faith in Ellaville, Georgia under the leadership of Bishop James Lundy. Ms. Lizzie passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Magnolia Manor in Americus, Georgia.

She leave to mourn her passing several cousins and friends including: Mr. Earnest & Mrs. Willie Mae Seay of Americus, Georgia, Mr. Charles & Mrs. Mary Duckworth of Albany, Georgia, Mrs. Mary Nance & Mr. Arthur Nance, Sr. of Cordele, George, Ms. Ethel Adkins of Arabi, Georgia, Mr. David & Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Cordele, Georgia, Ms. Margret Edwards of Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Charlie James & Mary Seay of Americus, Georgia, Mrs. Lillian Pickett of Plains, Georgia; a devoted friend Mr. Fredrick Young of Ellaville, Georgia. Several other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Christopher Scott Calloway age 29 of Americus, GA will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of West’s Mortuary in Americus, GA with Bro. Ernest Wright officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.

Christopher Scott Calloway was born June 6, 1985 in Americus GA to the parentage of Mrs. Christine Calloway and the late Mr. Melvin Hill. He was a 2004 graduate of Sumter County High School. Christopher enjoyed watching television, sports and playing video games. On April 29, 2015 Christopher passed away unexpectedly at his home.

He leave to cherish his memories a devoted mother, Mrs. Christine Calloway, Americus, GA; one brother, Mr. Joe Willie (Ebony) Calloway Jr, Jonesboro GA; two sisters: Mrs. Angelia Gail (Jay) Bosely, Cairo, GA and Mrs. Betty Jo Calloway, Americus, GA; four aunts: Mrs. Jeanette (Thomas) Griffin, Americus, GA, Mrs. Earlene Slocumb, Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Jacqueline Hill, Atlanta, GA and Mrs. Glenda Spivey, Andersonville, GA; two Uncles: Mr. Ernest Black, Jr. and Mr. Eddie Black both of Americus, GA; one great uncle, Mr. Charlie Ingram, Americus, GA; one great aunt, Mrs. Teresa Hayes, Miami, FL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins including a devoted cousin Mr. Thomas Washington III, Americus, GA.

Funeral services for Mrs. Doris Cottle King of Americus, Georgia will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Good News Ministries on Mayo Street in Americus, Georgia with Dr. E.J. Wallace officiating. 

Mrs. Doris Cottle King was born on March 27 1941 in Schley County Georgia to the late Ollie B. Cottle and Merol Merritt Cottle. Doris was a dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 558 and the G.W.F. Phillips Temple #1020 Daughters of Elk’s Mrs. King died peacefully at her home on Thursday, April 23, 2015.  She was preceded in death by two brothers: Henry Cottle of Springfield Massachusetts and Ben Wright Sr. Cordele Georgia. 

She leaves to cherish her memories three children: Hence (Beverly) King Jr. of Pensacola Florida, Elmira King of Tucker Georgia and Cassius King of Americus Georgia; four brothers: Ollie Robert Cottle of Bronx NY, Horace Cottle, Melvin Cottle, and Kenneth Myrick all of Americus Georgia; one God Sister, Sophia Boone Hunt of Lithonia Georgia; four grand-children, seven great grand-children and a host of Nieces and Nephews.