The Funeral Service for Mr. Aquinas Deon Cannon will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 420 E Jefferson Street, Americus, Georgia. Interment will follow at Eastview Cemetery.

Aquinas Deon Cannon was born on December 10, 1981, to Ms. Carolyn Elizabeth Cannon and Mr. Howard Stevens. He lived a life of love, caring and being the life of the party. He loved spending time with family and friends. Aquinas touched the lives of many with his passion for music. He was known as DJ CannonBoi and left behind a profound impact on his family and friends. A great son, father, brother, uncle and friend, Aquinas brought comfort to those around him, and his warm smile could brighten anyone’s day.

Aquinas Deon Cannon joined Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of Dr. H.C. Wilson. He attended the Sumter County school system. He was employed at Havoline Express Motor Oil Company.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Aquinas Deon Cannon’s journey on this earth came to an unexpected close in Atlanta, Georgia. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ms. Carolyn Elizabeth Cannon.

He leaves precious memories to be cherished by his wife, Seketa Dawson of Albany, Georgia; his daughter Aquasha Cannon-Lassiter and granddaughter, Kamarynn Dikes of Gwinnette County, Georgia; six children he reared as his own: Tarnisha Dawson, Jalen Dawson, Rangina Lewis, Randy Lewis, Lonnie Lewis and Jocobe McDonald of Albany, Georgia; his father, Howard (Marie) Stevens of Atlanta, Georgia; his sisters and brother: Yanna Cannon and Shaquitta (Kendrick Sr.) Burton of Americus, Georgia, Sonya Rhodes, Keisha Knight, and Mario Josey of Atlanta, Georgia; two devoted aunts: Jacqueline Brown (other mother) and Dorothy Brown both of Atlanta, Georgia; two devoted cousins: John Brown and Sterling Plant of Atlanta, Georgia; his nephew, Kendrick Burton Jr. and niece, Kendriyana Burton; his best friends: Edris Wallace and Markece Sanford; a host of family members and friends also survive.

The Homegoing Celebration for Major Mitchell Brown will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant/ Travelers Rest CME Church, Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Champ Waters Cemetery, Twin Churches Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

The Graveside Service for Mr. Charlie W. Journey of Americus, Georgia will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at Eastview Cemetery on Ashby Street in Americus, Georgia

The Funeral Service for Mr. John Wayne Iverson of Largo, Florida will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at noon at Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville, Georgia.

John Wayne Iverson was born on November 1, 1959, in Camilla, Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Army and faithfully and honorably served his country until he was discharged. Veteran Iverson passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Left to cherish his memories are his mother, Mrs. Earnestine Robertson; one sister, Anita Lawrence; a brother, Eric Bass; several other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Jotavis Leverette of Americus, Georgia will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2025, at 8th United Holiness Church, 121 Bailey Street, Leslie, Georgia.

Mr. Jotavis Leverette, son of Jessica Leverette and Joshua Lockhart was born on September 12, 2005, in Americus, Georgia. Jontavis passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.

He is survived by his mother, Jessica Leverette and father, Joshua Lockhart; his sister, Jaydia Leverette; two brothers: Damon Leverette and Ashton Leverette; his grandmother, Mary Leverette; his grandfather, Warren Thompson; aunts: Olivia Leverette, Otesha Leverette, Paula Furlow, and Rosetta Lusane; uncles: Dexter Leverette, Connie Leverette, and Ira Daniels; several other relatives and friends.

The Homegoing Celebration for Reverend Hosie Waters of Montezuma, Georgia will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Macon County High School Gym, 611 Vienna Road, Montezuma, Georgia.

The Wake Service for Pastor Waters will be held Friday, February 14, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Magnolia Baptist Church, 415 Hosie Waters Street, Montezuma, Georgia.   

Memorial Contributions - The family asks that anyone who wishes to make a contribution in memory of Reverend Hosie Waters, please donate to Magnolia Baptist Church or FVSU Foundation for the Hosie Waters Endowed Scholarship at Fort Valley State University. Please mail all donations to Mrs. Louise Waters at P.O. Box 517 Montezuma Georgia 31063 or to West's Mortuary, 325 Drayton Street, Montezuma, Georgia.

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Hosie Waters was born on December 7, 1938, in Lily, Georgia. He was the youngest of four sons (James, Ernest, Marion Sr.) born to the late Rev. Champ and Ida Mae (Foster) Waters. He moved from Lily, Georgia to Montezuma, Georgia at an early age.

Educational Background

Rev. Waters was a 1958 graduate of Macon County Training School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Fort Valley State College (now University) where he joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (Fort Valley, GA). He also received a Master of Natural Science degree from the University of Oklahoma (Norman. OK) where he and another graduate were the first two African Americans to graduate from the Natural Sciences Department, and an Education Specialist degree from Troy State University (Troy, AL). Rev. Waters did further studies in mathematics at Albany State University (Albany, GA), education at Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA), science at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), and administration & supervision at Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA). He continued his educational growth through workshops and seminars.

Educational Career

In 1962, Rev. Waters began his educational career at Macon County High School. He taught mathematics and science courses. During his teaching tenure, he was chosen as Macon County School System’s Science Teacher of the Year, Science Teacher of the Year for the 3^rd Congressional District, and Favorite Teacher. The 1975 Macon County High School Senior Class dedicated their yearbook to him. He also taught evening adult education classes.

In 1977, he became the curriculum director for the Macon County School System. He later became assistant superintendent for the Macon County School System. In 1992, he was selected as the school superintendent for the Macon County School System where he served until 2005. During his administrative tenure, he served as Chaplain for the Macon County High School football team, member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation Board of Trustees, State Treasurer Emeritus and member of the PAGE Foundation  Investment Committee, Board of Directors member for the Georgia School Superintendent Association, Board of Directors member for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, past chairman of the Credentials and Election Committee of the Georgia Association of Educators, Past President of the Macon County Unit of Georgia Association of Educators, member of the Georgia Association for Public School Adult Education, and past liaison to the State Board of Education for the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA).

The Call To The Ministry

In 1978, Rev. Waters accepted the call and entered the ministry. His religious matriculation included a diploma in Theology from Turner Theological Seminary (Macon, GA) and studies at Tift College (Forsyth, GA) and Christian International Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX). In 1979, Rev. Waters spent two weeks touring the Holy Land in Israel. He continued his spiritual growth through conventions and the National Congress of Christian Education. At the time of his retirement from the ministry, he served as Pastor of Green Grove Baptist Church (Smithville, GA), Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Forsyth, GA), Lebanon Baptist Church (Plains, GA), and Magnolia Baptist Church (Montezuma, GA). He also previously served as Pastor of New Oak Grove Baptist Church (Cordele, GA) and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Hawkinsville, GA). During his tenure as Pastor, the churches experienced spiritual, financial, and intellectual growth, including, but not limited to, new sanctuaries and mortgage burning ceremonies. Rev. Waters tirelessly visited and phoned the sick and shut-in.

Other Community Involvement

Rev. Waters was very involved in his community. He served on the Macon County Jury Commission, on the Board of Registrars, on the Montezuma Planning and Zoning Commission, as Past President and on the Board of Directors of Kiwanis Club of Macon County, on the Herman Lodge #51, on the Montezuma Human Relation Council, as local chapter President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, as a member of Phi Delta Kappa, as a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, and as a member of the Columbus Bank and Trust Board of Directors. He served as Georgia History Day speaker, Black History speaker at Georgia Southwestern University, delivered the invocation at the 1984 Mondale Presidential campaign, delivered the 1985 Plains Bicentennial sermon, participated in the Habitat for Humanity walk from Americus to Kansas City which was led by former President Jimmy Carter, and served as Chaplain for the Superior and State Courts. He received the following civic honors: Monroe County Ministers Alliance Appreciation Award, Macon County M.L. King, Jr. Committee Leadership Award, African American Achieve Education Award, R.O. Sutton Impact Crescent Club of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, honoree for the Men and Women of Excellence Celebration of the local Americus Alumni Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and an honoree for the Excellence in Spiritual Affairs at Legends Celebration of Rho Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^.®  Under Rev. Waters’ presidency, the Kiwanis Club of Macon County was named a Distinguished Club by Kiwanis International. Additionally, Kiwanis International named him as a Distinguished President.

Family

Rev. Waters is survived by his loyal, supportive, and loving spouse Mary Louise (Brock) Waters whom he married in 1964; his two sons: Hosie Leon Waters (Joni Gay Waters) and Jarrett Brion Waters (Tara Harvey Waters); his daughter, Julayaun Maria Waters (Daryle McCormick); grandchildren: Jasmine Waters, Camille Waters, Shanice Waters, Chris Waters, Kaya Waters, Maya Waters, and Aubree Waters; great-grandchildren: Kaiden Waters, Baileigh Waters, D’Mareah Hudson, Kierstyn Riley, Christian Riley, Jr.; nieces: Ernestine Lovell, Dianne Waters, Veronica Miller, Patricia Weeks, Beverly Clark, Melonee Miller, Donna Brock, Jacqueline Thomas, and Ann Jones), nephews (Herbert Waters, Marion Waters Jr., Malcolm Waters, Jeffrey Chavis, Eddie Chavis, Darrell Kaigler, James Brock Jr., Michael Brock, George Brock), a brother-in-law Otis Brock (Dr. Annette Brock), and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Rev. Waters was a pastor, preacher, teacher, counselor, and friend. He inspired and touched the hearts of many. He will be greatly missed, but his memory and teachings will live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Luther James Berry of Plains, Georgia are incomplete and will be announced later by West’s Mortuary.

Mr. Luther James Berry was born in Webster County, Georgia on August 7, 1956, to Mrs. Lucy Mae Berry.  He departed his life February 5, 2025, at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Mr. Fred Berry and Mr. John Ed Berry.

He is survived by five sisters: Ms. Georgia King of Preston, Georgia, Mrs. Freddie Roberts (Johnnie Lee) of Plains, Georgia, Mrs. Catherine Perry of Americus, Georgia, Mrs. Lorene Champion of Lithonia, Georgia, and Mrs. Florene Parks of Locust Grove, Georgia; one adopted sister, Ms. Dorothy Merritt of Bronx, New York; one brother, Mr. Eddie Mack Berry of West Palm Beach, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. 

The Funeral Service for Ms. Victoria Washington of Warner Robins, Georgia, formerly of Americus, Georgia will be held Friday, February 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of West's Mortuary. 

Victoria Denise Washington, age 50, passed away on February 5, 2025, in Warner Robins, Georgia. Born on April 28, 1974, in Americus, Georgia, Victoria lived a life marked by love, devotion to her family, and a passion for cooking.

Victoria was the beloved daughter of Ceola Washington and Johnny Washington and stepdaughter of Patricia Washington. She attended school through the 10^th grade and carried with her a strong sense of determination and care that touched everyone who knew her. Known for her loving and caring nature, she was someone who fiercely protected those she held dear. Her love for cooking brought joy to many gatherings, and she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren.

Victoria’s family was the center of her world. She is survived by her two children: Antavious Lockhart and Kadijah Washington; three grandchildren: Za’Myiah Washington, Arianna Tucker, and Tamyiah Thompson; her brother Shemar Allen; her mother, Ceola Washington; father, Johnny Washington; and stepmother, Patricia Washington. She also leaves behind a large extended family who loved her deeply: uncles Willie James Washington, Larry Gross, and Willie C. Hawkins; aunts: Mary Hudson Brenda Hudson (Larry Cox), Sandy Gross, Mary Mckenzie (James McKenzie), Katherine Hawkins, Lucille Allen, and Barbara Allen; and her step grandmother, Daisy Allen. She was predeceased by her son Tellis Welborn Jr., her aunt Alice Fitzgerald, and her uncle Clarence Hawkins.

Victoria’s legacy of love extends beyond her immediate family to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her grandchildren were especially dear to her heart; they were a source of immense pride and joy in her life.

A woman of strength and warmth, Victoria will be remembered for the way she brought people together with her cooking and unwavering care for others. May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her.