Wayne Tuff passed away on Monday, December 31, 2018. His life will be celebrated with a Memorial Service to be announced later.

Wayne Lenard Tuff was born to the late Junior Tuff and Mildred H. Tuff in Dade County Florida on November 9,1955. Wayne acquired his education in the public schools of Macon County Georgia and Dade County Florida. He was employed with Parkway General Hospital for a number of years as a Health Care Assistant. On Monday December 31, 2018 Wayne bid his family farewell and quietly entered into eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Andrew Tuff and Norman Vincent Tuff, Sr.

Left to cherish his memories are his siblings: Delois Tuff, Shirley (Willie) Wilson and David Tuff of Miami, Florida, Rose Marie (Marvin) Brown, Keith Tuff and Malcolm Harris of Montezuma, Georgia and Ann (Amos) Keith of Austin, Texas; uncles and aunts; Jessie Bell (James) Spivey of Byromville, Georgia, Zettie Mae Hankerson, Bobby Harrison and Douglas Harrison all of Montezuma, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

 

The funeral service for Mr. Arthur L. Waters of Americus, Georgia will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Kingdom of Heaven Ministries in Americus, Georgia. Burial will follow at the Mountain Creek A.M.E. Cemetery

Arthur L. Waters was born on December 13, 1929 in Sumter County, Georgia to the late Ernest Waters, Sr. and the late Lou Jessie Brown. He grew up in Americus, Georgia and graduated from Staley High School. PFC Waters served his country honorably in the United States Army and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Waters was employed with Wheatley Construction, Sheffield Hardware and Parkers Heating and Air. Arthur passed away on December 31, 2018 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie Mae Mann who passed away on October 5, 2016.

Arthur leaves to cherish his memories, one daughter, Jacqueline Polk of Americus, Georgia; grandson/son, Kerry Davis of Americus, Georgia; grandchildren: Brandon (Vaccaro) Polk of Waycross, Georgia, Gregory Kentral (Symethia) Polk, Brittany Polk and Raven Polk of Americus, Georgia; a devoted great-granddaughter, BreAsia Polk of /Americus, Georgia; twelve great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Sammy (Florence) Mann of Americus, Georgia; sister-in-law, Mildred Kendrick of Americus, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends also survive.

The Funeral Service for Mrs. Ceola Powell Griffin of Oglethorpe, Georgia will be held at noon, Thursday, January 3, 2019 at New Hope Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe City Cemetery.

Mrs. Ceola Powell Griffin, affectionately known as “Pee Wee”, was born on April 18, 1946 in Jeffersonville, Twiggs County, Georgia to the late George Powell, Sr. and Nellie Ford Powell. In her youth, she moved to St. Petersburg, Florida 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, Florida. Later in her teen years, she moved back to Georgia where she attended and graduated from D. F. Douglass High School in Montezuma, Georgia.

At an early age, Ceola joined New Pond Baptist Church in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she served faithfully until the church closed. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Abraham “Jack” Griffin. In later years, she became a member of From Disgrace to God’s Grace Ministries, where she served faithfully as an usher until her health declined. Ceola was a quiet person who had a kind heart, a sweet, gentle spirit, and a love for children and animals. She loved her dog, Joe.

Ceola Powell Griffin passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2018. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Eugene Powell, George Powell, Jr., Toby Powell, John Lee Powell, Sr., Bessie Mae Powell Wiggins, Eveline Hall Hudson, and Mary Frances Powell Clark.

Her beautiful memory will forever be cherished by her husband, Abraham “Jack” Griffin of Oglethorpe, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Ileva Dean of Atlanta, Georgia, Gloria Davis Powell, Leroy Griffin (LaSonya), Rosa Lee Perkins and Mary Linton of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Fannie Mae Carter (Leroy), Johnny Griffin (Susan), Willie “Jr.” Griffin and Alvin Griffin; a devoted caregiver, Teresa Daniels Corley; host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins,  other relatives and friends.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below:

The Funeral Service for Mr. Charles Richard Phillips of Montezuma, Georgia will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 207 Norris Street, Montezuma, Georgia.

Mr. Charles Richard Phillips was born on May 5, 1935 to the late Charlie Richard Phillips, Sr. and Carrie Louise Hicks Williams in Montezuma, Georgia. He grew up in Montezuma and attended the public schools of the county. He later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and furthered his education. In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully. In 1980 he was employed by the Cincinnati, Ohio Police Department and Cincinnati Metro Transit System. After retiring, Charles moved back to Montezuma, Georgia and was employed by Southwest Georgia Transportation Company in Americus, Georgia.

On July 21, 1997, he married the love of his life, Mrs. Dollie B. Phillips. They shared twenty-one years of happiness together. Charles departed this earthly life on December 27, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Carolyn Mentlow and Jimmy Phillips.

Charles leaves cherished memories with his devoted wife, Dollie B. Phillips of Montezuma, Georgia; two brothers: Richard (Shonda) Phillips of Montezuma, Georgia and Michael (Jolie) Williams of Cincinnati, Ohio; three daughters: Carole (Maurice) Jarman, Cheryl (Andrew) Rodgers and Charlotte (Jullian) Robinson of Cincinnati, Ohio; one son, Charleston (Tameka) Brown of Warner Robins, Georgia; one step-daughter, Shanta Brown of Montezuma, Georgia; one step-son, Minister Morreo (First Lady Keysha) Greene of Warner Robins, Georgia; devoted brother-in-law, Emmitt (Nora) Brown of Butler, Georgia; brother-in-law, Darnell Brown; sisters-in-law: Margaret (Travis) Skinner and Lorine Brown of Montezuma, Georgia; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-six great grands, four great great-grands, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below:

The Graveside Service for Infant Ryan Terrell Harris will be held on Monday, December 24, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. in Babyland at the Eastview Cemetery with Bishop Walter Carter officiating

Ryan Terrell Harris the infant son of Shaunya Harris and Reginald Oliver was born on Tuesday December 18, 2018 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA. On Thursday December 20, 2018 the Lord decided to remove all of his pain and take him home with Him. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Harris.

Ryan is survived by his parents: Shaunya Harris and Reginald Oliver Jr.; brothers and sisters: Riley Harris, Raikwan Oliver, Ka’Maya Oliver, Dearon Oliver, Ariel Oliver, and Juwan Hubbard; grandparents: Wandrea Harris, Cornelia Oliver and Reginald Oliver, Sr.;  great grandmother: Charlie Mae Hill; aunts and uncles: Garrick Rhyme, Destinee Hill, Kenyonia (Jabarri) Fish and Terrell Oliver; devoted aunt and uncle, Cedric and Tiffanie Mathis; a host of cousins and other relatives also survive.

Dawn Shanice “Nicey” Hobdy, age 49, of Americus Georgia passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. A Memorial Service will be held for Dawn at a later date and will be announced by West’s Mortuary.

Dawn Shanice Hobdy was born on October 4, 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida to Ruby Merritt and the late Bernard Jordan. She was preceded in death by her father, Bernard Jordan and a son, Brian Christopher Hobdy.

 Her beautiful life will be forever cherished by her mother, Ruby (Johnny) Merritt of Americus, Georgia; her daughters: Angela Denae’ Jordan and Brittany Shambreka Hobdy of Americus, Georgia; sons: Devin Bernard (Jasmine) Hobdy of Jacksonville, Florida and Kevin Lamar (Aja) Hobdy of San Diego, California; grandchildren: Cassidy Leah Hobdy and Kaleigh Marie Hobdy of San Diego, California, Hailey Fierra Wilson of Americus, Georgia, Kevin Lamar Hobdy, Jr. and Kameron Michael Hobdy of San Diego, California and Devin Bernard Hobdy, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida; her sisters: Donna Marie Hobdy of Jacksonville, Florida, Pamela Harvey and Kimberly Merritt of Americus, Georgia; grandparents: Robert and Ruby Hobdy of Jacksonville, Florida; aunts: Robin Martin, Janice Harmon and LaRose Tunsil of Jacksonville, Florida; uncle, Bernard Hobdy of Jacksonville, Florida; a host of great uncles, great aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Willie James Harp of Oglethorpe, Georgia will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia with Reverend Wayne Fowler officiating. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe City Cemetery.

On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, God embraced Mr. Willie James Harp of Oglethorpe, Georgia as he transitioned from labor to reward at the Houston Medical Center, Warner Robins, Georgia. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Carrie Bell Harp and Bertha Mae Williams. 

 Mr. Willie James Harp was born on July 17, 1949 to the late Ernest Harp, Sr. and Della Mae Smith Harp. Willie was educated in the Macon County public school system. He worked with Fletchers Farm for years, and in 2018, retired from William Brown Farms as an equipment operator. “Flea”, as he was affectionately called, was a dedicated worker. He was known as the dancing machine, and he always had a friendly smile. In 1987, he was united in holy matrimony to Mary Dean Williams Harp, and this union was blessed with three children: Brenda, Gregory and Tammy.

His beautiful life will forever be cherished by his wife, Mary Dean Williams Harp of Oglethorpe, Georgia; daughters: Brenda Stanton and Tammy Williams of Montezuma, Georgia; son, Gregory Williams of Oglethorpe, Georgia; grandchildren: Keith Stanton of Atlanta, Georgia, TeKorien Brown Williams, Mercedez Collier, TeKamry Brown Williams, Marquez Collier and Teyunna Williams all of Montezuma, Georgia; two great grandchildren: Isaiah Thomas and Paislely Wiggins; siblings: Ardean Clark of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Ernest Harp, Jr. (Hazel) of Andersonville, Georgia, Virginia Harp Whitehead (Phil) of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Willie B. Harp (Loretta) of Americus, Georgia and Eddie Harp (Barbara) of Oglethorpe, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; Special thanks to Darrow Collier, Stanford Harp, Charles Harp, Charlemange Fulks, Dearra Fulks, Pastor Henry Carson and Adrian Bentley.

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The Memorial Service for Mr. Elmore Alexander Tookes of Oglethorpe, Georgia will be held Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Corinth Baptist Church, Garden Valley, Georgia.

Mr. Elmore Alexander Tookes was born May 16, 1953 in Macon County, Georgia to the late Mr. Charlie Lester Tookes and Mrs. Odessa Biviens Tookes. He grew up in Garden Valley and attended the public schools of the county. He was a 1972 graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School. After graduating from high school, he moved to Atlanta and was employed at McLean Trucking Company. On November 20, 1977, he married the love of his life, Ms. Shirley Jean Askew, and to this union two children were born, Elshamika and Zequa.

On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Elmore transitioned from labor to reward at his residence. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Stanley Jerome Tookes, Deborah Denise Tookes, Odessa Tookes, Vivian Jacquenesia Tookes, Janet Elizabeth Seay and his nephew Sgt. Danny Byse, who was like a brother.

His beautiful life will be forever cherished by his loving wife, Shirley J. Tookes of Decatur, Georgia; his loving and devoted children: Elshamika Tookes-Rea (Garrick D. Rea) of Lithonia, Georgia and Zequa D. Tookes (Jessica McFarlane) of Rochester, New York; loving grandchildren: Savannah Marche Clark, Zahmar L. Tookes and Zoe A. Tookes; siblings: Evangelist Edna T. Carson of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Gloria T. Bell of Hartford, Connecticut, Charlie Tookes, Jr. (Glanda) of Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Isaiah Tookes (Julia) of Oglethorpe, Georgia, Deacon David Tookes (Tawanna) of Ellenwood, Georgia and Minister Isreal Tookes of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces and nephews, other loving relatives and caring friends.