The Memorial Service for Ms. Willie B. Merritt of Chicago, Illinois, will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of West's Mortuary, 731 N Lee Street, Americus, Georgia. Ms. Willie B. Merritt was born on October 11, 1934 in Marion County, Georgia. She was the third child of the late George and Ida B. Merritt. Willie B., as she was affectionately called, was baptized at New Bethel Baptist Church at an early age. She graduated from Staley High School in 1954. At the tender age of eighteen, Willie B. made the bold decision to move to Chicago, Illinois to find gainful employment and pursue a better life for herself and her family back in Georgia.

Willie B. was employed as a domestic worker until she secured a lucrative position with Mason-Barron Laboratories as a Lab Tech. She remained with this company for more than twenty years until her retirement in the mid-nineties. Willie B. devoted her life to providing love and support to her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She gave generously of herself and of her means to help others, even if it meant sacrificing her own personal needs.

Willie B. transitioned into eternal rest on July 29, 2018 at the Symphony 87 Nursing Home in Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her two brothers: Clyde Merritt of Chicago, Illinois and Malcolm (Janet) King of Americus, Georgia; four sisters: Nadine Wilkerson, Diane (William) Smith, Doris (Charles) Furlow and Sharon King all of Americus, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral service for Mr. Gregory Durham age 53 of Jacksonville, Florida formerly of Americus, Georgia will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 2:00 at the Eastview Church of Christ. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.

Gregory Durham was born on May 23, 1965 in Americus, Georgia to the late Wesley and Sally Mae Durham. He attended school at Staley High School where he met his wife, Betty. He retired from The Vogue Warehouse, City of Jacksonville, and Hancock Funeral Home. He was loved in so many ways by so many people. He passed away on July 25, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by George and Lucille Durham and Rebecca Durham. 

Memories of his life will forever be cherished by his wife, Betty Durham of Americus, Georgia; five amazing children: Lutricia Durham, Erik Durham, Erica Durham, and Gregory Durham, Jr. all of Dublin, Georgia and Dondi Durham of Americus, Georgia; his beautiful grandchildren: Javouri, Ty’Naski, Jhourne, Ta’Naija, Emontay, Emijai, Xzavion, E’moriana, D.J., Damarion and Lindsey; a beautiful great grandchild, Ta’Nylia; his aunts: Georgia Solomon, Thelma (Joe) Dodson, Gloria (James) Moore, Brenda (Rodriques) Green, Martha (Charlie) Journey, Mary Durham, Mary Helen Durham, Tricia Durham, Sandra Thompson and Earnestine Durham; his uncles: Henry Lee Durham, Willie Lee Durham, Albert Durham, Jerome Durham and Maurice Durham; devoted friends and family: Willie Solomon, Jr., Greg Johnson, Delois Brown and Jhonny Dean Durham; a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends also survive.

The funeral service for Mr. Melvin Tyson, Sr. of Smith Station, Alabama formerly of Americus, Georgia will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Friendship Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia with Rev. Ferlin Tyson officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.         

Mr. Melvin Tyson Sr. was born June 25, 1961 in Sumter County Georgia to the parentage of the late Mr. Eddie C. Tyson and the late Mrs. Clotelle Tyson.  He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County.  He worked for Davidson Textron for over 20 years until his retirement.  After retirement, he moved to Smith Station Alabama.   Melvin died on Monday, July 23, 2018 in Smith Station, Alabama. He was preceded in death by a sister, Teresa Tyson, and two brothers, Robert Asberry Jr. and Timothy R. Tyson.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his children: Melvin Tyson Jr., Porsha Ingram, Tiffany Tyson and Malcom Tyson; nine grandchildren: Dejion Tyson, Dakavien McDonald, Shakiya McDonald, Daylan McDonald, Jayden King Tyson, Jordan Tyson, Kinsley Tyson and Bella Gray; four sisters: Rosa (Calvin) Sims, Gloria (Rev.JB) Jackson, Laurie D. Tyson (Chris Sales), Geraldine (Bernard) Tyson; two brothers: Mr. Joseph (Brenda) Tyson, Mr. Eddie (Doris) Tyson; a devoted Ex-wife, Valerie West; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends also survive.

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

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

The Memorial Service for J'Aire Maxie of Oglethorpe, Georgia will be conducted Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 1:30 at the Macon County High School Gymnasium with Brother Tommy Griffin officiating.

J’Aire Dre’Von Maxie was born March 19, 2001 in Warner Robins, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Maxie. He attended Macon County Elementary and Middle Schools.  He was an upcoming Senior Honor Student at Macon County High School.

J’Aire had a fun and outgoing personality with lots of swag about himself.  He was very meticulous about his appearance and set the standard for fashion trends.  J’Aire was short in stature, but had a substantial presence in the lives of his family and friends. He died tragically on July 23, 2018.

J’Aire will always be lovingly remembered by his parents, Jerald and Pamela Maxie; two brothers: J’Vonte and Jeremy Maxie; two sisters: Jania and Janae Maxie; grandparents: Bernette Boland, Barry Maxie and Aleria Zohy; great-grandmothers: Nancy Glenn and Carrie Wilkerson; aunts: Tamera Glenn and Jessica Maxie; uncles: Kenneth and Kyle Boland and Jeffrey Maxie; first cousins: Shanera and Jaron Horace and Khanylah Boland; several great aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The funeral service for Mr. Willie Westberry, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 8620 GA Hwy 26E, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Willie Westberry, Jr. was born on August 22, 1930 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late Willie and Viola Hawkins-Westberry.  He was the oldest brother of nine siblings. Willie passed away on July 16, 2018. He was preceded in death by his siblings: James Westberry, Earl Westberry, Louise Westberry Zylanz, Rosa Lee “Coont” Westberry, Hattie Mae Westberry Felton, Hettie Pearl Westberry Haslam, and Vonnie Westberry Woodward; and one daughter, Grace Westberry.

Left to cherish his memories are two daughters: Joyce Westberry-Walker and Betty Jean Anderson; three sons: Robert Scott, Willie James Scott and Earl Scott; two brothers: King Westberry and Limmie Westberry; thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; a host of other loving relatives and friends.

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

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

Mrs. Erma Jean Westbrook Hill of Montezuma, Georgia passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. The Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at First United Holiness Church, 324 Engram Street, Montezuma, Georgia with Elder Michael Coley officiating. 

Her beautiful memory will forever be cherished by her husband, Dexter T. Hill of Montezuma, Georgia; her children: Yolunda (Jason) McClaster and Gloria Jones; grandchildren: Jeremy (Chiquita) White and Miesha Coates; great grandchildren: Jezeriah and Brooklyn White; a host of other loving relatives and friends.

The funeral service for Mr. Charles "Mull" Bryant of Smithville, Georgia will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Smithville, Georgia. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Charles McCann Bryant was born in Lee County on April 7, 1963 to the late Sammy Bryant Jr. and Arlie Lue Bryant.   He was educated in the Lee County School System.  Charles affectionately known as “Mull” was called home Monday, June 18, 2018 surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded on his journey by his parents, grandparents, Hudson and Arlie Lue Austin, a sister Joanne West, and a nephew Dacy Robinson. 

Charles will be remembered as a caring and loving person by his friends and family.

Precious memories of his life will forever live on in the hearts of his three sisters: Mrs. Doris Harris, Mrs. Nancy Robinson, and Mrs. Tracy Green (Terrance); one brother Mr. William “Bo” Bryant; one aunt, Mrs. Virginia Carter; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including two close friends: Tommie Taylor and Mike Johnson and two family friends: Alf Dodson and Cletus Thomas.

Mr. Edmond Jared Banks of Plains, Georgia died on Sunday, June 10, 2018. The Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Eastview 7th Day Adventist Church with Elder Edd Ross officiating. 

Mr. Edmond Jared Banks was born on December 20, 1993 in Sumter County, Georgia to Ernest and Lashonda Banks. He was educated in the Sumter County School System. At an early he joined the Zion Hope Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Bernice Cannon and Ernest Banks.

Edmond’s love and memories will forever be cherished by his children: Kaiden Banks, Kaliegh Banks and Khloe Banks all of Americus, Georgia; his parents: Ernest and Lashonda Banks of Plains, Georgia; five siblings: Demarcus Sims, Samaiya (Kalvin) Mobley, Kameron Banks, Ebony Banks and Christopher Banks; his grandparents: Geneva Banks of Plains, Georgia, Elder Edd and Juanita Ross of Americus, Georgia; aunts and uncles: Cellia (Darrel) Storey, Sonya (Jonathan) Thomas, Sonya (Jason) Solomon of Americus, Georgia, Stanley (Sonya) Davis of Leesburg, Georgia, Tuwanda Floyd of Plains, Georgia, Teresa (Derrick) Monts of Americus, Georgia, Jessica Hurley of Americus, Georgia, Charles Williams of Smithville, Georgia, Marco (Carneika) Cannon, Willie (Lakeitrice) Banks of Americus, Georgia, Christopher Wilkerson of Americus, Georgia, David (Carla) Banks of Plains, Georgia, James (Exie) Banks, Michael (Brandi) Banks and Mark (Kiyta) Banks all of Atlanta, Georgia; devoted cousins: Aderica Ross, Donovan Banks, Corderaious Solomon, Alex Brown, Donnell Kitchens, Reginald Monts, LaQuasha Carter, Mark Thomas, Johnathan Thomas, Quaylen Davis, Quintavious Monts all of Americus, Georgia, JaTorian Argo, of Plains, Georgia, Jason Solomon Mariah Mercer, Montavious Brown, Quinton Davis and Kentavious Wilkerson of Americus, Georgia; devoted friends, Milo Mumford and the whole “Lil Mexico” family, Several other relatives and friends also survive.

 

The funeral service for Evangelist Ada M. Thomas of New Britain, Connecticut will be held Wednesday,  June 27, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, Hwy 26E, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Evangelist Ada M. Thomas was born on January 15, 1944 to the late Willie B. and Rosa Mae Thomas of Montezuma, Georgia. Ada was the fourth child of eighteen siblings. As a child, she attended Flint River Farms School in Montezuma, Georgia. At a very young age, she accepted the Lord as her Savior. The foundation of her mother's love and dedication to the Lord inspired her to become a fierce advocate for the Word of God. She began her walk with the Lord as a member of the Holy House of God. She continued praising God at New Mount Olive COGIC upon returning to Connecticut. Evangelist Thomas was a Champion for the Lord at Walk in the Light, where she served until her death. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Ada is survived by two sons: Reginald (Brenda) Thomas and Dennis (Betty) Thomas and her God given son, Rochester Avery; two grandchildren: Brandon Thomas, Anthony Booker and grandson Jaden Booker; five brothers: Tommie Thomas of Manchester, CT, Charles Thomas of Macon, GA, Cornelius (Joyce) Thomas of Warner Robins, GA and Gary Thomas and Henry Thomas both of Snellville, GA; three sisters: Rosa Tyler of Bloomfield, CT, Bonnie (Earl) Calloway and Polly (John) Reeves both of Snellville, GA; a host of nieces and nephews; two special great nieces: Autumn and MaKenna Thomas; a host of cousins, other loving relatives and friends.