The Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Jane Tookes of Montezuma, Georgia will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery.
Mary Jane Tookes, affectionately called “Gladys” was born March 16, 1939 in Macon County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Henry Thornton and Emma Ball Daniel. Later in life she was called Madea by her children and grandchildren. Mary Jane accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and joined New Hope Baptist Church at an early age. She was educated in the public school system of Macon County. She attended the Historic Flint River Farm School.
On April 5, 1959, Mary Jane was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Rufus Tookes. This union was blessed with six children. This God-fearing woman was the epitome of a housewife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and caregiver. On Tuesday morning, November 19, 2019, God lifted her from all her ailments, pains and sorrows and granted her eternal rest. She worked overtime in this life and has now entered a long awaited rest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Tookes; two children, Melvin Thornton and Linda Ruth Tookes; and four siblings: Floyd Cosby, Iris Snipes, Evelyn Nobles and Deffie Harris.
Those who will cherish her memory by following her precepts and examples, yet rejoicing in her purposeful life are her devoted children: Reverend Leon Humphries (Christine) of Atlanta, Georgia, Shirley Felton, Brenda Rumph (Darryl) both of Montezuma, Georgia and Ruth Anne T. Joiner of Warner Robins, Georgia; one brother, Eddie C. Thornton of Montezuma, Georgia; twelve grandchildren: Leon Nicholas Humphries, Justin Humphries, William Felton, Jr., Cabretta Lethe Felton, Marcus Brown, JaKera Rumph, Ladaisha Rumph, Darryl Rumph, Jr., Clarence Joiner, Jr. (her special grandson who she reared as her own child), Jonathan Bernard Joiner, Sr., Arsenio Lewade Joiner and Shelby Melinda Joiner; eighteen great grandchildren; two devoted goddaughters: Sandra Freeman and Jeneverlyn Tookes; brother-in-law, Eddie C. Snipes; sisters-in-law, Lillie Bell Thornton and Bessie Barnes; a devoted friend, Roosevelt Moore; host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.