Mrs. Wanda Ingram Hooks was born in Sumter County, Georgia to Pauline Ingram and Bobby Taylor. She was educated in the Sumter County School System and was married to Willie Hooks. Wanda passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Eastview Cemetery in Americus, Georgia. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your safety and for the protection of others.

Wanda leaves precious memories with her husband, Willie Hooks; her children: Sabrina (Timothy) Ingram, Jacob (Crystal) Ingram and Devonte Ingram; her mother, Pauline Ingram and father, Bobby Taylor; five grandchildren: Tristen Ingram, Chasten Ingram, Jacob Ingram, Samaria Ingram and Caleb Moore; four sisters: Samantha (Anthony) Howard, Folivia Ingram (Lewis), Shante Reynolds and Rozella Reynolds; sisters-in-law: Chineque Hooks (Kavion), Antoinette Hooks and Sylvia Hooks-Brown (Gregory); one brother-in-law Travis (Kenyada) Hooks; three aunts: Patricia (Ricky) Clark, Ossie Lockett and Mary Henderson;  four uncles: Henry Ingram, Jerome Taylor, Tommie Taylor and A.B. Williams; one great aunt, Mary Matthews; several nieces and nephews including Gregory, Jr., Xzaver, ShaQuita, Quincey, Tavoris, Zykeria, Braylin and Jeremiah; a devoted cousin, Marvin Williams and a devoted stepfather, Leroy Williams. 

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

The Graveside Service for Mrs. Annie Laura Brown Perkins of Atlanta, Georgia will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Noon at Brown Chapel Baptist Church, Montezuma, Georgia. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you please MASK UP and practice social distancing for your protection and for the safety of others.

 

Annie Laura Brown Perkins, affectionately called Trip by her siblings, but known to many as “Mrs. Perkins”, was born in Fort Valley, Georgia to the parentage of Mr. Andrew Brown and Mrs. Carolyn Brown. Laura attended the public schools of Fort Valley, Georgia and graduated from H.A. Hunt High School. She continued her education and earned a BA degree in History from Fort Valley State College. She later joined the staff of Macon County High School as a history teacher. After fifteen years of teaching, she retired and moved to Atlanta, becoming the CEO of Perkins Auto Recycling alongside her dedicated husband Claude Perkins. 

 

On Monday, September 6, 2021 at the home of her daughter, God whispered, Laura my dear you have fought a magnificent fight, and your fight is over. Your destiny has now been fulfilled so come on home and rest. She peacefully succumbed to God’s Call. 

 

Laura loved to cook and feed people. Just like her mother, Laura had superb culinary skills. She had many loves. She enjoyed music and believed life wasn’t satisfying without laughter. An avid reader, Laura was constantly teaching. She mentored and nurtured many teenage boys that came to call her “Momma Perkins”. 

Laura was preceded in death by an infant son, Claude Jr, her parents, and three siblings, Andrew Jr, Etheridge, and Bobby. Laura leaves to cherish her life a loving and loyal husband Claude Perkins of Riverdale, Georgia;  two devoted and loving children: Shontanette (Robert) Barber, Keefer (Miranda) Perkins both of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren: Miya Barber, Keefer Diaz Perkins, Nasir Barber and Kamyra Perkins; seven siblings: Eula Brown, Kay (Gerald) Nugent of Riverdale, New York, Essie Dennis, Beatrice Lester, Sylinda Dodson and Cornelius Brown of Fort Valley, Georgia and Willie Alma (Glenmore) Ragin of Lizella, Georgia; a host of other relatives and friends

 

 

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

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

 

 

To view a copy of the complete program, click on the file below

Annie Laura Brown Perkins.pdf

Cole Randolph Taylor, precious baby boy of Victoria Paige Randolph and Lancester Jarod Taylor, was born into the arms of angels on September 2, 2021 at Piedmont Macon Hospital in Macon, Georgia. Although he spent only moments in our arms, he is forever in our hearts. A Memorial Service for Cole will be announced at a later date.

Cole Randolph Taylor is survived by his parents: Victoria Paige Randolph and Lancester Jarod Taylor of Warner Robins, Georgia; his grandparents: Kimberly Randolph, Rick (Michelle) Randolph, Darlene Taylor and Lancester Taylor, Sr.; his great-grandparents, Bettye McKenzie and Richard (Betty) Randolph; aunts: Brittney McKenzie, Brittany Taylor, Angela Persinger,  Alexandria Randolph, Kimora Taylor and Sierra Taylor; uncles: Christopher Jones, Christopher Holmes, Gregory Taylor, Nicholas Taylor, Joshua Taylor, Devontae Taylor, Jaden Taylor, Forest Grubbs, Chase Grubbs, and the late Lancester Fernard Taylor, Jr.; a host of great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins.

The Graveside Service for Mr. Walter Ben Story, Jr. affectionately known as “Stokey” of Montezuma, Georgia will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Montezuma, Georgia with Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Canady officiating. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your protection and for the protection of others.

Walter Ben Story, Jr. was born on September 9, 1949 in Montezuma, Georgia to the late Walter Ben Story, Sr. and the late Obelia Jordan Story. He grew up in Montezuma and attended the public schools of the county. He was a 1969 graduate of the historic D.F. Douglass High School. Stokey passed away on August 31, 2021 at Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon, Georgia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: James Greene, Billy Story, Jackie Story and his brother-in-law, Emmitt Mathis.

Precious memories of Stokey will always be cherished by Isaac “Ike” Cleave and Amanda “Niecy” Cleave who he affectionately called “My Children” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his siblings: Sonny Sneed of Akron, Ohio, Richard (Gloria) Story of Montezuma, Georgia, Wanda Mathis of Houston, Texas and Marshell (Rev. Dr. Jeffrey) Canady of Montezuma, Georgia; his sister-in-law, Burnell Story of Montezuma, Georgia; his grandchildren: Aspen and Adam of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; eight nieces, fourteen nephews, a host of other relatives and friends. 

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

To view a copy of the complete program, click on the file below

Walter Ben Story-3.pdf

The Graveside Service for Cedric Khalil Hagan of Americus, Georgia will be held on Monday, September 6, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Eastview Cemetery in Americus, Georgia. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your protection and for the protection of others.

Cedric Angel Khalil Demon Hagan began his journey on May 31, 1999 in Americus, Georgia. Known as Khalil to family and friends, Cedric was a namesake of his uncle given to him by his father Cory Hagan and his mother Cartasha Jenkins. He was reared in the loving home of his grandmother Lillie Hagan Scott, where he attended United Holiness Church Headquarters.

Cedric attended the Americus-Sumter County school system before he began battling kidney failure and was forced to stay home to pursue his studies. He loved music, family and friends. He had a big heart and was always concerned with everyone else's well-being before his own. After an uphill and seemingly endless battle at a very young age, Cedric's journey ended on August 31, 2021. Cedric was preceded in death by his sister, whom he loved dearly, Shaniya M. Jenkins.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his parents: Cory Hagan, Sr. of Phenix City, Alabama and Cartasha Jenkins of Americus, Georgia; three brothers: Braxton Jenkins, Cory Hagan, Jr. and Kaden Hagan all of Americus, Georgia; four sisters: Kyra Thomas of Macon, Georgia, Tyra Thomas of Warner Robins, Georgia, Jada Jenkins of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Serenity Thomas of Americus, Georgia; his grandparents: Lillie Hagan Scott of Americus, Georgia, Brenda Jenkins of Marietta, Georgia, Larry (Pamela) Hagan of Dawson, Georgia and Otha Moye of Pitts, Georgia; his great-grandparents: Hattie Jenkins of Marietta, Georgia and Florine Tyler of Mullins, South Carolina; his aunts and uncles: LaKeria (LaMorris) Angry of Warner Robins, Georgia, Kitya (Mark) Banks of Hiram, Georgia, Keyundra Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Martika Martin of Memphis, Tennessee, Lawrence Hagan of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Cedric (Kyshia) Hagan and Whitney Hagan of Jacksonville, Florida, Larry D. Hagan of Albany, Georgia, Eric Moye, Shawn Moye, and Lavelle White of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; great-aunts and uncles: Florence Deck of Newark, New Jersey, Loretta (Eddie) Johnson of Roselle, New Jersey, Theresa (William) Hoggard of Williamsport, Maryland, Amy (James) Joyner of South Plainfield, New Jersey, Roosevelt (Reetha) Moore of Americus, Georgia, John Moore of Newark, New Jersey, Steven Moore of Watchung, New Jersey, Janice Goodwin of Marietta, Georgia, Patricia (Gabriel) Small of Hiram, Georgia, Joe (Dorothy) Jenkins and Lorell (JoAnn) Jenkins of Americus, Georgia and Lorenza (Mary Lois) of Atlanta, Georgia; best friends and cousins: Brianna Angry, Brittany Angry and C'Aziah Hagan of Warner Robins, Georgia, JaMarcus Smith of Elkton, Maryland and Camira Hagan of Americus, Georgia; a host of other relatives and friends.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

The Graveside Service for Mrs. Ollie Mae Evans Simmons Zeon will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Eastview Cemetery in Americus, Georgia. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your safety and for the protection of others. 

Ollie Mae Evans Simmons Zeon was born on March 22, 1934 to the late Rose Mae Jordan and Thomas James Evans, in Sumter County, Georgia. For over 30 years Ollie resided at 306 Pine Street, Americus. She transitioned to be with the Lord on August 30, 2021, at Innovative Senior Solutions in Americus. At an early age Ollie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. As a result, she fellowshipped with other believers at the Big Bethel Baptist Church, the Welcome Baptist Church, as well as other churches in the community. She was educated in the area schools of Sumter County, graduating from A. S. Staley High. She attended Ft. Valley State College; completed a 2-year course at Marion College of Commerce in the state of Illinois; obtained a Certificate of Achievement in Supervisory Development from The University of GA Cooperative Extension Service in 1981; and was awarded Child Care Workshop Certificates of Completion from Albany State College Technical Assistance Program in Association with The Georgia Child Care Council, 1993-1994.

Ollie was her mother’s only child and in the course of life, they moved to Chicago with other family members, wherein her mother returned to Americus in 1977 until her death in 1990. While there, Ollie worked several years for the State of Illinois as a Switchboard Operator and an Inspector. Also, she lived several years in Detroit, working in gainful employment. After returning to Americus, she worked in various occupations to include: Insurance Agent, Newspaper Deliverer, Certified Childcare Provider, Windsor Hotel staff member, Sam’s Club Associate, and for more than 20 years as a Wal-Mart Associate (Customer Service/Fitting-Room) to the year 2016. Ollie had no biological children but nurtured and impacted the lives of many in her family, in the community, as well as in her Wal-Mart family, acquiring god children. For some in this community who met her and interacted with her, they would say that she was a “very sharp” and “interesting lady”.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alford Simmons; her maternal grandparents, John and Susie Jordan; paternal grandparents, Bishop Evans Sr. and Lula Mae Smith Evans; a brother, Thomas Evans Sr.; a supportive uncle, Bishop Evans Jr. who was like a brother and a father. Many other aunts, uncles, and cousins predeceased her, to include devoted cousins: Mable Evans Pines, Henry “Coot” Anthony Jr., Eugene Hargrove, and Freddie Lee Crawford, just to name a few; her primary care physician, Dr. John D. Marshall; and a caring neighbor, Henry James Walters “Dooley”.

Ollie leaves to cherish her memories, supportive caregivers, Ernest and Naomi Evans; supportive cousins: Sherman (Alice) Malone, Betty Stephens, Mae Hayes, and James Black; nieces: Sudie Evans (Doug) Gaymon, Tangela Evans (Rickey) Rogers, Trenesa Evans (Jimmy) Thornton, Twyonia (Lawrence) Evans, Debra (Benjamin) Williams, “Lil Sister” Taunya Cola, & Edricka Felton; nephews: Thomas (Leanna) Evans, Thayer Evans, Torrey Evans, James Smith, & Edrick Felton; sister-in-law, Frances Evans Cola; paternal aunts; Vannie Lou “Sis” Evans and Mable Evans; supportive special friends: Katrina Fuller, Shirley Johnson, Alisha Jordan and Aletha Cook; her Wal-Mart family, and a host of other caring family and friends, too numerous to name. 

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

 Veteran Milton Miles was born December 26, 1956 to the parentage of the late James Miles Sr. and the late Mrs. Virginia Melvin Miles. He received his education in the public schools of Sumter County and was a 1975 graduate of Americus High School. Milton also attended Georgia Southwestern State College and later joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy, Milton played on the Navy’s football team. After leaving the military, Milton remained in Dallas, Texas and started his own business installing windows in high-rise buildings. Milton also loved music so much that he decided to start his own karaoke business, called Big Tex Karaoke.

At an early age Milton joined the Mt. Olive Baptist Church where he attended before joining the military. Milton was preceded in death by one sister, Lucretia Miles. 

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by West's Mortuary.

Milton leaves to cherish his memories five children: Ms. Haley Miles of Americus, Georgia, Lauren Nerissa (Kevin) Gray of San Antonio, Texas, Ashley Rae (Orestes) Griegs of Huntsville, Alabama, Daniel James (Ashley) Miles of  Dallas, Texas and Joshua Stephen Miles of Antonio, Texas; two sisters: Jeanette M. Lamar of Americus, Georgia and Gloria Kate Lyles of Albany, Georgia; two brothers: James Miles, Jr. (Norwanna) of Americus, Georgia and Thomas Jefferson Miles of Albany, Georgia; nine grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The Graveside Service for Mrs. Johnnie Mae Terry of Americus, Georgia will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your protection and for the safety of others.

Mrs. Johnnie Mae Terry was born on December 22, 1922 in Sumter County, Georgia to the parentage of the late George Kelly and the late Annie Bell Brown. She was a member of Old Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was married to the late Mr. Clinton Terry, Sr. for over 60 years. She was preceded in death by four children: Betty Jean Bowens, Curtis Davis, Sr., Johnny C. Terry and Ulysses Terry; two grandchildren: Beverly J Bowens and Robert Davis; a brother, Willie Howard Thomas; daughter-in-law, Diane Terry; and a dear friend, Annie Boone. Mrs. Terry passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at the Cordele Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Left to cherish her memories are: her beloved children: Evelyn Lester of Atlanta, Georgia, Willie Mae Waters, Clinton Terry, Jr., Willie (Gwendolyn) Terry, Howard Terry, Robert Terry and Annie Bell (Jessie) Carson, all of Americus, Georgia; 28 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren.; a host of other relatives and friends also survive

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The Graveside Service for Mrs. Lorene Smith will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Staley Memorial Gardens in Americus, Georgia. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your safety and for the protection of others. 

Mrs. Lorene Sanders Smith was born in Sumter County Georgia on November 23, 1942 to the late R.B. Sanders and the late Katie Bell Cottle. At an early age she joined the St. John AME Church in Plains, Georgia. She was educated in the Public Schools of Sumter County.

Lorene developed a very strong commitment to activism during the Civil Rights Era. She participated in marches and lunch counter sit-ins. One of her proudest memories was having been present at the March on Washington, where she was able to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his famous I Have A Dream Speech.

In 1964 she moved to Rochester, New York and married the late Eugene Smith. There she continued on the path of social and political activism. She worked for many years for the Monroe County Board of Elections and did volunteer work with her church, community and schools.

Lorene’s memories will always be cherished by her daughters: Dr. Pamela Baker, Patricia Johnson, and Candace (Cleveland) Brownlee; her siblings: Bobbie Armstrong, Katie Watts, Gwendolyn Hayes, Robert Sanders, Aretha Sander-Patterson, Mary Sanders-Mack, Mattie Sanders-Colquitt, Martha Sanders-Townsly and Alma Solomon. Several other relatives and friends also survive.

To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below, or watch it on our Facebook page.  

Services for Vet. DERWIN VEROME MARTIN, will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 12 Noon at Andersonville National Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you MASK UP and continue to practice social distancing for your safety and for the protection of others. 

DERWIN VEROME MARTIN, of Montezuma, Georgia, entered into rest on August 18, 2021.  He was born June 14, 1960, in Macon County, Georgia, the son of Jerome Byrom and Rachel Martin, who preceded him in death. 

Derwin grew up in Macon County, Georgia, where he attended D.F. Douglass High School and Magnolia Baptist Church.  For those who knew him, Derwin had a passion for all and often expressed it with his affectionate laugh, and loving and kind spirit.  He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. 

Derwin joined the U.S. Army at an early age and worked many years at Davidson Textron in Americus, Georgia, before relocating to North Augusta, South Carolina, where he was employed with Augusta Data Storage, Inc.

He leaves to cherish his memory: one daughter, Anisha (Charlie) Brown, of Perry, Georgia; two devoted brothers, Michael (Lorna) Martin, of North Augusta, South Carolina and Maurice (Michelle) Harvey, of Byron, Georgia; a sister, Jeri Byrom, of Atlanta, Georgia; two brothers: Richard (Seretha) Wynn of Beaufort, SC and Thomas Byrom, of Houston, Texas; an uncle, Charles (Maxine) Gadson; two aunts, Marsha McCracken and Lorretta Byrd, all of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandsons, Javian, Jayden, Jamarion and Jace, all from Perry, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who will miss him very much.

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