Americus Times-Recorder

Judy Parks Legg, 74, of Andersonville, GA, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Americus, GA. Rev. Keith Parks will officiate. Mrs. Legg was born April 25, 1947, in Montezuma, GA, to the late Fred and Minnie Lee Parks. She was a graduate of Macon County High School, class of 1965. Mrs. Legg was retired from the City of Americus with over thirty years of service. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Americus. In addition to her parents Judy was preceded in death by a brother Roger L. Parks. Survivors include her husband of fifty-five years,...

It is with profound sadness we mourn the loss of our father, James Owens, 87 of Birmingham, AL who died after a long illness on June 12, 2021. James was the youngest son of David and Dorothy Owens and was born in Buena Vista, GA on May 30, 1934. His father was a farmer and he worked with him in the fields at a young age, learning the values of perseverance and hard work. He would carry these traits throughout his life and instill them in his children. His family moved to Leslie, GA when he was 10 and he graduated from Union High School there. During high school, he began dating his wife, Mary, where they would share a seat on the bus to and from basketball games. They married in 1956 and...

Mr. Robert "Bobby" Greene Downs, 89, of Montezuma, GA passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Miona Geriatric and Dementia Center. Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery. Rev. Jonathan Beckham and Rev. Ken Meyers will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the Montezuma United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Born December 29, 1931 in Leary, GA, Bobby was the son of the late Lonnie G. Downs and Barbara Lou Favors Downs. After serving honorably in the U.S. Navy as a communication officer, he returned home where he worked for Central of Georgia Railroad. Following his work...

Jack Caldwell Carter, 82 years of age, passed away on April 6, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Carter was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Hugh D. Carter, Jr., and Ruth Moore Carter. He married Carajean (Jean) Langston, and together they raised their child, Hugh (Paul) Carter in Atlanta and Americus, Georgia. Mrs. Carter recently passed away on December 28, 2020 while residing in Jacksonville, Florida. Jack received his formal education at Davison College, Florida State University, Georgia State University, and received his doctorate from the University of Georgia. He originally had planned to obtain his degree in theology at Davison College. Dr. Carter was a retired professor of genetics....

Melissa Sue Johnson, age 41, of Hiram, Georgia passed away March 26, 2021. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at West Ridge Church in Dallas, GA. with Pastor John P. Morgan officiating. Interment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta, Georgia. Melissa moved to Hiram 17 years ago from Smithville, GA. She was employed with Georgia State Bank as a Teller and was a member of West Ridge Church in Dallas, GA. Melissa is survived by her husband of 18 years: Victor R. Johnson of Hiram, GA; daughter, Madison Rene' Eubanks of Atlanta; Parents, Charles Wilson Eubanks and Renonda McElwee Eubanks of Atlanta; Mother-in-law, Mary Annette Johnson of...

Emily Dekle Whittle Wakefield, 95, of Cordele, GA formerly of Albany, GA, died January 27, 2021 at the Fellowship Home at Cordelia Manor in Cordele, GA. Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday 1:00 AM at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville, GA. Dr. John G. Smith, III will officiate. Social distancing will be required and masks will be provided. Emily was born on April 27, 1925 in Cordele, GA to S.M. and Minnie Dekle. She graduated from Crisp County High School and continued her education at South Georgia Normal College (now Valdosta State University) graduating in 1945. She married W.L. "Bill" Whittle, Sr. in 1947 and they made their home in Thomasville, GA. After Mr....

Paul Elliot Shellhouse, 76, of Americus, GA, died January 3, 2021 at his son's home in Leesburg, GA. Private services will be held in Andersonville National Cemetery. Mr. Shellhouse was born in Cuthbert, GA to Paul E. and Mary Nell Shellhouse on January 14, 1944. He graduated from Randolph County High School and lived his adult life in Sumter County, GA. Mr. Shellhouse served in The United States Army for five years and one tour of duty in Vietnam. He was employed with Parker Heating and Cooling, served as a Dispatcher with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and retired as a Security Guard from South Georgia Technical College. Survivors include three children, Amy Shellhouse of...

H. Tim Reynolds, PA., 77, of Cordele, GA passed away, Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Crisp Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. His remains will be cremated and the family will have private services. After the Covid-19 pandemic a celebration of life will be held at his home. Tim was born in Decatur, GA to the late Roy Reynolds, Jr. and Betty Barfield Reynolds. He joined the Navy and after basic training and served as a hospital corpsman. After his service time, Tim graduated from Georgia State and continued his education and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia. Survivors include his wife, Cathy Clark Reynolds, Cordele, GA, daughters, Ashley Reynolds, Duluth, GA, Mandie...

Allen Mountjoy, 71, of Eatonton, GA, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020 at his residence in the presence of his family. Allen was born in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1949. He was the son of the late Luther Allen Mountjoy and Kathleen Rankin Drummond. He graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Allen was the owner and CEO of Plains Products Inc, and Georgia Building Supply and several other business in Americus, GA. Survivors include his wife Terrie Gay Mountjoy, his daughter Nally Mountjoy, step daughter Nicole Hines and step son Frank Hines. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: Hospice Compassus First,...

William Bryan Hatfield, Jr., 73, of Lake Park, Georgia passed away on October 2, 2020 at South Georgia Medical Center. Services will be held graveside in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Dawson, Georgia at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2020. Mr. Hatfield was born in Eufaula, Alabama on July 25, 1947. Preceding him in death were his parents, Bryan and Vivian Hatfield and his wife, Mariflyn Hatfield. Survivors include his son, Bill Hatfield (Renee); daughter, Amy Alther (Tim); brother, Wayne Hatfield (Judy); and grandchildren, Brooke, Hannah, Hudson and Mason. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society.

Warren Candler Fortson Sr., longtime civil rights and education lawyer, died August 1, 2020 at age 91 at his home in Atlanta of congestive heart failure. He had practiced law for 63 years when he retired at age 89 from a career that spanned the upheaval of the civil rights movement in Americus, GA, and Mississippi in the 1960s, the winning of the ballot box stuffing case of Jimmy Carter when he ran for the state senate that paved the way for his future election as president of the United States, and the settlement of Atlanta Public Schools' 18-year desegregation lawsuit known as the Atlanta Compromise Plan. He served as the general counsel for Atlanta Public Schools for 22 years and as the...

Mr. Denver Edgar "D.E." Short, Jr. of Sasser, died on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the Willson Hospice House in Albany. A graveside funeral service will be held on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Dawson with Mr. T. Gamble officiating. Mr. D. E. was born on August 16, 1932 in Americus, Georgia. He was the son of Mr. Denver Edgar Short, Sr. and Mrs. Christine Mims Short. He moved to Sasser with his parents as a child, and became a lifelong resident who supported his community in many ways his entire life. He graduated from Terrell High School and attended Perry Business School in Albany. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the early 1950's and later served...

Minnie "Minamar" Rogers, 76, of Cobb, GA, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, a private funeral service will be held at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bob Knight officiating. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Minnie Lamar Phillips was born January 9, 1944 in Bainbridge, GA, the daughter of Rubyn and Nancy Powell Phillips. She was a graduate of Albany High School and attended the University of Georgia. In 1960, Minamar married the love of her life, Lewis Rogers. They lived in all over the south...

Howard Todd Cox, 53, of Bishop, died Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Born in Jacksonville, he was a son of the late Harold T. Cox and Wilma D. Cox. Todd enjoyed golfing and smoking anything on his Big Green Egg. He was currently serving on the board of the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Todd previously served as President of Georgia's chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association and was CFO of Navicent Baldwin in Milledgeville. He was a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Julie Jarrell Cox; son, Russell and daughter, Kristen. Memorial service details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may...

Dianne Marsh Strickland, 69, of Lee County, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. There will be a Celebration of Life, Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Thornateeska Heritage Center, 100 Roosevelt Ave, Albany, GA 31701, please RSVP to 229-886-3014. Dianne was one of the kindest, most compassionate and caring people you would ever meet...just an absolutely beautiful person with a beautiful soul. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, mother-in-law, Mimi, sister, sister-in-law and friend. She was born in Albany, GA, on February 23, 1951, to the late Wendell and Louise Rowe Marsh. She was a 1969 graduate of Albany High School and...

Dianne Marsh Strickland, 69, of Lee County, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date to be announced. Dianne was one of the kindest, most compassionate and caring people you would ever meet...just an absolutely beautiful person with a beautiful soul. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, mother-in-law, Mimi, sister, sister-in-law and friend. She was born in Albany, GA, on February 23, 1951, to the late Wendell and Louise Rowe Marsh. She was a 1969 graduate of Albany High School and went on to Albany Junior College where she got her AA in Dental Hygiene. She was a dental hygienist for 43 years in...

William "Billy" Benjamin Milton, Jr., 59 of Columbus, GA. died Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital. Due to the public health crisis a private graveside will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 30, 2020 at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, GA. A public Celebration of Life Service for family and friends will be held at a date to be determined after the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided. Billy was born April 26, 1960 in Dublin, GA, to Dr. William B. Milton, Sr. and Viola Hodges Milton. He worked as a technician for Waverly Hall Telephone and Telecommunications; he also worked at Public Service Cellular and was a former manager at Brown Brothers Sand Company in Junction City, GA. He...

Mrs. Ruth Kidd Cheatham, age 96, of Sandersville, died peacefully at her daughter's home Sunday, January 12, 2019. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, January 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church in Sandersville. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the church. A graveside committal service will be held Thursday, January 16th at 12 noon at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery in Macon. May and Smith Funeral Directors of Sandersville is in charge of these arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

Frances Jones Tharpe, 105, of Macon, died Sunday, December 22, 2019. A graveside service will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the Byron City Cemetery with the Reverend Keith Parks officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Americus, 221 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709; or Magnolia Manor League of the Good Samaritan, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709. Mrs. Tharpe was reared by her grandmother, Mollie Jones, because her own mother died when Mrs. Tharpe was just a month old. At age eight, she moved to live with her father and his new wife in Fort Valley, Georgia, until she graduated from Fort Valley High School....

Gregory "Greg" Mark Kirk, 56, of Americus, beloved husband, father, G-papa, and statesman, passed away peacefully and earned his angel wings joining our Lord and Savior after a tough fought fight with Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare liver bile duct cancer, on Sunday, December 22, 2019, with his beloved wife, Rosalyn J. Kirk, and family by his side. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 27 at Central Baptist Church, 190 Upper River Rd, Americus, GA 31709. Rev. Bud Womack will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Honorary representatives will be Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan and the Ga Legislative body. A kind, caring,...

Christine Victoria, "Vickie", Jones entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Vickie is survived by her beloved mother, Christine Horan and two sons, Adam Jones and Erik Jones (Laura) and grandson, Carter. Vickie will be lovingly remembered by her sisters Karen (Sandy) Bell and Sheila (Michael) Skipper. Along with her nieces Christi (Matt) Strautmann, Katie, Kelly and Courtney Bell and her nephews, Jack and Aidan Skipper. Vickie was predeceased by her husband and best friend, LeRoy Raymond, "Ray", Jones and her father, Robert Horan. She also leaves behind countless friends whose lives she touched forever. Vickie was devoted to the only two jobs she ever held in over a thirty...