Brenda leaves to cherish her memory three children: Anthony Ballew Sr. and his wife Sonya of Pasadena, CA, Carla Short and Bryan Short of Columbus, GA; five grandchildren: Anthony Ballew Jr., Jonathan Meriwether, Brandon Short, Christopher Ballew and Domonique Ballew; four sisters and two brothers: Jennifer Jones of Powder Springs, GA, Francine Powers of Cleveland, OH, Dorothea Jones of Cleveland, OH, Terry Drayton of Powder Springs, GA, William Robinson Jr. of Chandler, AZ and Michael Robinson of Los Angeles, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Brenda professed a hope in Christ at an early age and served him faithfully until her departure. Brenda was a member of South Columbus United Methodist Church for 9 years where she served passionately as Office Assistant, Greeters Ministry Chair, and with a number of other church auxiliaries. Brenda believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. This standard of excellence was reflected throughout her life.

Brenda was a strong advocate for LifeLink of Georgia. She received the gift of life in the year 2000 through an organ transplant. Brenda worked to raise awareness of the benefits of organ donation. Her works will forever be remembered.

A FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE DONE AGAIN BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE TO GUATEMALA ON THE 28TH OF THIS JUNE FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE KEEP UP WITH MRS AUDELIA FOR MORE INFO ON THE NEXT FUNERAL SERVICE .

ANY INFO PLEASE CONTACT MRS MARTINEZ AT 908 875 0586

Mrs. Tolbert was born April 23, 1926 in Midway, Alabama daughter of the late George and Mattie McMillien Wiley .She was a cook with Howard Bus Line and severed as a Missionary and Secretary at her church. She leaves to cherish her memories 2 sons, Randolph Tolbert and Eddie Tolbert; 2 daughters, Ernestine Hall and Josephine Tolbert; a brother, George Wiley Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, 23 Grandchildren, several Great-Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Fort Valley State University Foundation – Nella Crooks Scholarship Fund.

Born Retinella Octavia Elizabeth Edgar to Walter Edgar and Martha Barnett in Watt Town, Jamaica, she spent her early years on the island attending Westwood girls’ boarding school in St. Ann’s Bay. Later in Kingston she studied and apprenticed in Dr. Robb’s clinic and pharmacy. She migrated to the United States in 1924 where she met her husband, the late Dr. Kenneth B. M. Crooks, was married and from the union came four children.

After their ten years at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where Dr. Crooks was employed as a biology instructor, the family relocated to Jamaica. There she spent 13 happy years as a missionary educator and wife of the headmaster of Happy Grove (a Quaker secondary boarding school). Dr. Crooks also served as the Quaker pastor of Seaside Friends Church. While on the island, she was a member of the Jamaica Federation of Women and served in a variety of capacities in the Religious Society of Friends, raising funds for the school during her trips to the mainland.

The couple returned to the U.S. in 1957 where she became a resident manager and her husband a biology teacher at what is now Fort Valley State University. She delighted in serving tea in her home to friends and guests, which included many national and international dignitaries, one of whom was the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Crooks moved to Grambling College in Louisiana where she earned her Bachelor’s degree while serving as a resident manager on that campus. After her husband’s untimely death in 1959 she returned to Fort Valley. There she continued her education and earned a Master’s degree in counseling while on the faculty at the college (and at age 64!). After her retirement in 1970 she wrote and published several books including a travel diary, her husband’s biography, her autobiography and two books of poetry.

During her lifetime in the college communities where she lived, she was an active member in the Episcopal church, an original organizer of a local YWCA, and a member of her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She continued her community service by starting a reading club for children and working with a local senior citizens’ organization.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Cynthia Carpenter, Kenneth Crooks and Mary G. Walker-Crooks, Sylvia and Heinz Werner Wunderlich, Nella Jenkins; grandchildren, Jan Carpenter Tucker and Vernon Tucker, Jeffery and Sumita Carpenter; Kenneth Crooks III, Shelly and Steven Michael; Stefan Wunderlich, Susan and Terrance Hinton; Ade Aboussena Pious and Lorenzo Paul Pious; great grandchildren, Naima Tucker; Jason, Surekha and Jai Carpenter; Langston and Justice Michael; Louis Wunderlich; Kyan and Zion Pious; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

For information, contact:

Nella Jenkins

(478) 825-3203

Mr. McKay was born July 18, 1950 in Columbus, GA son of Alzo McKay and Mary Upshaw. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife Peggy A. McKay, daughter, Melissa McKay, two step sons , Ben Hixon and Donald Hixon; three brothers Ball McKay, Norris McKay, and Thomas McKay; four sister Zelma Upshaw, Connie Scott, Brenda Upshaw and Pearlie Mae Reynolds; 2 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; Several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives friends.

She owned & operated a local Beauty Salon for more than 30 years; she and her husband also owned Abram’s Grocery Store. She was a very dedicated member of St. James A.M.E. church where she was the Organist & music director. She was also a member of “The ELITE” club, a small social organization of local black female business owners and wives of black business owners. The ladies would meet at one another’s homes monthly and play Po-Keno and socialize.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, friend & community member.

In 2004 she relocated to live with her daughter in Columbus, GA where she resides until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents Amos & Melissa Robinson, her sister R.E. Robertson, her brother Amos “ROB” Robinson and her.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Tamara Abram, one Godson, Rodney ; two granddaughters, LaShuntte Means,Jessup, GA Ta Kara Abram, Picayune, MS; one grandson, Kayle Abram ,Columbus, GA; four great grandsons Tristian, Trenton, Treymon and Mar’Kayle and a host of other relatives and dear friends.