Newspaper Page Text
Page 6A
March 30, 2022
Vincent Edward Williams, Jr.
December 5,1940 - March 18, 2022
Vincent Edward Williams, Jr., a resident of Forsyth since
1974, died March 18,2022 of complications following
heart surgery
The son of Vincent Edward and Josephine McConnell
Williams, he was born on Dec. 5,1940 in Greensburg,
Penn. He attended Lehigh University, graduating with a
B.A. in history.
After a year in law school, he enlisted in the U. S.
Army and was assigned to the Intelligence Corps, spend
ing most of his time in Japan.
After his military service, he became a management
consultant working for a number of major corpora
tions, such as Coca-Cola, Medtronic, and Bristol-My
ers, in various parts of the globe. Many assignments were
in the United States, but others took him to Italy, Ireland,
Mexico, Brazil and Canada.
In Forsyth he was a member of the Downtown Develop
ment Authority during the restoration of the old city hall
on North Lee Street and served as treasurer of the Monroe
County Arts Alliance.
Broad and deep in his knowledge, Williams was a vora
cious reader of history, politics, and fiction.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marsha Braddock
Williams; his brother David (Peggy) Williams and two
nephews, Aaron (Rachel) Williams and Ryan (Meredith)
Williams.
Visitation and a brief service will be on Saturday, April 2,
at 2 p.m. at the home, 76 Indian Springs Drive, Forsyth.
Donations in his memory may be made to Save-a-Pet,
P. O. Box 933, Forsyth, GA 31029 or to the Macon Rescue
Mission, 6601 Zebulon Road, Macon, Ga 31220.
Please visit www.monroecoimtymemorialchapel.com to
express tributes.
Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of ar
rangements.
Patrick Jason Gilbert
August 8.1979 - March 23. 2022
Patrick Jason Gilbert, age 42, of Forsyth
passed away Wednesday, March 23,2022,
at Lake Sinclair in Putnam County.
Mr. Gilbert was born in Griffin on Aug.
8,1979, to Elaine Gale Gilbert, and the
late Richard Aldine Gilbert Sr. Mr. Gilbert
followed in his fathers footsteps as a com
mercial fisherman and was a dedicated
father to his children.
Survivors include his mother, Elaine
Gilbert of Forsyth, his brother Richard Aldine Gilbert
Jr. of Forsyth, sister-in-law Joyce Diana Gilbert of Bold
Springs, Daughters: Hannah Irene Gilbert of Forsyth and
Rebecca Felice Gilbert of Forsyth, Sons: Jessie Ray Dobbs
of Forsyth and Richard Amon Gilbert of Forsyth.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m„ Saturday,
April 2,2022 at Paran Baptist Church.
Please visit www.monroecoimtymemorialchapel.com to
express tributes.
Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of ar
rangements.
Bryant Nelson Oxley
December 13,1970 - March 7, 2022
Bryant Nelson Oxley, 51, of Macon,
passed away on Monday, March 7,2022.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m.
on Saturday, March 12,2022, at Mount
Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, with the
Reverend Andy Oxford officiating. The
family greeted friends following the ser
vice in the Church sanctuary.
Bryant was born in Macon on Dec. 13,1970. He gradu
ated from Mary Persons High School, and then attended
Middle Georgia State University. He was a lifelong truck
driver and drove for many companies, including Frito Lay.
Bryant was a big fan of Georgia Tech football. He had two
best friends, his father, and his dog, Patches.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Jennie Oxley, of Roberta,
Georgia, children, Ben Oxley, of New Zealand, Zach
ary Oxley and Reagan Oxley, both of Roberta; father, Lee
Oxley, of Macon; sister, Kim Owens (Ronnie), of Macon;
brother, Lee “Dusty” Oxley (Mandi), of Martin, Ga.; sis
ters, Stacy Sales (Chris), of Clayton, and Stephanie Foskey
(Ricky), of Macon; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Nelson
Oxley; and twin brother, Brett Oxley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions maybe made
in Bryants honor to Bridges of Hope, at 74 C.L. Tucker
Drive, Chauncey, Georgia 31011.
Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.
Harts at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation
Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of
the arrangements.
William Maynard Watson
March 30.1939 - March 5, 2022
William Maynard Watson passed away
at his residence in Smithfield, Kentucky
on March 5,2022. He was born March 30,
1939 in Monroe County. He graduated from
Mary Persons High School in 1958 and
from Crandall Business College. He was
former Police Chief for the City of Byron
and City Marshal of Byron and served 11
years in the Army National Guard, Com
pany B, 161st Tank Bn. He was a member of the Lions
Club International, Rotary Club, Blue Knights of Geor
gia - Chapter XII, Kiwanis Club, GWRRA (Georgia and
Kentucky), Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Patriot Guard,
Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Peace Officers
Association of Georgia, Rolling Thunder Inc. of Georgia,
EXCHANGE America's service Club, and Mid Georgia
Gem and Mineral Society.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Renfroe Ed
ward Watson Sr. and Elizabeth Zellner Watson, of Forsyth.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Crystal “Chrys"
Watson; daughter, Dixie Wells (Keith); grandchildren,
Jordan Wells and Sydney Wells; siblings, Blanche Chap
man (Ray), Betty Pierson, Renfroe Watson Jr. (Phyllis),
Sam Watson (Nancy), Janette Gray and Wanda Fordham;
11 nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Byron Baptist
Church in Byron, GA, on April 14,2022, at 5 p.m. The
family will be accepting visitors before the service start
ing at 4:30pm. Following the service, the family will lay
Maynard to rest in Parkway Memorial Gardens.
MURDER
Continued from Front
sitting in the front seat of
the vehicle. Watts exited
the vehicle and depu
ties began a pat down
search. Watts then started
running and jumped
into Lake Juliette. He was
unable to swim and was
rescued by the deputies.
Watts was handcuffed.
Proctor was found
deceased in the Malibu.
Watts was taken to the
Monroe County Jail and
charged with Obstruc
tion of Law Enforcement,
Possession of a Firearm
During the Commission
of a Felony, Kidnapping,
Aggravated Assault, and
Murder. Anyone with
more information in the
case please contact Inv.
Marilynne Fitts at 478-
994-7287.
Inv. Alexander Daniels
of the Forsyth Police
Department said officers
went by their policy but
said Chief Eddie Har
ris would have to be the
one to comment on the
complaint and their ensu
ing internal investigation.
Daniels said Harris was
out sick on Tuesday but
would get back with the
Reporter on Wednesday,
after deadline.
KRIEGER
Continued from Front
to be removed from the home. There
he raped her, shot her in the head,
dragged her body into the woods,
covered it with some leaves and then
stole her car and left.
Meanwhile Kriegers foster family in
Covington had realized he was gone
and asked a female friend of Kriegers,
then-16-year-old Jennie Cook of
Covington, to text him because he
might respond to her. He did and
eventually on Sunday they spoke by
phone. Cook said Krieger was crying
and upset, admitting he had done
something really wrong.
“What?” asked Cook.
“I shot my aunt,” responded Krieger.
“Is she dead?” she asked.
“Yes,” replied Krieger.
Cook told her parents who called
the Newton County sheriff s office, a
call that eventually got to the Monroe
County sheriffs office as deputies
were alerted to go to Rogers’ home.
At about the same time, Krieger had
pulled over in Rogers’ stolen truck be
tween Columbia, S.C. and Charlotte,
N.C. and dialed 911, telling Chester
County (S.C.) authorities what he had
done as well. Krieger led South Caro
lina authorities to a construction site
where the murder weapon, Rogers’
discarded 9 mm, was found. Chester
County authorities interviewed him
there.
Monroe County investigator Allen
Henderson got to the scene Sunday
evening and found Rogers’ body
about 50 feet from the driveway and
covered with two hoodies and some
leaves and sticks. Her feet were tied
together and her shorts and under
wear were around her knees. Testing
confirmed that Krieger had raped her.
With Rogers’ two grown sons look
ing on, Zmuda spoke of how Kriegers
actions had caused the family untold
pain.
She noted that Tryeflue’s grandson
Elijah was born at the same time as
her funeral.
“He will never get to experience
the love his Mimi had for our family’
said Zmuda. “She was the rock of our
family in many ways. Tryeflue had an
open arms personality. Her heart was
full of life. Her smile was contagious.
She was a true ray of sunshine to be
around. Everyone who loved Tryflue
lost a piece of their heart.”
Zmuda said her sister should never
have had to experience the pain and
suffering she did.
“She deserves to be with all of us
who loved her enjoying life,” said
Zmuda. “I’ve experienced and
watched how much this has tom our
family up. Some of us have cried tears
of pain and sorrow every single day
since July 14,2019. This has been a
real life nightmare with no end to our
pain or questions in sight, if parole is
ever considered remember that Trye
flue was not given any mercy, and he
doesn’t deserve any either.”
Because he was 15, prosecutors
could not seek the death penalty.
After pleading guilty, Krieger won’t be
eligible for parole for at least 30 years.
Kriegers attorney Bruce Harvey of
Atlanta said there is remorse in the
hearts of everybody involved.
He said that even when he was only
1 yearsold, Krieger had been abused
and maltreated. He had to be re
moved from his birth home after suf
fering a broken clavicle and fractured
skull in his first year with bruises
all over. He suffered from learning
and behavioral difficulties and was
admitted to the the Happiness House
in Geneva, N.Y. as a boy to try to treat
his problems. He also spent a month
at Crested Pines in Stockbridge being
treated for bipolar depression. Harvey
said Krieger was in and out of foster
homes his entire childhood, and had
to be prescribed a range of anti-psy-
chotic and ADHD drugs.
“With remorse and apologies to the
family’ said Harvey, “it is all we can
do.”
Virgil Lamar Merritt
January 19,1948 - March 22, 2022
Mr. Virgil Lamar Merritt, age 74, of Jackson passed
away on Tuesday, March 22,2022, at Wellstar Spalding
Regional.
Virgil was born on Monday, Jan. 19,1948, in Atlanta to
the late Virgil Grace Merritt, Jr and Lena Elizabeth Brooks
Merritt. Along with his father, he was preceded in death
by his sisters, Ann Merritt and Mary Taylor. Virgil served
in the United States Army and the Vietnam war. He was
of Baptist Faith and liked to discuss politics. He worked
at the Monroe County Recycle Center. In his spare time,
he liked to play games on his phone and collect junk and
tinker.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rachael Merritt;
children, Buddy Merritt, Cindy Simmons, Melissa Merritt;
seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; mother,
Lena Merritt; sisters, Penny Merritt Hansknecht and Joan
Hall Merritt; several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Mr. Virgil Merritt was held on
Saturday, March 26, at Sherrell Memorial Chapel with Mr.
RudyMangham officiating. Friends may visit with the
family at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at
www.sherrell-westburyfuneralhome.com.
Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home, 212 E. College Street,
Jackson, GA, is serving the Merritt family.
Dennis Jerome Greer
June 1,1964 - March 26, 2022
Dennis Jerome Greer of Forsyth went home to be with
his heavenly Father on Saturday, March 26,2022. There is
no service scheduled at this time.
Dennis was born June 1,1964 in Morrow. His step
father, William Douglas Bowdoin preceded him in death.
He is survived by his mother, Beverly Bowdoin; sister,
Debbie Reeves (Bruce); brothers, Darrell Warren and
Jason White (Ana).
Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to
express tributes.
Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of ar
rangements.
Toriyahna Jalir Proctor
Funeral services for Toriyahna Jalir
Proctor will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday,
April 2,2022 in the Chapel of Jones
Brothers Mortuary, Macon. Inter
ment services will follow at Hopewell
United Methodist Church Cemetery,
436 Hopewell Road, Forsyth, GA.
Public viewing will be held from 11
a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, April 1 at Jones
Brothers Mortuary. Social distancing
and face masks will be mandatory.
Jones Brothers Mortuary has charge
of arrangements, 3035 Millerfield Road, Macon, GA
Willie Frank Jones
June 4,1952 - March 20, 2022
Mr. Willie Frank Jones (Slick) passed
on Sunday, March 20,2022. Graveside
services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, March
26th, 2022 at Hopewell United Method
ist Church, 436 Hopewell Road, Forsyth,
Georgia. Service will be Streamed Live
on our Facebook page.
Public viewing will be Friday, March
25th from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
Ludie Mae Bentley Lyons
January 14,1932 - March 20, 2022
Mrs. Ludie Mae Bentley Lyons passed
on Sunday, March 20,2022. Graveside
services will be 11:00 am Saturday, March
26th, 2022 at Monroe Hill Memorial
Gardens, 1010 West Main Street, Forsyth,
Georgia 31029. Revered Johnnie Jackson
officiating. Service is scheduled to be
Streamed Live on our Facebook page.
Public viewing will be Friday, March
25th from 2:00 pm to 6pm.
Barnesville Marble & Granite Company
Serving Middle Georgia for over 100 Years
Designers & Manufacturers
of Marble, Granite, &
Bronze Memorials
Since 1908
Georgia & Janice Moore
Authorized
Georgia Marble Dealer
Railroad & Main Street • Barnesville, GA • 770-358-1470
Call your local Monroe County representative
Scott Harrell
478-256-3586
or toll free: 800-551-1102
3250 Vineville Ave., Macon, GA 31208 r