Octavia Usher

ATHENS – Octavia Johnson Usher, 85, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at St. Mary’s Heritage Rehab of Athens.

She had been a resident of Heritage Healthcare of Old Capitol in Louisville for over 30 years before coming to Athens. Born on November 29, 1923, she was raised in Jefferson, Ga., in Jackson County, and was the daughter of the late Willie Lee and George W. Johnson. Mrs. Usher was preceded in death by her husband, Julius (Pony) Usher; a daughter, Willie Mae Usher; son, Paul Usher; brothers, Richard and James Johnson; and sisters, Odessa Newton and Lucy Wilson. She was a faithful member of St. Paul First Baptist Church in Jefferson, where she served on the Usher Board and other auxiliaries until her health failed her.

Survivors include a son, Jimmy Usher Sr.; companion, Amy Law, Arcade; daughter, Mattie K. Mizell, Ohio; sister, Sarah Rucker, Jefferson; granddaughters, Tracy Usher, Monica Mizell and Charlie Lavelle; grandsons, Jimmy Usher Jr., Andre Mizell and Jason Mizell; great-grandchildren, Katherina, Truman, William, Caroline, Raea, Kyra, Dylan, Asia, Koble and Tony; a great-great-grandchild, Jansen Usher; four step grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; two step great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives; and a very special friend, Robert Billings, Arcade.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 4, at Wimberly and Jackson Funeral Home in Gainesville with the Revs. Scotty Randolph and Roy Lee Tarpkins officiating.

Wimberly and Jackson Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.