Loved Ones, Not Numbers!
Georgia has experienced one of the highest COVID-19 death rates per capita in the world — over 5,400 deaths…and counting!!
On August 27, 2020, the Loved Ones, Not Numbers Memorial Wall, was unveiled at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
The wall displays 5,000 broken hearts symbolizing the victims of COVID-19 in Georgia. A shattering reminder that those who have died are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandpas, aunts and uncles, neighbors and friends.
They are Loved Ones, Not Numbers!
Visit the Memorial Wall located on the plaza of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW, Atlanta GA 30313
Please bring a permanent marker if you wish to claim a heart and write a message to a lost loved one.
If you have lost a loved one in Georgia to COVID, share their picture and name and a remembrance to our online memorial by clicking here.
Gone Too Soon...
Our mom was a lover of life and people. She truly was the life of the party! Her family and friends meant everything to her. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed her.
She loved traveling to visit family and cooking. She constantly professed that "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"! She will be missed as a Beloved Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Aunt & Friend.
OUR MOM WAS A BEAUTIFUL MOTHER WITH A KIND HEART. HER PRESENTS WILL BE MISSED. Her Department will go on but she will be missed. Some Individuals can never be replaced! She was a woman of great faith, endless smiles, and happiness. Her passing is just unbelievable, she had such a beautiful spirit & she loved her family, she didn't meet any strangers!! SHE WAS FULL OF LIFE! SHE HAD PLANS ON LIVING HER BEST LIFE, WHEN SHE RETIRED NEXT YEAR.
I would like the world to know that she was a strong loving woman and she not only loved her family but everyone she met. She was very much loved and is missed by all.
Our Pleasant William Wesley was the father of 11 kids (same Mother) & the husband of only 1 wife (Hazel Wesley) for 71 years. He was an entrepreneur owning several businesses in spite of only having attending the 1st grade of school. Pleasant was an active committee member which includes but not limited to; USDA Farm Services Agency, member of FSA (Farm Services Agency Minority Advisor), REA "Agriculture- environmental & Consumer Protection, Future Farmers of America, Original member of NAACP of Wrightsville, Ga, an elite member of Johnson County Road Commission of which he retired twice. He was recently awarded Conservationist (Soil & Water) of the Year for Central Georgia.
The membership that stands out most is his membership in the Heavenly Kingdom. Pleasant joined the church & gave his life to Christ at the age of 12 and anyone that came in contact with him believed the same. We the family must now take joy in knowing that Daddy not only knew the Lord but he served and loved him. We are who we are because of who, Dad was in Chris. We do not mourn without hope for we have no doubt, Daddy is at peace & he is resting with the Master!!
The membership that stands out most is his membership in the Heavenly Kingdom. Pleasant joined the church & gave his life to Christ at the age of 12 and anyone that came in contact with him believed the same. We the family must now take joy in knowing that Daddy not only knew the Lord but he served and loved him. We are who we are because of who, Dad was in Chris. We do not mourn without hope for we have no doubt, Daddy is at peace & he is resting with the Master!!
Jimmy was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. We had been married for 53 years. he was a hard worker and retired from Southwire in Carrollton, GA after 39 years of services.
He was in a nursing and rehab facility for therapy for other health problems. He was improving and was looking forward to coming home when he tested positive for Covid-19. He was at Tanner Health Systems in Carrollton for a week before he passed away. His family was not able to be with him and that has made dealing with his death harder for us.
My mother Carolyn Russell was a sweetheart she would give you her last, and wouldn't complain about it. She was my mother my best friend, she loves to shop at Kroger, food depot, and family dollar. But she will also tell you when you're wrong and where to get on and off and the next day she will love you. I miss my mother.
Lucy always had a smile for anyone who visited her in the nursing home in Cuthbert. Her room was full of cardinals and all things purple. She loved her family dearly especially her nephews who called her Nu-Nu. She also loved the Lord. She will be greatly missed.
Mommy was a gift. And on Mother’s Day 2018, our mother gave us the best gift ever: she packed up the only life she had known in Maryland (for over 40 years) and finally moved to Atlanta to be with her girls. A supportive, loving, and caring thread in the fabric of our life, our mother has always been present to create memories, celebrate accomplishments, and spend holidays with her girls and grandgirls. Not to mention, she was one of the best home cooks ever and was looking forward to starting her own catering company. We thought we had more time and it’s heartbreaking to know that she is no longer here with us physically, but her girls will find purpose in this pain and her spirit will continue to live in and through us! Now, that’s our present to her.
Our Father John was a True Man of God and a Faithful Servant. He was a loving and devoted husband to our mother for over 47 years. He also was an amazing father to his 6 children and fun PaPa to all his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. He really enjoyed life and was always very outgoing! He loved playing cards, listening to music singing, traveling, and watching basketball and the Lakers were his favorite team! Our Dad's love was unconditional and this is something we will cherish from his character – and take with us forever. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We love you forever! Rest well and we will meet again!
Glenn's heart belonged to his daughter, Selena. He was was my big brother and protector. Glenn loved his sisters and his niece, Loren very much. He was a quiet guy, a thinker, and educated and had a good heart for his family and friends from childhood to adulthood. Glenn was the third of four children from Ella and Odilia Barrett Gilbert (USAF Retired).
Femi was a beloved daughter, twin sister, niece, cousin, entrepreneur and visual artist. Femi held many occupations over her lifetime, but being an artist was her biggest passion. She was the owner of the Renaissance Art Café in Albany, Ga. Femi brought paint parties and Young African American Artwork to schools and art galleries. Every year, Femi would sponsor the "Children of the Dream" art exhibit. Femi received many accolades, and her last honor was on February 25, 2020 by the Albany African American Honors. Femi was a pillar of her community, and she dedicated her life to helping artists reach their full potential.
He Was A Renowned Cristian Giving His Life To Christ & A Family Man. He Was An Influence On Everyone He Came In Contact With Leaving Behind His Family In St.Crois V.I. And Atlanta, Ga He Will Be Greatly Missed.
My mom was a kind and beautiful person inside and out. She loved life with her family and friends. She loved meeting new people. She was hearing impaired and was always excited to teach people sign language so that they could communicate with her and others like her. She was so excited to welcome into the world her 1st great-granddaughter and was planning to teach her how to sign as well. She loved her family, friends, church and community. She is and always will be loved by all that she touched.
My father was a generous, kind hearted and humble man who inspired many people. He was one of the first black teachers to integrate the Clayton County school system and was passionate about teaching. He kept in touch with many of the students he taught up until his death. He loved his family, enjoyed golf and pool and was the father of 4 daughters and 4 grandsons. He was married to his college sweetheart, Alvanese for 55 years.
Our father Lindsey McDaniel Jr. was 86 years young and still very independent. He had a daily routine, which he adopted since the passing of his wife Mary in 2017. They were married for 59 years. He was admitted to the hospital in early March for tests to determine why he had weakness in his legs. The doctors cleared him of all possibilities, and decided to send him to a nursing home in Cartersville for physical therapy. One he arrived, he told us he was feeling better and the staff was working him out on the track twice a day. He was in good spirits, because he knew he was close to returning home. On April 2, we spoke to him on the phone and he said he was feeling lousy. The nurse called us later that evening and stated he tested positive for Covid 19 and that he had contracted the virus from someone at the nursing home. They isolated him in their facility and treated the symptoms, but after a week he didn't make any improvement. On April 9, they decided to transfer him back to the hospital where he was immediately placed on a ventilator in ICU. After several days of positive reports, things took a turn for the worse, according to the doctor. He passed away on Sunday morning, April 19, at 9:55am. Our dad was a community leader and well respected in Cartersville. He is definitely not a number in regards to this virus. We believe he had a lot of life left in him, regardless of his age. So please forgive us for not settling for the cliche,” well he lived a long life"....yes he did but he had more to live.
Edgar V. Lewis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was the first African-American to fly as pilot in command in the B-52 aircraft. He had a stellar military career, was an avid golfer and loved lecturing to young people about considering aviation as a career. He enjoyed 90 years on this earth. We love you Dad!
Mama raised her 5 children with great love and compassion. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the feeling was mutual. She was a faithful daughter, caring for her parents until their deaths. She was incredibly close to her brother and never truly got over losing him. Mama was an amazing sister and the best friend anyone could ever ask for. All of her nieces and nephews loved her dearly and each had their own special relationship with her. She worked hard to take care of us and still kept her home immaculate and hot meals cooked. Mama was strong, wise, loving, caring, funny, and gentle. She left a lasting impression on everyone whom she met. I am honored and truly privileged that God chose me to be her daughter. I love and miss my mama more than mere words could ever express.
My mother was the kindest person she would give anybody anything. She loved animals and in lieu of flowers we ask that everybody donate to the Forsyth no kill shelter which is where she will be honored with a plaque. She went through open heart surgery at the beginning of the pandemic and was battling to come back from that when her primary care doctor informed us she was dying from covid-19 just a week after she got home from open heart surgery. It devastated our family to lose such a loved one but God always calls the special ones home first
Charles Slaughter was a devoted and loving Husband, Father, and GrandPa whose larger than life personality lit up every room he entered.
My mom was the best mother and "granny." She never met a stranger. She will forever be loved and missed
She was a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit that loved everyone. Nancy never met a stranger and could brighten your day with her smile and laugh. Nancy was every true meaning of a big sister and friend.
My mother was not only my mother she was my best friend; she had a heart of gold. She was a very sweet and loving person. I love and miss you mommy.
Chuck was an awesome man inside and out. Loves his friends and family. He never complains. We thank God he loaned him to us. We miss him dearly.
Ms. Jenese White, 75, passed Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Our community lost a pillar. She was the mother to her four children and nine grandchildren. But she was “Mother,” to all! A special gift to hundreds, she shared selflessly her God, love, prayer, her church, and her cooking to everyone in her path.
My Grandmother was the sweetest loving person I ever knew to walk this earth. My grandmother lived to help children of all ages. She never met a stranger and loved each and every child as if they were her own. Her memory, love, and wisdom will forever live on in our hearts.
Dorothy Beard McGirt, affectionately known as Aunt Dot to her nieces and nephews, was born in Franklinton, North Carolina. She was a proud graduate of North Carolina Central College and moved to Atlanta in 1954 where she taught at Grady and Howard High Schools for over 40 years. Though she never had children of her own, she inspired and touched the lives of hundreds of her students. She was a Golden Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and a member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed travel, entertaining, and playing Bridge with her closest friends.
A loving Mother, Nana, sister, and friend was taken by this horrible virus. My mother was living her best life before the virus. She loved the beach, mountains, spending time with her family and collecting antiques. She is DEEPLY missed and we are heartbroken and feel this could have been prevented.
You will be missed!
My Brother Was A Very Kind Man, He Served His Country In United States Marine Corps.He Was Also A Loving Husband, Father, And Brother And Will Be Truly Missed.
He loved life and people. He always had a smile and a joke. He faced problems head-on with courage and grace. He is greatly missed.
On August 14, 2020 the world lost an angel. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and great friend. She loved her family and was always there for them. She loved the Lord and her church family. She served her community as a nurse. She loved helping others. She will be missed by many.
Pam loved God and loved helping others. She prayed for everyone who ever crossed her path. She loved with her whole heart as only she knew how. Her legacy is her strong undying faith in God and desire to lead others to Him.
My dad was a loving and caring person. He lived his life the best he knew how and enjoyed being around people. He was a hard worker, he didn’t miss too many days of work his entire career. He would help anyone who needed it no questions asked. I miss my dad everyday. This shouldn’t have happened. People shouldn’t lose loved ones this way.
Every now and then someone comes along who makes everyone feel they are special. Every now and then we are reminded that it is ordinary people not just politicians but ordinary people who make our community better. Dr BJ McBride was one of them.
She was about her family, her church and be it as a teacher, Director of Guidance Services, assisting with the Key Club, Jack & Jill, or the Beautillion Ball, BJ was always about the kids. 12/24/48-08/15/2020. I'm reminded of an excerpt from a poem and here is a portion of that excerpt. "The dash between the dates represents all the time we spend alive on earth and now only those who loved us know what that little dash is worth. It matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spent our dash"
She was about her family, her church and be it as a teacher, Director of Guidance Services, assisting with the Key Club, Jack & Jill, or the Beautillion Ball, BJ was always about the kids. 12/24/48-08/15/2020. I'm reminded of an excerpt from a poem and here is a portion of that excerpt. "The dash between the dates represents all the time we spend alive on earth and now only those who loved us know what that little dash is worth. It matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spent our dash"
Selwyn was a family man and a Christian, who gave his life to Christ. He was an influence on everyone he came in contact with. He leaves behind his family in St.Crois V.I. and Atlanta, GA. He will be greatly missed.
My husband of 26 years, Paul Osterman, was not just death number 6 in Chatham County. He was an accomplished man who believed in his country, and contributed to his community. He worked at Armstrong University, Chatham County Sheriff''s Department, and Wesley Oaks Methodist Church. He was an amazing piano player, who was a theater accompanist for decades. He played locally for Savannah Repertory Theater, Savannah Stage Company, and also in high-school musical pits. He left two sons, two rescue dogs, and many family members/ friends who loved him.
Have you lost a loved one in Georgia to Covid-19?
Share their name and information so we can make sure they are remembered and honored.