The funeral services for the late Mrs. Marcella Hunter, who departed this life on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester, Georgia, will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. from the Shepard Memorial Garden Cemetery in Sylvester, Georgia. Minister Ronnie Allen will deliver the Eulogy. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the “Shipp's Funeral Home" Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.

Ms. Marcella Hunter, affectionately known as “Ceil” was born on May 23, 1959 to the late George and Mary V. Hunter in Hempstead, New York.

Marcella unexpectedly departed this life on July 30, 2023 at home in Sylvester, Georgia at the age of 64. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents George and Mary V. Hunter, her grandmother, Rosie Mae Johnson, and her great-grandmother, Nettie Hamilton.

Marcella graduated from Worth County High School in 1977. After high school, she worked at Worth County Hospital for several years. She later worked as a book keeper and accountant for Kings Provision and a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Albany Technical College with certifications in Computer Programming and Medical Billing and Coding with Honors in 2019.

Marcella was a beautiful and intelligent woman with many talents. She was an amazing cook and baker. Her cakes always sold out at charity event auctions for Tift Reginal Hospital. She was always there to lend a helping hand. She took care of those she loved and any one that needed help. She enjoyed volunteering and helping the homeless, and she always donated to the Bird’s Nest Thrift Store, which supports homeless and abused women with children in Tifton, Georgia. She had a big heart and great sense of humor. Everyone always mentions how funny she was and how she always made them laugh.

Marcella developed a love for gardening while caring for her ill mother. She found peace in her garden, and would spend hours tending to her plants and talking to God. Her small pots of seedlings blossomed and grew into a huge garden filled with every fruit and vegetable you can imagine. She loved teaching others about planting and giving tours of her garden. She followed God’s laws, statues and commandments and each season, God kept His Word (Deuteronomy 28) and He blessed her garden with much overflow, more than she and her family could eat. So, she shared the overflow with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Even after sharing her bounty, she had plenty left, so she learned canning and canned the fruits and veggies from her garden. Her garden provided food for many and brought her much joy. She loved spending her days in her garden with Yah and her furry body guard…her beloved dog, Blue.

Marcella was a loving and devoted mother. She always made time for daughter. They did everything together. She and Lacrisha were very close, and talked almost every day, sometimes for hours. They often took trips to Florida; Marcella loved the ocean and walking on the beach. She was a caring and attentive mom; she was always there when her child needed her. Always open to new experiences, she often encouraged her daughter and others to have an open mind and try to new things. She was brave, strong, and adventurous; these are qualities she instilled in her daughter. She told her daughter to read her Bible every day and learn the Word, and they attended Sabbath services together every Saturday. They are Mother and Daughter, but they were also best friends. She and her daughter truly cherished each other in this Life.

Marcella is survived by her “favorite” child, Lacrisha V. Johnson. She leaves behind her four siblings to cherish her memories: Marilyn Napier, Larry Johnson, Carolyn Johnson, and Rosemary Hunter; her loving nieces and nephews, Phillip (Jennifer) Napier, Kimberly Johnson, Lynstancia Napier, Matthew Johnson, Kovoski Brown, and Kamoski Johnson; her great nieces and nephews, Mykavious, Kentari, Zakarie, Bryce, twins Kim & Kandace, Lindsey III, Saniya, Azariah, Kingston, Malaysia, and Kynnedi; her best friend, Lizzie Smith and the Smith family, and many beloved cousins and family friends, whom she loved dearly.

Marcella will be greatly missed for her loving spirit and the kindness she showed to all.

From Lacrisha:

When you think of my Mother, remember the good things: the talks, the laughs, the love and hugs you shared with her. I pray your memories of her warm your heart and make you smile. May God be with you and may His presence give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.