Historical Sketch
Missionary Society
of the
South Georgia Region
Annual Conference
Sixth Episcopal District

The Christian Methodist Church has a very unique background. It was organized in Jackson, Tennessee, December 15, 1870. The Bishop of the Methodist Church, South, together with such colored leaders as William H. Miles of Louisville, Kentucky: Richard Vanderhorst of Charleston, South Carolina; Lucius H. Holsey, of Sparta, Georgia; W. T. Bebee of Washington, North Carolina, and Issac Lane of Jackson, Tennessee, met on that date and organized the "Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America."  The first bishops elected were Bishops William H. Miles and Richard Vanderhorst. Due to the death of Bishop Vanderhorst in 1872, a call General Conference was held May 2, 1878 in Augusta, Georgia. It elected Bishops W.T. Bebee, L.H. Holsey, and Issac Lane.  In 1879 , at Americus, Georgia, the South Georgia Conference was organized under the leadership of Bishop L. H. Holsey.

Vigorously supporting the churches and districts were a group of loyal and dedicated ladies. The ladies manifested the Missionary spirit. Although a small band, their eagerness and zeal for a place to work in the church, led them to attend both District and Annual Conference activities. The character of the women, along with their desire to work in the church gained them respect and admiration of Bishop Holsey. He became their Chief.  Advocator and in 1894, at Fort Valley, Georgia, Bishop Holsey organized the Women's Missionary Society. Mrs. L. D. Mc McAfee, of the South Georgia Conference, was one of the chartered members of the Women's Missionary Society.  Our records do not show when the Women's Missionary Society was organized in the South Georgia Conference. However, we do know that Mrs. N. J. Patterson was elected as the Vice President. Mrs. Hudson served two years as Vice President and was then elected Conference President.  Mrs. L. D. Mc Afee was next elected Conference President. It has been said that Mrs. McAfee had, perhaps, more firsthand information about the Missionary Work of the C.M.E. than any person during her lifetime.  Mrs. Weeks followed Mrs. McAfee to the Presidency. After the death of Mrs. Weeks, Mrs. McAfee was again elected Conference President.  Following Mrs. McAfee were Mrs. Jerusha Luck; Mrs. Sarah Williams; Mrs. M.V. Herrington; and Mrs. Lula Montgomery of Thomasville, Georgia.  These ladies worked faithfully and rendered invaluable service.

However, the South Georgia Missionary Society continued to march on under the dynamic leadership of the following Conference Presidents:
Mrs. Mamie McRae Finney, McRae, Georgia
Mrs. Annie Coleman, Sylvester, Georgia
Mrs. Naomi Roberts, Damascus, Georgia
Mrs. Ruth Williams, Thomasville, Georgia
Miss Mattie Grimes, Damascus, Georgia  1982-1990
Mrs.  Lucy Hazel Dunn, Albany, Georgia  1990-1998
Mrs.  Marye Jones Wright, Albany, Georgia  1998-2006

Presently serving is Dr. Kim Ezekiel of Tifton, Georgia (since 2006).