Aretha Snelling Gudes

Mrs. Aretha Snelling Gudes departed from this life and entered into her new home on December 7, 2012 at Phoebe North Hospital in Albany, GA.  Aretha was born to the late Jim and Annie Snelling on October 13, 1927.  Aretha was married to the late Johnny McRoy and later married the late Ellis Gudes, Sr. Aretha joined Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church at an early age, where she served on the Usher Board until her health failed. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lois Alexander; son, Allen Gudes, Sr.; three brothers, Charlie Arthur, John C. Snelling, and Joseph Snelling; sister, Annie Mae Johnson; two grandchildren, Antwan and Tony; two brothers-in-law, George Holder, Sr. and Jerry Williams, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory eleven children: six sons, Johnny (Gladys) McRoy of Albany, GA, Jimmy McRoy of Valdosta, GA, Ellis Jr. (Gwen) Gudes of Moultrie, GA, Ricky Gudes of Columbus, GA, Charles (Carol) Gudes of Cuthbert, GA, Bobby (Tiffany) Gudes of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; five daughters, Naomi Bridges and Willie Ruth Slaughter (Darnell) both of Moultrie, GA, Annie Doris (Bobby) Conley of Albany, GA, Helen Gudes of Cuthbert, GA, Barbara (Shannon) Hanks of Edison, GA; three sisters, Elizabeth Snelling, Fannie Ruth Holder both of Albany, GA, Lillie Williams of Shellman, GA; four sisters-in-law, Margaret Williams of Edison, GA, Mary Snelling of Tallahassee, FL, Carrie Snelling and Maxine Snelling both of Miami, FL; forty-five grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.