Progressive Funeral Home

10/17/2026

Cecelia S. Howard, 61, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of professional distinction, musical artistry, faith, and unconditional love.

Born in Greensboro, Georgia, to Creola Harris Howard and the late Edward B. Howard, Cecelia was raised in Columbus and graduated from Hardaway High School in 1983. A lifelong scholar, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Health Administration degree from Columbus State University, followed by a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University. She proudly served as Chief Assistant Solicitor General of Muscogee County, Georgia, and was affiliated with the Columbus Bar Association, Fountain City Bar Association, and formerly the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers.

Cecelia was a proud member of the Columbus, Georgia Al Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. A devoted member of First African Baptist Church, she also shared her extraordinary musical gifts as Minister of Music at Carver Heights Presbyterian Church. A gifted musician and vocalist, she touched countless lives through her faith, talent, and vibrant spirit.

Known for her effervescent personality, infectious laughter, remarkable intellect, and generous heart, Cecelia had a rare ability to brighten every room and forge lasting connections. Her influence extended throughout the legal profession, church, sorority, and community.

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Creola H. Howard; sister, Cherie H. Elcock, and brother-in-law, Marco Elcock; brother, Corwin A. Howard; niece, Carrington Elcock; nephews, Darious Matthew Howard and Camden Edward Howard; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren; and numerous relatives and dear friends.

Cecelia’s life was a beautiful symphony of service, sisterhood, faith, music, and love. Though her voice is now silent, her melody will forever resonate in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The Homegoing Celebration for Ms. Cecelia Howard "CeCe" will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church, with interment at Green Acres Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at First African Baptist Church on Sunday beginning at 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with an Omega Omega Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.

09/03/2026

08/14/2026

Mr. Rendell N. Thrower passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the age of 68. He was born on June 8, 1958, to Alfair Johnson and the late John Thrower, Jr., in Orangeburg, SC.

The Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Thrower will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 11:30 am at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, with interment at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Lewis Memorial.

07/09/2026

Progressive, wants to announce the passing of Coach B.C. Carswell, Jr. He has been a part of the Progressive Family for many years and will be truly missed!

Coach Carswell passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the age of 87. He was born on May 22, 1939, to the late Boast Cephas Carswell, Sr., and Viola Davis Carswell in Atlanta, GA.

The Homegoing Celebration for Coach Carswell will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James AME Church with interment at Green Acres Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Progressive.

03/16/2026

NOTICE REGARDING ONLINE OBITUARY LISTINGS

Progressive Funeral Home has recently been made aware of an issue involving obituary listings appearing on third-party websites, including Legacy.com and some search engine results, where certain obituaries are incorrectly attributed to the wrong funeral home.
Please be assured that Progressive Funeral Home continues to serve families in our community as we always have. If you see an obituary online that appears to reference Progressive Funeral Home but lists another funeral home as the publisher, this is the result of a technical listing error on external obituary websites and is currently being addressed with those providers.
Progressive Funeral Home has not changed ownership, has not closed, and remains fully operational and committed to serving families with the same care and dignity our community has trusted for generations.
For the most accurate and up-to-date obituary information, we encourage families to view memorials on our official website www.progressivefuneralhome.com or contact our office at (706) 685-8023 if you have any questions.

Thank you for your understanding.

Progressive Funeral Home is a full service facility located in Columbus Ga.

10/11/2024

🚨 Important Scam Alert for Our Families 🚨

At Progressive Funeral Home, your trust and security are our top priorities. It has come to our attention that scammers have been spoofing our business contact information and impersonating insurance agents to deceive families.

Recently, a family was contacted by someone pretending to be an insurance agent, claiming their funeral insurance policies were behind on premium payments and demanding immediate payment via CashApp. This is a SCAM. We want to remind you:

✅ We will NEVER ask for payments via CashApp, Venmo, or other instant payment services.

✅ Insurance companies typically will not call for late payments. Instead, they deduct from your existing premiums if needed.

✅ Always verify any communication regarding insurance or policies by contacting us directly at 706.685.8023.

✅ Be cautious of unsolicited calls asking for immediate payments.

If you receive any suspicious calls, please hang up and call us directly to confirm the legitimacy. Help us protect our community by sharing this message with your loved ones.

Stay safe and vigilant!
— The Progressive Funeral Home Team

04/17/2024

Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Ret.) Carter Smyre, Jr., passed away quietly Friday at Piedmont Columbus Regional-Midtown at the blessed age of 98. He was the father of former Georgia State Representative and Dean of the House Calvin Smyre. A native of Griffin, GA and the son of the late Carter Smyre, Sr., and Selma Tinsley Smyre, Mr. Smyre retired from the U.S. Army after over 24 years of service. He considered his graduation in 1962 from the Aviation School at Fort Rucker, AL as one of his greatest accomplishments during his military tenure. After his military career ended, he became an entrepreneur, owning the Smyre Realty Company. In 1985, then Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed him to the Georgia Residential Financial Authority. Among his civic organizations, he was a member of the Moderns Club, and the Pathseekers Civic and Social Club. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Mildred Bass Smyre, a daughter, Gwendolyn Smyre Foster and a granddaughter, Theresa R. Smyre Roundtree.
Other than his son, Calvin, he is survived by his wife, P.J. Glover; four grandchildren, Robbie F. Branscomb (Roderick), Robert Foster, Sr., Francine Foster and Claudia "Rudie" Valrie; ten great grandchildren, Olivia Foster, Jeremiah Branscomb, Kimberly Golden-Foster, Yuna Golden-Foster, Lydia Foster, Robert Foster, Jr., Terry Javon Roundtree, Morgan Roundtree, Tatiana Foster and Mallorie Foster; three great great grandchildren, Jaliya Golden, Kalani Golden and Alora F. Scott; The Glover Family and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mr. Smyre will be laid to rest with full military honors at Main Post Cemetery, Ft. Moore, GA on Friday, April 19, 2024 following a Twelve O'clock Noon Homegoing Celebration in the sanctuary of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1330 Talbotton Rd, Columbus, GA 31901. Visitation is 2:00 til 6:00 PM Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Progressive Funeral Home 4235 St. Mary's Road, Columbus, GA 31907. Online condolences and guest book signing may be made at progressivefuneralhome.com. The Progressive Staff is privileged to serve the Smyre Family.

03/28/2023

Progressive Funeral Home in Columbus respectfully announces the passing of James Sherry Jones, Jr. on March 26, 2023.