Deacon Amos Sermons, 99, of Palatka, transitioned from this earthly life to eternal life with Christ on Monday, February 21, 2011 at Palatka Health Care Center following a brief illness. A native of Lowndes County (Hahira), Georgia, he was the son of Johnnie Benjamin & Eliza Jane (Lucas) Sermons, born Tuesday, February 20, 1912. He was educated in the Lowndes County (Mineola) Georgia School District. He accepted Christ in his life at an early age and attended Rock Hill Church of God in Christ and Galatia Baptist Church. He had a strong work ethic which was instilled in him from his childhood by his parents while working on a farm. In 1931, as a teenager, he moved to Palatka to live with his cousins, Horace and Cora Sermons. In 1932, he was employed by the Citys Ice Pant delivering ice to countless homes. On December 19, 1937, he united in holy matrimony to the former Bessie Williams (who preceded him in eternal rest on May 30, 2009 following 71 years of marriage.) In May 1940, he joined Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. F. R. Mathis and in 1942 he was ordained as a deacon and served many years on the Ushers Ministry. Deacon Sermons served as the secretary of the Deacons Ministry who issued the pastoral call from Shiloh to longtime pastor, Reverend James A. Wright who served Shiloh for nearly 50 years.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by siblings, Beatrice S. Alderman, Naomi S. Merrell, Zenovious S. Stripland, Inell S. Darring, Robert Sermons, J. B. Sermons, Clarence V. Sermons and Isaac Sermons. His sister-in-law, Pauline Williams transitioned into eternal rest fourteen hours subsequently that same day.

To cherish his memories: Brother: Elder Arletha (Gladys) Sermons, Hahira, GA; sisters-in-law, Arizona Sermons, Hahira, GA; Deloris Williams, Jacksonville; Two sons (nephews they reared from infancy), Renard Renny (Gayle) Harrison, St. Augustine; Wilbert Sonny (Gail) Williams, Fayetteville, NC; Devoted nieces & nephews (caregivers), Mae Thelma Frazier, Esicena Karen Walker, Rosa Vickers, Joyce Ann Hendrieth, Bill Jeffery Fells, Renard Harrison, Jr., and William Eugene Fells; 12 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and sorrowing friends, especially the Deacons of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, February 25, at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 1000 N. 19th Street, Palatka, Rev. Anthony Q. Robinson Sr., Pastor.

A united Homegoing Celebration with his sister-in-law, Pauline Pearl Williams will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 26, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor. Reverend Anthony Q. Robinson, Sr., is the eulogist. The cortege will assemble at 1:20 p.m. Saturday at the Sermons family residence, 1012 Dunham Street, Palatka.

Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.