Hosea C. Mercer

The first celebration of life was on Tuesday, January 9, 1951, when Hosea Chester Mercer was born in Wisner, Louisiana. He is one of eight children of the late Ruther and Alberta (Simons) Mercer. On Friday, March 28, 2025, he departed this earthly life and transitioned to his everlasting life at the age of seventy-four. Hosea was raised in Joliet, Illinois with his siblings whom he loved dearly. It was in Joliet, Illinois where Hosea met and married his first wife, Betty where three children were born from the union: Lavelle, Perry, and Hosea Mercer, Jr. Through his sister around the year of 1983, He met and later married the love of his life, Sandra. They married in front of their friends, family, and children in June of 1985.

Hosea was known for his unconditional love for children and family, hardworking values, and kindness. At an early age Hosea received Christ as his personal savior. Hosea was well liked wherever he went. He could not help himself when he saw someone sad, he always extended a smile or joke. Hosea worked until he retired from local seventy-five as a carpenter assistant at Driesden Nuclear Plant. Hosea was a member of the Mason’s Ashby B. Carter #138 Al-Hamid Temple along with his brothers and father. Hosea affectionately known as “Pops” was an outdoors person. He loved hunting, fishing, and barbequing. Hosea resided most of his life in Joliet until 2018 when he moved to Jonesboro Georgia. Hosea had a great personality he made many friends in Georgia everyone was his buddy regardless of if he knew them for one day or over a thousand days. He was full of life and fun and was loved unconditionally by so many. Hosea may not have lived as long as we all wanted, but he lived, and he loved every bit of his life.

Hosea’s beautiful life was preceded in death by his parents: the late Ruther and Alberta Mercer; and his two beloved brothers: Henry Mercer and Ezell Mercer; his sister: Bertha Lee Polete; his two sons: Lavell Mercer and Perry Mercer; one grandson: Nicolas Mercer. Hosea “Pops” leaves to celebrate his life, his beloved wife Sandra of Jonesboro, his sister: Margarett Baines; three brothers: Nobie (Reginia) Mercer, Roy Mercer, and Paul Mercer all of Joliet, Illinois. His beloved sister Alberta (Wilford) Green of Houston Texas.

He leaves behind 5 children: Hosea (Mary) Mercer, Jr of Bakersville California; Kenneth (Taleasha) Davis of Joliet, Illinois; Heidi Mccullough and Clayton Ferguson both of Jonesboro, Georgia and Stephanie (Ricky) Boyd of Plainfield New Jersey and his beloved Aunt Marie of Powder Springs Georgia. He leaves behind over 24 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to join us in celebrating the life of Mr. Hosea Chester Mercer, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. The funeral services will be held Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Horis A. Ward - Fairview Chapel | 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. A visitation will take place prior to his life celebration, beginning at 10:00AM.