Notable Births & Deaths for Americus ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Americus. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

• Jimmy Carter     (39th President of the US (1977 - 1981))
  • Full name: James Earl Carter, Jr.
  • He was born in Plains (GA) on October 1, 1924 (a Wednesday)
  • Plains is located 10 miles [16.1 km] to the west of Americus.
• Rosalynn Carter     (Wife and First Lady to the Presidency of Jimmy Carter (1977 - 1981))
  • She was born in Plains (GA) on August 18, 1927 (a Thursday)
  • Plains is located 10 miles [16.1 km] to the west of Americus.
• Edward Kramer 'Eddie' Emerson     (Professional football)
  • He was born in Cordele (GA) on March 11, 1892 (a Friday) and died in Ottawa (ON) on January 27, 1970 (a Tueday) at the age of 77. He is buried at Beechwood Cemetery (City of Ottawa, Ontario).
  • Cordele is located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the east of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Edward Kramer 'Eddie' Emerson<1>
• Joshus 'Josh' Gibson     (Negro League Baseball)
  • He was born in Buena Vista (GA) on December 21, 1911 (a Thursday) and died in Pittsburgh (PA) on January 20, 1947 (a Monday) at the age of 35. He is buried at Allegheny Cemetery (Allegheny County, Pennsylvania).
  • Buena Vista is located 24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Joshus 'Josh' Gibson<1>
• Walter Hiers     (Actor)
  • He was born in Cordele (GA) on July 18, 1893 (a Tueday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on February 27, 1933 (a Monday) at the age of 39. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) (Los Angeles County, California).
  • Cordele is located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the east of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Walter Hiers<1>
• Marion Motley     (Professional football)
  • He was born in Leesburg (GA) on June 5, 1920 (a Saturday) and died in Cleveland (OH) on June 27, 1999 (a Sunday) at the age of 79.
  • Leesburg is located 23 miles [37 km] to the south of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Marion Motley<1>
• Otis Redding     (Singer, songwriter, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee)
  • He was born in Dawson (GA) on September 9, 1941 (a Tueday) and died in Madison (WI) on December 10, 1967 (a Sunday) at the age of 26. He is buried at Big O Ranch Redding Family Estate Grounds (Jones County, Georgia).
  • Dawson is located 24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Otis Redding<1>
• Joe Williams     (Singer)
  • Born: Joseph Goreed
  • He was born in Cordele (GA) on December 12, 1918 (a Thursday) and died in Las Vegas (NV) on March 29, 1999 (a Monday) at the age of 80. He is buried at Palm Eastern Cemetery (Clark County, Nevada).
  • Cordele is located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the east of Americus.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Joe Williams<1>