Rev. Manzie T. Broxton I

Rev. Manzie T. Broxton I, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Tennille Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Manzie T. Broxton, II officiating. Interment was held at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.

Rev. Manzie T. Broxton, I was born on January 29, 1957 to the parentage of the late Mr. Henry and Mrs. Marjorie Reggler Broxton of Bamberg, South Carolina. He departed this life on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.

At an early age, Rev. Broxton accepted Christ and was baptized at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Bamberg, South Carolina. Later, after spending time in Georgia, he joined St. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Sandersville, Georgia where he served as pastor for twenty-one (21) years.

Rev. Broxton attended the public schools in Bamberg, South Carolina, where he was a 1974 graduate of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army. After four (4) years of service, he relocated to Sandersville, Georgia. He continued his education at Georgia College and State University located in Milledgeville, Georgia where he received a Masters of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision. He then continued to further his education at Georgia Southern University, where he received his Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership in Statesboro, Georgia. Rev. Broxton retired from the Washington County Public Schools System (WCPSS) in 2015 after obtaining thirty four and a half (34.5) years of creditable service. During his tenure with WCPSS, Rev. Broxton served in the following capacities: math teacher, football coach, basketball coach, baseball coach, softball coach, sponsor of various clubs, assistant principal, CTAE director and principal. In his spare time, Rev. Broxton also officiated various GHSA and recreation level sports.

In 1995, Rev. Broxton became the first African American to be employed as a Magistrate Judge in Washington County. Later in 2020, he made history yet again by being elected as the first African American to serve as Chief Magistrate Judge. Rev. Broxton was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Free and Accepted Masons PHA and AMVETS Post 110. Despite his accomplishments and career achievements, Rev. Broxton’s favorite position and role was that as the pastor of St. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. He served God and his church faithfully for twenty-one (21) years, in sickness and in health.

Rev. Broxton met and married Ms. Brenda Jean Hagans and they were blessed with two sons: Christopher D. Horn and Manzie T. Broxton, II. They later adopted their nephews, Ricky Cooper and Rickardo Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Mrs. Brenda Jean Hagans Broxton, his brother: Mr. Henry D. Broxton, Jr., his sister: Ms. Mary A. Broxton and his godmother: Ms. Virginia Jackson.

Rev. Broxton leaves to mourn his passing, two sons: Mr. Christopher (Janice) Horne, Mr. Manzie (Ashley) Broxton, II of Sandersville, Georgia; six grandchildren: Courtney Davis-Broxton, Kylan Horne-Bryant, Shaniah Mearidy, Keyleigh Holt, Madison Broxton, Kelsey Broxton; brother: Mr. Willie J. “Scooby” Broxton of Bamberg, South Carolina; three aunts: Ms. Mary S. Robinson of Bamberg, South Carolina, Ms. Sheldonia Hubbard of Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Josephine Robinson of Slocomb, Alabama; one uncle: Mr. James “Bubba” Robinson of Hempstead, New York; two dedicated nieces: Ms. Taqulla Downing, Ms. Angel Broxton both of Bamberg, South Carolina; godfather: Mr. William Jackson of Sandersville, Georgia; three godchildren: Mr. Mark (Cara) Smith of Milledgeville, Georgia, Ms. Bianca Wansley, Mr. Braden Wansley both of Sandersville, Georgia; two sisters-in-law: Mrs. Tessie (Robert) Bowman of Augusta, Georgia, Mrs. Tonya Hagans– Briscoe of Ladson, South Carolina; two brothers-in-law: Mr. Anthony (Diane) Hagans of Sandersville, Georgia, Mr. Thomas (Mary) Hagans of Tennille, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. M. C. Smith Funeral Home in charge.