Carlus Avery Haywood was born November 29, 1976 in Camilla, Georgia to the late Amber Kaye Haywood who died when he was just five years old.

He joined the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church on August 2, 1985.  Carlus graduated from Mitchell-Baker High School in 1995 and went on to attend Middle Georgia College on a basketball scholarship.

Carlus worked as a Corrections Officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections until his health failed.

He loved everything about the game of basketball.  In addition to having played, he coached AAU and recreational teams.  He was a devout San Antonio Spurs fan.

Carlus "retired" from the Game on Monday, May 30, 2016 at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

He is survived by two daughters:  Camryn Haywood and Anointed Haywood of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; his fiancee, Valorie West of Camilla, Georgia and her children with whom he had close bonds:  Montarrius West of Atlanta, Georgia, Derarus West of Meigs, Georgia, Jontrerius West, Shonticia West, Orkela Thomas all of Camilla, Georgia, and Grover Stewart, III.

He will forever be celebrated by his aunts:  Mary Jo Haywood ("his other mother" since he was five), Rita Haywood of Camilla, Georgia, Willie Carole Arline of Albany, Georgia; uncles:  Nathan "Jeff" Haywood of Camilla, Georgia, Cecil (Bessie) of Columbus, Georgia.

He is also remembered by two sisters:  Dr. Chanta Haywood Roberts (Gary) of Tallahassee, Florida and Monique Haywood of Camilla, Georgia; two brothers, Adrian Haywood (fiancee, Shantrell Harrison) of Morgan, Georgia, Sedrick "Fred Haywood" Hodge (Tracie) of Tallahassee, Florida; his other two "brothers":  Durriel Jackson of Charleston, South Carolina and Jerrold Jackson of San Antonio, Texas.

Carlus will also be remembered by his close cousins:  Anthony Lumpkin, Buffy Lumpkin, Terrance "Gil" Lumpkin, Temeika "MiMi" Jenkins, William Haywood, Kelvin Haywood, Jiana Haywood, Don Hawkins, Bridgett Bonaparte, Willie Bonaparte, Yolanda Bonaparte, Nicole Brimberry, Kasandra Robinson, Virgil Robinson, ShaQuanda Bryant, Jordan Roberts, Logan Roberts, and Kalen Roberts.

In addition, he is survived by many other loving family members and awesome friends, especially those in the club of former basketball Eagles.

Service Participants:

Reverend Charles Dorsey, pastor; Words of Comfort will be by Pastor Torrey Jackson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Former Mitchell-Baker High School Basketball Players.

Flower Attendants will be Mitchell-Baker High School Classes of 1993 and 1995.

Active Pallbearers will be Ja'Qion Sedrick "Fred" Hodge, Durreil Jackson, Jerrold "Bay" Jackson, Terrance "Gil" Lumpkin, Jontraius West, Montarrius West.