Author: Staff Reports

Last week’s federal drug trafficking operation in Coffee and surrounding counties, dubbed Operation Sandy Bottom, resulted in the arrests of 28 suspected drug traffickers. It has been called the Southern District’s most successful illegal drug investigation. Among those arrested were some of the alleged biggest suppliers of a variety of illegal drugs in the area. Four individuals, the photos of whom can be seen above, remain at large: Marquis Jacques, Leo Lee Vonza Pender, Antion Dewayne Byrd, and James Lamar McGinty. One suspect, Gloria Jean Vickers, is hospitalized with COVID-19 in a Middle Georgia facility. She will be taken into…

Lucille Teston Jowers, age 85, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Vista Park. Mrs. Jowers was born on December 7, 1935 in Coffee County, Georgia the daughter of the late Clinton and Ida Mae Perry Teston Sr. Mrs. Jowers retired after 26 years with Concerted Services as a Life Skills Technician and attended Southview Church of God. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two children, Joe Jowers and Darlene Jowers. Survivors include daughter, Gail Jowers of Douglas, GA; son, Steve Jowers of Douglas, GA; five grandchildren, Justin Justice (Susan)…

Mr. Frank Monroe Hutcheson, age 97 of Douglas, passed away early Sunday morning, January 10, 2021 at The Landings following a short illness. Mr. Hutcheson was born March 21, 1923 to the late Sammie Hutcheson and the late Addie Johnson Hutcheson. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by Lucille Hutcheson, Mother of his only daughter, Jane Carver; sisters, Pauline Parsons, Ann Sweat and Sallie Swinehart; brother, J H Hutcheson; and step-daughter, Sylvia Carr. Mr. Hutcheson, a native of Coffee County, was self-employed in the dirt hauling business for many years. He was a United States Veteran of…

Richard William Hickerson, age 84, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hickerson was born on October 13, 1936 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of the late Houston Hickerson and Dorothy Burns Hickerson. Mr. Hickerson retired from the United States Army National Guard after 26 years of service serving during the Korea War and Desert Storm. Mr. Hickerson was a member of Douglas First Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley June Rogers Hickerson and a brother, Rodney Hickerson. Survivors…

Mrs. Janice Marie “Byrd” Wolters, 71 of Coffee County, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. She is the daughter of the late James Ivey Byrd and Florence Byrd Crews. Mrs. Wolters is survived by her husband, Carl Wolters of Douglas, GA. Sons: Stephen Wolters, Philip Wolters and John Wolters. Daughter: Carla Wolters Brothers: Jim Byrd and Dean Byrd. Sister: Julia Snyder. Seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will take place Friday January 15, 2021 at Morningside Baptist Church Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the…

Mr. James Lewis “Jimmy” Gillis, age 77 of Willacoochee, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton following an extended illness. Survivors include: Wife: Latrell Gillis of Willacoochee, Ga. Son: Michael Gillis and wife Brianna of Willacoochee, Ga. Daughters: Cindy Dillingham and husband Neil of Willacoochee, Ga. Rhonda Douglas and husband Fred, Jr. of Willacoochee, Ga. Sister: Shirley Pope and husband Clifford of Axson, Ga. Grandchildren: Clayton Dillingham and wife Dorie, Casey Dillingham, Quinton Dillingham, Rebecca Crowder and husband Chris, Rachel Douglas, and Morgan Gillis. Great-grandchildren: Hadley Anne…

Mr. Larry C. Metts, age 84 of Powder Springs, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at Wellstar Community Hospice in Austell following an extended illness. Survivors include: Wife: Maggie Vickers Metts of Powder Springs, Ga. Son: Kipp Metts and wife Beverly of Powder Spings, Ga. Daughter: Dana Simmons and husband Scott of Powder Springs, Ga. Grandchildren: Joshua Metts, Nathaniel Metts, Stephanie Lindell and husband Jaron, and Sean Simmons. Great grandchildren: Amberly Metts, Ryan Metts, and Blayklee Lindell. Several other relatives also survive. Mr. Metts is preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Kaylee…

Yesterday, agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested three individuals and are searching for a fourth in relation to a home invasion that turned fatal in Jeff Davis County on Monday evening. On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, the GBI arrested Kegan B. Bennett, 39, of Hazlehurst, for Felony Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery; Denver L. Wooten, 18, of Hazlehurst, for Felony Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery; and Verlyttia Ivory, 32, of Hazlehurst, for Felony Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Cruelty to Children 2nd Degree. An arrest warrant has been issued for Douglas L. Wooten, 39, of Hazlehurst, for…

On December 4, 2020, Coffee County deputies responded to a call about a possible child molestation. A detective with the Coffee County Criminal Investigations Division responded. Investigators have charged Carlos Morales, 30, of Douglas with child molestation. Morales had been arrested earlier in December by investigators with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division after an investigation into a previous accusation of child molestation. In that case Morales was charged with aggravated child molestation and three counts of child molestation. He was denied bond by the Coffee County Magistrate Judge in that case and was in the Coffee County…

Michael Anthony Bryan, age 49, of West Green, Georgia passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021, at Shands Hospital, Jacksonville, FL. Mr. Bryan was born on July 29, 1971, in Opelika, AL, to Ottis Linwood Bryan and Frances Carolyn Courson Bryan. Survivors include: Wife, Jennifer Hope Bryan of West Green, GA; father, Ottis Linwood Bryan of Douglas, GA; mother, Frances Carolyn Courson Bryan of Douglas, GA; daughters, Ashleyn Adams of Douglas, GA, Allie (Ashley) Yarberry of West Green, GA, and Courtney Bryan of Springhill, FL; sisters, Michele (Greg) Penn of Douglas, GA, Mary Lawrence Douglas of Douglas, GA; grandchildren, Delta Sixtos, Peyton Yarberry, Ember…