Author: Staff Reports

Former District 3 county commissioner Donnie Graham, age 77, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Graham was born on September 16, 1942 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late Cecil Graham and Geneva Lott Graham. Mr. Graham was a retired insurance agent, a basketball coach with several Coffee County schools and a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church. He served the citizens of District 3 as county commissioner from 2002-2006. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Darrell Graham. Survivors include his wife, Juanell…

Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) has announced the winning artwork submissions from high school students in Georgia’s 12th District for the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. The first place winner’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and all other winning pieces will be displayed in the offices of Congressman Allen. Coffee High’s Loren O’Steen was third runner-up with her piece titled “16th Hole.” “Congratulations to our winners and a special thank you to all of the talented students who entered this year’s competition,” said Congressman Allen. “It’s clear through the submissions we received that the…

The Citizens Christian Academy middle school Lady Patriots have a new basketball coach. The school announced on its Facebook page that Brianna Faulk has been hired to lead the younger group of Lady Patriots. Coach Faulk is a graduate of Coffee High School where she played basketball for the Lady Trojans. She received a basketball scholarship to play at Division I East Tennessee State University. She later transferred to Johnson C. University located in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Coach Faulk is married to Michael Faulk and have two children, Lailah and Lauren.…

Johnny Wright, age 78, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at his residence. Mr. Wright was born on July 31, 1941 in Coffee County, Georgia, the son of the late William Clayton Wright and Ola Isle Nipper Wright. Mr. Wright was owner/operator of Wright’s Trucking, a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War and was a member of Sand Hill Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brianna Gilliard; and a brother, Jake Wright. Survivors include his wife, LaRue H. Wright of Douglas, GA; four…

Fannie Ruth Waters, age 82, of Baxley, Georgia, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 at Hazlehurst Court & Rehabilitation. Mrs. Waters was born on July 26, 1937 in Atkinson County, Georgia, the daughter of the late Steve Corbitt and Mary Grace Wright Corbitt. She retired as a seamstress with Hazlehurst Lingerie and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Waters, son Joey Trowell and nine siblings. Survivors include three daughters, Donna Trowell of Baxley, GA, Ellen Trowell of Baxley, GA and Darlene Whittle (Doc) of Cobbtown, GA; son,…

Mrs. Sara Grantham Veal, age 93 of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Douglas, passed away late Friday night at Brookdale Palmer Ranch Assisted Living following an extended illness. Mrs. Veal was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Franklin Veal. Funeral services details will be announced later. Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Jose Ramon Ormsby Ortiz, age 88, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Vista Park. Mr. Ortiz was born on February 6, 1932 in Tucson, Arizona, the son of the late Ramon Garcia Ortiz and Refugia Ormsby Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz was a retired medic with the United States Air Force after twenty-seven years serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and Korean Wars. During his service Mr. Ortiz was a member of the Air Force boxing team. Mr. Ortiz was coach and director of the Douglas Boxing Team for twenty-five years and was a member of…

Mr. Jose Antonio Ornelas, 17, passed away Tuesday May 19, 2020 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was born in Ocilla, Ga on August 2, 2002 to the late Jose Ornelas Espinoza and his biological mother Jennifer Futch. Mr. Ornelas was your average teenage boy who liked to hang out with his friends and make everyone laugh. He was always doing for others and absolutely loved life. He had a great love for fishing and the Georgia Bulldogs. He would have been a 2020 graduate, graduating with a welding certificate. His plans after high school was to…

Mr. Harry Mearl Miller, Jr., age 62 of Douglas, passed away Thursday morning, May 21, 2020, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Miller was born September 28, 1957 to the late Harry Mearl Miller, Sr. and the late Irene Pharis Miller. Mr. Miller, a native of Coffee County, was a truck driver for Pilgrim’s Pride. He was a United States Army veteran. Mr. Miller was of the Holiness faith. Survivors include: Son Jeremy Brantley and wife Jerrie of Pearson, GA; grandchildren Jayden Brantley, Justin Brantley and Jacob Brantley, all of Pearson, GA; and many cousins and friends. The…

Mrs. Ollie Kirkland, age 91, formerly of Douglas, Georgia, entered into rest on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 in Thomasville, Georgia. She was born on August 18, 1928, in Denton, to the late Artis Elton (A.E.) Wilson and Stella Underwood Wilson. Mrs. Kirkland loved reading, sewing, cooking, working crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and loved spending time with her family. She loved camping and visited all 50 states. Following her retirement as a Social Studies teacher, she became an avid traveler, and traveled all over the world, visiting 16 foreign countries. Mrs. Kirkland…