For more than four decades, Dr. Romulo Navarro was a trusted physician, friend, and member of the Coffee County community. He began his career as a general surgeon at Coffee Regional Medical Center in 1982 and spent more than 35 years caring for generations of families before retiring in 2018. But Dr. Navarro’s story began far from South Georgia. Born in the Philippines, he experienced the devastation of World War II as a child. During the Japanese invasion, he lost several immediate family members and, was forced, with his family, to flee into the mountains, where they lived quietly until…
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Laverne Cothern, age 88, of Hazlehurst, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026. She was born on July 4, 1938, the daughter of the late Ms. Limmie Merritt. Her survivors include: one daughter; Debbie (Tommy) Creech of Hazlehurst, GA, one son; Charlie (Norma) Adams, eight grandchildren; Andy (Cassandra) Powell, Sandy (Bryan) Hunter, Tiffany Atkinson, Charlie (Cameron) Adams Jr., Kyle Adams, Chris (Angie) Adams, Tammy (Britt) Creech, and John Creech, one sister; Maxine (Jimmy) Wright of Denton, GA, several great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by: her beloved husband; L.G.…
Dorothy Carver Dickson, age 99, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 13, 2026. She was born in Douglas, Georgia, on March 26, 1927, to the late Harry O’Steen and Stella Grantham. Dot’s love language was baking, and if you ever tasted one of her cakes, you knew she made it with love. She found joy in gardening and tending to her plants, spending days outdoors fishing, and enjoying a good fish fry after a day on the water. Most of all, Dot was a woman of deep faith who loved her church and the…
Betty Ann Turner Jowers, age 98, of Ambrose, Georgia passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026. Betty was born to the late Tressie Ferguson Shaffer and William Herbert Turner in Ambrose on September 6, 1928 and spent most of her life in Coffee County, Georgia. A devoted mother and grandmother, she selflessly cared for others her whole life. Betty was a good and faithful servant. She was an active member of DeBerry Baptist Church in Ambrose for many decades, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and as the church pianist. While growing up during the Great Depression, she…
Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to recognize Addie Santiago of the Coffee Regional Dietary Team as the BEE Award recipient for the second quarter of 2026. The BEE Award recognizes extraordinary service by non-nursing staff members who make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, families and fellow team members. Santiago was nominated by a patient who experienced her kindness during a difficult time. While purchasing a meal in the Coffee Regional cafeteria, the patient realized she did not have a small enough bill. Unable to make the correct change, Santiago simply paid for the patient’s meal…
Donnie Bender, age 67, of Ambrose, GA, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, at his residence. He was born on September 14, 1958 the son of the late Donald Earl Bender Sr. and the late Clara Faye Vickers Bender. His survivors include: His beloved Wife; Beverly T. Bender of Ambrose, GA, One Daughter; Lindsey (Joshua Meeks) Wray of Westgreen, GA, Two Sons; Brandy Vornsand of Douglas, GA and Bryan Vornsand of Douglas, GA, Three Grandchildren; Valerie Vornsand, Ethan Vornsand, and Bry Vornsand, One Brother; Scott Bender of Douglas, GA, along with several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. He was…
Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to recognize Ryan Lupo, RN, charge nurse in the Emergency Department, as its latest DAISY Award recipient. Lupo was nominated three times for the award by both coworkers and a patient, with each nomination highlighting his compassion, leadership, positivity and commitment to providing exceptional patient care. As a charge nurse, Lupo is responsible for helping lead the Emergency Department through some of its busiest and most challenging moments. His coworkers say he consistently remains calm under pressure while making sure patients receive safe, timely and compassionate care. One coworker described Lupo as a nurse…
Douglas Rotary Club was honored to induct Williams Institutional Foods Director of Operations Charles “Chip” Guinn as the newest Rotarian at the club’s September 10, 2026 meeting. Mr. Guinn was nominated by Rotary Club Secretary Mark Miller who extolled Mr. Guinn’s “servant leadership at Williams, Douglas First Methodist Church, and in the community.” After the induction, Coffee High School Principal Van Allen introduced Coffee High head football coach Mike Coe who is now in his fifth year here after a successful coaching career at Madison, County, Fla., that was recognized in 2020 by his inclusion in the Florida Athletic Coaches…
Mrs. Carolyn Smith Ricketson, age 82, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, September 10, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy illness. Carolyn was born October 26, 1943, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Sampson Smith and the late Bettie Swails Smith. She was the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s twenty-six children. She was married to her soul mate, the late Ernest Dave “Buddy” Ricketson, Jr. for 59 years prior to his passing in July 2020. Together they raised three beautiful children and created a legacy of love and dedication that will…
By Van Yandell In the early 1840’s, a Hungarian doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis made a discovery. A doctor had performed an autopsy. Then he went directly to the delivery room and delivered a baby. Soon after the delivery, the mother died. Semmelweis determined the doctors hands were covered in a substance that caused the mother’s death and insisted doctors wash their hands often and with a cleansing agent. He presented evidence their hands were transferring “cadaverous particles,” which we now call bacteria, to the mother and baby. As a result of his assertion and subsequent practice of extensive hand washing…