To celebrate Georgia Cities Week and its “Love Your City” theme, the City of Douglas Public Information Office is hosting a community-wide photo contest for photographers. The contest is a people’s choice contest and winners will be determined by the combined total of photo “likes, loves, or wows” across social media platforms. The public will be able to view and vote for their favorites on the City of Douglas Facebook (@cityofdouglasgagovernment) and Instagram pages (@cityofdouglasgagov) from April 20 through April 25, 2026, 5 p.m. The photo contest rules are as follows: Winners will be determined by the combined total of…
Author: Submitted
Elaine Byrd Ellis, age 67, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully at Jeff Davis hospital in Hazlehurst, GA. She was born on August 26, 1958 the daughter of the late Mr. Quitman Byrd and the late Mrs. Catherine Byrd Anderson. She was a homemaker most of her life. She loved her children and grandchildren. She was Apostolic Pentecostal in faith. Before her health declined, she enjoyed gardening and cooking. Her survivors include: two sons, Randy Lee Ellis Jr. and Joshua Michael Ellis Sr.; one daughter, Amanda Ellis (Ashley) Tanner; three brothers, Allen (Diane) Byrd, James (Jimmy) Byrd, and Charles “Scooter”…
Michael Glen Watkins, age 61, of Nicholls, Georgia passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born on February 24, 1965 in Vicksburg, MS to the late William Glen Watkins and the late Vivian Huerta Spivey. Survivors include his beloved wife, Melissa Watkins of Nicholls, GA; three sons, Michael James (Adriana) Watkins, Otho Clyde-Nelson (Kristy) Watkins, and Alexander Ray Watkins; three daughters, Catherine Lee, Amanda (Kava “Kabo”) Watkins, and Patricia Lee (Aaron) Watkins; six grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Faye (Raybo) Carver and Debra Ann (Tony) Watkins; and many stepbrothers and stepsisters. She…
At the request of the Ocilla Police Department (OPD), GBI agents are investigating the death of Marquavious Westbrook, age 19, of Ocilla, following a shooting in Ocilla. The investigation shows that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at approximately 12:57 a.m., the Ocilla Police Department responded to the intersection of East 10th Street and North McKinley Street in reference to multiple “shots fired” calls. When OPD Officers arrived, they located several victims, including Westbrook, with suspected gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Westbrook was pronounced deceased at the hospital. This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone…
Cynthia Gail Knight, age 58, of Nashville, GA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2026 following an extended illness. She was born on June 20, 1967 the daughter of the late Mr. C. H. Knight and Ms. Janice Carver Ethridge. Her survivors include: one daughter, Carmen (Dylan) Gray of Enigma, GA; one son, Christian Marlowe of Nashville, GA; two grandchildren, Michael Dawson Gray and Paige Alice-Pearl Gray; two brothers, Cleon Knight and Dwayne Knight; stepmother, Grace Kirkland; and mother, Janice Ethridge, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, C.H. Knight and grandson,…
Douglas Rotary Club members learned more about how a local non-profit organization has worked for the past thirty years to enhance visual and performing arts offerings in Coffee County. Long-time educator JoAnn Danaa, President of the Coffee Alliance for the Arts, and fellow Board Member Lisa Tierney presented at the April 2, 2026 meeting at South Georgia State College. They thanked the Rotarians for their generous support of the group. Both Ms. Danna and Ms. Tierney discussed the free Munch and Music concerts held each Wednesday in April from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Square Gym Field (between…
State Rep. Angie O’Steen (District 169) received the 2026 Jackie Wilson Women in Leadership Award at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Event. Rep. O’Steen is a true example of what it means to lead with strength, purpose, and a heart for others. From her role as a state representative to her involvement with the South Georgia State College Foundation Board, the Douglas Lions Club, and her advocacy for veterans, Rep. O’Steen consistently shows up to serve and make a difference. She credits her leadership to the people who poured into her along the way—and now she’s doing the same by…
Ms. Lori Lynne Magee, age 67, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a recent illness. Lori was born August 30, 1958, in Laconia, New Hampshire, to the late Ralph Shackleford Cantin and the late Freda Ann Davis. She worked as a telemarketer for a number of years for many businesses. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Jay Cantin. Lori leaves behind two children: Sunny Lynne Denham of Hazlehurst, Georgia and Jason Joseph Magee, Sr. of Ionia, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Isabella Denham, Kristy Denham, Haley Harley,…
Samuel “Patrick” Hope, 36, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly on March 31, 2026, in Coffee County from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Patrick was born February 17, 1990, in Douglas, Georgia, to Eric Tanner and Daphne Hope. He graduated from Coffee County High School and made his career in the construction industry. Patrick was a devoted husband, loving father, and a man who truly cherished those closest to him. He found his greatest joy in being a husband to his beloved wife, Haley Hope, and a proud father to his two beautiful daughters, Keylie and Lacey. He was…
Mrs. Faye Taylor Schoppee, age 83, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Landings of Douglas where she resided with her husband of almost 63 years, Ronald Schoppee. Faye was born July 30, 1942, in Alma, Georgia, to the late Oswell Taylor and the late Gladys Tanner Taylor. Over the course of her working life, she spent time as a telephone operator in Jacksonville, Florida, where she developed a lifelong bond with four other ladies that shared a home and profession with her. She and her husband Ronald made their home on a lovely farm in Ellsworth, Maine, where…