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Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers have won Song of the Year – Jazz/Blues for “Just Walk Away” at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards, held November 2, 2025, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The event celebrated independent music, honoring standout artists and drawing global attendees. “Just Walk Away,” from the band’s album Burn It Down – released January 2025 – blends Southern blues rock with driving rhythms and Derrick Dove’s gravelly vocals. Co-written by Dove, Jamie Lee Richardson, Johnathan David Thomas, and Jason Walt Dunn (Wicked Walrus Music, BMI), it explores heartbreak and resilience. Released as a…

Brian “Slim” Graham, age 45, of Broxton, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 23, 1980, in Douglas, GA to the late Glenn Graham and Vickie Lynn Graham. His survivors include: mother, Vickie Lynn Graham of Broxton, GA; two brothers, Michael (Mary ) Graham of Willacoochee, GA, and Robert Courson of Zuni, VA; five special nieces, Kenzie Graham, Emily Nix, Kimmie Dupree, Kasey Moon and Kelly Moon; two special nephews, Richard Dupree and Kade Graham; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by…

Donna Jean Chaney, age 47, of Pearson, Georgia passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center. She was born on January 14, 1978, in Stuart, FL to the late Michael J. Barnes and Frances Jackson. Survivors include: her beloved husband, Richard Chaney of Pearson, GA; four daughters, Chyenne (Alvin) Holcomb of Douglas, GA, Catlin Arnold of Douglas, GA, Shelby Chaney of Ocala, FL, and Jalen Chaney of Ustic, FL; two sons, Dakota Arnold of Douglas, GA and Richard Chaney, Jr. of Douglas, GA; four grandchildren, Addilynn Holcomb, Ashlynn Holcomb, Axyl Holcomb, and Charli Holcomb; two…

Jackie Lenise Hathaway, age 65, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born on February 3, 1960, in Douglas, GA to the late Carroll Stevens and the late Lurlyne Cox Stevens. Her survivors include: three sons, Stuart Arnold of Douglas, GA, Brandon Courson and Kyle Courson; six grandchildren, Dakota Arnold, Caitlin Arnold, Chyenne Jackson, Abbie Ann Courson, Isabella Courson, and Kyle Walker Courson; one brother, Steve Stevens; and two nephews, David Drummond and Casey Stevens. She was preceded in death by her father, Carroll Stevens and mother, Lurlyne…

Mr. Chester Allen Murray, age 66 of Nicholls, GA, passed away early Saturday morning, November 1, 2025 at his sister Gail Murray’s residence. Mr. Murray was born September 26, 1959 to the late Harland Murray, Sr. and the late Viannah Carver Murray. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by 6 brothers: Harland Murray, Jr., Albert Murray, Duane Murray, Stanley Murray, Terry Murray and Dale Murray. Mr. Murray was a native of Coffee County. He was an electrician for Fleetwood. Chester was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs. Survivors include a son: Joshua Allen Murray of Statesboro,…

On October 20, 2025, the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) conducted its monthly meeting with Jr. Mayor Zipporiah Wilcox presiding over the meeting that focused on Bullying Prevention. Mayor Tony Paulk was recognized as the Outstanding Community Spotlight for October, and the special guest speaker was Jill Pruitt, 8th-grade counselor at Coffee Middle School. Motivational words were spoken to the Youth Council by Tommy Watkins, the Big Country Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes Area Director, prior to his opening prayer for the meeting. The Youth Council recognized Mayor Tony Paulk as the Community Spotlight for October. Born on June 22,…

The City of Douglas invites citizens to stay informed and involved by attending or joining a volunteer board! Currently, there is one vacancy on the Keep Douglas Beautiful Board (KDB). KDB, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, aims to promote environmental sustainability and educate the community to act every day. The mission of the board includes increasing safety, reducing litter in open spaces and waterways, improving recycling efforts, and maintaining the beauty of Douglas. The KDB executive board consists of 8 members, including the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Keep Douglas Beautiful meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday…

In response to the plight of Georgians affected by the government shutdown and a delay in releasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to 1.5 million Georgians on November 1, Douglas First Methodist Church (DFMC) members donated $1000 to the Coffee County Food Bank. “Hunger is not a political issue,” announced Pastor Paul Elliott, “our church and others in the community have a long history of supporting the Food Bank as they feed many of our neighbors.” DFMC’s Project Munch works hand-in-hand with the Food Bank to send snacks home with elementary students throughout the year. DFMC also does food…

Roger Ray Allen, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on October 29, 2025, at UF Health Shands Hospital. Roger was born on July 4, 1948, in Tifton, Georgia to the late Harold Dean Allen and Ruby Ray Allen. He graduated in 1970 from the University of Georgia with a BS in Agriculture. Shortly after graduating, Roger married Sara Eaves Allen. Roger and Sara have been married for 52 years and have three daughters: Roz Khalil (Hitham) of Valdosta, Georgia, Hope Cook (Chase) of Athens, Georgia, and Becca Storey (Phillip) of Valdosta, Georgia. Roger and Sara have four grandchildren: Eli Cook, Ollie…

Mrs. Norma Gene Courson, age 83 of West Green, Georgia, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 30, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Courson was born on March 10, 1942 in Douglas to the late Annie Lee Holton. She retired from H & R Block after more than 30 years of dedicated service as a tax preparer. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed going to church and talking about her Lord and Savior. She was a dedicated member of West Green Church of God. Mrs. Courson leaves behind 2 daughters: Cathy Roberson and husband, Dave, and…