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…
Author: Submitted
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…
Mary Frances Taylor, age 78, of Nicholls, GA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at her home. She was born on October 5, 1947, the daughter of the late Aubrey Hamilton and the late Elizabeth Hamilton. Her survivors include: three daughters: Julie (Lydon) Moody of Alma, GA, Annette (James) Nipper of Nicholls, GA, and Fran Adams of Nicholls, GA; seven grandchildren: John Burkett, Philip Burkett, Amanda King, Adrien Mercer, Sarah Young, Katie Bennett, and Emily Adams; one sister: Martha Faye (Jimmy) Tanner of Douglas, GA; ten great-grandchildren: Camden Burkett, Jocelyn Burkett, Dixie Massey, Sennie King, Mason King, Grason…
Mr. Darrell Allen Branch, age 69, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, passed away Monday, September 7, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones following a lengthy illness. Darrell was born January 23, 1957, in Tallahassee, Florida, to the late Obie Lee Branch and the late Laura Beatrice Stanford Branch. He was married to the late Katherine Marie Griffin Branch for forty years prior to her passing in 2019. Carpentry was Darrell’s passion and he made a career of it working for numerous employers over the years. When not working, he could often be found cutting firewood, shooting pool, throwing darts,…
The South Georgia State College Competitive Rodeo Club is preparing to hit the road this fall for its 2026 season, with five rodeos scheduled across Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. Following the inaugural season, the Hawks will continue building momentum as students in the rodeo program represent SGSC throughout the region and compete against collegiate rodeo programs from across the country. The Fall 2026 season opens Sept. 17-19 at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. The Hawks will then travel to the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, Sept. 24-26 before competing at the University of Arkansas-Monticello Oct. 1-3.…
Annis Minix Bowen, 90, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026. She was born on September 19, 1935, to Alda Mae Minix and Joe Farrigan Minix in Coffee County, Georgia, and was raised by cousins, Bessie (Mother) and Raymond (Daddy) Davis in Douglas, Georgia. She was a graduate of Coffee County High School. Soon after, she was swept off her feet by William Alfred Perry (Spud). They were married and welcomed three girls, Jan, Jean, and Jo Ann. The young family moved slightly north to Macon, Georgia, where they made their home and raised the three girls. Annis worked for…
Charleston Southern dropped to 0-2 on the season on Saturday evening as they fell at Georgia Southern by a final score of 31-0. The Buccaneers defense dug deep in the final three quarters allowing just 10 points over the final 45 minutes of the contest. Georgia Southern reached the endzone on each of their first three possessions of the evening to build an early 21-0 lead. They needed 14 plays to go 75 yards followed by a 57 yard completion for the second score and the third drive used an 11 play, 69 yard possession to score. The Eagles were…
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed 3 additional measles cases associated with the measles case confirmed August 18, for a total of 8 cases associated with the current outbreak. This outbreak is associated with a daycare setting in the metro Atlanta area; the children were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. DPH is working to notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and are at an increased risk of developing measles. Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, but may range from 4 to 21 days. Symptoms usually…
Douglas Rotary Club was honored to induct Coffee County Schools Superintendent Lee Mobley as the newest Rotarian at the club’s September 3, 2026 meeting. Mr. Mobley was nominated by Rotary Club President Jim Cottingham and overwhelmingly supported by the board of directors. Also, at this meeting, the largest of the year-to-date, members and guests enjoyed a presentation by Alison Bailey Adcock, instructor for visually impaired students in Coffee and surrounding counties, and Stanley Cleland, a student from Atkinson County High School. Mrs. Adcock, a Coffee County native and former teacher at the Georgia School for the Blind, introduced attendees to…
Melba C. Smith, age 83, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, following an extended illness. She was born on September 19, 1942, to the late Clarence Green and Mabel Green Ryan. Her survivors include her children: Teresa (Bruce) Vining, Joey (Kelly) Smith, Donna (Donnie) Huff, Terry (Belinda) Smith, and Donnie Smith; sixteen grandchildren: Tonya Beaureguard, Christopher Koivisto, Stephanie Williams, Taylor Smith, Jade Smith, Kolson Smith, Asher Woodard, Shannon Smith, Jason Carver, Darren Smith, Kasey Smith, Grady Leavens, Eddie Courson, Darian Patton, Amanda Roberts, and Amber Smith, along with several nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. She was preceded…