Author: Submitted

Melissa Phillips, age 52, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia following an extended illness. Mrs. Phillips was born on May, 10, 1970, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Estus Coleman Jr. and Betty Jean Burch Coleman. Survivors include: Four Daughters: Kara Gibson of Douglas, GA, Natasha (Johnny) Carter of Douglas, GA, April Owens of Douglas, GA, Joanna Phillips of Douglas, GA. One Son: Mark Brigmond, Jr. of Douglas, GA. Eight Grandchildren: Cadin Robles, Aubrianna Robles, A’mea Sixtos, A’mia Sixtos, Daylin Owens, Daci Owens, Gavin Brigmond and Elizabeth Brigmond.…

Mrs. Devote Davis Mizell, age 94 of Axson, Ga. passed away, Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Baptist Village in Waycross, Ga., following an extended illness. Born in Atkinson County on May 29, 1928, daughter of Harley and Rosa Lee Vickers Davis, Mrs. Mizell made her home in Axson where she raised her family alongside her husband. She worked many years as a bus driver and office worker with the Atkinson County School System. Mrs. Mizell was of the Baptist faith and a longtime member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and…

Ms. April Lynn Hollinger, age 41 of Douglas, GA, passed away early Thursday morning, June 23, 2022 at her residence following an extended illness. Miss Hollinger was born June 17, 1981 to Carmelita Calderon and the late Gregory Dewayne Hollinger, Sr. Ms. Hollinger, a native of Coffee County, was a homemaker. Survivors include: Daughter: Theresa Hollinger of Douglas, GA Mother and Step-Father: Carmelita Calderon and Eusebio Calderon of Sycamore, GA Brothers: Fred Cole of Douglas, GA Gregory Dewayne Hollinger, Jr. of Douglas, GA Sister: Bernadette Anderson and husband…

Mrs. Geraldine Merritt Smith, age 77 of Nicholls, passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 22, 2022 at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA following an extended illness. Mrs. Smith was born September 3, 1944 to the late Jim Merritt and the late Marjorie Vickers Merritt. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Smith; her son Travis Smith. and a brother Ronald Merritt. Mrs. Smith, a native of Coffee County, was retired from Farmers Furniture having worked for them for over 20 plus years. She was a member of New Hope Baptist…

A federal prison guard faces the possibility of substantial time as an inmate after being charged with multiple counts of accepting bribes to allow smuggled material into a prison. Tiffany Fletcher, 35, of McRae, Ga., a corrections officer and counselor at the privately operated McRae Correctional Facility, is charged with five counts of bribery, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to three years of supervised release after completion of any prison term.…

The Coffee County Young Farmers, a chartered chapter of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, recently recognized local producers, agriculture business professionals and students for their involvement in the local Young Farmer Program and commitment to advancing the Agriculture industry in Coffee County, Georgia and around the United States. All nominees and recipients were nominated and then voted on by members of the Coffee County Young Farmer Chapter. Recipients are as follows: Farm Family of the Year- Tyler and Dustin Deen Tyler is a 4th generation row-crop farmer, growing primarily strip-till cotton and peanuts with corn in…

Melvin Gary Outlaw, 78, of Nashville, died Sunday June 19, 2022 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. He was born March 10, 1944 in Berrien County to the late Melvin Leon Outlaw and the late Odell Walker Outlaw Brogdon. He was an electrical millwright, farmer, member and deacon of Riverside Missionary Baptist Church. In his own words, he was a “Jack of all trades” and a “Master on none”. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Samantha Dube; 2 brothers: R.E. Outlaw and Finous Outlaw. He is survived by his wife: Montine Virginia…

The Coffee County Board of Education named four new administrators at Thursday’s regular monthly board meeting. Mrs. Shelley Cole was named the new Assistant Principal of Instruction at Ambrose Elementary School. Mrs. Cole has previously served as teacher and academic coach at Ambrose Elementary. Mrs. Heather Lott was named the new Assistant Principal of Instruction at Westside Elementary School. Mrs. Lott has previously served as teacher, academic coach, and Assistant Principal of Instruction at West Green Elementary. Mr. David Medders was named Assistant Principal at Coffee Middle School. Mr. Medders has previosly served as…

Every child dreams of making it big one day. Every kid in the world has at one point or another had visions of grandeur and of them becoming the next big star. For a Willacoochee native, that dream is coming true. Willacoochee and Atkinson County were represented in a big way this past week as former Willacoochee resident and an Honor Graduate from the Atkinson County Class of 2016 Clint Johnson performed live at the annual CMA Fest that is held each year in Nashville, TN. CMA Fest is the longest-running country music festival in the world with…

Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services announces the funeral service for Israel E’Shon Hunt, age 6 days, of Douglas who passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022. Infant Israel E’Shon Hunt was born in Douglas, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his grandmother: Joanne Davila. Survivors include: Parents: Theresa Iseabel Vasquez & Jabarius E’Shon Hunt both of Douglas; Sister: La’Nova Vasquez of Douglas; Nana: Cassandra Smith of Douglas; Grandmother: Rykiya Hunt of Douglas; TT: Leticia Martinez of Douglas: Aunt TT: Xycoshea (Toot) Brockington, Maria Gonzales & Maria Vasquez all of Douglas; Uncle: Gary (Bubba) Smith of Goldsboro,…