Author: Submitted

Mrs. Nelva “Nell” Pelz Tanner, age 74 of Pearson, Ga., passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at her home following an extended illness. She was born December 20, 1946, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Vonice Courson Pelz. After graduating from Atkinson County High School in 1965, Mrs. Nell became a hairdresser and beautician who, along with her sister, went on to open and run, Nita & Nell’s Beauty Shop, in downtown Pearson for over 40 years. Once retired, Mrs. Nell enjoyed many other hobbies which included, gardening, flowers, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She attended Sweetwater United Methodist Church…

Mr. Gerald “Jerry” Steven Dell, age 66 of Axson, Ga., passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021, at his home. Born in Columbus, Ga. on July 11, 1955, to Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy and Barbara Saunders Dell, Jerry made his home in Axson for most of his life. He worked in the paint and body shop department of TransPower Inc. in Douglas, Ga. Mr. Jerry enjoyed reading, fishing, and hunting in his spare time. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Dell. Survivors include: Parents: Jimmy and Barbara Dell of Kirkland, Ga. Wife: Willean Wood Dell…

Mary Ludy Harrell, age 95, of Orange Park, FL passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. She was born on July 22, 1926 in Axson, GA to Charlie and Maud Wilds, the oldest of four daughters. Mary was a member of First Baptist of Orange Park and will be fondly remembered for her love of family and commitment to her faith and her church. She was also an avid gardener and former member of Jacksonville Garden Club and African Violet Association. She worked as a hairdresser and volunteered for Orange Park Clothes Closet for many years. She touched the lives…

John E. Lee, Jr, age 81 of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Lee was born on January 6, 1940 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late John Estel and Nealie Cole Lee Sr. Mr. Lee was a retired high school teacher, teaching at Forest High School and was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. Survivors include his wife, Linda Lee of Jacksonville, FL; 3 daughters, Tammy Solomon (Kenneth) of Jacksonville, FL, Brenda Goblet (Terry) of Jacksonville, FL and, Diane Turner (Michael)…

Rev. Joseph Wayne Lee, age 76, of Nicholls, Georgia passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Rev. Lee was born on September 8, 1944 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late John Estelle & Nealie Cole Lee. Rev. Lee was the current pastor of Willacoochee Baptist Church. He was ordained at Dry Creek Baptist Church and had pastored Hebron Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel Baptist Church, Ten Mile Baptist Church and Burkett Baptist Church. He was retired Director of Transportation with the Coffee County School System. In addition to his parents, he…

James Hester, age 38, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 as a result of an auto accident. Mr. Hester was born on October 3, 1982 in Houston, Texas the son of Jimmy & Patricia Ann Morris Hester. Mr. Hester worked as a maintenance operator and was of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include his wife, Candice Merritt of Broxton, GA; 3 daughters, Shelby Hester & Emily Hester both of Broxton, GA and, Destiny Hester of Douglas, GA; son, Grady Hester of Broxton, GA; parents, Jimmy & Patricia Ann Morris Hester of Douglas, GA; 4 brothers,…

Clayton Waldo Russ, age 90, of Wray, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 in Wray, Georgia. Mr. Russ was born on June 22, 1931 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late Pearlie Calvin & Edith Harper Russ. Mr. Russ was a farmer and a member of Wray Holiness Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Donnie Wayne Russ and Kenneth Russ. Survivors include his wife, Earline McCook Russ of Wray, GA; daughter, Sharon Russ of Wray, GA; sister, Melba Fuller of Wray, GA; several nieces and…

Firehouse Subs® invites guests nationwide to join its effort to hydrate local heroes and communities with the ninth annual H2O For Heroes® bottled water collection drive. On Saturday, Aug. 7, Firehouse Subs restaurants will offer one medium sub to each guest who brings in at least one unopened, 24-pack of any brand of bottled water. The water benefits local fire and police departments, emergency victims, senior and community centers, and more, to aid those in need of water during the hot summer months when dehydration and other heat-related illnesses are most threatening. The ninth annual event returns after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In…

As a result of very modest vaccination rates and lifted restrictions, COVID infection rates and hospitalizations are rising. We understand that the restrictions were lifted for good reason and we too welcomed those changes. What was not expected were the modest numbers of our friends and neighbors who would be vaccinated. We know that the vaccines work and we continue to offer them to our caregivers and our community. Yesterday alone at Coffee Regional Medical Center we gave 104 vaccines and we have administered a total of 8,500 vaccines since they became available last December. These numbers are for CRMC…

With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases some questions continue about the COVID-19 vaccination. The majority of those hospitalized with COVID-19, both locally and nationwide, have not been vaccinated. There have been a very small number of breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals who have had prolonged contact with an unvaccinated Covid positive individual. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data tracker*, more than 85% of new COVID cases are the result of the delta variant, which is more easily transferred from person to person. As your healthcare provider, because of the current increase in COVID-19…