Author: Submitted

Mr. Ralph Darrell Morgan, born June 25, 1957 age 63, passed away suddenly at his residence on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Mr. Morgan was born and raised in Waycross, Ga. He was preceded in death by his mother; Alice Ardellia Morgan, father; Reymer Morgan and sister, Jeanell Alice Morgan. He formerly attended Mt. Green Church of God of Prophecy. Mr. Morgan loved to fish and play guitar. Survivors include a sister; Kaye Morgan of Waycross, 3 nieces; Allyson Briola and husband, Steven of Blackshear, Ga., Angela Crawford and boyfriend, Jason Chancey of Waycross, Ga. and Holly Morgan of Douglas,…

Mrs. Donna Sherrell Hersey Smith, age 61 of Nicholls, GA, passed away Friday morning, April 30, 2021 at Bacon County Hospital in Alma, GA following an extended illness. Mrs. Smith was born April 7, 1960 to Mildred Hersey and the late Bill Hersey. Other than her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Randy Smith, a daughter, Rose Tarawneh and a brother, Tommy Hersey. Mrs. Smith was born in Ft. Knox, KY. She was a cosmetologist by trade. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Brandy Douglas and husband Jason of Douglas, GA 1 Son: Jason Owens of Jacksonville, FL 5…

Mrs. Helen Hall Jewell, age 73 of Willacoochee, GA passed away Thursday morning, April 29, 2021 at her residence following a short illness. Mrs. Jewell was born June 25, 1947 to the late Robbie Hall and the late Mamie Solomon Hall. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Jewell. Mrs. Jewell, a native of Willacoochee, GA, was a homemaker. She was a member of Willacoochee United Methodist Church. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Paula J. Thomas and husband Joey of Douglas, GA 1 Son: Robbie William Jewell and wife Shannon of Willacoochee, GA…

Mrs. Eula Joyce Hearell Morris, age 71 of Nicholls, GA, passed away late Wednesday afternoon, April 28, 2021 at Hospice Satilla House in Waycross, GA. Ms. Morris was born September 13, 1949 to the late Truman Hearell and the late Frances Kimbrough Hearell. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Elton Morris. Mrs. Morris, a native of Miami, FL, was a teacher employed by the Coffee County Board of Education, where she had taught school at Broxton Elementary, Eastside Elementary and Coffee High School. She was also a instructor at the State Correctional Institute. She…

Ovid Franklin O’Neal was born June 20, 1942 in Jacksonville, Florida to Edith Louise Brooks and William Henry O’Neal. He returned to his Heavenly Father on May 3, 2021 in Ambrose, Georgia. Ovid was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a missionary for the church for 2 years in Ireland from 1961 to 1963. He loved Ireland and his missionary service there. He has served in the church in many callings – teacher, Bishop, Stake President for 10 years, Patriarch…

May Bell Hatfield Smith, 85, of Tifton passed away Monday, May 3, 2021, at her residence. A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Smith on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. Born March 15, 1936 in Coffee County, Mrs. Smith was the daughter of the late William Hatfield and Bernice Spivey Hatfield. She was also preceded in death by her husband, E. J. Smith; one daughter, Debby…

Michelle Hyschak, age 54, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Douglas, Georgia. Michelle was born on April 16, 1967 in Pittsburg, PA the daughter of Lois Marie Dyssolini Hyschak and the late Michael Hyschak. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a twin brother, Allen Hyschak. Survivors include her mother, Lois Marie Hyschak of Douglas, GA; brother, Scott Eric Hyschak (Jaine) of Douglas, GA. Memorialization is by cremation. Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carl E. Lott, age 52, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Lott was born on May 17, 1968 in Pensacola, Florida the son of Elizabeth Smith Carter and the late Morris Lott. Mr. Lott was retired from Fleetwood Homes and was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Survivors include his mother, Elizabeth Carter of Douglas, GA; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements are pending. Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Due to COVID-19, Sims Funeral Home Inc. will require all guests and attendees to…

Kenneth Larry Stracenner, age 73, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Stracenner was born on February 22, 1947 in Jasper, Alabama the son of the late Fredrick Joseph Stracenner and Dorothy Virginia Morrison Stracenner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Cannady. Mr. Stracenner worked as a carpenter, a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include 2 sons, Kenneth L. Stracenner of Lake City, FL and Freddie Joe Starcenner of Sweetwater,…

By Kennedie Weems Ben Lingenfelter’s mother remembers the time she saw her 16-year-old son in the recovery room being taken off the ventilator after his second successful open heart surgery. “We were in the room when he had to come off the ventilator and seeing your 16-year-old go through that, it’s just heartbreaking,” said Lingenfelter’s mother, Kellie. Nearly three years later, Lingenfelter has not only survived but thrived as a member of the Coffee County baseball team Lingenfelter was born with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and two holes in his heart. He had his…