Author: Submitted

Mary Bowen Hightower, age 92, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Saturday morning, May 16, 2020. Mrs. Hightower was born on November 25, 1927 in Coffee County, Georgia the daughter of the late Seaborn Elish Bowen and Beulah Woods Bowen. Mrs. Hightower was a homemaker and a member of Christ Fellowship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joshua Washington Hightower. Survivors include two daughters, Faye Arnold of Douglas, GA and Linda Williams (Carrol) of Jesup, GA; four grandchildren, Pam Corbitt of Douglas, GA, Tiffany Batten (Michael) of Douglas, GA, Amber Williams of Jesup, GA…

Mr. Jason Dempsey Duren, age 45, of Ambrose, GA, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020 from injuries received in a train accident. Mr. Duren was born June 15, 1974 to Dan A. Duren and Linda Elizabeth Duren Johnson. Mr. Duren, a native of Coffee County, was self-employed in the tree removal business. Survivors include: Mother and step-father Linda Duren Johnson and Gary Johnson of Nicholls, GA; brother Justin Dan Duren and wife Amber of Douglas, GA; half-sister Candice Adams of Douglas, GA; half brother Stacy Adams of Douglas, GA; special friend Tiffany Andrews; niece Alli Duren of Douglas,…

Mr. Billy Thomas “B.J.” Clement, age 44, of Pearson, passed away Monday, May 18, 2020 in Fitzgerald, Ga. Survivors include: Sons Seth Clement of Waycross, Kaylon Clement of Waycross, Hayden Clement of Waycross; daughter Nicole Clement of Waycross; mother Libby Watson and husband Ricky of Ray City; father Billy Clement of Pearson; brother Gabriel Clement Pearson; sister Caleshia Paulk and husband Jeramy of Lakeland; sister-in-law Kristen Clement of Alma; stepbrother Tony Watson of Lakeland; stepsister Missy Mullican of Lakeland; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. Mr. Clement was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Buddy and Mary…

Mrs. Linda Partin Bowers, age 73 of Broxton, passed away Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Bowers was born August 18, 1946 to Martha Meeks Partin and the late Daniel Isaiah Partin. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ernest Bowers. Mrs. Bowers, a native of St. Augustine, FL, was a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include: Children Michael Bowers of Broxton, GA, Lisa Tidwell of Gadsden, AL, Stephanie Vernon of Gadsden, AL, and Wayne Bowers of Breckenridge, CO; mother Martha Meeks Partin…

Mrs. Emilia R. Rivera De Arias, age 80 of Douglas, passed away late Monday evening, May 18, 2020 at Tift Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mrs. De Arias was born August 8, 1939 to the late Teofilo Rivera and the late Lusia Ozorio. Mrs. De Arias, a native of Guerrero, Mexico, was a homemaker. Survivors include: Husband Pedro Arias of Douglas, GA; children Tules Arias of Michigan, Tavo Arias of Texas, Julia Arias of Pearson, GA, Laca Arias of Douglas, GA, Irma Arias of Mexico, Raquel Arias of Douglas, GA, Francisco Arias of Texas, Telvina Aria…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) has entered into a partnership with Fresh Start Academy (FSA) in Albany, Georgia, to create additional pathways for students to pursue higher education at a residential state college of the University System of Georgia. The collaboration will allow for SGSC’s enrollment specialists to host recruitment events, conduct sessions to assist students with navigating the financial aid process and guide them through admissions and housing applications. Fresh Start Academy provides academic and support services to students either at risk of not earning a high school diploma or wishing to return to school after a gap…

Currently, the number of children placed in the foster care system is substantially greater than the number of available foster homes for these children. In Coffee County, there are currently 233 children in care while there are only 15 approved foster homes. When a determination is made that a child cannot safely continue to live at home, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) tries to secure a safe home for the child with family members to reduce the amount of stress put on the child. Ultimately if there is no family available or the agency cannot ensure the…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) students Kaylen Wilkerson of Douglas and Ernest Wesley of Fitzgerald were named to the All-Georgia Academic Team, a program recognizing the scholarly achievements of students enrolled in two-year programs at Georgia’s colleges and universities. Colleges may nominate students from their campuses to the All-USA Academic Team. Students from Georgia nominated to the national team make up the All-Georgia Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a valued partner of the All-Georgia Academic Team. Kaylen Wilkerson studies allied health at…

Editor: Georgia Hospitals: Open for ALL Care As the presence of the COVID-19 virus became a daily reality for all Georgians, our state’s hospitals took the voluntary step to temporarily halt all non-emergent, nonCOVID-19 care. This drastic measure was necessary at the time in order to ensure there was sufficient bed capacity and enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients. Encouragingly, the number of documented COVID-19 cases in Georgia have begun to plateau, and in some cases, decline. Around the state, elected leaders and business stakeholders are carefully weighing how to re-open…

During the month of May, CRMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Clinic is asking all patients to play an active role in the wound healing process and become a “Sore Loser.” The Sore Loser program focuses on adherence to treatment plans and encourages collaboration between the patient and the provider. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the average patient nonadherence rate is 50 percent for those living with chronic illnesses, such as a non-healing wound. The staff at CRMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Clinic combats nonadherence by taking a patient-centered approach, tailoring care to the unique needs of each…