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Brenda June Riddle Stubblefield, of Kingsport, TN and Douglas, GA, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Preston Place II. She was born on September 18, 1946, in Charlotte, NC, the daughter of the late Rev. Roy Flay Riddle and the late Barbara June Rankin Riddle. Survivors include her husband of fifty-two years, Guy Lewis Stubblefield, Jr. of Kingsport, TN; Elise Stubblefield Egan (Michael) of Kingsport, TN; son, Rob Stubblefield (Kelly) of Pensacola, FL; granddaughter Ella Egan and grandson, Chris Egan of Kingsport, TN; granddaughters, Tyler and Brooke Stubblefield of Pensacola, FL; brother, Roy Flay Riddle, Jr. (Sherry) of…

Imagine what started as a dream of obtaining her GED brought her to the moment when she heard her name, Hannah Hadley, announced as the 2020 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Student of the Year for Georgia. At the announcement of her name and with a banquet room filled with technical college administrators and staff, including adult education leaders from around the state, Hannah was asked to one more time share her winning speech, her story. EAGLE is a statewide program that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. Hadley, a Brooks County…

Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 virus on local communities, South Georgia State College (SGSC) will observe a four-day workweek schedule beginning April 20, 2020. Plans are to continue this new workweek format through June 5, 2020. SGSC President Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers said SGSC employees will be available between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday to respond to e-mails and calls. The college will be completely offline on Fridays. “During this unprecedented time, no students are allowed on campus for the remainder of the spring semester. All their classes are being delivered at…

South Georgia State College and the University System of Georgia’s 26 institutions will continue to deliver instruction remotely during summer semester, with only limited exceptions. USG institutions are tentatively planning to return to normal on-campus operations for the fall semester should guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health allow it. In the interim, all institutions have been asked to continue their current telework and flexible work strategies for faculty and staff. SGSC will remain open with minimal staff physically on-campus to ensure continuity of certain services for students. Campus facilities are…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator We are definitely living in a fluid state. Two weeks ago, Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state’s public school closure through Friday, April 24. Last week, he extended that school closure for the rest of the school year. That means that our students and teachers will be finishing out the school year using virtual technology. With all of this social distancing, teachers are having to come up with new ways to keep kids interested in learning. 4-H is no different. Through modern technology, we are able to hold meetings with 4-H members…

Mary Ellen Gillis Whitley, age 77, of Nicholls, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Mrs. Whitley was born on September 29, 1942 in Coffee County, Georgia, daughter of the late Gaston and Frances Mills Gillis. Mrs. Whitley was a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church and a long time employee of Norris Shoe Store. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Whitley and a granddaughter, Jessica Whitley. Survivors include two sons, Charles (Beverly) Whitley of Nicholls, GA and Vernon (Annette) Whitley of Greenwood, S.C.; four grandchildren, Scott (Tori) Whitley, Margaret (Lee)…

Private funeral services for Mrs. Mary Neil King Stone, age 95, were held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel. Dr. Joel Dent and Rev. Wes Moye officiated. Interment was in the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville. Mrs. Stone was born on December 29, 1924 in Douglas. She was a resident of Laurens County for 45 years. She was an office assistant for Clearview Cable, a secretary and first aid worker at Bassett Furniture Company and worked for 28 years in occupational therapy at the Carl Vinson V.A. Medical Center. She…

Mrs. Norma Mary Schramer Merkel, age 88 of Nicholls, passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 at her daughter’s residence following an extended illness. She was born September 7, 1931 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schramer. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Holle Merkel. Mrs. Merkel, a native of Chicago, IL had been a bookkeeper with a printing company for many years. Survivors include: Children Linda A. Adkins of Nicholls, GA, Michael Merkel of Greensboro, NC, Cheryl Hester of Aurora, IL, Tim Merkel Geneva, OH, Kate Burns of Riverside, RI, and Steven…

Mrs.Gladys Aurelia Lassiter Johnson, 91, of Tifton, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at her residence. A private interment will be held in Oak Ridge Cemetery. A memorial service for her family and friends will be announced at a later date. Mrs. Johnson was born May 30, 1928 in Smithfield, North Carolina to the late Shepherd Ransom Lassiter and Annie Barnes Lassiter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Joseph C. Johnson, Jr., to whom she was married for sixty-one years at his death December 19, 2010, and her sister, Grace Lassiter…

Mr. John David Hallisey, age 63 of Douglas, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020 at Landmark Hospital in Savannah following an extended illness. Mr. Hallisey was born December 19, 1956 to the late Robert B. Hallisey and the late Patricia C. Hallisey. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel Hallisey and James L. “Jim” Hallisey. Mr. Hallisey was a native of California. He was employed with PCC as the safety manager. Mr. Hallisey was a veteran of the United States Navy. He attended West Ward Church of God. Survivors include his wife…