Author: Submitted

Mr. George Albert Murray, age 75 of Forsyth, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Monday morning, February 3, 2020. Mr. Murray was born October 27, 1944 to the late Harland Murray and the late Viannah Murray. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Wade Murray, and four brothers, Harland Murray, Jr., Dewayne Murray, Stanley Murray and Dale Murray. Mr. Murray, a native of Coffee County, had a 50-year career in the paper mill business. He was an esteemed member of Couch Pit University, an exclusive fraternity for papermakers. He was…

Ms. Delores M. “Dee” Graham, age 79 of Douglas, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at her home. She was born May 1, 1940 in Chicago, IL, to the late William Stress and the late Helen Tobey Stress. Other than her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 plus years, Roy T. Graham, and a brother James Stress. Dee was a charter member of Morningside Baptist Church where she served as the Sunday School secretary and hospitality committee chairman. Survivors include: Son Glenn Graham and wife Ginny of Douglas; daughters Melissa Lott and husband Keith, and…

Margaret Batten Gillespie, age 97, of Douglas, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Gillespie was born on January 15, 1923 in Polk County, Florida, the daughter of the late Leon Batten and the late Cora Douglas Batten. Mrs. Gillespie was a homemaker and a member of First Assembly of God. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Gillespie; two sisters, Wilma Shiver and Pauline Ward; and a brother, Nerle Batten. Survivors include her sister, Merline Minix (James) of Douglas, GA; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be…

Johnny Thomas Davis, age 57, of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital, Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Davis was born on July 15, 1962 in Dodge County, Georgia, the son of the late William D. Davis and the late Helen McCranie Davis. Mr. Davis was a mechanic at Prince Ford and David’s Auto Sales and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two daughters, Heather Christian (Ryan) of Jesup, GA and Kala Fuller of Eatonton, GA; son Chris Davis (Trena) of Chauncey, GA; four grandchildren, Aiden Christian, Blanden Davis, Ashlyn Fuller and Coltyn Fuller; uncle, Enoch McCranie of…

Mr. Edward Lee Cothern, age 78, Pearson, passed away Thursday night, January 30, 2020 at his home following an extended illness. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Linda McKinnon Cothern of Pearson; son Brian Sean Cothern of Pearson; sisters Lois Davis of Yuma, Arizona, and Louise Taylor and husband, Dub of Alma; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Cothern were held Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Ozias Freewill Baptist Church in Pearson with Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. The interment followed in Sweetwater Cemetery. Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson was in charge of…

Joseph F. “Frankie” Bryan, age 53, of Millwood, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at his residence. Mr. Bryan was born on February 11, 1966 in Coffee County, the son of the late Ezra Eugene Bryan and the late Annelle Hester Bryan. Mr. Bryan was a self-employed building contractor and was a member of Sand Hill Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlie Bryan Survivors include his wife, Brenda J. Bryan of Millwood, GA; daughter, Morgan Branch (Kyle) of Lakeland, GA; grandchild, Ashlyn Branch; brother, Bradley Bryan of Douglas, GA;…

Chancy Drugs has been a longtime supporter of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s Pharmacy Technology programs. The company provides clinical site locations for Wiregrass students, participates in an advisory role for the program, and has recently donated $25,000 to the college for the program. The company has been working with the college’s Pharmacy Technology program over the past several years. Chancy’s is an affiliated clinical site for the Pharmacy Technology Program allowing students to gain “real-life” pharmacy training. “The generosity of Chancy’s hosting Pharmacy Technology students has allowed students to have hands-on training. During clincials students have been able to practice…

Coffee High School senior Ashni Patel won American Legion Post 515’s speech contest Friday at Citizens Christian Academy. She was one of three contestants who participated in the contest. The contest consisted of an eight- to ten-minute oration, developed by each contestant based on his or her knowledge and understanding of the Constitution as well as personal experience. After the initial speech, each contestant delivered a second three to five minute speech selected by a panel of judges from a list of published assigned topic. Three promising contestants accepted the challenge to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the Constitution. For…

If you or a loved one have ever been in the hospital and received excellent nursing care, you know how much that impacted your life. That caring spirit is exactly what motivated Sara Pleasants Burdette, a Wiregrass graduate, to pursue her Nurse Practitioner Degree. Sara was among the Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) students at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College that helped the college earn the number one status in the state last year, according to Registered Nursing.org. After graduating with her Associates in Science Degree in Nursing (RN) from Wiregrass in May of 2018, she successfully passed her state…

Coffee Middle FBLA members performed well at Region 2 Leadership Conference on Tuesday January 28, 2020 in Waycross. Students placing in the top five of each competitive event were recognized on stage and received an award. Students who placed first and second will advance to the state competition in February. Here are the first place winners: Career Exploration – Sarah Gracie Ott Creed – Taycee Green Critical Thinking Skills – Lenira Barlow and Jaxsen Guthrie Digital Citizenship – Lucas Harper Employability Skills – Scarlett Davis BLA Concepts – Lenira Barlow Invention Convention – Tanner Logue, Florence Shealy, Caroline Spivey Parliamentary…