Author: Submitted

James Lamar Whitehead, age 92, of Willacoochee, passed away on Sunday October 20, 2019 at Vista Park following an extended illness. Mr. Whitehead was born on July 9, 1927 in Baldwyn, Mississippi, the son of the late Johnny Lamar Whitehead and the late Nana Lou Palmer Whitehead. He worked as a timber cutting operator for Smith Logging Company for many years and was a member of First Assembly of God. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Joiner Whitehead and two sisters, Mary Sue Armstrong and Maggie Briggs. Survivors include three sons, Johnny Whitehead…

Mr. Eliu Cruz Sanchez, age 25, of Axson, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waycross from injuries sustained in a motorcycle/vehicle accident. Survivors include: Parents Florentino Cruz and Imelda Sanchez Gonzalez; sister-in-law Elizabeth Tinajero; and several other family members also survive. The interment was held at Matias Romero Avendano Cementerio, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. John Wayne Peterson, age 64 of Broxton, passed away Sunday night, October 20, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Peterson was born January 16, 1955 to the late Thomas Daniel Peterson and the late Nadine Walker Peterson. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Sumner. Mr. Peterson, a native of Coffee County, was the former owner/operator of Coffee County Catfish House, Inc. He enjoyed the many years he served the public their favorite seafood and steak dinners. He loved his customers and he loved to cook. He…

Mr. William Elzie Jefferson, age 84, of Jesup, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at his home following an extended illness. Survivors include: Sons Thomas Lee Jefferson and wife, Yvonne of Dry Fork, Va., Chris Allen Jefferson of Connecticut, and Robert Sydney Jefferson of Titusville, Fla.; daughters Sandra Marie Jefferson of Jesup and Patricia Lynn Jefferson of Valdosta; sisters Sheila Purvis and husband, Raymond of Alapaha and Linda Heath and husband, Junior of Alapaha; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Graveside funeral services for Mr. Jefferson will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.…

Malinda McGovern Graves, age 74, of Wray, passed away on Saturday October 19, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Graves was born on November 18, 1944 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late George Monroe McGovern and the late Velma Carver McGovern. Mrs. Graves was a homemaker and was a member of Bethany Holiness Baptist Church and in later years attended New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pearlie Graves. Survivors include her nephew, George L. McKinnon (wife Kelly) of Wray and a niece,…

Mr. Aquilino Fraide, age 60, of Axson, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Satilla Hospice House in Waycross following an extended illness. Survivors include: Daughter Stephanie Marie Fraide of California; niece Celia Fraide of Pearson; and several other family members also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Fraide will be held Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Iglesias De Dios Betel. Visitation for Mr. Fraide will be Saturday, October 26, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Relihan Funeral Home. Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. William T. Fender, Jr., age 69 of Pearson, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Pruitt Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ocilla following an extended illness. Survivors include: Wife Crystal Beck Fender Pearson; daughters Amanda Crosby and husband Tony of Eastman and Christy Hersey and husband Jason of Eastman; sisters Betty Gillis and husband Johnny of Pearson and Elizabeth McGovern of Manor; brother Jack Fender and wife Sheila of Pearson; grandsons Kyle Crosby and Christian Hersey; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Fender will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4:00…

Free Application Week for spring semester at Wiregrass Wiregrass Tech is bringing back the popular Free Application Week for spring semester enrollment. Free Application Week will be held on each campus November 4 – 8, during the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 am to 3:00 pm on Friday. Any new student who applies in person during the week of November 4 will have their application fee waived. The Application Week will allow those individuals to enroll for Wiregrass’s spring semester. Classes begin January 8, 2020. Wiregrass continues to work toward seamless educational pathways…

Wiregrass’s online accounting program #9 in the nation According to The Best Schools.org website, the online Accounting Degree program has been named #9 in the nation. This ranking was based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, school awards, rankings and reputation, including the reputation for providing online degree programs. Last year Wiregrass was named one of the Best Online Colleges in Georgia by The Best Colleges.org and Top Online College in Georgia by the Affordable Colleges Online (ACO). Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting through Wiregrass offered all online…

Chamber to host class to help retail businesses as holidays approach The Douglas-Coffee Chamber of Commerce Vice President Lisa Hodge announces a class is being held for local retail businesses to help boost sales before the holiday rush. Participants will have an opportunity to learn valuable retail strategies from experts in the field from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Walt Moore, SBDC Director explained, “Business owners who attend this class will learn key retail practices as well as how to reach customers in today’s digital world. Participants will receive a copy of the SBDC Retail Business…