Author: Submitted

Mrs. Betty Sue Anderson Stone, age 72 of Nicholls, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at her sister’s home following an extended illness. Mrs. Stone was born in Pearson on January 20, l947, to the late Albert and Sarah Ann Hutchinson Anderson. She was a homemaker and worked at Walmart for many years. She made her home in St. Augustine, Fla., for 20 years before moving to Nicholls some 34 years ago and in her spare time she enjoyed walking, fishing, working in her flowers and yard, playing golf and swimming. She was a member of New Bethel Church. In addition to her…

Mrs. Helen Louise Hunkapiller Merritt, age 74, of Willacoochee, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 25, 2019, following an extended illness. Survivors include daughters Debra Merritt of Willacoochee and Rhonda Hall of Willacoochee; brothers Kenneth Hunkapiller and wife, Joyce of Willacoochee and Daniel Hunkapiller and wife, Margie of Willacoochee; sister Betty Walker of Willacoochee; grandchildren Brandon Hall, Ryan Curtis, Kayla Patel, and Brooke Forsythe and husband, Jonathan; and great-grandchildren Layton, Hanli, Adler and Bridgen Forsythe Funeral services for Mrs. Merritt were held on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Willacoochee First Baptist Church with Rev. Joseph Lee…

Mr. Tommy Browning, Jr., age 71 of Pearson, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas following an extended illness. Tommy was born in Reidsville on February l7, l948, son of the late Tommie, Sr. and Wilma Corbitt Browning. He had made his home in Atkinson County for most of his life and in his spare time, enjoyed fishing and reading. He served as the Cub Scout Leader for Pack 806 for many years and was a member of the Ashley D. Morris American Legion Post 173 in Pearson. He was a U. S. Marine Corps…

SGSC students discover love of history on trip to St. Simons Island In 1810, the first lighthouse on St. Simons Island was completed, only to be destroyed during the Civil War years later. The current lighthouse was built in 1872 and still serves as an active aid to navigation and a tourist favorite when visiting the island as demonstrated by a group from South Georgia State College (SGSC). Dr. Thomas Agostini, SGSC assistant professor of history, and Sandra Adams, SGSC interim dean of students and housing, joined a number of students enrolled in summer semester at the Waycross campus on…

New clinic for the uninsured opens in Coffee County As the community healthcare provider for Coffee and Atkinson County, Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC ) has a charitable mission that includes accepting patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2018 alone, CRMC provided $21,321,727 in indigent care for the community. It has been found that many patients don’t receive any type of preventative health care until they become ill, presenting to the emergency room with complex health issues because they are unable to receive healthcare in an office setting due to being uninsured or underinsured. When chronic illness such…

CHS, CMS students attend FBLA leadership summit Students from Coffee High School and Coffee Middle School spent a portion of their summer at the Georgia FBLA’s annual Summer Leadership and Officer Training Summit in Cordele, Georgia. While in attendance, members engaged in leadership and teambuilding activities throughout the day. They shared ideas with other chapters and members regarding fundraising and community service endeavors. Officers were able to learn more about the duties of their position and how to fulfill them. They also joined together to begin planning a program of work for their chapters that will coincide with Georgia FBLA’s…

David Lee Viness, age 77, of Douglas, passed away early on Friday August 23, 2019 at St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Viness was born on November 16, 1941 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Jack and the late Frances Viness. He was manager and co-owner of a truck line most of his career. He loved his Georgia Bulldogs and he played for his beloved team in the late 1950s. Mr. Viness was a dedicated American, and he was proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He never outgrew…

Rev. Elisha Purvis Jr., age 94, of Douglas, passed away on Sunday August 25, 2019 at his residence. Rev. Purvis was born on February 6, 1925 in Ambrose, the son of the late Elisha Purvis Sr. and Elizabeth Lizzie Nugent Purvis. Rev. Purvis was a preacher for over forty-two years serving churches in Coffee, Bacon and Jeff Davis counties, a retired farmer, charter member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, charter member and former chief of Sinkhole Road Fire Department and was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. Rev. Purvis was an honorary deacon and member of St. Illa…

Clara Mae Greene, age 76, of Broxton, passed away on Friday August 23, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Greene was born on January 4, 1943 in Fitzgerald, the daughter of the late Roger Young and Gortel McCook Young. She worked as a dietician with the Coffee County School System and attended New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Greene; sister, Grace McLean; and brother, David Young. Survivors include two sons, Michael Greene (wife Kristi) of Broxton and Rev. Tommy Greene (wife Sandra) of Broxton; daughter, Teresa Kirkland…

Willene Ray Carter, age 80, of Pearson, passed away on Friday evening August 23, 2019 at her residence. Mrs. Carter was born on September 1, 1938 in Lumber City, the daughter of the late Max L. Ray and Dollie Stovall Ray. Mrs. Carter was a retired professional secretary/ administrative assistant with American Heritage Life Insurance Company after twenty-five years, a fifteen year member of the Coffee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and a member of First Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Stone and Christine Hutto. Survivors include her husband of fifty-nine years, Paul…