Author: Submitted

Mr. Alfred Lee Purvis, age 75, of Nashville, passed away Friday, April 19, 2019 at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Survivors include: Sons Daniel Purvis and wife Kate of Dunnellon, Fla., and Roger Giddens and wife Stacy of Adel; daughters Sandra Davis of Nashville and Mary Ann Robinette of Nashville; special friend Margaret NeSmith of Nashville; brother Hilton Purvis of Willacoochee; sisters Mary Alice Burch of Douglas; Dorothy Mae Taylor of Douglas; nine grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. Mr. Purvis was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Bessie Jewell Purvis; two brothers, Quitman Purvis…

William D. Poole, age 78, of Douglas, passed away on Sunday April 21, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Poole was born on October 4, 1940 in Bacon County, the son of the late Almond and Eunice Carretta Stewart Poole He was a retired supervisor with the Coffee County Department of Family and Children’s Services and was a supervisor/counselor at Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls, a member of First Baptist Church in Douglas, and a veteran of the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife Dorothy C. Poole of Douglas; sister, Linda Harman of…

The City of Douglas Community Development Department is hosting the first Community Housing and Resource Fair that will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019 from 9 am-2 pm at the Roundtree Center, located at 801 S. Gaskin Avenue. Citizens of Douglas are encouraged to attend this housing fair to receive resources and information from local and state agencies about renting and becoming a homeowner. “Our local Georgia Initiative for Community Housing Committee (GICH) wants low to moderate income families to know there are ways to become a homeowner,” says Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director. “We hope this resource…

The SkillsUSA chapter at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College was recently named among the top 24 SkillsUSA chapters nationally as a “Model of Excellence” recipient for the second year in a row. This national program recognizes the exceptional integration and application of personal, workplace and technical skills in SkillsUSA chapter activities. This is one of the highest awards bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, which is among the largest student organizations for career and technical education. The 24 Models of Excellence chapters will participate in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, KY., June 24-28. Activities include finalist interviews, an…

John McLemore, County Extension Agent As temperatures rise transiting from the winter to spring season farmers are preparing for 2019 growing season. Farmers’ crop production has been limited by hurricane Irma (2017) and Michael (2018). Though farmers have been awarded disaster relief funds from only Irma, the margin for gain has been minimal. As we go into the 2019 growing season farmers hope for cooperative weather and decent commodity prices. Due to the nature of the agriculture market which correlates with commodity international trade deals Georgia’s tobacco acreage has significantly decreased — approximately 40 to 60 percent for…

On Thursday, April 18, 2019, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce was joined by several community members to celebrate the grand opening of Liquidation Market and Garden Center, owned and operated by Zachary and Kayla Vaughn and Robert Harper. Marshall Adcock, Pastor of First Assembly of God, prayed over the business. On behalf of the City of Douglas, Wynetta Bolder shared congratulatory comments and offered her services to the Vaughn and Harper families. The Chamber Board’s Past Chairman Stanley Lott shared his support and well wishes for the business owners. You can find great home goods and landscaping for great…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator Each summer, Georgia 4-H holds its annual meeting for the purpose of electing state officers and reviewing the state 4-H constitution. This meeting is called State Council and is held at Rock Eagle. The dates for this year’s State Council are June 21-23. Cost is $110 ($55 if you competed in DPA this school year) for the weekend. The event is open to current 8th – 12th grade 4-H members. This will cover meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast, lodging for Friday and Saturday nights, and the weekend’s events. Space is limited and available on…

Mr. James Allen Merritt, age 63 of Lenox, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2019 at his residence in Lenox following a short illness. Mr. Merritt was born April 15, 1956 to the late Hollis Merritt and the late Minnie Skipper Merritt. Mr. Merritt had been a UPS driver for 30 years. He was a member of Tift Avenue Church of God in Tifton. Survivors include: brothers Randall Merritt of Panama City, Fla., and Danny Merritt of Brunswick; sister Diana Richardson and husband DeWayne of Douglas; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. A memorial service and inurnment…

Mr. Daryl Wallace Etters, age 59 of Alma, passed away early Friday morning, April 12, 2019 at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross following an extended illness. Mr. Etters was born, September 10, 1959 to the late Freddie Etters and the late Virginia Wallace Etters. Mr. Etters, a native of Aigrefeville, Charente-Maritime, France was a Walmart manager at the Douglas location. Survivors include: wife Roberta Johnson Etters of Alma; son Deric Reaper and wife Ami of Bald Knob, Arkansas; brothers Freddie Etters, Jr. of Hazlehurst, Mamoun Alitarawneh and wife Dalal of Alma; granddaughter Emersyn Rose Reaper of Bald Knob, Arkansas; special niece…

Mrs. Ruby Ricketson Johnson, age 93 of Broxton, passed away early Friday morning, April 12, 2019 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Johnson was born February 3, 1926 to the late Robert Taft Ricketson and the late Fannie Lott Ricketson. She was also preceded in death by eight siblings, Robert Taft Ricketson, Ivella Gillum, John M. Ricketson, Jaunell McCallum, Dorothy Thurman, Vilas Ricketson, Juanita Foskey and Mary Alice Ricketson; two granddaughters, Syanne Musgrove and Martha Anne Twiggs; two grandsons, Hunter Railey and Carlton Musgrove. Mrs. Johnson lived in Broxton her entire adult life. She was a faithful and…