Author: Submitted

Mr. Dennis Rory Thornton, age 63 of Douglas, passed away Thursday morning, December 6, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mr. Thornton was born June 15, 1955 to the late Tommy James Thornton and Martha Jane Crump Thornton. Other than his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Doyle Thornton and James Randy Thornton. Mr. Thornton, a native of Waycross, was an electrician with Westfield. Survivors include: His wife Joy Teresa Thomas Thornton of Douglas; five children Jeremy Thornton and Brandon Thornton, both of Homerville, Cody Thornton and Renee Harless both of Douglas,…

Ms. Brenda Louise Schanding Roderick, age 52 of Broxton, passed away Monday afternoon, November 19, 2018 at her residence following an extended illness. Ms. Roderick was born December 25, 1965 to the late Charles Schanding and the late Mabel Morton Schanding. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Roderick, Jr. Mrs. Roderick, a native of Ocala, FL, had been a clerk at Walmart. Survivors include her sister, Charlene Carter of New Orleans, and caregiver and special friend Roger Trowell of Broxton. Inurnment will follow at a later date. Ricketson Funeral Home is in…

Dr. Chester Royals was among 1,970 Initiates from around the world who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) during the Convocation ceremony at the College’s 2018 annual Clinical Congress in Boston, Mass., last month. This year’s class of Initiates was among one of the largest ever admitted into the College. Dr. Royals received a medical doctorate from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon and is currently practicing at Coffee Regional Medical Center with CRH Surgical Group. By meeting the College’s stringent membership requirements, Fellows of the College have earned the distinguished right to use…

Mr. Carlos Defranco “Big Jack” Jackson, age 52 of Douglas, passed away on December 5, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. He was the son of Frank and Vivian Jackson of Douglas. Funeral Services for Mr. Jackson were held Sunday December 9, 2018 at 2 p.m. at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Herbert Coney officiated the service. Burial followed at the Paulk Cemetery located on Gus Paulk Road. Harrell’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joe O’Steen, age 87, of Douglas, passed away on Sunday December 9, 2018 at Vista Park, Douglas. Mr. O’Steen was born on April 3, 1931 in Coffee County, the son of the late Walter O’Steen and Mary Lott O’Steen. He worked as an auto mechanic with Roosevelt Body Shop, attended Mora Baptist Church and was a veteran of the United States Army. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Ophelia Adams O’Steen, son, Earl O’Steen and daughter, Mary Melissa O’Steen. Survivors include two sons, Clay O’Steen of Douglas and Adam Jerome O’Steen…

Myrtle Lee Adams Vickers, age 94, of Ambrose, Georgia passed away on Thursday December 6, 2018 at Vista Park. Mrs. Vickers was born on November 21, 1924 in Coffee County, Georgia the daughter of the late Thomas Leon Adams and Emma Lee McKinnon Adams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Conway Vickers and was the last survivor of two girls and three boys of the Adams Family. She lived in Coffee County all of her life. She was an active member of the St. Illa Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a treasurer and choir director for…

Linda Corbitt Batten, age 59, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday December 6, 2018 at her residence. She was born on July 21, 1959 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late Steve Corbitt and Mary Grace Wright Corbitt. She worked as a convenience store clerk for Aden’s Food Mart and was of the Holiness Baptist faith. Survivors include her husband, Gary Batten of Douglas; two children, Brandi Porter (Juan) of Broxton and Walter Batten of Douglas; three sisters, Fannie Ruth Trowell of Baxley, Angela Christopher of Pearson, and Glenda Corbitt of Douglas; brother, Wendell Corbitt of Douglas;…

J.M. Ricketson, age 88, of Denton, passed away on Wednesday December 5, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Ricketson was born on March 30, 1930 in Broxton, the son of the late Robert Taft Ricketson and Fannie Louise Lott Ricketson. He was a farmer and a member of Providence Baptist Church. Mr. Ricketson was preceded in death by his wife, Colline Deen Ricketson. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Carter (Darrell) of Denton and Darlene Minchew (Donald) of Broxton; two sons, Rickey Ricketson (Dede Ann) of Broxton and Marcus Ricketson (Nita) of Broxton; two sisters, Arletha Tate of Denton and Ruby Johnson of…

Thursday, December 6 at 10:30 a.m., the community celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Shoppes at Tip Top located at 107 W. Bryan Street in Douglas. A great crowd attended to celebrate the success of Shoppes owner Kayla Sellers and all the many business owners at the Shoppes. Representatives from the City of Douglas and Chamber of Commerce were both present to show their support and offer words of encouragement to each business owner. Also in attendance to pray over the businesses was Pastor Jody Silvers of New Corinth Church. The Shoppes at Tip Top is truly a treasure…

Hurst and Hurst CPAs is pleased to announce Robb Hurst was recently honored with the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA) Small Accounting Firm of the Year award at the 12th annual awards ceremony. The award recognizes the member who has consistently demonstrated the beliefs of the Association’s motto, Teach-Share-Learn. Robb has been a member of PASBA for 15 years and has served on many boards and committees, always leading the way for technological advancement. Robb specializes in providing solutions for small business owners to deal with the accounting and tax problems of running their businesses. “I…