Author: Submitted

Daniel “Dan” Sturgis, age 94, of Plant City, Florida, passed away on Tuesday November 13, 2018 in Plant City. Mr. Sturgis was born on April 5, 1924 in Ambrose, the son of the late Henry Sturgis and Alma Swails Sturgis. He worked as a welder with Ben-Griffin Feed, was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in World War II. He loved his family, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and fishing. Mr. Sturgis was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Sturgis. Survivors include his son, Thomas Sturgis (wife, Racquel) of Plant City and…

Coffee County was well represented at the Cloverleaf District Project Achievement contest on November 10 in Lyons. Students from ten of the twelve schools in Coffee County had either 4th, 5th, or 6th graders compete in the contest. Two fourth graders, 35 fifth graders and 32 sixth graders competed this year. Participants (including their project and placing) were: Ambrose: Peyton Davis, Horse, 1st; and Natalie McMillan, Dog Care & Training, 2nd. Broxton: Allie Davis, Sports – Individual, 1st; Xzaria Jordan, Health; Leo McIver, Sports – Team, 3rd; J.B. Smith, Outdoor Recreation; and J.W. Smith, Forestry & Wood Science, 2nd. CCA: Karsyn Scholten,…

Willie Essary, age 58, of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday November 14, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Essary was born on September 11, 1960 in Dahlonega, the son of the late William Howard Essary Sr. and Thelma Crum Essary. Mr. Essary worked as a machinist with Thompsons Machine Shop and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Douglas. Survivors include his son, William Howard “Trey” Essary III (wife Heather) of Jamestown, N.C.; grandchildren, Samuel Essary, Elena Essary, Mathew Essary and Benjamin Essary, all of Jamestown, N.C.; nephew, Nicholas Andrew Essary of Colorado Springs, Colo., niece, Diana…

By Clint Thompson for CAES News To avoid losing their farms following Hurricane Michael, Georgia farmers need financial relief as soon as possible, according to Jeff Dorfman, a professor and agricultural economist in the University of Georgia Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. South Georgia growers are still picking up the pieces after the hurricane hit Oct. 10-11, destroying homes and agricultural commodities. The storm’s timing could not have been worse for the producers who were impacted, as cotton, pecans, peanuts and vegetables were ready to be harvested. “The timing of this was not good,” Dorfman said. “Farmers have already…

Coffee Middle School continues to make headlines – for all the right reasons. CMS Principal Sherri Berry represented CMS at the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principal’s Conference in Savannah on Sunday and Monday. She had a 20-minute presentation on Sunday and a 12-minute presentation on Monday where she was able to showcase the progress that CMS has made over the last few years. At the award luncheon on Monday, Mrs. Berry received a ring for being the Middle School Principal of the Year and a plaque for CMS being a Breakout Middle School. The Principal of the…

Here are some things Georgia farmers are thankful for: rich soil, access to water, and a climate favorable for a long growing season. Here’s another one, equally important: The folks in town. Bankers, lawyers, trucking companies, food processors, the list goes on and on, ending with consumers. Agriculture is Georgia’s largest economic sector, and that status depends on the cooperation between farmers in the state’s rural areas and their partners in town. As we prepare to sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Coffee County Farm Bureau invites you to celebrate Farm-City Week Nov. 14-21. Farm-City…

Little Miss Kallie Rose Lott, infant daughter of Kyle Timothy and Kasey Rebecca Lott, passed away late Friday evening, November 9, 2018 at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla. She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandfather, Larry McDuffie and paternal great grandfather, Orville Miller. Survivors include: Parents Kyle Timothy and Kasey Rebecca Purcell Lott of Douglas; sister Kylynn Lott of Douglas; maternal grandmother Renee Leedom of Douglas; maternal grandfather Charlie Purcell of Douglas; paternal grandparents Tim and Paula Lott of Broxton; maternal great grandmother Sue McDuffie of Douglas; paternal great grandmother Pauline Miller of Douglas; paternal great grandmother…

Theresa Lynn Cleland, age 50, of Douglas, passed away on Tuesday November 13, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Theresa was born on September 30, 1968 in Ajo, Arizona, the daughter of Agnes Pearl Miller Roland of Beatrice, Neb., and the late Marvin Eugene Roland. Mrs. Cleland was a supervisor with Spectrum Distribution Center in Douglas. In addition to her mother survivors include her husband, John Reese Cleland Jr., of Douglas; three daughters, Amy Nicole Wiedel Stewart of O’Neill, Neb., Alexandria Cleland of Douglas and Victoria Cleland of Douglas; two sons, John Marshall Cleland (wife Jessica Diane) of…

Dianna Marie Youngblood, age 39, of Nicholls passed away on Saturday November 10, 2018 at Memorial Health, Savannah. Dianna was born on October 14, 1979 in Douglas the daughter of Samuel Paul Youngblood and Elizabeth Ann Dale. She worked as a welder with Live Oak Homes and was a member of West Green Church of God. Dianna was preceded in death by her step-father, C.W. Deen and Granny, Ollie Mae Dale. Survivors include four sons, Tyler Youngblood (wife Chelsie) of Nicholls, Devin Reliford of Seattle, Clearance Reliford of West Green, and Cameron Reliford of West Green; two…

Coffee Middle School gives a special thanks to Douglas National Bank and Liz Grantham for donating the bottled water that went with our sugar cookies to recognize our 8th grade 1st quarter Honor Roll students. We had 156 8th grade students who made the 89.5 average Honor Roll this quarter. We like to give them a little treat every quarter to recognize their hard work and success in the classroom, and community partners like DNB help us to make it possible!