Author: Submitted

Ms. Lisa M. Kibler, 34, of Willacoochee, Georgia passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018. She was born on November 9, 1983, in St. Louis, MO the daughter of Toni Torpea and the late Keith Kibler. Ms. Kibler was preceded in death by: a sister, Nicole Torpea; and her grandmother, Helen Emerson. Survivors include: her parents: Mike and Toni Torpea of Douglas, GA; children: Lindsey Hutchison of Douglas, GA and Ariel Steele of Lisbon, Ohio; brother, Michael Torpea of Douglas, GA; sister, Jennifer Goodwin of Douglas, GA; grandparents: David and Kathe Pratto of Collinsville, IL., Paul and Barbara Thomasson of…

Mr. Ben Franklin Tanner, age 74 of Axson, GA passed away late Monday evening, June 18, 2018, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Tanner was born June 16, 1944, to the late Thomas Jonathan Tanner, II, and the late Beadie Idell Guthrie Tanner. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by: brothers: Ralph Tanner, Mark Tanner and Jonathan Tanner. Mr. Tanner was a prominent farmer in the Stokesville Community and he had also served in the Georgia National Guard. He was a member of Stokesville Baptist Church and Georgia Game Breeders Association. Survivors include:…

The City of Douglas Community Development Department is happy to announce the return visit of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Tourism Product Development Resource Team (TPD). A light luncheon and discussion will be held with city & county leaders, community partners, and tourism industry associates. The purpose of the meeting will be for the community to hear future tourism product development suggestions from the team based on their previous visit and tours of Douglas and Coffee County. “We are excited to see the results from the TPD team visit,” says Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director. “These state professionals…

Arlene Mancil, a local children’s book author, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. She spoke about her children’s books that discuss different issues such as bullying and how to deal with being different. Her books are available for sale and can also be checked out at the Satilla Regional Library. The Kiwanis Club members enjoyed and appreciated her presentation.

Sohail A. Choudhri, M.D. (right) of Digestive Disease Consultants, P.C. of Waycross recently made a contribution on behalf of the practice to the James M. Dye Foundation on South Georgia State College’s Waycross Campus. Accepting the check was Foundation Executive Director Taylor Hereford. Choudhri has been a consistent supporter of the Dye Foundation’s work, and the Foundation is grateful for the continued partnership. Contributions to the Dye Foundation are tax-deductible and help the Foundation provide much-needed funding to Waycross Campus students, faculty, and staff through various initiatives. For more information or to make a contribution to the James M. Dye…

The City of Douglas is currently seeking a volunteer to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The individual must live within the city limits of Douglas. The purpose of the Zoning and Board of Appeals is to make recommendations to the City and County on matters involving planning, zoning, subdivisions and other land use issues. Applications can be made through the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 224 E. Bryan Street through June 27, 2018. For more details, please call the City Clerk’s office 389-3405 or Community Development Department at 389-3432.

If someone needs help, Lyle Gordon gives it. And at age 85, he’s not even close to slowing down. You’ll find him all around Douglas, spending his days helping others create safe spaces with projects like building access ramps and repairing chairs. Because of his dedication to helping others, Cingo Pest Control has named Lyle its Circle & Shield Award recipient. “One of the ladies I visit was so worried that someone had stolen her outdoor chairs,” Lyle says. “She had forgotten that I took them home and fixed them up for her. When she saw them looking brand new,…

Carl Clayton Atkinson, age 94, of Broxton, GA passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018. He was born on March 14, 1924, in Coffee County, GA the son of the late Claton Carl Atkinson and Eliza Byrd Atkinson where he lived his entire life. He was a prominent businessman in South Georgia as co-owner of Atkinson-Griffin Farm Supply until he retired in 2000. Mr. Atkinson was a Navy Veteran of WWII and also a long time member of Broxton Baptist Church. Mr. Atkinson was preceded by: all his siblings: Dewilda Trowell, Tom Byrd Atkinson, Milton Atkinson, Winnie Jaggers, Almeada Collins…

Jerry Wayne Barrs, age 66, of Broxton, GA passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at his residence following a brief illness. Mr. Barrs was born on October 27, 1951, in Coffee County, GA the son of the late Fred Coolidge Barrs, Sr. and Beady Pearl Lott Barrs. He worked as a self- employed painter. Mr. Barrs was preceded in death by brother, F.C. Barrs. Survivors include: daughters: Jeri B. Taylor of Broxton, GA and Schannon Bookout of Douglas, GA; son, Michael Lee of Valdosta, GA; brother, Fred Barrs of Douglas, GA; sisters: Johnnie Mae Crews of Douglas, GA and…

Frank Smith, age 93, of Douglas, GA passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Smith was born on May 12, 1925, in Morganville, New Jersey the son of the late John Richard Smith and Barbara Frances Long Smith. He worked as a truck driver for Branch Motors Express, a veteran of the United States Army serving during WWII and attended St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Douglas, GA. Survivors include: his wife, Leona Mae Smith of Douglas, GA; sons: John Smith of Winter Springs, FL and Frank Thomas Smith of Delaware; brother, Martin Smith…