Author: Submitted

William Minkema, The Martin Centre, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. He spoke about the job he has taken on at The Martin Centre. He covered the improvements that have been made to the old theater and activities and shows that have been scheduled to date as well as some planned for the future. He encouraged all to follow the theater on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @THEMARTINCENTRE. The Kiwanis club members enjoyed and appreciated his presentation.

Coffee High School Class of ’78 will celebrate their 40th Year Class Reunion on Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Atrium Event Center. On Friday evening, March 16 at 6:30 p.m., a fellowship will be held at Fletcher Pond House. We look forward to seeing everyone there! Tickets are $25.00 per person(nonrefundable). Deadline to register is March 3. Mail check or money order to Coffee High Class of 78, 1406 Baker Hwy West Douglas, Ga 31533. For more information, call Lisa Chancey Hodge at 912-592-7777, Kim Harkleroad Harper at 912-393-5833, Norma Lynn Fletcher Hand at 912-240-5902 or Kim…

Mr. John Lawton Cady, age 80, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018, in Douglas, GA. Mr. Cady was born on October 4, 1937, in Pearson, GA, to the late Paul DeVare Cady and Annie May Little Cady. He is survived by: his wife, Markey Lancaster Cady of Douglas, GA; sons: Paul DeVare Cady and wife Faye Cady of Summerville, GA, and Timothy Cady of Reidsville, GA; daughters: Melissa Harrison of Alma, GA, and Tanya Cady Williamson of Vidalia, GA; sisters: Mrs. Lois Mills of Douglas, GA, Mrs. Lou Ray and husband Claude Ray of Douglas, GA,…

Trent Monroe Thomas, age 51, of Hahira passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 at South Georgia Medical Center after a brief illness. Trent is survived by: his wife, Shonie McKinnon Thomas; daughter, Lindsay; son, Aaron; his mother and stepfather: Marlene Thomas Steptoe and Jack Steptoe; sister, Tammy (Dr. Timothy) Fussell; nephews: Jad and Alex Fussell; niece, Rachel Fussell; his mother-in-law, Irene McKinnon; and brother-in-law, Ray McKinnon. Trent was preceded in death by: his father, Monroe Thomas; and father-in-law, Bobby McKinnon. The funeral service was held on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Sims Funeral Home.

Mrs. Emma “Dell” Delores Davis, age 81, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018, in Douglas, GA. Mrs. “Dell” was born on October 9, 1936 in Douglas, GA to the late Troy Davis and Lucille McKinnon Davis. She is survived by: her daughter, Beth and husband Larry D. King of Denton, GA; son, Troy “Bubba” and wife Lisa Kirby of Plant City, FL; sisters: Judy Davis of Douglas, GA and Ann Wilson of Augusta, GA; grandchildren: Matt McCall, Cash McCall, Troy Kirby, Jr., Amber Kirby Clark, and Caitlin Roberts; great-grandchildren: Dylan Kirby, Jayda McCall, Lane McCall, Brooklyn…

Mr. Frederick Noble Gartside, Jr., age 87, of Broxton, GA (formerly of Jacksonville, FL), passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018, in Douglas, GA. Mr. Gartside was born on February 5, 1930, in York, PA, to the late Frederick Noble Gartside, Sr., and Miriam Elizabeth Krone Gartside. Mr. Gartside was a member of the First United Methodist church. He also served in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Prior to his retirement he was a partner in the CPA firm of Hartman, Blitch and Gartside, in Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by: his wife, Judith Blitch Gartside of Broxton,…

Mr. William Luke Pridgen, age 81, of Preston, GA passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018, in Albany GA. Mr. Pridgen was born on September 22, 1936, in Pridgen, GA to the late Oscar Underwood Pridgen, Sr., and Ruth Hill Pridgen. Mr. Pridgen was a retired farmer from Pridgen, GA. Mr. Pridgen also served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman at Fort Niagara in upstate New York. He also loved his nieces and nephew as his own children and was another father figure to them. They loved him more than words can say and he will be…

Mrs. Virginia “Ginny” Wells Lockwood, passed away at Coffee Regional Medical Center on Tuesday. January 23, 2018, eight days before her 91st birthday. She was born in Harlem, GA on February 1, 1927, the daughter of Seth and Bertha Wells. She was married to former Douglas Mayor Max Lockwood for 56 years and has two sons, two daughters, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A graduate of Georgia Southern University in 1949, she taught school in the Bulloch County, Bibb County and Coffee County public school systems for more than 31 years. She did graduate work at both Valdosta State University…

Mrs. Johnnie Phillips Royal, age 89 of Ambrose, GA, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 23, 2018 at her residence following an extended illness. She was born December 15, 1928 to the late Monroe Phillips and the late Ava Harper Phillips. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by; her husband, Milton E. Royal; son, Terry Don Royal; grandson, Michael Brannen Jowers; brothers and sisters: D. B. Phillips, Luther Phillips, Quincy Phillips, Jesse Phillips, Mable Hood, Evie Phillips and Dewight Phillips; and half-brothers: Claude McCauley and Nead McCauley. Mrs. Royal, a native of Coffee County was a homemaker.…

Ms. Anna Louise Phares Johnston, age 82 of Douglas, passed away early Sunday morning, January 21, 2018, at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla, GA following a short illness. Ms. Johnston was born March 13, 1935 to the late Andrew Jackson Phares and the late Sadie Louise McCartney Phares. Other than her parents she was preceded in death by: her husband, Howell Johnston; sister, Dottie Morgan; and brother, Bobby Phares. Ms. Johnston, a native of Norfolk, VA, had lived in Douglas for many years. She had been employed by Gil Morgan Financial Advisor for Ameriprise Financial Services as an office secretary.…