Author: Submitted

Mr. Edd Henry Taylor, age 66, of Nicholls, GA passed away Sunday evening, February 26, 2017, at his residence following a brief illness. Mr. Taylor was born November 24, 1950 to the late Robert McKinley Taylor and the late Gussie Southerland Taylor. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Gail Foster and a very special friend Cathy McKinnon. Mr. Taylor had retired as an insurance agent with Liberty National Life. He attended the Ozias Freewill Baptist Church and New Vision House of Worship. Survivors include: 3 children: David (Tracy) Taylor of Pearson, GA, Amber…

Mary Osborn, age 74, of Broxton, GA passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Osborn was born on October 16, 1942, in Springfield, IL to the late Harold Knudson and Juanita Buckman Knudson. Survivors include: her husband, Rev. Jim Osborn of Broxton, GA; two daughters, Sarah Paulk of Douglas, GA and Tracy (Kyle) Lott of West Green, GA; five grandchildren, Alexis Lott, Harrison Lott, Walton Lott, Jadyn Guthrie, and Ella Paulk; sister, Carol Tinsley of Greenville, SC; brother, Robert Knudson of Naples, FL; several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends…

649,355. 41,000. 7,849. 310. 3. 1. Each of these numbers have one common theme; do you know what it is? Before the answer is revealed, here is a hint: National Blue and Corn Gold! Still don’t know? There are 649,355 FFA members in the National FFA Organization in one of the 7,849 FFA chapters in the U.S. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 41,000 of these members are involved in one of the 310 FFA chapters in Georgia. This statistic ranks GA number three in membership with one common theme: THE BLUE CORDUROY JACKET! That’s right, one simple blue…

The public is invited to attend an art show at First Academy, located at First Baptist Church in Douglas, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show will take place inside the Family Ministry Center. First Academy students in grades K-6 are studying different cultures and they would like for everyone to join them for an evening of multi-cultural activities good for the whole family. Experience India, Mexico, and Africa through art, music, food, and other activities.

Mr. Jeff Carroll “J.C.” McNatt, age 78, of Douglas, GA passed away Saturday morning, February 25, 2017 at his residence following a brief illness. Mr. McNatt was born October 28, 1938 to the late Jefferson McNatt and the late Annie Foreman McNatt. Mr. McNatt, a native of Homerville, Clinch County, GA, retired from GTE Telephone Company after many years of service. He had also been employed with the Coffee County Board of Education in the Maintenance Department. Other than his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife Burnell Rowland McNatt, 2 Brothers: Willis McNatt and Burnell…

Conway Harper, age 70, of Douglas, GA passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Harper was born on June 27, 1946, in Douglas, GA to the late Wiley Harper and Ava Harper. Survivors include: his wife, Margie Harper of Douglas, GA; two daughters, Roxanne Harper (Pat) Nugent of Ambrose, GA and Crystal Harper (Benji) Lott of Ambrose, GA; sister, Druscilla (Harry) Hudson of Ocilla, GA; four grandchildren, Ava Barton, Graci Barton, Finn Lott, and Ford Lott; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nina Harper and two…

The fastest growing program in 2015-2016 at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College was Nursing. This comes as no surprise since the baby boomer generation is aging and nursing jobs are in demand. As the jobs in the health care industry continue to increase, Wiregrass saw a need to add the Associate of Science of Nursing to the Allied Health programs offered. “The process started in 2012 by applying for program approval through the Georgia Board of Nursing and once the program received initial approval, the first class started in January of 2014,” shared DeAnnia Clements, Dean of Academic Affairs-Allied Health. Word…

There were three special recognitions at the Coffee County Board of Education’s February School Board Meeting. The meeting was held on Thursday, February 23rd, 2017. Leana Atkinson, daughter of David and Angie Atkinson, was recognized for winning a state title in the Floral Arranging Career Development Event. As a special touch, Leana prepared floral arrangements for the board members and Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis. Leana was recognized along with Spencer Highsmith, her agriculture teacher at GWC Freshman Campus, and Brad Riner, CTAE Director. John Watts was also recognized, as he recently won the 2016-2017 Class 6A State Wrestling Championship in his…

Belva Girtman Atkinson Lee died February 22, 2017 in Americus, Georgia. Born in Jeff Davis County, Georgia on January 3, 1919 to the late James Hendrix Girtman and Leona Brewer Girtman. Belva grew up in Snipesville, Georgia and later moved to Broxton, Georgia where she lived her adult life. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn Atkinson Pope and George Edward Pope of Americus, Georgia; four grandchildren, Shara Lane Atkinson, Tom Byrd Atkinson III, Geoffrey Edward Pope, and Bradley Christopher Pope all of Atlanta; two step grandchildren, Michael Kennedy Flynn of New Jersey and Brian Patrick Flynn of…