Author: Submitted

A Douglas resident left wheelchair bound through multiple sclerosis is set to travel to Mexico for pioneering treatment to stop the progression of this horrific disease. Karen Bludworth (51) hopes this revolutionary process will prove so successful it will give her life back. The procedure is called a hematopoetic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Karen and her husband will travel to Mexico next April in an effort to reset her immune system. Karen’s stem cells will be removed from her own bone marrow and she will receive a grueling round of chemotherapy. Her stem cells will then be re-introduced to…

Norma Jean Rogers Waller Preston, 71, passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Norma was born on Dec. 28, 1944, to the late Norwood and Hazel Rogers of Evans County, Georgia. She was the second of six children and grew up in rural Evans County, working on the family farm through her adolescent years. Her parents exhibited a tireless work ethic and sacrificed tremendously for their children, qualities that weren’t lost on Norma. She would demonstrate those same qualities as she raised her own family. Norma Jean Rogers Waller Preston Sandwiched between two brothers…

Mr. Alan Chancey and Mrs. Deidre Taft had to “walk the plank” earlier this month as part of the reward for West Green students not only meeting the fall book fair sales goal, but for far exceeding the goal. Students used their book fair receipts to vote for who they wanted to “walk the plank” by getting dunked in a dunking booth if the fair reached $3500 in sales. Mr. Chancey, West Green’s new Assistant Principal, won by a landslide. When Mrs. Taft was asked why she wasn’t going to get dunked, she agreed to climb in if the fair…

After two rounds of interviews, Eli Metts was recently named Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s 2017 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Eli enrolled at Wiregrass after he conducted some interviews himself. After working in the medical field as a sales representative for many years he became concerned that he was at a disadvantage and felt he lacked long-term job security a college degree would provide for him. Working with registered nurses he knew this field would provide him with long-term job security and satisfaction. Eli then began his interview process with nurses from area hospitals and doctor’s offices gathering…

Students and staff at Indian Creek Elementary took a stand against drugs and bullying during Red Ribbon Week. Monday was Sock it to Drugs Day. Tuesday was Peace Out to Drugs Day. On Wednesday, we teamed up against drugs with the Atlanta Falcons. On Thursday, we dressed in pink to show our support in the fight against breast cancer, and Friday we wore orange to show unity against bullying. Several visitors joined us this week to help us learn ways to stay drug free and put an end to bullying. Thank you to the Coffee County Drug Unit and Buddy…

Mrs. Anselma Capetillo Gomez, age 76, of Nicholls, passed away early Sunday morning, October 30, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. She was born April 21, 1940 to the late Merced Capetillo and the late Tiburcia Molina. Survivors include: Her Husband, Jose G. Gomez, Sr. of Nicholls GA; Her Children, Jose G. Gomez, Jr. of Ft. Meade, Florida, Maria L. Patricio of Nicholls, GA, Jorge Gomez of Douglas, GA, Laura Morales of Nicholls, GA, Patricia Ramirez of Douglas, GA, Maria Gomez of Nicholls, GA; Sisters, Ramona Rodriguez of Frost Proof, Florida, Francisca Malibran of Brownsville, Texas,…

Mr. Robert Irvin “Bobby” Bridges, Jr., age 73, of Douglas passed away early Friday morning, October 28, 2016 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Bridges, a native of Columbus, GA, was born February 17, 1943 to the late Robert Irvin Bridges, Sr. and the late Helen Newsome Bridges. Survivors include: 1 Daughter, Brittany (Neil) O’Steen of Douglas, GA; 1 Sister, Emily McRae of Columbus, GA; 2 Nephews, Bryan McRae and Michael McRae both of Columbus, GA; Brittany’s Mother, Beth Gillis Bridges of Douglas, GA; Brothers and Sisters-in-Law, Donna (Kenny) Powell of Douglas, GA, Patricia (Melvin) Gebhard…

Newton Hansel “Hank” Purvis, age 86, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Purvis was born on April 2, 1930, in Douglas, Ga. to the late Newton Purvis and Rettie Faulkner Purvis. Survivors include: his two sons, Roderick Purvis of Douglas, Ga. and Stan (Carla) Purvis of Chicago, Il.; daughter, Dolly Purvis of Atlanta, Ga.; three grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jerline Brooks Purvis. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 1:00 to…

Ellene Francis Davis Paulk, age 99, resident of Coffee County, Ambrose community, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at her residence following an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Davis, brother, Elmer Davis, sisters, Eloise Huff and Ruby Martin. She was the wife of the late Felder Paulk. She is survived by her son, Jordan Ashley (Faye) Paulk; three grandchildren, Jordan Ashley (Charlotte) Paulk, Jr., Bradford Paulk, and Natalie Paulk (Archie) Miller; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Ashley Paulk, III, Andrew Paulk, Anna Miller, and Rhett Miller; sister, Genelda Courson; several nieces and…

CLOVERLEAF PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT We are getting down to the wire on getting Cloverleaf 4-H members prepared for their Project Achievement competition in Lyons on November 12. We have around 70 students signed up and working on their presentations. They must prepare a five to six minute presentation which includes visuals to present to the judges as well as the other 4-H members competing in their project. We are looking forward to seeing these 4-H members achieve great things as they compete against 4‑H members from other counties in Southeast Georgia. STATEWIDE JUNIOR 4-H CONFERENCE The Georgia 4-H Statewide Junior 4-H…