Author: Submitted

Mr. Anthony Leon McClelland, age 55, of Douglas passed away Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2016, at his residence, following an extended illness. He was born March 28, 1961 to Leon McClelland and the late Mary Jo O’Steen McClelland. Survivors include: 2 Daughters: Mary Elizabeth McClelland, and Joelle McClelland, both of Douglas, Ga. His Father and Step-Mother: Leon (Peggy) McClelland of Douglas, Ga.; 2 Brothers: Darryl McClelland, and Steve (Beth) McClelland, both of Douglas, Ga. Sister: Gina M. (Greg) Duss of Tampa, Florida. Step-Sisters: Becky (Jessie) McMillan of Willacoochee, Ga., and Bonny (Charlie) Purcell of Douglas, Ga.; Several Nieces, Nephews, Friends,…

Rev. Hugh Jerome Hinson, age 60, of Ambrose passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 11, 2016, at the Medical Center of Georgia in Macon, following injuries received in an earlier auto accident. He was born August 9, 1955 and reared by his grandparents, the late Dewey Hinson and the late Stella Carver Hinson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jerri Kay Jowers. Survivors include: His Wife: Sarah Spivey Hinson of Ambrose, Ga. 2 Daughters: Candace (David) Vickers of Ambrose, Ga., and Andrea (Josh) Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; 3 Grandchildren: Waylon Vickers, Weston Vickers, and Rowan Vickers, all of Ambrose,…

James Wilson McCallum, age 88, of Broxton, GA passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016. Mr. McCallum was born on June 28, 1927, in Broxton, Georgia to the late John Wilson McCallum and Laura Belle Cavender McCallum. Survivors include: Wife, Dorothy Morris McCallum of Ambrose, GA; Son, Jimmy (Tammie) McCallum of Ambrose, GA; Daughter, Joy Livesey of Raleigh, NC; Daughter, Claire (Andy) Quinn of Baxley, GA; Daughter, Laurie (Roger) Sutton of Kingsland,, GA; Grandson, Nicholas Quinn of Baxley, GA; Grandson, Cavender Sutton of Kingsland, GA; Grandson, James Quinn of Baxley, GA; Grandson, Jason McCallum of Ambrose, GA; Granddaughter, Caroline Sutton…

Ferman Kenneth Purvis, age 81, of Ambrose, GA passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Purvis was born on August 17, 1934, in Douglas, GA to the late Elisha Purvis, Sr. and Sarah Elisabeth “Lizzy” Nugent Purvis. Survivors include: his son, Kenneth (Phyllis) Purvis of Ocilla, GA; daughter, Theresa (Karl) Dockery of Albany, GA; brother, Elisha (Evelyn) Purvis Jr. of Douglas, GA; three sisters, Verma Metts of West Green, GA, Mavis Daniels of Ocilla, GA and Faye (Wesley) Alford of Macon, GA; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and…

Approximately one hundred-forty fishermen of all ages came out in force last Saturday to make the A.J. Strickland “King of the River” Satilla River Fishing Tournament a great success. Participants lined up at Tindall Enterprises in Blackshear for the weigh in, where over $1000 in cash prizes from sponsors, including the City of Waycross and Representative Chad Nimmer, and donated fishing poles from Winges Bait & Tackle were awarded to five local teams, and young fishers won in four categories a well. Reeal BBQ was present serving their delicious food to the hungry fishermen and women. All participants walked home…

Having educated and skilled laborers is important to any business or industry. Students in the Wiregrass Industrial Systems Technology program will be trained on new industry equipment using $35 thousand of the $55 thousand donation by Premium Peanut. Wiregrass Foundation North has set aside $20 thousand to be endowed for Wiregrass students for scholarships. Premium Peanut is a Georgia Grown company located in Douglas and would benefit from having skilled and knowledgeable employees like those trained in Wiregrass’ Industrial System Technology program. The program is offered on the Coffee Campus of Wiregrass and prepares students for employment in a variety…

Students at Ambrose Elementary recently earned a limo ride and lunch with the principal by excelling in the Reading Counts program. Students in kindergarten and first grade had to get 250 points, and second through fifth grade had to get 500 points. Dr. Vickers, Dr. Vining, and your teachers are super proud of you! Students rewarded for their efforts were Jael Mejia, Marcos Mejia, Dairi Hernandez, Avery Harper, Tyler Pegues, Shi’Reyonna Armour, Eli Vickers, Lola Vincent, Jadyn Martinez, and Denise Perez. – Submitted

Mr. Eugene Wilkerson, age 81, of Willacoochee passed away Tuesday morning, at his residence, following an extended illness. He was born April 29, 1935 to the late George Wilkerson and the late Ora Adams Wilkerson. Mr. Wilkerson, a native of Coffee County, served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. He was also a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served an honorable full-time mission in the Texas Mission as well as other callings within the church. He was a prominent farmer in the Hebron Community. Mr. Wilkerson also enjoyed…

James Macajah Batten, age 67, of Tifton, GA passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Batten was born on September 18, 1948, in Douglas, GA to the late Theo Batten and Rosa Lee Stephens Batten. Survivors include: his daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Parish Brown of Tifton, GA; four brothers, Theo “T.J.”Batten Jr of Boaz, AL, Charles “Mike”Batten of Tifton, GA, Henry “Floyd” Batten of Omega, GA and Melvin Batten of Fort Pierce, FL; two sisters, Brenda Allen of Tifton, GA and Kathlene King of Tifton, GA; three grandsons, Chris Brown, Keith…