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By: Alyssa Goodman Former football player and current motivational speaker, Tra Battle, went to GWCFC to share wise words about mental health on February 7, 2024. Tra Battle is a former Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers football player. He also played college football at the University of Georgia and select students were brought to the gym to hear him speak. Battle came to GWCFC to talk to students about mental health related to the low points in his life that most of the students around this age can relate to. The event was received well…

Francis Marion Lott, a visionary leader and one of the chief architects of Douglas-Coffee County’s unprecedented economic boom, passed away at the age of 87 after a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer. His remarkable legacy and profound impact on the community will endure for generations to come. After completing his high school education at Culver Military Academy in Indiana, the Douglas native went on to graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1959 with bachelor’s degrees in architecture and science. Following five years of service as an officer in the Air Force, eventually reaching Captain’s rank, he returned to…

Steve Grimes, age 55, of Douglas, GA passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Grimes was born on January 9, 1968 in Coffee County, GA to the late James and June Grimes. Survivors include: His Beloved Wife; Tammy Leighann Grimes of Douglas, GA, Two Daughters; Courtney (Chase White) Grimes of Douglas, GA, Jessica Wilkerson Of Douglas, GA, Two Sons; Austin (Tori) Grimes of Axson, GA, Michael (Ivy) Wilkerson of Douglas, GA, Ten Grandchildren; Jalyn White, Gage White, Owen White, Raylee Morris, Aubree Grimes, Reatus Grimes, Louanna Grimes, Cam Grimes, Gracie…

Tracey Lyn Roberson, age 55 of Broxton Georgia, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. She was born on January 30, 1968 the daughter of Mr. Emory Jack Knight and Mrs. Doris Jeannette Adams Knight. Her survivors include: Her Beloved Husband; Tony Roberson of Broxton, GA, Two Sons; Trey (Maryjon) Roberson of Pearson, GA, and Julian Roberson of Broxton, GA, Two Daughters; Taylor (Paiden) Lanier of Broxton, GA, and Araceli Roberson of Broxton, GA, Three Grandchildren; Jesse Roberson, Olivia Roberson and Haven Lanier, Two Sisters; Kelly (John) Spivey of Tennessee, and…

Lonny Whitley Sr. passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 in Savannah Georgia, at Landmark hospital, following an extended illness. He was born on March 19, 1943 the son of the late Mr. Jesse and Ethel Whitley. His survivors include: His Beloved Wife; Inez H. Whitley of Nicholls, GA, One Son; Lonny (Sheila) Whitley of Alma, GA, One Daughter; Jeannie Amerson of Savannah, GA, Four Grandchildren; Kyle (Kristie) Whitley, Brayden Amerson, Brock Amerson, and Stephanie (Rusty) Sears, Two Sisters; Sandra Patton and Gertrude Bellanbaum, Two Brothers; Mitchell Whitley, and Carl Whitley, along with several Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded…

Tammy Ruth Moore, age 56, of Douglas, GA passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Ms. Moore was born on August 4, 1967 in Homerville, GA to the late Elias and Patricia Batten. Survivors include: Two Sons; Kerry (Spring) Moore Jr. of Douglas, GA, Korey (Brooke)Moore of Douglas, GA, Eight Grandchildren; Kiley Moore, Emelyn Moore, Levi Moore, Isaiah Ashford, Isaac Moore, Cammie Moore, Shelby Moore, Kannon Moore, Sister; Karen (Richard)Stalvey of Pearson, GA, Two Brothers; Mark (Jody) Batten of Pearson, GA, Tracey (Stacey) Batten of Pearson, GA, Father-In-Law; Elias (Joyce) Moore…

Brenda Hampton, age 76, of Ambrose, GA passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Memorial Health, Savannah, GA. Mrs. Hampton was born on October 21, 1947, in Coffee County, GA, to the late Russell Metts and Mary Doris English Metts. Survivors include: Her Husband; Emmett Hampton of Ambrose, GA, One Daughter; Misty Hampton Hayes, Two Sons; Marty Hampton, of Willachoochee, GA, Michael (Suzan) Hampton, of Douglas, GA, One daughter-in-love; Sabrina Hampton. Four Grandchildren; Walker (Kaitlyn) White, Tanner Hampton, DyAnna (Tyler) Hayes, and Hunter Hayes, Two-Great grandchildren; Amelia White, and Blakely White. One brother; Daryl (Becky) Metts of Willachoochee, GA.…

Jacquelyn O. McKinnon, age 63 of Douglas, GA, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at her residence. She was born on September 19, 1960, the daughter of George A. Buster McKinnon and Ottie Maine McKinnon Smith. Her survivors include: Father; George A. Buster McKinnon of Douglas, GA, Two Sons; George Dustin Merritt, and Trever Maine McKinnon, Two Grandchildren; Lydeah Rachel Merritt and Colman McKinnon, One Step-Sister; Julie (Robert) Hewitt of Pridgen, GA,Special Cousin; Lu Mullis, A Special Friend; Judy Chaney, along with several Nieces and Nephews. She was preceded in death by: One Daughter; Meghan Merritt, Mother; Ottie Maine…

Bradley Carroll Music, age 75, of Hazlehurst, GA passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Hazlehurst Court Care and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Mr. Music was born on March 12, 1948 to the late Bradley Doyce Music and Effie Mae Kirkland Music. Survivors include: Wife; Mary Latrell Murray of Brunswick, GA, Daughter; Kathy Daily of Nicholls, GA, Two Step-Daughters; Jennifer (Luke McRae) Jordon of Brunswick, GA, Vonnie Jordan of Tennessee, One Step-Son; Jimmy (Amber) Jordan of Douglas, GA, Two Grandchildren; Ka-dee (Kyle) Palmer of Nicholls, GA, Bradley (Debbie) Dailey of Douglas, GA, Seven Step-Grandchildren: Alexis Windham, Steven…

William “Billy O” Smith passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. He was the son of Owen Smith and Kate Hulsey Smith. He was employed with the Coffee County School system as a bus driver for 3 years, where he had the pleasure of meeting his future wife, Mary Jo Lewis. After their marriage he worked several jobs and then, by chance met Dick Weir, who had hired him to be a district manager for Noba Inc. He worked for Noba Inc. through many name changes over a 35-year time period. He retired February 1, 2008, from Genex. He…