Author: Submitted

First Academy is pleased to recognize those students in grades 1-5 who have earned academic honors for the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year. Students who were recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being on the Honor Roll or Headmaster’s List are listed below: FIRST GRADE Kaylee Bice Reese Fender Peyton Gilbert Kezney Kashula Elizabeth Larkey Madge McCranie Tanner McKinnon Ava Murphy Michelle Paik Hannah Powell Luke Rudd MiaBella Stone Landon Tanner Beckett Waldron SECOND GRADE Evan Fender Aubree Fitzgerald Allie Gasque Raiden Grantham Natalie Guthrie Abrah Harris Logan James Olivia LaRiccia Matthis McCullough Russ O’Steen Kiran Reddy Elly…

The aroma of chili filled the halls of Coffee Middle School on Nov. 5 as 23 pots of chili were entered in the second annual event. The faculty and staff enjoyed the friendly competition and many varieties of chili for lunch. CMS faculty greatly appreciates the contest judges, Jason Brown (Walmart Transportation), Sarah Brown (FNBCC), Stan Hughes (CMS), Tony Perkins (SRO), and Barrett Tucker (Coffee Chrysler). The 2015 winners were: 1st place, Ben Horner; 2nd place, Olivia Durden; 3rd place, Amanda Wildes; Honorable Mention, Ben Daniels and Teresa Spivey; and Hottest Chili Winner, Garrett Winters. Thanks to everyone who participated,…

Mrs. Lessie Ann Hunsucker Rhymes, age 72, of Pearson passed away Thursday morning, November 5, 2015, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born June 10, 1943 to the late Aaron Hunsucker and the late Wanell Morris Hunsucker. She was also Preceded in Death by her husband, Ronald Gene Rhymes, Sr. Survivors include: 1 Son: Ronald Rhymes, Jr. of Pearson, Ga.; 2 Brothers: David Hunsucker of Aniston, Alabama, Huey Hunsucker of Monks Corner, South Carolina; 2 Sisters: Bonnie Richardson of Cocoa, Florida, Eleanor Johnson of Kentucky; 5 Grandchildren: Jeffery (Pamela) Rhymes ; Randall (Samantha) Rhymes ; Sean (Patty)…

Miss Carolyn Lane Griffin, age 57, of Douglas, GA, formerly of Deland, FL, passed away Thursday evening, November 5, 2015 at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. Ms. Griffin was born, October 11, 1958 to the late Fulmer Franklin Griffin and Bernice L. Griffin. Miss Griffin was a Christian member of the Victory Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. Lane enjoyed meeting and talking with people. She was kind-hearted to those in need, of which she took time to care for her elderly friends. Lane enjoyed traveling by yacht for the big bill fishing or just enjoying the…

Robert Michael Sayer, age 55, of Wray, GA passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2015, at his residence following a brief illness. Mr. Sayer was born on November 14, 1959, in Douglas, GA to Robert Sayer and the late Doris Lewis Sayer. Survivors include: his two sons, Jacob Sayer and Elijah Sayer both of Douglas, GA; father, Robert Sayer of Wray, GA; grandson, Jackson Sayer of Hazlehurst, GA; sister, Rose (Carlton) Dorminey of Ambrose, GA; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Deberry Baptist Church…

Betty Joe Williams, age 79, of Ambrose, GA passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Williams was born on March 13, 1936, in Waycross, GA to the late Charlie Eldridge Williams and Electa Minix Williams. Survivors include: her daughter, Pamela Sue Harper of Ambrose, GA; two sons, Tommy Edward Williams of Ambrose, GA and Jimmy (Joann) Williams of Douglas, GA; two brothers, Melvin Buddy Williams of Winter Haven, FL and Carl Williams of Waycross, GA; sister, Margie Taylor of Douglas, GA; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She…

Douglas “Doug” Sheffield, age 72, of Douglas, GA passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2015, at Southern Senior Living following an extended illness. Mr. Sheffield was born on January 25, 1943, in Smithville, MS to the late Samuel Aderson Sheffield and Willie Bell Vines Sheffield. Survivors include: his wife, Nancy Sheffield of Douglas, GA; four sisters, Sue S. (Donnie) Harper of Douglas, GA, Shirley (Dennis) Cato of Broxton, GA, Paula (Bob) Decamp of Douglas, GA, and Donna Ray of Dayton, OH; two brothers, David (Robin) Sheffield of Jacksonville, FL and Mike (Terri) Sheffield of Douglas, GA; several nieces and nephews;…

South Georgia State College’s (SGSC) Tyrone Sam has been named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association’s (GCAA) Player of the Week for week one of the 2015-2016 basketball season. A sophomore from Roswell, Ga., Sam finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals in the season opener Oct. 31 against Middle Georgia Prep. The Hawks (2-0) host TAAG Academy this Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. on SGSC’s Waycross Campus. – Submitted

First Academy is pleased to announce the fifth annual Pirates and Princesses event to be held in Douglas. On Saturday, November 14 at 10 a.m., the Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) will host Pirates, Princesses and Popcorn. Kids will enjoy popcorn, drinks, and a candy bar while having an autograph session meet-and-greet with almost 30 characters including Disney princesses, Spiderman, Mickey, Minnie, Olaf, Minions, super heroes, Winnie the Pooh, Jake (Neverland Pirates) and many more. Tickets are on sale for $8 now in the First Academy office at First Baptist Church. Call (912)720-5961 for more information. – Submitted

Staff and students of Westside Elementary thanked today local Cub Scout Pack 858 for recently visiting the school as a service project. The Scouts worked hard to help maintain school grounds by picking up trash on the playground and main entrance roads. This service project furthered the boys’ understanding of how we can all help the earth stay clean and green. Afterwards, they listened to the story of the Good Samaritan and had refreshments brovided by Jordan Francis, a Cub Scout in the pack. Westside Elementary appreciates the efforts and hard work these boys put in to helping to maintain…