John Gilbert “Gib” Graves passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, generosity, and unwavering love for family. Gib had that rare ability to make the everyday moments matter. Whether it was teaching his family how to fix anything – from unclogging a sink to building his own house, Gib passed on both knowledge, skills and strength. Those lessons stuck and often saved the day. His sense of humor was unmistakable. Gib might have been the founding father of dad jokes — with classic favorites like “isthmus” (as in “isthmus be my lucky day”) and “debris” (pronounced “de-breeze”) never…
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Mrs. Melinda Jill Harrell Corbitt, age 64, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Thursday evening, July 17, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. Melinda was born July 31, 1960 in Sylvester, Georgia, to the late Vernon Harrell and the late Jacqueline Graham Harrell. She was a machine operator at Elixir Extrusions of Douglas, Georgia for many years, and she was of the Baptist faith. Melinda is survived by a son, Scott Ricketson and wife, Tami, of Nicholls, Georgia; a grandchild, Troy Roberts and wife, Amanda, of Crestview, Florida; a brother, Jim Harrell and wife, Pam, of Douglas,…
South GeorgiaLEADS (SGL), the largest regional leadership development program in the state of Georgia, is proud to announce the 2025–2026 class of its eight-month leadership initiative. Representing 18 counties from our 32-county region across South Georgia, this year’s class brings together an impressive cohort of professionals from business, education, government, and the nonprofit sector. With the continued support of corporate sponsors including Sustaining Sponsor Georgia Power Company and Presenting Sponsor Colony Bank, South GeorgiaLEADS links leaders to the region’s economic development agenda while providing targeted leadership development. “SGL’s Regional Leadership Initiative is about more than leadership training—it’s about creating a…
Mr. Gregg Lewis Ray, age 56, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025, at his residence. Gregg was born November 5, 1968, in Douglas, Georgia to James Edward Ray and Sandra Faye Cole Dorminey. He was owner of Forgiven Outreach Ministries Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation where he was a licensed councilor, case manager, and minister. He spent many years helping countless people overcome drug and alcohol addiction through a faith based approach to a life altering change. He will forever be remembered for his devotion to doing God’s work with a loving heart. Gregg is survived by…
Ms. Elaine Harn Fussell, age 65, of Ambrose, Georgia, passed away Thursday afternoon, July 17, 2025 at her residence following an extended illness.Elaine was born March 25, 1959 in Folkston, Georgia to the late Marvin Leroy Harn, Jr. and the late Leona Murphy Harn. She had a great love for animals which she demonstrated as a veterinary assistant, as well as raising English Bulldogs. She was of the Baptist faith.Elaine is survived by her son, Clint Floyd (Morgan) of Midway, Georgia; 2 grandchildren: Henry Floyd and Aria Floyd, both of Midway, Georgia; a brother, Steve Harn of Georgia; a sister,…
By Stan Popovich A person can experience a panic attack when they least expect it. This can cause a great deal of fear and anxiety for the person. Many people do not know what they should do when dealing with a panic attack. As a result, here are eight easy steps a person can follow when a panic attack strikes unexpectedly. 1. Take a break: A panic attack can be very uncomfortable and can affect a person’s thinking. The best thing to do when this happens is to take a break in order to calm down. You don’t want to do…
On Wednesday, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce hosted More Than Marketing: Leveling the Playing Field with AI at The Atrium Event Center. This hands-on workshop gave small business owners the tools and confidence to harness the power of AI – without the tech overwhelm. Attendees learned how to cut down their to-do lists, make smarter decisions faster, and boost marketing efforts without boosting their budgets. With support from the Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University and funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the session featured AI experts and VSU faculty sharing real-world tools and ready-to-use prompts.…
Officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 50-year-old Shane Merson following a domestic violence investigation stemming from an incident on the evening of Sunday, July 13, 2025. Deputies responded to a residence in Coffee County regarding a reported domestic dispute. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Shane Merson, who initially downplayed the situation as a minor family disagreement. However, further investigation and witness statements revealed a history of escalating verbal abuse and threats. Witnesses on the scene stated that Merson, who had been drinking, became aggressive and made threatening remarks that were taken seriously and believed to have…
Virginia Carolyn Day Thompson, age 83, of Ambrose, Georgia, passed away peacefully as her home on July 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 23, 1941 in Douglas, Georgia, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of the late Oveida Purvis Day and Earnest Day. She was also preceded in death by her beloved brother, Sherrill Day. Carolyn lived a life rooted in faith, kindness, and devotion to her family. She was a nurturing mother, proud grandmother, and loyal friend. Her warm smile, gentle spirit, and unwavering love touched the lives of all who knew her. Carolyn had a…
Oscar Martinez Hernandez, a senior majoring in Agricultural Education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), has been selected to serve at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo. The event will be held from Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind.Martinez Hernandez is one of 11 college students chosen from around the country to be a Convention Collegiate Assistant in the Career and Leadership Development portion of the event. His duties will include event management and organization as well as assisting with student competitions. “It’s a tremendous honor for me because FFA really changed my life,” he said. “I…