Author: Submitted

Eastside’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ for the 2015-2016 term is Mrs. Jill Griffis. Mrs. Griffis teaches special education in a self-contained setting serving grades 3-5. She has been in education for 14 years and is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a B.S. in Secondary Education – Social Science and a Master’s in Middle Grades Education. For several years, Mrs. Griffis has represented our school system and district at the state level as a representative for the Core Access Teachers for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities initiative. She has also served as a mentor for new teachers throughout the…

Mrs. Viannah Carver Murray, age 90, of Nicholls passed away Monday morning, May 4, 2015, at the Baptist Village in Waycross, following an extended illness. She was born March 28, 1925 to the late Calvin Carver and the late Emma Davis Carver. Survivors include: 5 Daughters: Sandra Nelson of St. Simons, Ga., Pam Smith of Ambrose, Ga., Gail Murray, and Scarlett Griffin, both of Nicholls, Ga., and Denise Burkett of West Green, Ga.; 3 Sons: George Albert Murray of Forsyth, Ga., Terry Murray, and Chester Murray, both of Nicholls, Ga.; 1 Sister: Hazel Worth of Douglas, Ga.; Several Grandchildren, and…

Mrs. Florence Magdalene Varnedore, age 76 of Douglas, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2015 at her home following an extended illness. Mrs. Varnedore was born on October 30, 1938 to the late Carl Beasley and the late Odessa Carver Beasley. She is survived by her husband, David Virgil Varnedore of Douglas; one son, David ( Sharon) Varnedore and three daughters: Diane Spivey, Tammy (Brian) Whitley and Gail Oglesbee all of Douglas. The Varnedore family will received friends and loved ones on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Sunday, May…

Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Rodney Courson, Sr. finished his law enforcement career, which spanned over thirty years, when he officially retired last week. Courson retired from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office on April 30, 2014. Sheriff Wooten and his staff honored him with a cake and presented Courson with a plaque thanking him for his loyalty, dedication and service to the citizens of Coffee County. Rodney Courson Sr. began his law enforcement career in Broxton 1979 with the Broxton Police Department. He left Broxton and went to work with the Douglas Police Department in 1980. Mr. Courson later left the…

Mrs. Rheba Frances Worth Dale, age 70, of Broxton passed away Friday evening, April 24, 2015, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. She was born September 14, 1944, to the late Alton Worth and the late Ilene Hand Worth. Mrs. Dale, a native of Douglas, was a homemaker. She enjoyed being part of a Quilting Group, as well as gardening, fishing, caring for her chickens, and cooking for her family. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, John Alton Dale. Mrs. Dale was a member of the Providence Baptist Church. Survivors…

Emily Rose Hanna Riley, age 74, of Mary Esther, FL passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at West Florida Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Riley was born on July 6, 1940, in Douglas, GA to the late George M. Hanna and Esther Elizabeth Deeb Hanna. Survivors include: her husband, Donald George Riley of Mary Esther, FL; daughter, Leslie Maureen Smith of Blakely, GA; daughter-in-law, Sandra Cooke Lumpkin of Hahira, GA; two brothers, George M. Hanna, Jr. of Brevard, NC and Richard P. (Stephanie) Hanna of Fayette, AL; sister, Darlene Hanna Hogan of Suwanee, GA; seven grandchildren; three great…

The Douglas Police Department and other public safety agencies are working together for Public Safety Day, which will be held May 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Agencies participating include Douglas Police, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Nicholls PD, Broxton PD, City and County Fire Departments, and Coffee County EMS. “The purpose behind the event is to allow residents to interact with members from all the agencies and look at public safety vehicles such as the HEAT cars,” says Sgt. Tim Allmond with the Douglas Police Department. “Additionally, the child safety and…

Mrs. Kim Tatum was recently announced as Satilla Elementary’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ for the 2015-2016 school year. She has been teaching for nine years at Satilla and continues to have a passion for students. She is a blessing to the Satilla family, as well as the Satilla community. Congratulations Mrs. Tatum! – Submitted copy