Author: Submitted

Westside Elementary is proud to announce Mrs. Katherine Woodard as its 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Woodard was selected by her peers to receive this honor in recognition of her dedication to her third grade students and Westside School. Mrs. Woodard has gone above and beyond her job description in an effort to make Westside the best side. Congratulations, Mrs. Woodard! -Submitted by Westside Elementary School

Georgia Tech alumnus Francis Lott has made a significant gift to the Georgia Tech Foundation, funding the Francis and Diane Lott Scholarship Endowment as part of the Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise program. The Tech Promise program was established to help provide a debt-free Georgia Tech education for dependents whose primary obstacle to success is the lack of financial resources. To qualify, total family income must be less than $33,300 per year. First preference will be given to undergraduate applicants who are residents of Coffee County and, secondly, to students from the 62 other counties which comprise “South Georgia.” An…

Mr. Dexter “Boy” Kirkland, age 73, of Douglas passed away early Thursday morning, April 9, 2015, at his residence following a short illness. He was born July 9, 1941 to the late Buddy Kirkland and the late Myrtice Harper Kirkland. Survivors include: His Wife: Susie O’Steen Kirkland of Douglas, Ga.; 4 Children: Dexter D. (Sherry) Kirkland, Tyler D. Joiner, Christopher Sage Joiner, and Ashton Carlos Vite, all of Douglas, Ga.; 2 Brothers: Leon “Mann” (Janie Ruth) Kirkland, and David (Marlene) Kirkland , all of Douglas, Ga.; 3 Sisters: Betty “Sweeton” Wilkins , and Patsy (Larry) Spivey, all of Nicholls, Ga.,…

Ms. Mary Helen Thurston Brigmond, age 65, of Douglas passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. She was born December 28, 1949 to the late Harry Thurston and the late Marie Smith Thurston. Survivors include: 1 Son: Charles Eric Brigmond of Jacksonville, Florida; 2 Grandchildren: Harry Brigmond, and Georgia Brigmond, both of Jacksonville, Florida; 3 Brothers: Richard Thurston, Robert Thurston, and Harry Thurston, all of Douglas, Ga. Several Nieces, Nephews, Friends, and Other Relatives. Memorial Services will be held Friday, April 10, 2015, at 10:30 A. M., at the Chapel of…

Gulema Lake, age 91, of Broxton, GA passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2015, at McRae Manner Nursing Home following an extended illness. Mrs. Lake was born on December 23, 1923, in Lumber City, GA to the late William Henry Lake and Thelma Hatten Lake. Survivors include: her son Stephen Thomas Lake; grandson, Stephen Thomas Rugg (Tabitha); three great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Pridgen Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jake Lessard officiating. Sims Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

West Green Elementary School is proud to recognize the students who were the TRIBE Kids for the month of March. The March TRIBE Kids demonstrated the character trait of dependability. These students were rewarded with a certificate and a t-shirt. West Green Elementary School would like to thank the following sponsors for providing t-shirts for the TRIBE Kids each month: Flyin’ Cowboy, Diamond Cargo, Fitzgerald Family Eyecare, and Nicholls Pharmacy. West Green’s March TRIBE Kids are Nyla Simpson, Danica Edens, Gino Hernandez, Judson Lott, Matthew Rogers, Kirsten Hursey, McKayley Story, Amaan Kathiya, Jasmine Afaneh, Aidan Gonzalez, Hector Ochoa, Laurel Moorman,…

The South Georgia State College Foundation will present Maudine Wright of Douglas with the 2015 Alumni Award at the annual President’s Gala, which will be held on Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 pm in Engram Hall on the Douglas Campus. The event will include dinner, a silent auction, and musical entertainment, as well as the presentation of the 2015 Alumni of the Year award. A variety of sponsorship levels and individual tickets are available. A portion of a sponsorship is tax-deductible. Ms. Wright is currently President of Douglas Electric and Plumbing, Inc., and has been active in several community organizations.…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) will host a “Go Back. Move Ahead” Open House April 22-23 to further encourage adult learners who have completed some college to return and finish their degrees. The April 22 event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the commons area of Engram Hall on the Douglas Campus. The Waycross Campus event is scheduled for April 23 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the commons area of the James M. Dye Student Services Building. “This open house will give adult learners a one-stop opportunity to meet with all of our departments – admissions,…

Jovante’ Spivey’s plans after high school were focused on a potential future in college football. The star quarterback and safety from Savannah (Ga.) High had generated some interest from Appalachian State, Valdosta State, and Methodist University. “Those schools were looking at me, but the recruiting never really went anywhere,” he said. Then Spivey received a text message that would ultimately change his life. “(Former) coach (Tyler) Page from South Georgia State College texted me to say they were looking at me to possibly play basketball,” he said. “While my focus in high school was more on football, I had played…