The Baxley News-Banner

Happy 1st Birthday to Elijah Seth and Ethan Shawn Mitchell on February 4. [Full Story »] 

Shanique S. Morgan and Trey Dequan Newkirk are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Auhbrey Ja’taylor Newkirk. [Full Story »] 

Trudy Taylor of Baxley proudly announces the birth of her son, Ryley Carter Taylor. He was born at 8:47 a.m. on January 4, 2011, and weighed seven pounds and one ounce. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Pirates had two region contests this week against the top two teams in region 2AA. On Tuesday, the Pirates traveled to Tattnall County High School to play the Battle Creek Warriors. The Pirates came out in the first quarter on fire as they opened the game with a 10 – 2 run. The Warriors would make a run of their own late in the first to come within one point of the Pirates. [Full Story »] 

I watch television shows on channels such as Discovery, History, The Learning Channel and National Geographic. One television show that has captured my interest is Border Wars on the National Geographic channel. [Full Story »] 

When the opportunity came a few years ago to travel to Nebraska on a National Writing Project trip to collaborate with other writing teachers across the country, I was thrilled. I had no idea what to expect, but I learned that Nebraskans constantly watch the sky for bad weather. They always fear being swept away by tornados that spring up without warning. I remember that few trees grow there, just tall grasses that stretch for miles. Above all else, I remember a writing visit to a small white church on the plain. The story of the church and the people buried in its cemetery haunts me to this day. [Full Story »] 

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. - Genesis 3:4-6 [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,
Every now and then, a young person is bitten with the bug that draws them to politics. I speak from experience, because many years ago, I was one of those young people. [Full Story »] 

Velma Barber, 72, died Saturday, January 15, 2011 at The Serenity Place in Dublin. She was born in Polk County, Florida on June 1, 1938 to the late Owen Pitts and the late Nancy Partin Pitts. She had resided in Baxley for the past 29 years. Velma was a homemaker and a member of Ferry Road Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Willie Baxley, Sr., 85, died Sunday, January 16, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Mr. Baxley was born in Appling County Jan. 9, 1926 to the late Estell and Bertha Buckins Baxley. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict and was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Willie was a member of Appling County Blue Glass Band. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Louise Hand Baxley and two sons, Buddy and Larry Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Murle Teems Harrison, 75, died Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Harrison was born Sept. 17, 1935 to the late Henry and Dorothy Teems. She was a native and lifelong resident of Baxley. Murle was retired from Southern Bell and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Harrison, two brothers, Alton and Larry Teems and a niece, Linda Gruber. [Full Story »] 

Funeral services were held for Thelma B. H. Isom, who died Saturday, January 8, 2011. The services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at St. James A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Kevin Moore, officiating. Eulogy was given by the Rev. Douglas Stinson. Interment and dove ceremony (Bettye, Darrell and Gedell) followed in Baxley Cemetery. [Full Story »] 

Kenazjah Jakiyah Jackson died Friday, January 7, 2011. Kenazjah was born April 24, 2008 to William Sharpe, Jr. and Tranethia Jackson of Baxley. She loved her baby sister. Kenazjah was a brave little girl and a very special little angel. She loved Dora the Explorer. She was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Rose Lee Freeman. [Full Story »] 

John Philip Jenkins, 71, of Bishop, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Mr. Jenkins was a native of Winter Beach, FL, and was the son of the late John and Evelyn Floyd Jenkins. He graduated from the Naval Academy and commissioned in the Air Force attaining the rank of Captain. During his Air Force career he served in the Vietnam War flying 232 missions. His actions in combat earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later, Mr. Jenkins was a Captain for Delta Air Lines from 1967-1999, where he flew MD-11s. He devoted much of his life to the Christian Faith and was influential in leading others to Christ. He was a member of Grace Fellowship Church of Watkinsville. [Full Story »]