The Baxley News-Banner

Ericka Strickland and Kendrick Cooper of Hazlehurst proudly announce the birth of their son Grady Colton Cooper. [Full Story »] 

Katie and Davy Jones are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Wynter Loma Jones. [Full Story »] 

Mary and Felix Garcia of Hazlehurst proudly announce the birth of their son, Ivan Garcia. [Full Story »] 

The following appeared on my desk a few days back and definitely brought a smile to my face. I could not resist sharing with News-Banner readers.

- A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. [Full Story »] 

Sports fans in Appling County will be talking about the Lamar County football game for years to come. What a game! Not even present in the over-crowded stands, I was nonetheless glued to my radio, listening with bated breath to every play, especially during the four overtimes. When the announcer’s voice rose, so did my blood pressure. [Full Story »] 

I was coming out of Harvey’s the other day and had the misfortune to witness first hand just how dumb some people can be. I pulled out of the parking lot with a fresh load of cracklings and got behind this lady as we started toward the traffic light, which was red. She was using her cell phone and obviously had her mind somewhere except on her driving because she went right through the red light, oblivious to the oncoming traffic. Thank goodness the other drivers were paying attention and braked for this idiot. She continued down the street and I got close to her again just as she came to another intersection and, would you believe it, she ran another red light, just talking away. The good Lord must really like this woman because no one was coming and she just went right straight through the light as if she owned the road. [Full Story »] 

Amber Goggins of Baxley proudly announces the birth of her daughter MaLeah Tizsha-Faye Goggins. [Full Story »] 

Dear Jamie,

In the early morning hours of November 4, Satilla REMC members in the Zoar Road community experienced a lengthy power outage resulting from the vandalism of a major piece of electrical equipment providing power service to this area. At 4:30 a.m., the Satilla control center began to receive telephone calls in regards to the outage and immediately dispatched the repair crew on call to the area. After extensive inspection of the line in question, the Satilla crew members discovered that someone had opened fire with a high-powered rifle on one of the line regulators near the Zoar Road Methodist Church. As soon as possible other Satilla technicians and Appling County law enforcement were called to the site and the repair of the line and the investigation of the damage was undertaken. [Full Story »] 

Lennie “Lynn” Mae Johnson, 56 years young, was granted her angel wings on November 13, 2011. We lost our friend, supporter, daughter, companion, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and niece and cherished Nana. She left behind her spouse, Sterling “Clay” Damron; her beloved mother, Jewel Faye Hollar Adams; three daughters, Cyndi, Maria and Julie, along with their spouses, Keith Whichard, Grant Gibson and Chad Carson; one son, Brandon Minear, along with his wife, Tina; two loving sisters, Vickie Herrington and Lisa Cullipher; her brother, Steve Johnson, and her extended family, Jocelyn Perdue, Mitchell Damron, Grant Damron and Casey Calvert. Nana left behind 13 amazing grandchildren. [Full Story »] 

Raymond H. “Bill” Mincey, 69, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Appling Healthcare System. Mr. Mincey was born May 16, 1942 in Appling County to the late Raymond Mincey and the late Nola Mae Teems Mincey. He was a member of Friendship Congregational Christian Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent and choir member. Bill was a member of the Exchange Club, president of the Appling Healthcare Foundation, former member of the Baxley and Appling County Hospital Authority, founding member of the Songsmen Quartet and member of the Young Farmer’s Association. He was preceded in death by a brother, Shorty Mincey. [Full Story »] 

Eva M. Parker, 92, died Nov. 19, 2011. Mrs. Parker was born Oct. 2, 1919 in Pearson to the late George Williams and the late Channie Williams. She attended Savannah State University and Brewton Parker College where she received her teaching certificate. Mrs. Parker was married to the late Ernest J. Parker. She was a member of Harpers Chapel United Methodist Church where she worked closely with the United Methodist Women and other UMW Chapters throughout the State of Georgia. Mrs. Parker received certificates from the Georgia State Department for the work she had done with the United Methodist Women. She also served on the steward board, class leader, Sunday-School teacher, financial secretary and many other church departments. She was recognized for her accomplishments by being invited to attend the inauguration of Gov. Jimmy Carter in Atlanta as well as being recognized by the Secretary of State Silas Vance, Gov. George Busbee and great words of encouragement from President Jimmy Carter. [Full Story »] 

Robert L. Thompson, 81, of Brunswick, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Thompson was a member at the New Life Sanctuary and had many hobbies including gardening, coin collecting and bee keeping. [Full Story »] 

The Reverend Mikeal Lynn Starrick, of North Charleston, S.C., entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011. The Rev. Starrick was the husband of Gwen Arnold Starrick. He was born Dec. 1, 1953 in Vernon, TX and was the son of the Rev. Frankie Eugene Starrick and the late Delores Calvert Whitaker Starrick, he was raised by his late stepmother, Joyce Bloodworth Starrick. The Rev. Starrick was the pastor of Ashley River Church of God for almost 14 years and served God through his ministry for 40 years. He will be remembered for being a wonderful husband, an amazing dad and a friend to many. He was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Mikeal Starrick. [Full Story »] 

With the start of a new life Robert E. Young crossed over from Earth to Glory on Nov. 14, 2011. His work on earth is finished. He will be missed by many, for he was a loved person. Robert was born May 1, 1950 in Savannah to the late Wesley Young, Jr. and Ms. Rosa. He was raised by the late Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Young, Sr. Robert and the former Glenda Russell were united in holy matrimony and with this marriage came seven children. [Full Story »]