Entries by Staff Writer

Pam and Lenny Smith were married 40 years ago in Appling County. They were married Feb. 26, 1972. [Full Story »] 

Mr. and Mrs. Jay McPherson of Hazlehurst announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Jaymie Elizabeth McPherson, to Michael Allen Perry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mackie Perry of Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Take a gander at the receipt on the right. Notice anything unusual? Cold-water lobster, porterhouse steak, and a 24-pack of soda for good measure. Sounds like a great dinner, right? Have you noticed the circled area yet?

That’s right. Food stamps bought this $141.78 meal. Your tax dollars helped give several people a great meal; one fit for a king you might say. [Full Story »] 

Friday evening found Larry and me in Brunswick. We made a quick trip to the doctor to see what condition Larry’s condition was in and then the car automatically headed to Belk’s. However, I got sidetracked and turned into Ross’ instead. Inside I found several items I wanted to try on. As I went into the dressing room, a pretty young lady about 13 or 14 went into the room right beside me. Her arms were more heavily laden than mine. After trying on all my pants and shirts, I decided I didn’t like anything and headed for the door. As I handed the 5 items and the ticket with the big 5 on it to the dressing room monitor, the young lady stepped out and said politely to the monitor, “Can I go show my mama this outfit? She wanted to see it before I buy it.” [Full Story »] 

I try to keep humor in most of my stories but sometimes it’s hard to do. Often the condition of our country occupies all my thinking and I can find no humor in it. This is one of those days. [Full Story »] 

The staff at St. Marys Magnolia Manor is all-creative when it comes to contriving mischief for the chaplain. They love to see me come in because they know that they will have someone to pick on. There is never a dull moment at St. Marys Magnolia Manor. The latest “thing” they have yoked me into is a dance called the Zumbah--pronounced Zuuumbahhhh. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

For many years I have for the most part minded my own business, keeping my mouth shut, and watching life go on around me. But the murder of Cpl. James M. Dixon III, USMC, changed that. My tolerance level plummeted.

I have spoken with several people about the events surrounding James’ death, and I understand that he did not fire his gun at anyone, nor was he pointing it or preparing to fire when he was killed. It seems that in his mind, he was in Iraq, surrounded by the enemy. He was standing there holding his gun, in a state of confusion. If he had been pointing his gun or preparing to fire, his death would have been justified, if there were no way to subdue him. [Full Story »] 

Edon La-Zandra “Boo” Cray departed this life Feb. 25, 2012. God sent his angel to bring Edon to his resting place. Edon better known as “Boo” was born Dec. 13, 1979 in Baxley. He was the son of Orma Jean Cray and the late Edon Cray, Sr. Boo started his church dedication at Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. He was educated in the Appling County School District. In addition to his father, Boo was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Edon Cray. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. [Full Story »] 

Scottie Laverne Jackson, son of the late Calvin Jackson, Jr. and Lillie Naomi Jackson, born Nov. 3, 1968, died February 19, 2012 at his Warrick Lane residence after an extended illness. Scottie attended schools in Appling County School System. He remained in Baxley after attending school and was a dedicated, devoted and loving son to his mother. His genuine love for people was manifested through his untiring generosity and hospitality to others. Scottie would give the shirt off of his back to help someone in need and was always happy. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by five sisters, Carol D. Jones, Otha Nell Jackson, Malana Solomon, Melva Jean Farrington and Sylvia Jackson and a brother, Wilton F. Jackson. [Full Story »] 

Tanner Michael Jones, infant son of Jeremy and Amanda Hutto Jones, died Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Candler Hospital in Savannah. Tanner was preceded in death by a first cousin, Cole Darden. [Full Story »] 

James Gregory “Greg” Morris, 52, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012. Greg was born July 21, 1959 in Appling County to the late Tom Lawton Morris, Jr. and the late Janet Gail Smith Morris. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Marina Morris of Metter; one son, Brett Morris of Baxley; a special friend, Mary Jean Allen of Eastman; two special cousins, Shayne Smith and Nan Marie Miles; one uncle, Mike (Tish) Smith; two aunts, Martha Ann Poppell and Mary Sally Turner and two grandchildren also survive. [Full Story »] 

Isabelle Dixon Murkerson, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at her residence in Hortense. Ms. Murkerson was born to William Harvey Dixon and the late Emily Barber Dixon Nov. 10, 1937 in Appling County and had lived in Hortense for the past thirty years. Isabelle was a caretaker and she was disabled. [Full Story »] 

Jane Carter Touchton, 75, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 in Jacksonville, FL following a brief illness. Jane was born in Baxley Nov. 1, 1936 to Cecil W. and Lois Beecher Carter. She went to be with her Lord and joined her father, the Rev. Cecil W. Carter (predeceased in 1980) and her son, Michael Howell, (predeceased in 1996), both of Baxley. Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She had a deep and abiding love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was the pianist and organist at Faith Memorial Baptist Church for over 45 years. Ms. Touchton was also known to be a great cook. Her ‘yellow bowl’ of potato salad, chicken and dumplings, squash casseroles, pie and cakes were always the first to go at church socials. She was known for her devotion to her family, church and friends, her loving kindness and a life served for God. [Full Story »] 

“If you owned or did business with a bank in a small South Georgia town, and it got robbed or burgled, I probably did it.” So Willie Foster Sellers could say with complete accuracy. A Surrency farm boy, Sellers and his Dixie Mafia cohorts sparked a crime wave in the old Confederacy during the late 1950’s that lasted through the mid-1970’s and netted them an estimated $8 million in ill-gotten loot. [Full Story »]