Jeff Davis Ledger

The September meeting of the Joint Development Authority will be held this Thursday at 3 p.m. at The Big House. Following is the meeting agenda: 1. Call to Order 2. Prayer & Pledge 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Comments from Guests, limited to no more than 5 minutes. 5. Consent Calendar A. Minutes (August 20 Regular Meeting) B. Report of Financials C. President’s Report 6. Old Business A. Reminder of Needed Training for Board Members B. Other Old Business 7. New Business A.

Twenty-three years ago, almost to the day, I was having a bad day at the office. A very bad day. Today, 23 years later, I’ve been having another such day. Twenty-three years ago it was computer glitches that overwhelmed me with frustration, leading me to abandon all hope of getting my column done for that week. This week the computer has been fine. It’s my impatience that’s been working its way into the crevices of my brain like earthworms weaving into rich soil in search of nutrients.

Mr. Terrence McCoy, 16, of Hazlehurst, passed away Aug. 5. He was born Sept. 15, 2009, in Baxley, to Terrence Harrison II and Shirley Marie McCoy. Terrence was a student at Jeff Davis High School in Jeff Davis County, where he was loved by his teachers and classmates. He was noted for his abundance of energy and personality, He had a passion for sports, especially football, where his natural talent truly shined.

Ja’Queze Xavier Kirby Jr. was born at 12:07 p.m. Sept. 8 in Douglas. He was 9 pounds and one ounce and was 22 inches long. Ja’Queze Jr. departed this life Sept. 10 at the Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Fa. Ja’Queze Jr. was preceded in death by his great-grandmothers Alice “Lisa” Drone and Hilda Valencia, his uncle Ja’Quavious Kirby, and his cousin Rikki Zuniga.

Mrs. Wendolyn Reagin Mason, 86, of Aiken, S.C., passed away peacefully Sept. 13. Born Dec. 15, 1939, in Hazlehurst, she was a daughter of the late Aaron Reagin and Bonnie Cleo Quinn Reagin. Mrs. Mason was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend whose greatest joy in life was her family. She cherished every opportunity to spend time with her children and especially treasured visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Joseph Thomas Googe Sr., 86, of Stockbridg, passed away Sept. 13. Mr. Googe was born July 4, 1940, in Baxley to the late Jerry Oneal Googe and the late Alma Oberry Googe and was a member of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in McDonough. He was raised on the family farm and learned the value of hard work, early mornings and a deep appreciation for the land.

Mr. Larry Miles, 71, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away Aug. 24. He was born May 7, 1955, in Hazlehurst. Larry later relocated to Jacksonville, Fla.. He attended Paxon High School in Jacksonville. Larry will be fondly remembered for his laughter, kindness, and outgoing personality. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His warm and lively spirit made his presence known whereever he went.

Mrs. Josephine “Josie” McRae Hays, 69, of Hazlehurst, passed away at her residence Sept. 14 under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. Mrs. Hays was born Nov. 8, 1956, and was the daughter of the late Robert Earl McRae and Doreatha Varnadore McRae. She had a sweet disposition and found joy in the simple things in life. She loved crafting, reading and taking pictures, always enjoying the opportunity to create, learn and capture special moments.

By TOMMY PURSER Editor-Publisher At their meeting last Thursday, the Hazlehurst City Council voted to raise property taxes in the city by more than 30%. And by Tuesday of this week, at least one council member had come to the realization that such a move might be a mistake. The council has a budget meeting se† for Oct. 13 at noon, at which time they can reconsider the tax hike. But after last week’s action, one would be hard pressed to predict what action, if any, they’ll take.

By MARY ANN ANDERSON No bones about it. Cemetery business was anything but dead at last Thursday’s regular meeting of the Hazlehurst City Council. City Clerk Vernice Thompson explained that the map for the city cemetery on Lumber City Highway is deteriorating badly, with Ward 3 Councilman Chris Jones joking that it looks like a mummy with all the tape and pieces of paper hanging from it.