News, Obituaries, & Sports

Mrs. Gloria Dawn Ivie Russell, age 57, of Thomaston, died Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at her residence. Memorial services for Mrs. Russell will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home, followed by a private family inurnment in Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday morning from 10:00 until the service hour. Mrs. Russell was born on August 10, 1968, in Thomaston, GA. She was a 1987 gr

Cassie LeAnn Garner, age 38 of Lake Park, Georgia, died Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at her residence. Cassie was born on October 7, 1987, in Milledgeville, Georgia to the late Robert Anthony Fowler, and Pam Tidwell Bloodworth.  She was a member of Northside Christian Church.  She is preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her mother Pam (Jeff) Bloodworth of Thomaston, fiancé, Johnnie Kidd of Lake Park, son, Zachary Kidd of Lake Park, brother Nay Nay (Savannah) Blo

The Upson-Lee NJROTC rifle program delivered a strong performance at the Area 9 Championship held on January 10, 2026, in Anniston, Alabama. Both the Precision and Sporter teams earned third place finishes against top competition from across the region. Leading the way for the Precision team was highest shooter Jayla Smith (549) while Madison Jones (495) posted the top score for the Sporter team. With this accomplishment, the Upson-Lee NJROTC Precision team qualified to advan

Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Ann Smith Reese, age 85, of Zebulon, passed away peacefully at her home on January 13, 2026. Becky spent her childhood in Zebulon and later moved to Ellenwood after marrying Marvin Reese. They made their home there for many years before returning to Zebulon in 1991. At the age of 12, Becky was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon. She later attended Victory Temple in Jonesboro and remained strong in her faith throughout her life. In her early wo

Superintendent Announces Retirement Effective June 2026 Dr. Larry Derico, Superintendent of the Thomaston-Upson County School System, has announced his intention to retire, effective June 2026. Derico has served as Superintendent since June 2018. He joined the district office in 2005 after serving as a teacher and assistant principal in both the Meriwether and Thomaston-Upson school systems. At the T-U district office, he served as Director of Federal Programs from 2005-2010,

Mr. Travis Grady Foster, age 51, passed away on January 8, 2026. He was raised in Forest Park and lived in Griffin for many years. He enjoyed fishing and had a natural talent for drawing. He was stubborn in his own way, loved to tell stories and will be remembered for his big personality and sense of humor. He worked as a welder and a glass cutter and took pride in working with his hands. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Bridges Fos

Mr. Rodney Wayne "Hot Rod" Wheeler age 60 of Thomaston Ga, died Wednesday January 7, 2026 at St. Josephs Hospital. Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Thelma Ruth Sweat Meade Melton, affectionally known as “Ruthie”, age 51, of Yatesville passed away January 12, 2026.  Ruthie grew up in Middlesboro, Kentucky and lived in Tennessee for many years before moving to Georgia to be with her family.  She was a homemaker and an excellent cook who enjoyed the outdoors, jeep riding and arts and crafts, especially diamond art. She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal Sweat and Barbara Sue Thomas Sweat, and her beloved dog, D

Mr. Elbert Leon “Bill” Stiles, age 80, of Zebulon, passed away January 11, 2026, at his home. Bill grew up in LaFayette, Georgia, the son of the late Charles Stiles and Mae Sprayberry Stiles. For 42 years, Bill owned and operated Stiles Body Shop in Riverdale, where he was known for being honest, straight forward, hardworking and dedicated. He was musically talented and enjoyed playing the guitar, piano, and organ. Bill would often be found picking music with friends at many

On Sunday January 11, 2026, the world became a much quieter place with the passing of Carolyn Joyce Teal Fuller, age 72 of Thomaston, GA. Renowned for her ability to turn any five-minute story into a fifty-minute story, Joyce’s family is now enjoying what they are calling their "first collective moment of silence in decades." Though she never had a filter, she was never short on love, and will be deeply missed. No doubt she is giving all the angels in heaven a detailed accoun

A sixteen year old male student was taken in custody by deputies this morning at Upson Lee High School after a Ruger .380 caliber pistol was located in his backpack by school personnel as he walked through the OpenGate detection system . The child has been removed from the school. The pistol is reported as “lost” from the Atlanta Police jurisdiction. This case is being actively investigated and the juvenile has been charged with Possession of a Weapon on school property, Poss

Mrs. Eloise Hickman Cornwell-Cobb, age 86, of Griffin, GA, passed away January 9, 2026.  Eloise grew up in Columbus, GA, daughter of the late Edgar Eric Hickman and Addie May Free Hickman.  She was a member of both the Charles S. Harrison American Legion Unit 35 and the VFW in Columbus. Eloise moved to Griffin in 1980 where she worked as a CNA for many years at Spalding Regional Hospital. She was a loving and devoted mother and MeMe who took wonderful care of everyone.  She e

Mrs. Brenda Watts Watson, age 82, of Thomaston, died Saturday, January 10, 2026, at her residence.   Mrs. Watson was born on January 23, 1943, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Gilbert Watts and the late Ruby Waddell Watts.  She worked as the Assistant Vice President at the Bank of Upson and was a member of The Gathering Church.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, James Watts. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Watson of Thomaston, daughter

LaKeitha Thompson The City of Thomaston  council meeting, LaKeitha Thompson and Kathleen Thompson were recognized for their actions on the morning of December 13, 2025. Lakeitha Thompson was passing by a home that was on fire and immediately stopped to see if anyone was home. She made contact with an elderly female, dialed 911 and assisted with helping her out of the burning home. Kathleen Thompson Kathleen Thompson jumped into action assisting Lakeitha with the elderly femal

The Thomaston city councel appointed Ethan Evans and Emma Goen to the youth councel. Ethan Evans and Emma Goen

Frieda “Jane” Fortner, a treasured mother, grandmother, sister, and sparkly presence to all who knew her, died on January 7, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by family in the comfort of her long-time home.  A Thomaston native, Frieda was born on December 11, 1941 to the late Donald B. Fortner Sr. and the late Bernice Ferguson Fortner, as the eldest sister to two younger brothers, Don Fortner and the late Gary Fortner. Frieda won people over with her winsome, effusive person

Janet Duryea Taylor Korman, age 79, of Concord, passed away December 24, 2025. Janet grew up in White Plains, New York, daughter of the late Bruce Earl Taylor and the late Grace Juliette Malisfene Taylor. Janet lived in Greenville, New York before moving to Georgia 15 years ago. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, deer and turkey hunting, and riding and showing horses.  She is survived by her husband: Kenneth Korman; nephews: Jimmy Hardin and Tim Korman (Darlene). A f

Mrs. age 69 of Culloden died Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Warm Springs Roosevelt Rehab. Mrs. Cochran was born in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Howard "Doc" Bennett, and the late Myra Maddox Bennett.  She worked for Wooten Prosthetics and was of the Baptist Faith.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Crystal Barfield. Survivors include her husband, Tommy Cochran on Culloden, daughters, Samantha (Matt) Duncan, April (Steve) Robb, and Jeanny (Da

Debra Ann Lindsay Potter, age 56, of Vila Rica, passed away January 6, 2026.  Debra was the kind of person who put everyone else before herself. She was the purest soul any of us had ever met. She was a loving wife to Donnie and was blessed to be a mother of four. In raising her children, she gave them roots to stand strong and wings to go on. She was an incredibly proud grandmother to five grandchildren who brought her so much joy. Her home was always full of love — and dogs