News, Obituaries, & Sports

Mrs. Sheryl Patrick Gresham, age 63, of Thomaston, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at her residence. Mrs. Gresham was born on April 15, 1963, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Roy Patrick, and the late Bertha Crook Patrick. She was a member of the Baptist Tabernacle. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Linda Young. Survivors include her husband, Richard Leon Gresham, brother, Steve (Rosa) Patrick and brother-in-law Glen (Brenda) Young. Mrs. Gre

Mr. Timothy Lamar Helton, age 69, of Molena, died Sunday, August 2, 2026, at his residence. Mr. Helton was born in Rex, Georgia, on October 6, 1956, to the late John C. Helton and the late Betty Jo Buchanan Helton. He was a district manager for Jameson Inns, and he was the owner/operator of Helton Handicraft. He was a talented artist and painter. Survivors include his daughter, Jessica (Nathan) Jones of Thomaston; his son, Eric (Erin) Helton of Concord; a brother, Gary Campbe

Mrs. Thelma Ruth Strickland, age 87, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Riverside Health and Rehab with her devoted husband of more than 60 years by her side. Mrs. Strickland was born on March 3, 1939, in Roberta, Georgia, a daughter of the late Henry Jackson Cochran and the late Isabell Bloodworth Cochran. She was employed for many years with Goody's Manufacturing, where she was known for her strong work ethic and dedication. A woman who found

Mr. Jeffrey “Jeff” Leon Kempson, age 65, of Concord, passed away on July 15, 2026. Jeff grew up in Pike County and was the son of the late Ronnie Aaron Kempson and Brenda Joyce Hall Kempson. He graduated from Pike County High School. Jeff had a life-long fascination with anything that had wheels. He loved cars—old and new, fast and slow—as well as go-karts and Legend cars. He enjoyed tinkering on engines and spent many years racing late model cars at Senoia Raceway. More than

Mr. Bobby J. “Bob” Stephens, age 86, of Griffin, passed away August 2, 2026. His introductory sentence was always, “My name is Bob, any way you spell it, forward or backward, it’s still spelled Bob.” Bob was born in Fayetteville, GA. He was one of seven children born to the late Arthur Victor Stephens and the late Sarah Gladys Carden Stephens, who were sharecroppers. He spent more than 60 years as a truck driver, beginning his career with Southeastern Freight Lines, where he

Mrs. Elizabeth Rebecca “Becky” Wallace, age 78, of Williamson, passed away July 30, 2026, at her home. Becky grew up in southeast Atlanta, the daughter of the late Winford Connell and the late Elizabeth Walker Connell. After graduating from East Atlanta High School, Becky earned her bachelor's degree in Hospital Management from Georgia State University. She began her career in the personnel department at Griffin Hospital before working for the State of Georgia, where she insp

Mrs. Carolyn Annette Elliott Adams age 66 of Thomaston Ga, died Saturday August 2, 2026 at Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin Ga. Mrs. Adams was born on May 1, 1960 in Thomaston Ga, to the late James Elliott and the late Sarah Storey Raybon. She worked in the Thomaston Upson County School System for many years. Mrs. Adams was a member of Pine Mountain Church of The Nazarene in Meansville Ga. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her son Matthew Fowler. Survivors

Mrs. Rose Marie Hardeman age 79 of Thomaston Ga, died Saturday August 1, 2026 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services for Rose Marie Hardeman will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. from Coggins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Judes Child

James Merrell Means, Jr., age 96, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026. Born on June 16, 1930, in Zebulon, Georgia, Jim was the son of the late James Merrell Means, Sr. and Ganelle Corley Means. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1951 and, after proudly serving in the United States Army, enjoyed a distinguished career of more than 25 years with the U.S. Public Health Service. Jim never met a stranger. A true people person with a generous heart, h

Mr. Horace Trice (“Baby”) was born on November 24, 1944, in Upson County, Georgia, to the late Horace Trice and Pearline Thigpen Trice. He peacefully departed this life on July 27, 2026, in Phenix City, Alabama. When he wasn't working, Horace found happiness in the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved making people laugh. His warm smile, generous spirit, and unforgettable personality will

​Jonathan Dean Hemphill, age 54 of Griffin, Georgia, died Monday, July 27, 2026, at his residence. Jonathan was born on November 16, 1971, in Dublin, Georgia to Rev. Ernest Dean Hemphill and Patricia Coleman Hemphill. He was a 1990 Upson High School graduate, and a member of Clark's Chapel Baptist Church. He worked in law enforcement for 30 years, and loved the outdoors, and hunting with his son, Hunter. Survivors include his parents, Rev. Dean and Patricia Hemphill of Thom

Mr. John Charles "Jack" Fleischman, age 87, of McDonough, passed away on July 27, 2026, at his home. Jack was born in Maryland and grew up in Melbourne, Florida. He was the son of the late Joseph P. Fleischman and the late Billie Baatz Fleischman. In his early career, Jack earned his pilot hours by flying banner planes along the Florida beaches. He also worked in electronics at Cape Canaveral. After moving to Georgia, he joined Eastern Airlines, where he remained until the ai

Mrs. Gloria Salter Clark, age 89, of Thomaston, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation. Mrs. Clark was born in Thomaston on April 13, 1937, a daughter of the late Emory Ben Salter and the late Mattie Emma Garner Salter. A 1955 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute, Gloria devoted her life to her family as a homemaker, creating a warm and welcoming home wherever life led her. Alongside her husband, H. Lamar Clark, she lived

Mr. Larry Eugene Cogburn, age 79, of Molena GA, died Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Upson Regional Medical Center, in Thomaston GA. Funeral services for Mr. Cogburn will be announced later.

Mr. Rodney Shane Perkins, age 56, of Milner, passed away at Regency Select Hospital in Macon on July 25, 2026, from injuries sustained in a car accident on June 24th. He was born in Griffin, GA on December 7, 1969, to Calvin and Helen Perkins. Rodney’s career of HVAC work spanned 35+ years. He was well known in the community for being the person to call for help with HVAC and other handyman jobs. His hard work and generosity were two of his finest traits. Rodney was a member

Mr. James Ira Peaden Sr. age 74 of Thomaston, died Thursday, July 23, 2026, at his residence. Mr. Peaden was born on January 30, 1952, in Panama City Beach, Florida to the late Junior Holley Peaden and the late Delois Bolton Damon. He worked at Wallace Body Shop and was of the Baptist Faith. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Debra Tindle Peaden. Survivors include his daughters, Brandi (Jamey) Parker of Butler, Brooke (Monte) Tucker of Thomas

Mr. Norman Russ Bridges, age 56 of Thomaston, Georgia, died Tuesday, July 21,2026 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Bridges was born on December 6, 1969, in Lagrange, Georgia to Sammy Bridges and Patsy Norris Bridges. He worked as a Manager at Piggly Wiggly and was a member of Emory's Chapel Baptist Church. Survivors include his parents, Sammy and Patsy Bridges, wife, Audra McInvale Bridges, father-in-law, Kenneth McInvale, brother, Rodney (Kim) Bridges, sister-in-law,

Rebecca Charlotte Reynolds Kierbow passed away peacefully at Eternal Hope Hospice on July 2, 2026 after a brief illness. She was born in Jackson, Georgia on June 24, 1941 to Marian Louise Rogers Reynolds and Wilbur Hugh Reynolds. Growing up in Jackson, her love for animals became apparent while helping her parents on their cattle ranch. She rescued many animals (and even some people) over her lifetime and taught her daughters that every life is precious and should be nurtured

Geraldine Kennedy Moon, affectionately known as “Maw Maw” age 77, of Thomaston, Georgia, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Geraldine was born on June 15, 1949, in Thomaston, Georgia, to the late Jesse Harvey Kennedy and Thelma Jewel Kennedy. She was the youngest of five children. A hardworking and devoted businesswoman, Geraldine was self-employed for most of her life as the owner and manager of Southside Grocery, affectionately kn

Mr. Johnny E. Cheney age 60 of Thomaston Ga, formerly of Summerville S.C., died Saturday July 18, 2026 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Cheney was born on May 11, 1966 in Tupelo Ms, to Caroline Alfretta Comstock Cheney and the late John Edward Cheney. He worked as a certified mechanic and made covers for Gerber Knifes. Mr. Cheney served his country in the U.S. Army as a Military Police and later joined the National Guards. In addition to his father he is preceded in deat