About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2023)
jenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Page 5 Susan W. Godbee Susan W. Godbee, 73, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023, after battling an extended illness. She was bom June 14, 1950, to C. J. and Juel Waters. She was a native of Jenkins County and a graduate of Jenkins County High School and attended Young Harris College. She worked as an operator for Southern Bell Telephone Company and eventually retired as a dairy famier. She was heavily involved in many different organizations revolving around agriculture. She was an active member of Dry Branch Baptist Church. Susan is preceded in death by her husband, Don Godbee, parents, C.J. and Juel Waters, and sister. Dawn Patterson. The funeral was held at Dry Branch Baptist Church on Sunday, November 12th at 2pm with Rev. Tim Fields officiating. She is survived by her three children, Wesley (Shana) Godbee, Ashley (Bryan) Slowinski, and Kimberly Bragg; stepchildren: Craig (Susan) Godbee and Hayley Greene; grandchildren: Devan, Weston, Reagan, Judson, and Durden Godbee, Stetson Slowinski, and Jaylee Bennett; step-grandchildren: Alisha Patrick, Sheridan Godbee, Meredith, Grant, and Joshua Greene; and brothers: Dave Waters and Jim (Janie) Waters; a very special niece Anna Kate (Chris) Cobb and several other nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Pmitt Bethany Home, Jenkins County EMS and the Jenkins County Hospital for their loving care. Protect your child from measles, mumps, and rubella, by ensuring they have received their MMR Vaccine. Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine »» FIRST DOSE II SECOND DOSE 12-15 \ 4-6 months old years old To find Out more information, visit; https://bit.ly/3Pd0brA GRANTS Continued from page 1 commitment to supporting organizations that align with its values of safety, sustainability, and community development underscores the company's dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen. By actively engaging with local governments and organizations, Norfolk Southern seeks to build strong, resilient communities that thrive economically and socially. The invitation to the Millen government to apply for these grants presents an opportunity for the local community to access resources that can make a tangible and positive impact on various aspects of civic life. Organizations and initiatives that align with the goals of these grant programs are encouraged to consider this opportunity and submit applications that showcase their commitment to fostering safe, sustainable, and thriving communities. BETHEL Continued from page 1 The heartwarming initiative not only provided a delicious meal to those in attendance but also showcased the power of community collaboration. It served as a reminder that when individuals and organizations come together for a common cause, they can make a significant positive impact on the lives of others. "We are extremely grateful for the Spring Fountain Masonic Lodge," said Pastor Jerlyn Smith-Hudson. "Their commitment to serving our community is truly remarkable. It's a wonderful reminder of the spirit of Thanksgiving, which is all about gratitude, compassion, and coming together as a community." For more information about Bethel AME-Millen and its community initiatives, please visit the church's website or contact the church at 706-871-4671. THE COTTON GIN " Millen's Florist" Since 1987 478.982.2153 717 Cotton Ave. Millen, GA have an old 6IBIE you love, but needs a new cover? CALL The Times Rebinding Services TO DAY! WE REBIND IN GENUINE LEATHER, BONDED LEATHER and TOP GRAIN COWHIDE! 912.451.6397 The Times Bible HebincFing Secretary of State Hails Success of GARViS Test in Municipal Elections By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger proudly announced the triumph of the 2023 municipal election cycle, attributing the achievement to the diligent efforts of local election officials and the implementation of the state's cutting-edge Georgia Registered Voter Information System, known as GARViS. Launched statewide in February 2023, GARViS stands as the latest tool empowering election administrators in all 159 Georgia counties, ushering in a new era of secure, cloud- based data warehousing. Among its myriad enhancements, this innovative system has streamlined the voter check-in process during Advance Voting, reducing the likelihood of clerical errors at polling places and enhancing the overall voter experience. Notably, for the first time m the state's history, Election Day voters who used the state's Poll Pads (electronic poll books) witnessed their voter credits displayed on the GA My Voter Page within just 30 minutes of checking in at the polls. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger expressed his satisfaction with the system's maiden mn, stating, "The first major test of GARViS was a resounding success. Shorter wait times mean less confusion at the polls, reduced errors, and increased voter confidence. We commend our county election officials for their unwavering dedication." GARViS was utilized in 122 counties during this fall's municipal elections, earning high praise from election officials across the state. Deb Cox, Lowndes County Supervisor of Elections, commented, "The Poll Pads are working flawlessly with GARViS for the fastest, most accurate voting experience ever seen by Georgia's voters...it's a win all the way around!" One of the system's primary strengths lies in its unwavering commitment to security, employing Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FEDRAMP) servers. GARViS is the culmination of over 150,000 hours of development, testing, and deployment, hosting more than 12,000,000 voter records, including over 7 million active voter records. The successful integration of GARViS into Georgia's electoral process underscores the state's dedication to ensuring efficient, secure, and user-friendly elections. As the 2023 municipal election cycle progresses, the positive impact of GARViS promises to be a hallmark of Georgia's commitment to improving the voting experience for its citizens. For further information on GARViS and the Georgia Secretary of State's office, please visit the official website at www.sos.ga.gov. flyrcns That Touch th£ fteart Now Sing We a Song for the Harvest As I visited many retailers this past week, I have noticed that many of them have had Christmas decorations out since mid July now. I am reminded of my Thanksgiving and Christmas as a child. No Christmas decorations were out before Thanksgiving and we seemed to do just fine. Now, I would never say, we didn't shop for our Christmas gifts earlier, but we never decorated until after Thanksgiving. And not to mention, stores were closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas along with new years day. What has happened? Life is so short, we should celebrate the holidays with family. So, let me ask. Why do we just skip the Thanksgiving holiday? Why is it not important to people now days? I still find Thanksgiving to be one of the most joyful days of the year. Family getting together, eating and celebrating the season of thankfulness. Even though I know, my auction company is open on Thanksgiving Day. However, it is still a time of gathering with family and friends. One tradition I remember from my childhood, is the tradtion of going around the table during our Thanksgiving meal and telling what we were thankful for. It is one of those traditions that is not used too much by families John White Chadwick anymore. However, it is tried and true. It does, for a moment, make you realize what you are thankful for in this hustle and bustle life. I would like to challenge you and your family to do a "around the table, I'nr thankful" this Thanksgiving. You may find it will change your outlook for the balance of the year. As my Dad would say, "you may even learn something about your family you did not know". At the same time, I like a new tradition too. Having a bucket at the door for all cell phones. My Mom would do that later in her life. She would always say, "it is a time for family to gather, eat and get to know each other better." So, leaving your cell phone in the bucket at the door, seems to be a good idea to me. My hymn this week if about being thankful. Being thankful for what we have and what the Lord has provided each and everyone of us. The hymn was written by John White Chadwick in 1871. Chadwick was a writer of poems and hymns during his life. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker early in life, but decided to further his academic learning, and entered the Massachusetts normal school at Bridgewater in 1857. He decided to become a minister, and graduated in 1864 from Harvard Divinity School. That year he also became pastor of the Second Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, New York. His sermons attracted attention, and he became known as a radical teacher of the doctrines of his church. Sing with me and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday season. 1 Now sing we a song for the harvest. Thanksgiving and honor and praise. For all that the bountiful Giver Hath given to gladden our days: 2 For grasses of upland and lowland. For fruits of the garden and field. For gold which the mine and the prairie To delver and husband-nran yield. 3 And thanks for the harvest of beauty. For that which the hands cannot hold. The harvest eyes only can gather. And only our hearts can enfold: 4 We reap it on mountain and moorland. We glean it from meadow and lea. We gamer it in from the cloud-land. We bind it in sheaves from the sea. 5 But now we sing deeper and higher. Of harvests that eye cannot see; They ripen on mountains of duty Are reaped by the brave and the free. 6 O Thou who art Lord of the harvest. The Giver who gladdens our days. Our hearts are forever repeating Thanksgiving and honor, and praise. Are reaped by the brave and the free. 6 O Thou who art Lord of the harvest. The Giver who gladdens our days. Our hearts are forever repeating Thanksgiving and honor, and praise.
