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VOL.i NO.39 October 5,2022
LEGAL ORGAN OF SCREVEN COUNTY
Sylvania, Georgia $1.25
BUSINESS LEADER AND FORMER
CORONER LAID TO REST
Sarah Saxon
Reporter
Late Monday night, Screven county residents began receiving the news that longtime business leader and
former coroner James Strickland, had died. Strickland was a partner of Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral
and Screven County Coroner since 1990.
James was born and raised in Royston, Georgia. He graduated with honors from Gupton-Jones College of
Mortuary Science in Atlanta and has served many families in the county.
Strickland and his business partners opened Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home in November 1981.
The business was sold in early 1992, but James remained a funeral director and manager at the firm.
He became coroner of Screven County in 1990 and served until May 2022, when he retired due to health
reasons. Ramona Stewart, current Screven County Coroner said of Strickland, “James has been my mentor
and I hope I can make him proud by doing the job he trained me to do.”
He was a Rotarian, a Gideon, deacon, and a member of McDonald Baptist Church.
James was preceded in death by his daughter Kristan Elise Strickland Smoak in 2015, his parents Max Kutz Strickland and Cassie Elise Strickland, mother-in-law,
Bernice W. Griner.
He is survived by his wife, Kay and grandsons Kameron Max Smoak and Tanner Kaiden Smoak.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 2 pm with Dr. Jack Gatlin and Rev. Bill Kent officiating, (photo contributed)
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James Strickland
Phyllis Lewis and Michael Oliver stand with Director Cynthia
Burgest (center). The couple were voted best dressed of the prom.
(Photo by Debbie Hearn)
Seniors enjoy prom
i95o’s themed dance hosted by Senior Center
Joe Brady
Editor
The Screven County Wellness Center hosted a Fabulous Fifties Senior Prom last
Thursday at the Cail Community Center. The event was open to patrons of the
Senior Center as well as guests. The only criteria? You had to have been bom in the
Fifties.
“Elvis and James Brown were in the building,” Cynthia Burgest, director of the
center, explained. “We twisted the day away and praised the Lord for seeing the
light.” The group enjoyed refreshments and prizes. “Congratulations to our King and
Queen, Mr. Tony Johnson and Ms. Pauline Lovett” Burgest said.
The Center is open Monday thru Thursday from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Hot lunch is
offered to the patrons for a donation of $1.25 per day and may be reached by dialing
912-564-7727.
“I would like to thank everyone who worked to make this prom possible.Thank you
Screven County for caring about our older citizens.”
Pauline Lovett and Tony Johnson, who also performed as
James Brown won the coveted title of King and Queen of the
Prom. (Photo by Debbie Hearn)
Local leaders meet to
discuss family violence
Sarah Saxon
Reporter
Local leaders gathered at the Screven County Sheriff s
Office last Tuesday to discuss family violence presented
by Georgia Legal Services and Safe Haven.
For 50 years, Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP),
has offered free legal services to Georgians with low
incomes who reside outside metro Atlanta in 154 of
the state’s 159 counties. “Everyone has a right to high
quality legal services regardless of location,” explained
Carl Schulter with GLSP. The nonprofit law firm exists
to ensure qualifying Georgians have access to quality
legal services from trusted advocates and partners. Theio
regional offices provide free legal services in the areas of
family law, housing, access to public benefits, eviction
prevention, farmworkers rights, and access to education.
Carl Schulter, also presented a program on “Breaking
Free from Domestic Violence: How GLSP holistically
assists survivors to safety and beyond and how your
agency can help.”
Kimberly Billings from Safe Haven was also on hand to
answer any questions about how to help the victims of domestic and family violence.
“We offer shelter to individuals affected by domestic violence. We also have the resources to help
families get back on their feet. Statistics show that 25% of women and 14% of men have experienced
some type of domestic violence. Those figures translate to about
Carl Schulter of GLSP answers a question from
Guy Greene, Screven County School Safety Director,
(photo by Sarah Saxon)
• See SAFE page 9
Our New Home - weeks
Joe Brady
Editor
Well gang, if you need people to do a job,
look no further than your local newspaper
advertisers. Due to time constraints, we had
to let Wiggins Construction down easy and
switched over to ORR’s Construction. Debbie’s
office is now a gray color that, if you’re
interested, is called Sylvania Times grey at
Possum Eddy. That’s right, we have our own
paint color! Denny Orr has promised us we
will be in the new space in 30 days! (photo by
Debbie Hearn)
The Gamecock Marching Band celebrates their Superior "1" ratings at the Southeast
Bulloch Band Blast, Saturday, September 24, 2022. (photo credit by Hank Carter)
Gamecock
Marching Band
earns high praise,
high marks
Hank Carter
Special Contributor
The Screven County High School Gamecock Marching Band
earned superior ratings at Saturday's "Band Blast" marching
band showcase at Southeast Bulloch High School in Statesboro.
"Superior" is the highest rating possible. In addition to the high
praise, the band also earned high marks from all three band
judges.
Judge Dr. M. Lamont Leff from Clayton, Georgia, complimented
the band's technique and fundamentals, "Good visual, great
design, and it was a super fun and interesting show. Bravo!"
Dr. Douglas Hill, judge from Macon, Georgia, agreed, "Well
done, I appreciate the attention to detail. Enjoyed the show."
Rounding out the judging panel was retired band director Wally
Shaw, a legend in the music education community. Mr. Shaw
enjoyed the musical and visual aspects of the show, and gave a
special nod to the SCHS Color Guard.
The SCHS band just keeps working, and they keep getting better
each week. I'm proud of them. The band's next competition is
October 22 at South Effingham High School.
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