Issuu

Hometown Living at its Best 2025 I S S U E

C O U N T Y GLENNVILLE’S OWN

Paige Ewing Crowned

MRS. AMERICA TATTNALL COUNTY LIVING

2025

Hometown Living at its Best

C O U N T Y CONTENTS / 2025

12 More than Business

This powerhouse motherdaughter team has more than 65 years of combined experience serving Southeast Georgia families and businesses.

28 Big Man in a

Small Package… Jackie Trim grew from a spirited, hardworking athlete into a dedicated Marine, educator, community leader, and public servant whose grit, integrity, and devotion left a lasting impact on Tattnall County.

COVER STORY

Crowned with Courage The Tattnall County community proudly celebrates Paige Ewing— our Glennville girl—as she embarks on this extraordinary journey.

ON T H E C O V E R 2025 Mrs. America Paige Ewing >> PHOTO BY FAVORED STUDIOS

4 2025 / TATTNALL COUNTY LIVING

42 Small Town Dreamers

Jermaine and Whaketa Hargrove, founders of Small Town Animation Studios, set their reservations aside when they founded their own animation company that is now one of the top animation companies in Southeast Georgia.

city of

Reidsville A Great Place To Live!

City of Reidsville | 130 South Main Street | Reidsville, GA 30453 | PH: (912) 557-4786 | cityofreidsvillega.com/home Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Living at its Best

C O U N T Y C ON T E N TS 2025

76 A Product of the

Greatest Generation

Donald Franklin Kennedy’s life reflects a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, hard work, faith, and a front-row seat to nearly a century of sweeping American change.

90 Heart of Determination: The Story of Ms. Irene

From humble beginnings and hard work in the fields to becoming a successful store manager and beloved community role model, Irene “Ms. Irene” Ramirez’s life is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the power of treating people with genuine care.

106 We Serve Then;

We Serve Now…

142 Scenes of Tattnall

Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons why we love Tattnall County.

6 2025 / TATTNALL COUNTY LIVING

VFW Post 7764 in Reidsville, Georgia, has evolved from a small veterans’ group into a thriving, service-driven organization known for its extensive community involvement, dedication to honoring veterans, and unwavering commitment to helping those in need.

126 Bonding with the Breed

Olivia Brown turned her passion for dogs into a thriving career and fulfilling way of life.

WWW.KYLEDURRENCE.COM (912) 739-1744 KYLE DURRENCE CHEVROLET GMC serving Evans County, Tattnall County, and surrounding areas. From Sales, Service, and Parts, this is your home town dealer!

From the Publisher

Tattnall County P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications

Jay and Patti Martin C r eat i v e | D e s i g n

Caffeine Generated Graphics

Stacey Nichols Robin T. Poole o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Guzman

Welcome to another inspiring issue of Tattnall County Living Magazine, where we celebrate the stories, people, and places that make our community unlike any other. Each edition reminds us why Tattnall County is more than a place on the map—it’s a tapestry of hometown pride, deep-rooted tradition, and a spirit of togetherness that continues to shine. In this issue, we are especially proud to spotlight one of our own—Glennville native Paige Ewing, newly crowned Mrs. America 2025. Though she now calls Buford home, Paige’s heart, values, and foundation were shaped right here in Tattnall County. Her story is a testament to the strength of small-town beginnings and the remarkable heights our people continue to reach. We are honored to feature her journey, her faith, and the purpose she carries into her new national platform. As always, this magazine exists to uplift the voices and achievements of the people who represent the very best of Tattnall County. From local leaders and entrepreneurs to families preserving tradition and young people forging new paths, every story is chosen with our readers in mind—with you in mind. Thank you for inviting us into your homes and your routines, for supporting local storytelling, and for believing in Tattnall County. It is our privilege to reflect the beauty of this community back to you, one issue at a time. I hope you enjoy this edition as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Romans 8:28 With thankful hearts,

Jay and Patti Martin Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com withyouinmindpublications.com 8

tattnall county living

P h otog r ap h e r s Favored Studios

Gilliam Photography Paul Evans Ronnie Thomas Rose Colored Lens LLC Shoot Me Photography The Journal Sentinel C ov e r P h oto Paige Ewing, Mrs. America,

Photo by Favored Studios Sale s Dottie Hicks

Patti Martin

Contributing Wri te r s Alexa Tebben

Casey Corbett

Coa Corbett

Marsha Cunningham

Pam Waters

Ronald E. McCall

Tattnall County Magazine© is published annually by With You in Mind Publications. withyouinmindpublications.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

find the home of your dreams. Family

Carrying on the legacy from one generation to the next

Collins

MOBILE HOMES Collins Real Estate

7669 Highway 280 East | Reidsville, GA 30453 912.557.4925 | 800.633.1286

Hometown Living At Its Best

Healthy Living Starts Here Southern Medical Group Leads with Heart and Trusted Primary Care with Experienced Doctors

Welcome to Southern Medical Group, where your health is our top priority. With years of experience, our dedicated providers render exceptional, personalized care. We build trust through compassionate, attentive service, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in your healthcare journey. Our comprehensive services include diabetes management, urgent care and sick visits, wellness visits, occupational health, DOT physicals, hypertension management, and routine primary care. Committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements, we continuously update our skills to offer the most effective treatments. Experience expert care with a personal touch at Southern Medical Group—schedule your appointment today. Southern Medical provides routine primary care for our patients including prescribing daily medications, routine blood work, and annual wellness visits. This also includes taking care of patients when they are sick or injured. Treatment of adult diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, anemia, thyroid, asthma, and more.

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We provide same-day appointments for urgent and sick patients when the schedule allows. If we can’t schedule you for the same day as you asked, we will offer you our first available appointment time. As your primary care provider, we offer wellness visits for all ages. This includes well-child visits, biometric screenings, annual Medicare visits, and pre-employment physicals. While we do not provide vaccines for children, we do provide thorough examinations for their well-child visits. Southern Medical Group also provides healthcare to employees of Canoochee EMC at the clinic located on their Reidsville campus. This includes sick visits, checkups, lab work, drug/ alcohol screens, and DOT physicals. Southern Medical also partners with the Evans County Board of Education to provide physicals for their bus drivers and South Atlantic Galvanizing for pre-employment physicals. Our provider Kelly Daus, PA-C, provides DOT certifications and physicals at the Glennville office. These physicals cost $125, and payment is due before the service is rendered. If your employer is responsible for the cost of your physical, please have them send a check written to Southern Medical Group or have them contact the office before your appointment.

SO 501 Cla

SO 601 Gle

SO 200 Rei

SOUTHERN MEDICAL GROUP -CLAXTON 501 E. Long St. Claxton, GA 30417

SMG-CANOOCHEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER 342 E. Brazell St. Reidsville, GA 30453 *Occupational health clinic-for Canoochee EMC employees only

SOUTHERN MEDICAL GROUP - GLENNVILLE 601 S. Veterans Blvd, Glennville, GA 30427 SOUTHERN MEDICAL GROUP - REIDSVILLE 200A S. Main St. Reidsville, GA 30453

SMG-ROTARY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER 801 West Barnard St. Glennville, GA 30427

*Occupational health clinic-for Rotary Corp. employees only

Hometown Living At Its Best

Story by Pam Waters | Photos provided

More Than

Business

A Mother-Daughter duo in Real Estate

For Darla Kicklighter and her daughter, Tiffany Kicklighter Sittle, real estate isn’t just a job. Their shared office at Kicklighter Realty, Inc., in Glennville provides them an opportunity to enjoy one of their most favorite things, working together. “We truly love working together,” said Tiffany. “We spend most of our days together, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We tag-team on nearly every transaction. It’s second nature by now.” This powerhouse mother-daughter team has more than 65 years of combined experience serving Southeast Georgia families and businesses. Kicklighter Realty, Inc., was built on trust, family values, and community pride. Darla and Tiffany’s seamless teamwork is evident right away — a skill that only comes from years of working together side by side. A Foundation Built on Family Kicklighter Realty, Inc., was established in the 1970s and became part of Darla’s life while she was expecting her daughter, Tiffany. A little over a year later, she began her journey as a single mother, and the office quickly became more than a workplace. It became a second home.

tattnall county living

“Tiffany came with me to work almost every day,” said Darla. “While other little girls were playing house, Tiffany played office. I always made a space for her in the back where she could color, play, watch TV, and stay close by. Real estate was just part of our day-to-day activity.” Now, decades later, the same scene repeats itself with Tiffany’s twin boys, Cole and Clay. The two often tag along with their mom just like she once did with hers. “It’s really special,” Tiffany says, as she surveys the office area allotted to toys and little boy artwork. “My children are growing up seeing us work hard together. It’s like it’s come full circle.” In addition to Cole and Clay, age 8, Tiffany and her husband, Ashley Sittle, also have Ashley’s older children, Chi, 14, and Lanier, 12. All four of the children get along wonderfully, and Darla enjoys being an active DD (grandmother) and participating in family events and travels when possible. The Road to Partnership After graduating from Georgia Southern University in 2004 with a degree in Finance, Tiffany officially joined her mom in the family business. The

Hometown Living At Its Best

two balance each other quite well, combining Darla’s seasoned knowledge as a broker and certified appraiser, with Tiffany’s drive, energy, and digital marketing expertise as an associate broker and registered appraiser. “We each bring complementary as well as unique skills to the table, while both sharing a real passion for real estate,” said Tiffany. Her mom agrees. “We balance each other’s strengths. Tiffany has the latest tech skills and incredible insight into today’s market, and I bring decades of experience,” said Darla. They also share the same work ethics and beliefs. “We are both deeply committed to doing things the right way. We believe in honesty, integrity, and always being upfront with our buyers and sellers,” said Darla. And it doesn’t hurt to have someone on hand who always has your back! Tiffany recalled one memorable incident shortly after she became licensed. “I was so excited to show my first house and probably a little nervous, too,” she laughed. “I arrived

tattnall county living

at the property and suddenly realized I’d left the key back at the office! I called my mom right away, and she came to the rescue. She met me halfway with the key, which saved a ton of time. And, believe it or not, I still sold the house!” Legacy and Lessons A few years after beginning her real estate career, Darla found herself parenting Tiffany as a single mom. Determined to succeed professionally without sacrificing their bond, she worked hard to build a thriving career while making time for the moments that mattered most. Over the years, much of what Tiffany does today was shaped by watching her mother’s example. “Everything she did, she did with me in mind. She set me up for success before I even knew what that meant,” said Tiffany. “I’ve learned so much from Mama. She has been a wonderful role model for me, and I feel so blessed that I’m able to work alongside her every day.” Both Darla and Tiffany had another strong female

role model as well, Darla’s mom, Margaret Joseph, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 86. After an early retirement from the Tattnall County Farm Bureau, Margaret spent the next 20 plus years helping her girls at Kicklighter Realty, Inc., as a licensed real estate agent herself and a welcoming smile behind the front desk. “Meme was always kind and gracious to our customers, and Tiffany and I gained valuable lessons from her when it came to patience and a genuine concern for others,” said Darla. “We miss Meme, but we will always cherish the precious memories of her,” said Tiffany. “Mama is so much like Meme in so many ways, and I see it more and more, not just in the office, but also in her concern for my kids and husband.” Community and Commitment In addition to their accomplishments in real estate, both Darla and Tiffany are deeply committed to their community. During her school years, Tiffany was actively involved in the pageant world, with her mom and Meme by her side at every event and competition. Drawing

Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or investing, Kicklighter Realty, Inc., offers full-service sales, rentals, property management, and appraisals — all backed by a legacy of care, commitment, and family values.

Hometown Living At Its Best

from that firsthand experience, she volunteered to chair the Miss Georgia Sweet Onion Scholarship Pageant in 2006 and went on to direct it for ten years, until stepping away to focus on her growing family following the birth of her twin boys. They are committed to service through the Glennville Rotary Club. Each has held leadership roles as president and secretary, and both have been honored with Rotarian of the Year awards, Service Awards, and the Paul Harris Fellow distinction, Polio Plus Society members, and Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation, recognizing their dedication to serving others and making a positive impact in their community. For more than a decade, they have also co-chaired

tattnall county living

the Rotary Club’s signature fundraiser, the annual auction, raising thousands of dollars for local educational programs and scholarships. “The annual Rotary Club auction is a labor of love and consumes us for about four to six weeks each fall,” said Darla. She also expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the individuals and businesses who have so faithfully supported the event over the years. Darla, Tiffany, and Tiffany’s family are active members of First Baptist Church of Glennville. Tiffany and Ashley have served as directors of Vacation Bible School for the past two years. Additionally, Tiffany serves on the children’s committee and leads the Greenhouse program for children in first through third

grade. They also help with other church activities, including Wednesday night children’s programs. While Tiffany is selling homes during the workday, Ashley owns and operates C.A. Sittle Landscaping, with jobs all around Southeast Georgia. “Putting family first is our priority. While we love our jobs, we feel truly blessed by God to have four wonderful children. With all four attending Pinewood Christian Academy and playing sports, we’re grateful to invest significant time supporting their growth both in and out of the classroom,” said Tiffany. More Than Buying and Selling While deeply involved in their community, church, and family, Darla and Tiffany dedicate just as much energy and commitment to their clients at the office. For them, real estate is about people, not just property. Recognized for outstanding achievement in real estate, Darla has received numerous accolades, including serving as past president of the Altamaha Basin Board of Realtors, graduating from the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and being a proud member of the Million Dollar Sales Club. With a track record of excellence, Tiffany has also earned several prestigious awards, including membership in the Million Dollar Sales Club, GRI graduate status, active involvement in the Young Professionals Network, and serves on multiple committees with the Altamaha Basin Board of Realtors. As a team, Kicklighter Realty, Inc., has been honored with the Best of Tattnall Award for the past five consecutive years, an achievement that underscores their dedication to exceptional service and community trust. “We love our community,” said Darla. “And we love helping people find their place in it.” “We’re not just trying to sell a house,” added Tiffany. “We’re helping someone start a new chapter. That’s a big deal, and we never take it lightly.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

“Our clients often come back to us when it’s time to sell, or they refer their friends and family,” she continued. “That kind of trust means everything.” Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or investing, Kicklighter Realty, Inc., offers full-service sales, rentals, property management, and appraisals — all backed by a legacy of care, commitment, and family values. “My mom has always gone the extra mile for clients. Her concern for their satisfaction and happiness with their new home is forefront,” said Tiffany. “And I believe real estate is more than a career for me, too. It’s my calling. My true passion is making a lasting impact in people’s lives. I see each moment as an opportunity to serve with purpose and to share the love of Christ through one conversation, one relationship, and one home at a time.”  TCL

tattnall county living

This powerhouse motherdaughter team has more than 65 years of combined experience serving Southeast Georgia families and businesses. Kicklighter Realty, Inc., was built on trust, family values, and community pride. Darla and Tiffany’s seamless teamwork is evident right away — a skill that only comes from years of working together side by side.

801 W. Barnard Street Glennville, GA 30427 912.654.3433 www.rotarycorp.com

799 W. Barnard Street Glennville, GA 30427 912.654.3436 www.duramatic.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

U-Pick Tomatoes | Fresh Vegetables | Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Closed Sunday Located on Hwy. 23 North just past Collins Elementary/Collins Middle Schools | 912-693-1938

Guiding You with Grace,

www.bradleybanderson.com 403 W. Barnard Street | Glennville, GA 30427

Phone: 912-654-1402 | Fax: 912-654-1028

Honoring Them with Heart.

We want you to view our firms as trusted neighbors and responsible caregivers deserving of your confidence. The most valuable thing they own cannot be seen or touched- it is the good will of the people they have served and the honor of their recommendations to family and friends. Low Country Cremation & Burial The Glennville Funeral Home offers distinctive, personal, and affordable services designed to help you honor your loved one in a way that is unique to them and meaningful to you. We own the only crematory in Tattnall County. The staff at Low Country Cremation & Burial The Glennville Funeral Home takes great pride in caring for our families, and has made a commitment to provide you with a beautiful, lasting tribute to your loved one. Honoring your loved one is our top priority, and part of that is assisting you deal with grief during this difficult time. Everyone’s needs are different, and for that reason, families can entrust their loved one’s wishes to our staff. We have a wide range of resources to support you not only today, but in the weeks and months to come.

135 North Main Street | Reidsville, GA 30453

Phone: 912-557-6783 | Fax: 912-557-6784

HISTORIC

DOWNTOWN GLENNVILLE

2026 Brings the 50th Anniversary of the Glennville Sweet Onion Festival! Over 100 vendors selling a variety of arts & crafts, delicious food and drinks, children’s area with games and activities, and lots more! • Glennville Sweet Onion Run & 5K, Glennville Sweet Onion Festival Parade, Sweet Onion Dance, Turtle Races, and more! • Community Lunch & Cake Raffle, Largest Onion Contest, Scholarships, and other Opening Events as the Special Day draws near • Glennville Sweet Onion Pageant in the spring to crown the 2026 (and 50th) Georgia Sweet Onion Queen Visit www.GlennvilleChamber.org for more information.

Glennville Festival Sweet Onion

2026

Sponsored By the Glennville Chamber of Commerce Located Downtown in the heart of Glennville

912-654-1616 | 912-237-5386 | www.glennvillechamber.org

the

heart I of the Matter

“Serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

tattnall county living

It’s always a good idea to listen to your heart. If you’ve been referred by your physician to make a visit to a cardiologist, then you should let the cardiologist do some listening to your heart as well. This is especially true for women these days, according to Stephanie Pinard, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC. As a member of the team of specialists at Statesboro Cardiology Vascular & Vein Specialists, Stephanie takes a special interest in women’s health and congestive heart failure. “As far as heart disease goes, the focus has been primarily on men. This is due to the fact that women tend to keep things internalized, and we put ourselves on the back burner a lot of the time. I stress the need for women to take care of themselves as well.” Stephanie should know, as she comes with an extensive background in hospital care, cardiac care, and intensive care. Born in Savannah, she graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001. She then attained a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City in 2015. In May of 2019, Stephanie completed her Post-graduate Certificate Dual Role Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of South Alabama. Stephanie became a part of Statesboro Cardiology in September of that year, and she takes particular interest in educating her patients about heart health. “I truly love the educational aspect of my job. With my background in nursing, educating my patients has always been an integral part of what I do,” explains Stephanie. “In fact, educating new patients about heart disease is usually the first step in their treatment. It’s really about giving them the knowledge they need so that they can help themselves on a day to day basis.”

Stephanie lives in Metter with her husband, Gary. They have three grown children: Christopher, Jessica and Tyler. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and loves traveling. As a member of Grace Community Church, Stephanie also has a passion to help others in need, taking mission trips to places like Romania and Kenya. In fact, she recently returned from her latest trip to Kenya in June. Stephanie Pinard and the entire team at Statesboro Cardiology take a patient-focused, collaborative approach to heart care. Their specialists use their years of combined knowledge and expertise to provide the very best care that cardiology has to offer. If you are a smoker, have high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure, or you have a family history of heart disease, it’s important to see a cardiologist. “Being able to serve patients and then ultimately seeing their health improve is extremely fulfilling,” says Stephanie. “I also enjoy being able to give them the resources that enable them to be proactive about their health.” Stephanie is currently seeing new patients both at the Statesboro office and at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. Call the office today at (912) 4896246 to schedule your appointment.

5 Grady Johnson Rd, Statesboro, GA 30458 | (912) 489-6246 statesborocardiologyga.com

tattnall county living

By Ronald E. McCall | Photos by Paul Evans and Ronnie Thomas

Big Man

in a small package…

Jackie C. Trim was born on December 7, 1943 to Jack and Frances Trim. Jack and Frances divorced when Jackie was about four years old, and as a result, Frank Rewis, husband of Frances’ sister Peggy, became the primary adult male in Jackie’s life. That was a distinct advantage. Frank was a hardnosed, no-nonsense male who would fight at the drop of a hat, and his influence offset that of the multiple females in Jackie’s life including Frances, Aunt Peggy Rewis, his grandmother, Mrs. Eva Dubose, and more. Due to the constant attention from so many adoring females, Jackie had a real

Jackie Trim grew from a spirited, hardworking athlete into a dedicated Marine, educator, community leader, and public servant whose grit, integrity, and devotion left a lasting impact on Tattnall County.

opportunity to become a spoiled Mama’s baby, but Uncle Frank was not having any of that. Frank served in the Merchant Marines in World War II, and he lived on the edge during those days as merchant vessels were fair game for German submarines and Luftwaffe bombers, and he barely escaped many times when merchant ships nearby were torpedoed or bombed and sunk. It helped nurture his attitude that in order to survive on this Earth, one had to be tough, and he successfully passed that on to Jackie. In the early 1950s, Frank operated the American Gasoline Service Station in the forks of the road

Hometown Living At Its Best

Jackie left the Board of Education after two terms and ran for Mayor of Reidsville and served eight years. There he provided the stable leadership that was his trademark, and Reidsville thrived.

between Church Street and South Main in Reidsville. When he was 12 years old, Jackie and Roger Kennedy, Jr. pumped gas, checked oil, helped fix tires and swept the floor. Young black boys who were short on cash would approach Frank and ask how much it would cost to have a flat bicycle tire fixed. Frank would give them a price like 50 or 75 cents which was serious money in those days. “You see that boy over there?” he’d ask. “If you can throw him, I’ll do it for free.” Jackie said that every time he saw a youngster walk up pushing a bicycle with a flat tire, he’d stop what he was doing and get ready to scrap. “I won about half of the time, and sometimes if the kid fought a good fight and lost, Frank would fix the tire free or just maybe a quarter. The word got around, and it seemed like I was rassling somebody every day. Most of the time I had to fix the tire whether it was free or not. That concrete around the station was hard. I stayed skinned up all the time.” That combative attitude paid off for Jackie in High School sports. He played football and basketball, baseball and ran track. In football he was a halfback and defensive safety. He would square up and stick his shoulder into a ball carrier with his head up on either side and put the opposing player on his back. He made 26 individual tackles against Jenkins County, and he was thrilled that Estin 30

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Grinstead sent him a note of congratulations. On the other side of the ball, if one tackled Jackie Trim, the first and most important rule was “get low.” But Jackie learned to listen carefully to Frank. When he was about 12 years old, Frank bought him a new shotgun. He provided strict instructions that Jackie was not to take the gun out of the cabinet unless he (Frank) was present. One day Jackie and Charles Rhoden saw dozens of doves at Mr. E.L. Grinstead’s cornfield near the edge of Reidsville on what would become the Fid Mosley Road. They went home, got their guns and returned to have their own personal dove shoot. Unfortunately, Frank drove by and recognized them and walked over to where they were shooting. He commenced to remind them, especially Jackie, with a thorough application of his leather belt about their agreement with his gun. Charles would say later that Frank’s belt was so hot he thought it warped his underwear, and to make it worse, his father, Russell Rhoden, added another dose of the same medicine when Charles got home. The message was clear. The gun stayed in the cabinet until Uncle Frank was present. I played basketball with Jackie for two years and often guarded him man-to-man in practice. We constantly tried to steal the ball from each other, and sometimes when one swiped the ball, the loser would kick the other in the rear as he started back up the court. Tony Adams, our coach, ended that practice one night in the old Reidsville gym when Jackie and a Toombs Central point guard stole the ball from each other several times in succession. Literally, one would steal the ball, dribble three or four times in the opposite direction before the other one stole it back. This was repeated continuously to the delight of the fans. Finally, the Toombs Central player gained control of the ball and sprinted by Jackie. As he passed, Jackie kicked him square in the hindquarters. The game stopped briefly as spectators on both sides roared with laughter. The referee stopped the game briefly and put a hand over his mouth so spectators and players would not see him laughing before he charged Jackie with a technical foul. It was a close game and Coach Adams was not amused. In high school, Jackie had close friends including Lawrence Rogers and Roy Rogers, but he also had a tendency to hang around with male members of the class of 1962 although he graduated in 1961. He spent lots of time

participating in sports or outdoors hunting and fishing with such notables as John Conley, Larry Smith, Jack Hill, Mac Southwell, Donald Thigpen, Leland McCall, Sam Hart and myself, all of whom were ’62 class members. Perhaps that is why he sometimes allows that there might be an error on the date of his RHS diploma. No doubt his intellectual development was strongly influenced by that group. Depending on who is rendering an opinion, that influence could have been positive or negative. After graduation, Jackie played baseball at Brewton Parker College and Andrew College. He would admit later that his collegiate GPA would have been higher, but he didn’t go to college to get an education. He went to play baseball. In 1964, I was home on military leave and Jackie was working for the City of Reidsville under the supervision of Uncle Frank. I saw him lying on his side painting a fire hydrant red just east of the Reidsville Methodist Church on Highway 280 around midday. I pulled over to the curb and asked him what he was doing, and he allowed that he was working so hard painting the city fire hydrants that he was totally exhausted. I rolled my eyes, but suddenly he stood bolt upright and began painting in earnest. I was a trifle puzzled at the sudden activity and asked, “What’s wrong with you?” His terse answer

said it all. “There’s Uncle Frank.” Frank walked over and looked at the hydrant and allowed. “Boy, next time you get up off the ground you need to brush the grass off your shirt and pants.” Jackie nodded and kept painting. In 1966, Jackie was getting ready to transfer his credits from Brewton Parker and Andrew College to attend college at Georgia Southern, but he stayed out a couple of quarters and the local draft board developed an interest in his “not in college” status. The United States was in the midst of the Vietnam War, so with the U.S. Army looking over their shoulders, Jackie Trim, Bruce Oliver, and Tommy Taylor joined the United States Marine Corps in June. Again, depending on who is telling the story, it was said that Bruce pulled Jackie and Tommy through bootcamp, or Jackie pulled Bruce and Tommy through bootcamp. Tommy was killed in an automobile accident right after his tour of duty Everywhere he served, Jackie worked to create conservative budgets, and to operate within the parameters of those budgets. Always, the buck stopped with him. He would try to make the decision that was beneficial to those he represented, but he had a streak of Uncle Frank in him.

Hometown Living At Its Best

in Vietnam, or he would likely argue that he got Jackie and Bruce through bootcamp. At any rate, all three eventually graduated and served tours of duty in Vietnam Jackie served one tour from January 1967 to February 1968. He was a grunt and served as a Marine Corps Tunnel Rat until rookies arrived, and he gave that duty up with very little resistance when one volunteered. He distinctly remembered Viet Cong tunnels as places an individual with average intelligence never wanted to see. During his tour he was wounded twice on patrol, and he sat down on a snake once which bit him right square on his butt. There was a banded krait in Vietnam commonly called the ‘two stepper’ which meant a victim would take only a few steps before succumbing to the venom. Jackie said he knew he was okay because it felt like he ran about 40 yards before he could stop. Later he met and talked to John Wayne on a hospital ship when he was recovering from a bullet wound in the leg, and that was a real highlight of his time in Vietnam. When he returned home in February, Ray Tootle, Randy Nelson, Jesse Bradley, John Conley, Donald Walker, Mac Southwell, Leland McCall, Sam Hart and I sponsored a male only welcome home party on a sandbar on the Ohoopee River. Later, while sitting around a roaring fire near the water on that cool night, someone asked how it felt to be home. His answer was straight to the point. “It is wonderful…” Jackie went back to college at Georgia Southern, and he, Danny Scott and I spent many fall weekend afternoons

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following our birddogs Joe, Babe and Bo all around the harvested cornfields of Tattnall County while hunting quail. It became a favorite pastime we both enjoy to this day. In 1970 he began working at Tattnall Elementary School as a PE teacher and coach with Donald Durrence, and in 1971, Danny Scott and I came home from UGA and joined the Reidsville coaching staff. Danny began coaching the B-Team at Reidsville High School, and Jackie worked with him. I began coaching with Donald at Tattnall Elementary. In 1972, Jackie went to work for the Department of Corrections. The immediate opportunity for advancement seemed better, and he became a counselor for the Department. In July 1973, Jackie and Lisa Cowart got married. Predictably, his Uncle Frank was the Best Man. Lisa Cowart Trim was a second big break for Jackie Trim (Uncle Frank was the first). Lisa was a basketball player at Reidsville High School, and after graduating from Georgia Southern, she returned to Reidsville High School to teach. Just as importantly, she coached girls basketball for four years. She took a 4 - 16 team the first year and finished with a 17 – 3 season four years later. Very simply, she believed in dedication and hard work. If any Reidsville athletic team played a game anywhere, Jackie and Lisa and later Clay were in the stands. She would be the first principal at Reidsville Middle School and go on to serve as Principal at Glennville Middle and Glennville Elementary schools and used her leadership skills to promote student

In the early 1950s, Frank operated the American Gasoline Service Station in the forks of the road between Church Street and South Main in Reidsville. When he was 12 years old, Jackie and Roger Kennedy, Jr. pumped gas, checked oil, helped fix tires and swept the floor. Young black boys who were short on cash would approach Frank and ask how much it would cost to have a flat bicycle tire fixed.

achievement. She was a perfect match for Jackie Trim. Jackie started as a counselor at GSP and began to advance up the career ladder. In the mid-1980s he became warden at Rogers Correctional Institute. Later he would be promoted to Regional Director. During this time, he and Lisa would have a firstborn son, Clay, in 1977. A second son, Chan would be born in 1980 with heart issues, and he would live only 24 hours. Perhaps Chan’s death intensified Jackie’s love for working with young people, and throughout day-today career activity, Jackie worked as a lay coach at the Reidsville Recreation Department. Additionally, he and Lisa continued to support Reidsville High School athletics, and later, Tattnall County High School teams. Coaching and working with young people was in his blood, and he couldn’t get away from it. In 1992, Jackie was elected to the Tattnall County Board of Education for the Second District. He worked to help complete the construction of Tatnall County High School in 1993, and then when the county student population began to increase, he supported the renovation of Glennville and Reidsville High Schools to become middle schools. I was privileged to work with him for 8 years, and he remained for 2 years after I retired. In early 2000 Jackie and Johnny King teamed up to become the voices of Tattnall County football, basketball, and baseball. The show brought the enthusiasm of coaches to the broadcast booth. In between bursts of excitement, Jackie and Johnny would discuss team and individual performances, and often they would get into entertaining arguments that their audience thoroughly enjoyed. It was a convenient arrangement. Neither Jackie or Johnny missed an opportunity to see the Tattnall County warriors play, and both could have been stand up comics. Fans could feel the exhilaration of success and the disappointment of failure. Tattnall natives and Reidsville High School graduates that later coached at Metter, Ray Tootle and Felix Johnson, became the voices of Metter High School Athletics. When they could during advertisements breaks, Ray would tune

into WTNL in Reidsville to see what Jackie and Johnnie were doing. Ray once said that Jackie and Johnny were so good they didn’t need a game to broadcast. Their entertaining style was completely different. Jackie left the Board of Education after two terms and ran for Mayor of Reidsville and served eight years. There he provided the stable leadership that was his trademark, and Reidsville thrived. After the end of his second term, Jackie ran for Chairman of the County Commissioners, where he served two four-year terms. He still blames good friends for talking him into entering the race, but in truth he believed it was his duty to serve. At his retirement celebration in 2024, he was tapped to become Chairman of the Greater Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, I talked Jackie Trim into serving as Quartermaster of VFW Post 7764 in Reidsville, Georgia. The Post was struggling financially and membership was down. Jackie took the job at a time when communications with state and local officials were being computerized. Jackie despises computers and he continued to send in hand written reports. Two years later, Commander John Dryden died, and I was elected post commander. We worked at recruitment and fund raising and the post began to grow. There was a real chance that the doors could have been closed, but Jackie’s bulldog determination was a big part in its survival. After Jackie was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Bobby

Hometown Living At Its Best

Kennedy was elected as Quartermaster in 2017, but he too had so much personal activity in his life that made Quartermaster service time consuming and difficult. Bobby and Jackie supported Ronnie Thomas for Quartermaster, and he was elected in 2019. His experience as a Navy Recruiter and computer expertise helped 7764 grow, and that organization has been All State-All American for five consecutive years. The Post grew from less than 30 to 80 members by 2025. When the current Chaplin resigned due to other obligations, Jackie mentioned that he might consider serving as Chaplin. Immediately Gene Williams nominated Jackie for the position, and Earl Boyett seconded. There was an immediate “AYE” from the membership. In a matter of seconds, Jackie Trim was drafted to serve as Chaplin for Post 7764. Everywhere he served, Jackie worked to create conservative budgets, and to operate within the parameters of those budgets. Always, the buck stopped with him. He would try to make the decision that was beneficial to those he represented, but he had a streak of Uncle Frank in him. Once

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in a Reidsville City Council meeting, an irate citizen began yelling and using profanity. Jackie Trim did not tolerate profanity; that was a trait he inherited from his grandmother, Mrs. Eva Dubose. He stopped the man in his tracks and said. “We are going to get to the bottom of this issue and try to fix it. But, if you cannot show more respect for this council, I am going to tell my Chief of Police over there to show you where the front door is, and you will not come back during this meeting.” The man apologized and the meeting continued. It was vintage Jackie Trim. He said what he thought, and meant what he said. But good leaders have genuine empathy for others, and Jackie has it. His get-it-done but do-it-honestly style of leadership where he strived daily to serve his constituents as best he could is a true All-American example of what leadership should be. He never served in order to line his wallet with C-notes. Truly, he is a big man in a small package. Our nation and our world could benefit immensely from his example.  TCL

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Dreamers Small Town

No small-town dream is too insignificant to make it to the big screen. Jermaine and Whaketa Hargrove, founders of Small Town Animation Studios, set their reservations aside when they founded their own animation company. In its first year, Small Town Animation Studios became the top animation company in Southeast Georgia. “The film industry in Georgia and Southeast Georgia is growing,” Whaketa says excitedly. The couple is ecstatic to be establishing their animation platform at such a time as this. “I come from a music industry background,” Jermaine tells me. After fourteen years in the music industry, he decided to transition towards film. “I’m a songwriter and a producer. I was always told if I could write songs I could write movies.” In 2020, Jermaine expanded his creative capabilities when he and Whaketa founded Small Town Animation Studios. Jermaine Hargrove is the company’s CEO while Whaketa Hargrove holds the COO position. Shalonda Mitchell VP, and Micah King CFO are also executives of Small Town Animation Studios. “We asked them to join the team because you most definitely need a team to put everything into action,” Whaketa says. “With their expertise, everything just fell into place.”

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Hometown Living At Its Best 43

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Fifteen years before starting the animation company, Jermaine was diagnosed with diabetes. It was a difficult time as he and Whaketa navigated the territory of this disease. Jermaine channeled his energy creatively and wrote Gumshe, a story about a young superhero girl diagnosed with diabetes. The character develops superpowers that help her fight the disease while saving other people. The story humanizes common illnesses and helps viewers relate to the character on a realistic level. “I came up with this 15 years ago,” Jermaine says of his Gumshe superhero. “That same character hasn’t been done yet even by top companies like Marvel and Pixar. It’s encouraging to see that no one has had the idea of attaching an illness to a superhero and making it empowering to a community.” When Small Town Animation Studios was created, Jermaine transformed the story from 15 years ago into an animated film. They plan to continue the story with several films and series of the Gumshe superhero.

Whaketa talks about the dreams she once had of moving to a big city. Born and raised in Glennville, she could not wait to leave the small town in her rearview mirror. “I said, ‘I’m leaving Tattnall county and I’m not coming back,’” she recalls laughing. Having gone to a big city and moved back home, she knows the truth about small towns. “It doesn’t matter where you live,” she says. “You have to make things happen for yourself no matter where you are.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Next they created The Sunday Schoolers, an animated show about children in Sunday school. The kids ask real, current questions and navigate childhood alongside their friends. “I think a lot of children are misunderstood,” Jermaine states. “Their imagination runs away from them and we have to accept that as adults.” Knowing how confusing the Bible can seem to young children, Jermaine writes The Sunday Schoolers episodes in a concise manner that kids of all ages can comprehend. The Sunday Schoolers is intended for children, but adults seem to enjoy the show as well. “It’s kid friendly but we want adults to relate to it, too,” Whaketa says. In this honest portrayal of the child-like curiosity many kids

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have, adult viewers can understand a child’s thought process and learn how to explain things in a way they will easily grasp. Whaketa speaks of their goals to entertain, educate and empower viewers every day. The response has been incredible. “We had some people that were atheists that loved the episode,” she says of The Sunday Schoolers. “That really gives me joy because our mission was to uplift, inspire and spread the gospel and it’s actually working.” Incredible detail is put into every on-screen decision. “Each character is diverse,” Whaketa says. “In The Sunday Schoolers, we have kids of all ethnicities and we want to portray all of them in their light.” Jermaine adds, “We have a great

Hometown Living At Its Best

team of illustrators and producers. I do most of the writing but I do have assistance. If I need help I can bring people in.” The collaborative efforts and unique talent of those on the team has made Small Town Animation Studios all that it is today. To go above their business goals of entertaining and empowering viewers, Jermaine and Whaketa decided to use their company to help others also battling diabetes. “When Jermaine first got diagnosed,” Whaketa recalls, “we lived in Atlanta at the time. He was switching careers and I had just gotten laid off.” The diabetic diagnosis came at a difficult time for their family. With the little mouths of their beautiful daughters to feed, they struggled to pay for insulin and other diabetic products. “We know the importance of getting assistance with insulin,” Whaketa says. “If it wasn’t for a local church that helped us, we could have been in a bad situation.” Now, they dedicate a portion of their earnings back into the diabetic community. “Some of the Gumshe proceeds is going to help people with insulin or people in the underserved communities that cannot afford insulin and other diabetic products,” Jermaine says. Their dedication to providing the help they themselves once relied on sets them apart from other business owners. “We’re a faith family,” Whaketa says proudly. “We are inspired by our faith in God and we want to display that.” Small Town Animation Studios is making a difference and other companies are recognizing their efforts. “We just did our first partnership with the American

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Diabetes Association,” Whaketa says excitedly. “We’re getting a lot of feedback and we’re moving faster than we’ve expected.” The couple are humble about their success and convey their gratitude in being used to make a difference in other people’s lives. “It’s kind of shocking but we’re definitely grateful and we’re very blessed to be in this position,” Jermaine says. Whaketa talks about the dreams she once

had of moving to a big city. Born and raised in Glennville, she could not wait to leave the small town in her rearview mirror. “I said, ‘I’m leaving Tattnall county and I’m not coming back,’” she recalls laughing. Having gone to a big city and moved back home, she knows the truth about small towns. “It doesn’t matter where you live,” she says. “You have to make things happen for yourself no matter where you are.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Living in a small town has not kept them from their purpose. With Small Town Animations Studios, they are inspiring people to dream big wherever they live. Making waves in the animation film industry, Jermaine and Whaketa are enjoying each step in this new journey. They encourage others to pursue their passions and enjoy where their work takes them. Jermaine quotes his motto saying cheerily, “The sky is not the limit, it’s only a view.” With passion and determination, there are no limits to what you can achieve. Believe in yourself and your small-town dreams can become your reality, too.  TCL

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Photo by For’jd America 52

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• Business support, including ribbon cuttings and grand openings • Glennville Sweet Onion Festival • Farmer’s Market & other community events year-round for the whole family • Celebration of the Christmas Season downtown in December • New Glennville Chamber Junior Board

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With Courage Paige Ewing Brings Mrs. America Title Home to Tattnall County

Tattnall County has a new reason to celebrate. Glennville’s own Paige Ewing (42)—a name many here watched grow from a small-town girl into an inspiring woman—has officially been crowned Mrs. America 2025. The national pageant took place Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Nevada, where Ewing represented the state of Georgia with unmistakable poise, confidence, and the heart of a hometown girl. Now living in Buford, Georgia, Ewing proudly carried her Glennville roots with her

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as she stepped onto the historic stage of the International Theatre, once home to Elvis Presley. Competing against 46 delegates from across the United States, she excelled in all phases of competition—interview, swimsuit, and evening gown—ultimately taking home the nation’s most prestigious title for married women. Ewing’s crowning moment was shared with her husband of 20 years, Michael, and their daughters Avery (16) and Charlotte (12), who joined extended family and friends in cheering on the small-town native who made it big.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Former Mrs. Americas and Mrs. Worlds also welcomed her into their distinguished sisterhood. For Tattnall County, Ewing’s victory is more than a crown—it’s the triumph of a local woman who has turned personal heartbreak into a mission of hope. Deeply tied to her hometown, Ewing is co-owner of Armstrong’s Cricket Farm, the world’s largest cricket farm, founded and based in Glennville. She is also a headshot photographer at Favored Studios. After suffering the loss of eight family members in eight years— including both parents and her brother—Ewing transformed her grief into purpose. She became a certified Trauma-Informed Grief Coach and launched Good Grief Girlfriend, helping high-achieving moms

Hometown Living At Its Best

navigate life after losing a parent or sibling. Her story of resilience resonates deeply with the community that watched her grow up. As Mrs. America, Ewing will use her platform, “Hope and Healing – Grief Support and Education,” to advocate for grieving families across the country. Her work includes promoting Grief Share, speaking nationally on grief education, and encouraging volunteerism as a healing tool through her initiative “Give Back. Move Forward.” Additionally, she will support Victoria’s Voice, the national charity partnered with Mrs. America Inc., advocating for substance-use prevention and policy efforts aimed at saving lives.

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Ewing’s crowning moment was shared with her husband of 20 years, Michael, and their daughters Avery (16) and Charlotte (12), who joined extended family and friends in cheering on the small-town native who made it big. Former Mrs. Americas and Mrs. Worlds also welcomed her into their distinguished sisterhood.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Now living in Buford, Georgia, Ewing proudly carried her Glennville roots with her as she stepped onto the historic stage of the International Theatre, once home to Elvis Presley. Competing against 46 delegates from across the United States, she excelled in all phases of competition— interview, swimsuit, and evening gown—ultimately taking home the nation’s most prestigious title for married women.

Next, Ewing will represent the United States on the world stage at Mrs. World, where she will compete with married women from around the globe. The Tattnall County community proudly celebrates Paige Ewing—our Glennville girl—as she embarks on this extraordinary journey. Follow her reign on Facebook and Instagram at @ MrsAmericaPresents. For appearance requests, email mrsamericabooking@ gmail.com To learn more about the Mrs. America program, visit www.mrsamerica.com.  TCL

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City Of Glennville

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STORY BY RONALD E. MCCALL | PHOTOS PROVIDED

Donald in 1949 at the Greek Acropolis

Trooper Donald Kennedy Hinesville, 1952

Donald Franklin Kennedy’s life reflects a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, hard work, faith, and a front-row seat to nearly a century of sweeping American change.

Donald Franklin Kennedy was born on February 3, 1930 in Camila, Georgia to Jesse Orlando Kennedy and Lota Nell Southwell Kennedy. Donald’s parents and his grandparents were lifelong residents of Tattnall County. Because of the Great Depression, Donald’s dad had to move around to find work so he took the family to Camilla where Donald was born. With 94 years under one’s belt, most anyone would have an interesting perspective of a century of life in these United States, but during a timeframe that includes the Great Depression / World War II era when the horse and buggy days were giving way to motor vehicles and air travel, change was breathtaking. Although most of us visualize the WW II days as highly mechanized with giant B-29 bombers and 400 mph P-51 Mustangs, it should be remembered that farming in the 1930s still required wide-scale use of mules and horses. Although Henry Ford’s Model T ($260 in 1925) and Model A Fords ($650 in 1930) were becoming more frequent on the rural roads of South Georgia due to Ford’s assembly line, horse drawn buggies and farm wagons were common place. Railroad traffic was still powered by huffing, steam locomotives and steam powered riverboats still moved heavy cargo on big rivers throughout the nation. In 1930, timber rafting down the Altamaha River to Darien was coming to an end. Less than 40 years later, the citizens of Earth watched

in awe as Americans flew into space and walked on the moon. Looking back, one might overlook that rapid transformation of life in most of Georgia and the United States, but living through those times had to be amazing and exciting. Add the fact that Donald Kennedy grew up as a son of a mechanic and went on to graduate from Georgia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering which led to deep involvement in the world of computers in the 1960s and 70s, and it is evident that he had a catbird’s seat to ride that wave of rapid change from a vantage point that few enjoyed, and he became an integral part of that change. Like most children of the era, Donald and his older brothers, Jesse Jr. and Jimmy, grew up in a house warmed in winter by a fireplace and cooled in the summer by occasional breezes and summer rains. He warmed by a roaring fire on cold winter days when one side of his body was almost smoking and the other side was covered with goose bumps. Sleeping on the cool wooden floor was common during stifling summer nights. His lifestyle was not unusual in the South or many other parts of the nation in the hard times of the Great Depression. Today it would be considered a cruel obstacle to the development of children, but in the 1930s it was the stimulus for ambition and hard work. In fact, compared to the Hometown Living At Its Best

Two Year Old Donald Kennedy

Dust Bowl of the Midwest during those days, rural life in Georgia might have been considered a great advantage. He remembers the “Rolling Stores” of the 1940s and 50s which were specially refitted panel trucks or worn-out school buses stocked with items needed by rural families that ran weekly routes to supply provisions for families that might not get to town more than three or four times per year. In those days, 50- pound flour sacks were printed with various designs so those sacks could be washed after use and made into shirts or dresses by cash strapped housewives. He also remembers the “ice man” who delivered ice weekly which was placed in the kitchen “icebox”. Very few people had refrigerators in those days. That was life in South Georgia when Donald began his formal education at the Reidsville School which housed students in grades one through eleven. When he was about nine years old, his family moved over near the Georgia State Prison where his dad was employed as the engineer. The prison originally had the capability to generate its own electricity. Donald attended Cedar Hall School in his third-grade year. At Cedar Hall, the third and fourth grades were housed in one room with one teacher. She would teach one grade while students in other grades studied and then she would reverse the procedure. When he returned to Reidsville the following year, he was well prepared for the fourth grade. Donald entered high school at Reidsville in 1943 when he was 13 years old. He loved sports and very much wanted to play football, but economics in the Tattnall County School System 78

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had forced Reidsville High School to give up football as too expensive. There was no baseball team, so he went out for the high school basketball team and made it as a freshman. Mutt Stevens was his coach as well as the principal at Reidsville High School. He remembers that Mutt was about 6’3” and smoked Homerun cigarettes. His cousins, Bubba, William, and Kenneth Kennedy, were members of the team, but Donald was the only freshman to play with the upperclassmen. He remembered the first game in the old gym in Reidsville that was built with government funds as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. Although it looked like a huge barn with basketball goals, it was on the leading edge of high school sports facilities of that day even though heat was provided with undersized wood stoves on opposing ends of the court. His introduction to the sport was interesting. As a freshman, Donald really wasn’t expecting to get playing time during the first game, and he was sitting on the opposite end of the bench from Coach Stevens. He heard Coach Stevens say something but didn’t understand and ignored it until a team member said, “Donald, I think Coach Stevens is talking to you.” About that time Mutt repeated. “Donald, go in for Kenneth.” “I jumped up and pulled down my warmup pants, and then I realized that during the excitement of getting ready for the game I’d forgotten to put on my basketball shorts. I was standing there in my jock strap and everyone was laughing. It didn’t take long to get my warmup pants back up. I looked at Coach Stevens and he was just shaking his head.” During Donald’s sophomore year at Reidsville, his parents were notified that his oldest brother, Jesse, had been killed in action in World War II. Jesse was a Navy pilot and flew the new and improved Hellcat fighter airplane that replaced the older Wildcat fighter. He served ten months in the Pacific and flew numerous missions before his plane was hit by shrapnel and exploded over the Pacific Ocean. The family was devastated but proud of Jesse’s sacrificial service for his country. The bridge over Brazell Creek on Highway 280 about a mile from Donald’s home is named after Jesse. Donald felt like he got a good educational foundation at Reidsville High School. He excelled in mathematics and science and had an opportunity to attend the Naval Academy. Although he was not interested in a military career, he joined the Navy after high school and served in communications as a radio operator. He served two years (1948-49) and spent time in the Mediterranean. While in the Mediterranean, his ship received a message from the Red Cross that Donald’s father was seriously ill and recovery was doubtful so Donald’s needed to come home. At the time, his ship was about a day out from Naples, and when it arrived in port, he was given 30 days emergency leave. His only means to get home was on military flights, and after seven different flights, he arrived in Montgomery, Alabama. From there he caught a Greyhound Bus to Macon, GA and arrived around 9:00 p.m. He called his brother Jimmy and learned that their dad had temporarily improved before suffering a relapse. Jimmy called the Georgia State Patrol to see if they could get Donald home quickly. As he was waiting in the bus station in Macon, two police officers approached and told him to come with them. When he asked for an explanation, they just told him to get in the car. There had been a mix up in messages and the officers thought Donald was an escaped mental patient from the Naval Hospital in Dublin (later named the Carl Vinson

Military Veterans’ Hospital). Between Macon and Dublin, they met the GSP and the trooper set the story straight. Needless to say, Donald was very much relieved. In route, they met Trooper Johnny Robertson (a former U.S. Army Major in Europe during WW II) who drove Donald to the Hospital. Thankfully, his father recovered over time, and after the 30-day leave, Donald returned to his ship. He was discharged from the Navy in December 1949, and afterwards he went to the Georgia State Patrol Trooper School. After graduation he was stationed in Hinesville, Georgia near Camp Stewart which was renamed Fort Stewart in 1956. While in Liberty County, he met his future wife, Betty Carolyn Smith, at her Parents’ truck stop, Ida Mae and Joe’s, in Midway on U.S. 17 just North of the Old Midway Church (said to be the oldest active church in Georgia). Before I-95 was constructed, Ida Mae and Joe’s was one of the most popular truck stops on the east coast. Donald and Betty were married in July 1953. While working at Hinesville as a trooper, he and Betty had an unforgettable accident. He loved the outdoors and hunting, so he and a friend decided to carry their wives squirrel hunting. Hunters without dogs move quietly through wooded areas and stand or sit motionless for 15 or 20 minutes and watch tree tops. When the woods get quiet, squirrels move. Another method is spotting a squirrel nest and shooting close to it with a 22-caliber rifle. If a squirrel is inside, it might jump out and run. That was the technique Donald and Betty were using. They found a nest, and he told her to shoot near it. She shot, but there was no movement so she levered in another round which pushed the hammer back into the cocked position. As she moved toward Donald with the gun pointed toward the ground, he realized it was still cocked. As he reached for it, the gun fired and the bullet hit him in the top of his foot. He said there was no pain initially but they saw blood, and he limped back to the vehicle and went to the doctor. Fortunately, the projectile missed all bones in the foot and healed with very little complication. In those days, there were few driver license examiners and radio operators at most patrol barracks around the state. Troopers did it all, and there were six troopers at Hinesville at the time. With the foot injury, he was assigned inside duty for a few weeks. When someone asked why he was limping he’d respond that his wife shot him in the foot which raised eyebrows and required a full explanation. That would usually result in a comment like, “You best be careful what you say around that lady…” While working in the office one day, an elderly man came in and said he wanted to get a driver’s license. Donald ignored the fact that the man had driven up without a license as it was not uncommon in those days for the elderly to be unlicensed. When the man began taking the written test, it was obvious that he was having difficulty understanding the questions so Donald read them aloud. One question was, “When is it legal to drive on the left side of the centerline of the highway?” The man didn’t understand the question so Donald explained. “You know the road from here to Ludowici has a center line down the middle, and you normally drive on the right side. When is it legal for you to drive in the left lane?” The man answered, “When I’m coming back.” Donald issued him a license.

Donald on the Golf Course

In his spare time Donald decided to take an International Correspondence School electronics course and ordered and constructed a radio as part of the course. With his military background in communications and electronics, it was interesting, and after he completed the ICS course, he came home from work one day and asked Betty what she thought of them moving to Atlanta so he could attend Georgia Tech. Since Don Jr. was almost three years old, Donald was expecting an answer like, “have you lost your mind?” Much to his surprise, she said, “Let’s go.” And she meant it. She got a secretarial position at Georgia Tech which helped a great deal with expenses. When he began class at Tech in 1957, he thought briefly that maybe he’d bitten off a bit more than he realized. He was 27 years old and was competing against young intelligent students just graduated from high school. Theoretically, they should have an advantage. In reality, his age and being married was probably his advantage. There was housing for married students so he wasn’t hindered by partying and the big city lights. His major distraction might have been golf. Atlanta had three municipal courses and one was in walking distance. He could play a round for 75 cents, and he developed a lifelong love for the game. Still, he concentrated on academics and graduated with honors near the top of his class in December 1960. He was rightly proud of his achievement at Georgia Tech. His mother finished the 9th grade and his father went through the 7th, but both had a mind for math. Donald likes to think his genes provided an advantage at Tech. After graduation, he had several offers. One was in New York, but he decided against it as soon as he arrived for the interview. It provided an idea of what was available in different regions, but South Georgia was part of him. As many would Hometown Living At Its Best

Reidsville High School Men’s Basketball Team, 1946-47, (Seated L-R) John Kelly Wilkes, Vernon Iddins, Wendell Waters, Donald Kennedy (holding ball), Charlie Phillips, Bo Shuman, Richard Kicklighter, James Tapley (Standing L-R) Coach Chester Williams, Buck Shuman, Billy Nelson, Gelon Galbreath, Buddy Shuman.

Donald with Retus Iddins

Donald Kennedy speaking to Canoochee EMC Membership. 1988

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say from this area, he couldn’t get the sand out of his shoes. He took a job with Martin Orlando of Florida in January, 1961. The company had a great technical library, and he took advantage of it. He read everything available on digital computers which was very interesting. He found out that RCA had a computer plant in Palm Beach Gardens, and he called and got an interview. When he met with the Chief Engineer at the RCA plant, the first question was “how many years of experience did he have as a computer design engineer?” When Donald answered “None,” the Chief said he was sorry but they were looking for experienced people. As they continued talking however, the Chief asked questions about digital circuits and Donald answered all of those questions. Afterwards, the Chief hired him on the spot. His time in the technical library at Orlando paid off. The computer industry was transistorizing in those days. Until the development of the transistor, computers used vacuum tubes which big large and slow. However, about 10 years later the microchip was developed which further revolutionized the industry. It made computers much faster and paved the way for electronic devices such as laptops and I-phones. Donald enjoyed his work as a computer design engineer, and he was rapidly promoted. He ended up working with RCA for four years. Still, he missed Georgia , and he moved back to Atlanta and took a job at the Computer Research Center at Georgia Tech. He was not happy there, and one of his professors told him that the University of Georgia was building a computer center in the Department of Statistics. He accepted a job as Director of Computer Management and Information. He distinctly remembers teaching PHD’s at Georgia while he was just a four-year graduate of Georgia Tech. During his three-year tenure at Georgia, Betty’s father died, and she wanted to get closer to home and her mother. Ida Mae was running the family truck stop on Hwy 17 near Midway by herself. He found an engineering job at Fort Stewart as Chief of the Utilities Division in which he was responsible for about 300 federal employees. The job description included electrical, plumbing, pipe fitting, natural gas lines, water lines and the energy plant on the reservation. The energy plant was wood chip fed and provided all cooling/heating and hot water for all new construction. At Fort Stewart he frequently had to work out problems with the Corps of Engineers. The Corps was responsible for the design of

Raid on Moonshine Still, Donald is third from left

major projects such as the central energy plant, and the post was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facilities. The Corps had a tendency to regard the operating and maintenance people at the post as uneducated “farmers” and on several occasions the “farmers” embarrassed the engineers when problems arose. While engineers had the book learning, the “farmers” had experience in the field. In 1985, he accepted the position of General Manager with Canoochee Electrical Membership Corporation (CEMC) in Reidsville which he describes as a breath of fresh air. “I loved the job and the people that worked there,” he said. Donald added that he was fortunate to have a great Board of Directors and a group of dedicated and conscientious employees. He was back home in South Georgia, and the job almost ran itself. Donald Kennedy’s life is an inspiring story of America in which those who have desire can legitimately reach for the stars. Talent is necessary, but that can be significantly improved by discipline, focus, and a strong work ethic. No doubt those three attributes were honed by Great Depression and post WW II experiences

when, as some Tattnall natives say, “the gravy was very thin.” Donald and Betty (who went to be with the Lord in 2022) have three children: Dr. Donald Kennedy, Jr., (Merrie Nichols Kennedy); Lynda (Dave Moja); and Joey. The have five grandchildren: Luke Moja, Caitlyn Moja Stuard (Jeremiah Stuard), Tripp Kennedy (Katie Weatherford Kennedy), Kort Kennedy, and Kane Kennedy. As he looks back on his life, Donald says the thing that stands out most is his relationship, or lack of relationship, with the Lord God. He joined the church at age 14, and he feels like most teenagers who join the church, he didn’t really understand all that’s involved in becoming a good Christian. It was later in life that he realized that becoming more like Christ is a life-long endeavor, and he has had a lot of “ups and downs” in his walk. While he was in the Navy, he had a dream one night that he was walking on the deck of his ship. As he emerged from between two large life boats, he was hit by a swinging crane. He didn’t feel any pain, and he was immediately above and looking down on his ship, and in that dream, he experienced a most wonderful joy and peace that words cannot describe. The experience was so

real that 75 years later he remembers the dream as though it occurred last night. It was definitely an “up”. In 1970 he was asked to teach the adult Sunday School Class in his church. He accepted and taught for 50 continuous years. He’s not sure that his teaching helped his students, but it was a blessing to him because it allowed him to study and better understand the Bible which was something he had failed to do earlier in his life. Looking back, he realizes he has been a sinful person, but he knows that when Jesus came to Earth, He assumed our sins and He paid for them on the Cross, and in doing so He offers us salvation. All we have to do to be saved is accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Donald said that his life has been truly blessed. The Good Lord gave him wonderful parents, two brothers, and a wife that he didn’t deserve, three children and five grand-children and a daughterin- law and son-in-law all of whom he is very proud. He added that when the Good Lord decides it’s time for him to come home, he’s ready to spend eternity with the Lord and His Son.  TCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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C HILDRE N O F JESS IC A A R MS TR ONG C URRAN AN D LIAM C U R R A N OF R O SWE LL; AN D PA IG E A R MS TR ONG EWING AN D MICHAEL EWING OF B UFO RD.

The

FRON T RO W L T O R : TR IS TA N CURRAN (5) AND DECLAN CURRAN (3) B ACK RO W L T O R : C H A R L OTTE EWING (12), BROO K LY N C U R R A N (8), AN D AVERY E WING ( 15)

Original est. 1947

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Ringer

Veterinary Hospital 84

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Kibbie R. Ringer, DVM

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Heart of Determination: The Story of Ms. Irene

Irene Ramirez (known affectionately by many as “Ms. Irene”) was born in San Antonio, Texas and lived there until she was 12 and her family moved to Florida. She was one of five girls who worked hard to help support the family of seven. She had to quit school in the twelfth grade when the older two girls left home to go Job Corps. She needed to work full time in the fields to provide enough income for the family. When she was 20 she met her first husband and she was 21 when they had their first child (Daniel) and 24 when their second child (Alyssa) was born. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out well and they separated after five years. Four years later

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Irene is an example of how God can give you the path to accomplish your goals if you believe in Him and in yourself. She is a role model to others in her personal strength, perseverance and love for her family. We all want to keep watching to see what other things God and “Ms. Irene have planned for her life!

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Irene met Ildefonso Ramirez, the love of her life and the father of four children; Janette, Cynthia, Victor and Jesse. They moved to Kentucky and had another boy, Carlos. Clay City, Kentucky welcomed the family and they were happy there. But Ildefonso’s family was from Tattnall County and each time they visited, they thought more about buying their first home in Reidsville. In 2003, they purchased land and a home in Reidsville and found their permanent place. Irene found it challenging to find work and began in the tobacco fields. After a short time at the Juice Factory in Vidalia, she got a job at the Cricket Farm in Glennville. During this time, Irene realized that she needed to get her GED to find other options for employment. So, twenty years after she dropped out of high school, she earned her GED. She applied at many places, but God had a plan for her. She went to Farmers’ Furniture and met Jerry Gravley, the manager, and asked him if they were hiring. He said that they were and she got the job that day! Irene was excited, but nervous, about the job. She had never worked in retail before. She took a deep breath and

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When asked what things brought about her success, she repeated the earlier qualities of hard work and believing you can do anything if you try hard enough. But she went on to say a critical piece was also the way you treat people - customers and staff. “You must use your heart as well as your mind when you do a job,” she said. People will respond to you if you care about them, and treat them with respect. Her goal is to create a family climate at Farmers’ Furniture and value everyone who comes through her door.

reminded herself that she was a hard worker and could learn whatever she needed to learn. Her confidence and hard work carried her successfully through 3 years in collections, five years in sales and 4 years as credit manager. She says she became a sponge and soaked up the knowledge to learn the paperwork, the telephone manners, and the skills to meet people and make them feel welcome. In 2019, when Jerry Gravley retired she officially became the store manager of Farmers’ Furniture. Her first year the store received the Most Improved Award, and has been in the Presidents’ Club for six years (The store must show 21% increase on all categories of growth to achieve this.) She also received other awards, such as the Chairmen’s Club, as the store continued to thrive. When asked what things brought about her success, she repeated the earlier qualities of hard work and believing you can do anything if you try hard enough. But she went on to say a critical piece was also the way you treat people customers and staff. “You must use your heart as well as your mind when you do a job,” she said. People will respond to you if you care about them, and treat them with respect. Her goal is to create a family climate at Farmers’ Furniture and value everyone who comes through her door. Irene knows a lot about valuing family. She grew up with four sisters and has 7 children (She is sometimes called Snow White and the 7

Hometown Living At Its Best

Dwarfs.) She and Ildefonso have been together for 28 years and finally married on 2-17-24. They have enjoyed watching their family grow. With 24 grandchildren ranging from a few months to 18 years, there is always plenty of love to share. Irene has always been close to her parents, her mother and her sister moved in with the family after her father’s death in 2016. Family is a major part of her life and she loves it when they are all together in their home. No one seems to mind that the place is packed and there aren’t enough places at the table or enough beds for everyone. “It is just a

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wonderful time being together, eating, talking, and laughing,” she says.” We enjoy each other.” Irene is an example of how God can give you the path to accomplish your goals if you believe in Him and in yourself. She is a role model to others in her personal strength, perseverance and love for her family. We all want to keep watching to see what other things God and “Ms. Irene have planned for her life! Thank you to my husband, family, the community and farmers furniture crew for receiving me with love and support – Irene.  TCL

CONGRATULATIONS

Paige Ewing

On Winning Mrs. America Courtesy of Paige Armstrong Ewing facebook

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Glennville

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Watermelon Creek BAPTIST CHURCH

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Tools & Equipment

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Canoochee EMC Is Working For You

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TERRELL BROTHERS, INC HEATING & AIR • ELECTRICAL

Licensed HVAC & Electrical Contractors | (912) 654-4425 | 5300 Highway 144 West • Glennville, GA 30427 Conditioned Air License #CN005610 | Electrical License #EN007903 102

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Cobbtown Chapel | Cobbtown, GA | 912.684.2500 Hooks Chapel | Metter, GA | 912.685.2131 WWW.KENNEDYFUNERALHOMECHAPELS.COM

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WE SERVE

THEN;

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By Information compiled from news articles proofed and edited by Casey and Coa Corbett Photos by Paul Evans and Ronnie Thomas

The Tattnall County Memorial Post 7764, Reidsville, Georgia, received its state charter on September 12, 1961. Original charter members were veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. The purpose of the Post was to promote patriotism and help war veterans by lobbying for, and supporting, their health needs and well-being. Additionally, Post 7764 promoted patriotic essays such as the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy in local public schools, and VFW members have posted the American Flag in front of participating businesses and individual homes on patriotic holidays continuously since the mid1960s. Buddy Poppy drives are still carried out biannually which support disabled war veterans.

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Quartermaster Thomas has worked closely with local schools to continue the promotion of the Patriot Pen essay contests in the middle schools and the Voice of Democracy (VOD) at the High School level. Additionally, 7764 has sponsored an Eagle Scout each year for Scout of the Year along with Teacher of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, and First Responder of the Year.

The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 7764 (recently renamed simply as the Auxiliary) was chartered December 10, 1965. The Auxiliary is made up of spouses and children of war veterans. Although the Auxiliary supports all efforts of VFW 7764, Auxiliary members used to gather in October and November, to personalize and send hundreds of Christmas Cards to service members serving overseas. For several years, the Auxiliary to Post 7764 was rated in the top 10 in the United States for sending Christmas Cards to service members. VFW Post 7764 thrived in the first three decades of existence even though numbers declined significantly

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in the first decade of the 21st century as WW II and Korean War veterans passed on in more significant numbers. Specifically, Post membership began to decline after World War II and Korean War Veteran numbers peaked. Many Vietnam veterans had a bad taste in their mouth due to treatment by anti-war activists and some in the general public. Vietnam vets were warned not to wear their uniforms while traveling to return home as some had eggs thrown at them or spit upon. In short, they were severely criticized for doing a job that they had not requested, and many had little desire to revisit those feelings. Time apparently healed those feelings as the general public began to hold events to honor Vietnam vets nationwide in early 2000. However, Post 7764 membership numbers were becoming critical when John Dryden became commander in 2004, and he worked constantly to increase membership. He died in 2008 and Ronald E. (Ronnie) McCall was elected commander. Jackie Trim had been elected Quartermaster in 2006, and McCall and Trim refocused on membership which increased slowly. At times they still struggled to get a quorum to attend meetings. In 2009, Commander McCall sent a letter to members stating that unless they started attending, the Post might be forced to give up its charter and close. That letter seemed to initiate an upward trend that has increased more dramatically in recent years. In the mid-1980s, Commander Eddie Brazel and Quartermaster Carl Cowart organized an effort to place monuments to honor those military veterans that died in service from World War I through Vietnam on the Courthouse Square. That project was completed in the mid-1990s and monuments to those killed in action from Tattnall County in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were prominently displayed on the South side of the Courthouse Square. When the monuments were removed for Courthouse renovations in 2010, Commander McCall and Quartermaster Trim worked with Commission Chairman Frank Murphy and the

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VFW 7764 has provided and installed hospital beds for sick or injured individuals, and skilled members have made alterations to home porches and steps, including sturdy handrails for individuals with limited mobility. We have taken down trees with chainsaws for widows after storms who had no other means for doing it, and we are part of a program with our Auxiliary and local volunteers that sponsor a cake and ice cream party each month at the Tattnall Nursing Home facility.

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County Commissioners to design and erect a permanent veterans’ park on the Courthouse Square space west of the Courthouse. With assistance from Architect Mike Parker of Sides and Pope Inc. in Macon, Georgia, they developed a design of the Tattnall County Veteran’s Memorial Park on a very limited scale. On Architect Parker’s advice and Chairman Murphy’s support, a larger more comprehensive Park was drawn up which was designed to honor and remember all who served in the military service. The four monuments which had been removed from the front of the courthouse during renovation, were placed on a meandering path around the new park. Monuments to the American Revolution and War of 1812 (Researched by Mrs. Ann Carswell of Reidsville) the Civil War, Mexican War, and Gulf Wars were added. Veterans who served in the various wars or served during the era of that war indicated by the monument (World War I, World War II, Korea, etc.) could have their name and branch of service etched on a brick and placed directly in front of that monument. In 2011, VFW 7764 and the Auxiliary began working hand in hand with the Tattnall County Commissioners to develop the proposed Veteran’s Memorial Park on the northwest side of the Tattnall County Courthouse Square. A fundraising project was designed around the sale of memorial bricks for individuals and families or for military veterans. The individual and family bricks that were placed in front of the courthouse along with the military veterans’ bricks located in the Veterans Memorial Park raised several thousand dollars. Marine Vietnam Veteran Earl Boyett and his wife Cynthia headed up the sale and installation of the bricks. Several members of Post 7764 provided expertise and labor to hold down construction costs for the park. Those members included Earl Boyett. Wayne Campbell, James Curl, Ronnie McCall, Johnny Shuman and several volunteers. Membership increased as interest in the Memorial Brick Project and the Veterans Park seemed to provide local veterans with incentive to get involved. In 2011, the Tattnall County Liberty Bell was added to the entrance of the Veterans’ Memorial Park. The bell was first placed in the Tattnall County Courthouse bell tower in 1903, and it was stored in several places after the bell tower was torn down in 1961. It has added dignity to the Veterans Memorial Park, and it provides a one-of-a-kind entrance for memorial parks in this area. It even has a crack on the backside of the bell. VFW 7764 received the Golden Anniversary Award from the State of Georgia in September, 2011. Today the original charter members of the VFW 7764 (The Greatest Generation) have passed along with charter members of the Ladies Auxiliary, but VFW 7764 and the Auxiliary are growing. In 2025, the Post boasted a total of 80 members. In 2014, VFW 7764 members voted to experiment with a new and different patriotic display of more than 100 flags which would be concentrated on the Tattnall County Courthouse Square and the Tattnall County Veterans Memorial Park. That project resulted as retired Marine Lieutenant James Curl and his wife, Linda, approached the task with the idea that it was impossible to display too many flags, and the number of flags posted gradually increased to 165. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. Individuals and businesses loved the

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beautiful flags waving in gentle breezes about the Courthouse and in the Veterans Park. Flags were posted about seven times annually until 2016, as requests to post them more often became frequent. Schedule changes were made, and currently members of VFW 7764 and local volunteers post the flags at least once monthly except in March. In 2010, VFW 7764 gradually expanded its role in community service. Members built wood based wheel chair ramps for individuals including one for Vietnam and Iraq War Veteran Bruce Oliver after he had a stroke in 2011. In 2014, post members installed a 35-foot aluminum wheel chair ramp owned by the Reidsville Baptist Church at the home of former Reidsville Police Chief and Navy Vietnam Veteran Johnny Shuman who was confined to a wheel chair due to a leg amputation. On Wednesday July 23, 2014, Chief Shuman passed away, and on Sunday, July 27, 2014, post members removed the ramp from his home and reinstalled it at the residence of Mr. David Brown and his wife Angela, of Reidsville. Their son in law, Daniel Haliford was battling cancer and doctors had amputated his left leg above the knee. The ramp was necessary for him to get in and out of the early 20th Century two-story farmhouse to travel to Statesboro for treatment. His first treatment was on Monday, and the team put the ramp up in 96 weather on Sunday afternoon after church. Retired Marine Lt. Colonel James Curl was 81 years old at the time, and he was sweating profusely and looked as if he’d been sprayed with a fire hose. He was a walking advertisement for the dedication of Post 7764

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members to assist veterans and community members in need. Since that time VFW 7764 has installed about 74 aluminum ramps for needy veterans or civilians in and around Tattnall County. Initially, individuals and families donated those ramps in order to have Post 7764 remove them from their homes. Soon however, entrepreneurs began to purchase used ramps and sell or reinstall them for profit. As a result, 7764 currently now purchases used ramps, and the post team has travelled as far north as central South Carolina and as far south as Orlando, Florida to buy ramps which are installed free of charge upon request of those in need (if and when ramps are available). Although military veterans are given preference, all needy individuals are served as long as supplies last. Volunteers, including the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Department, often helped with the installation process. In the last three years Canoochee EMC has provided grants to help purchase ramps, and in some cases, EMC employees 114

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have provided installation assistance. In one instance, EMC crews removed a heavy wooden ramp when the user died and delivered it to the Post. Later that ramp would be installed in Claxton using VFW 7764 Senior Vice Commander Bobby Kennedy’s roll-back wrecker truck. In 2014, VFW 7764 joined with the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Department to help raise funds for the John Kunney Scholarship Foundation which provides a $1000 college scholarship to a senior at Tattnall County High School. Volunteers sold tickets, arrived at 2 a.m. on the morning of the event to grill chicken, worked on the serving line, and delivered plates. It was a very successful effort in which nearly $6200 was raised. A year later the Post began smoking Boston Butts annually to raise money for the scholarship. That project was suspended in 2022 when butts reached $2.60 per pound but it was restarted in the spring-summer of 2025. In January 2018, Post 7764 was singled out at the District 7 VFW meeting as a role model for modern VFW Posts by District 7 Commander Kenneth Stanis. Commander Stanis pointed out that Post 7764 works within the local community and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of Tattnall County individuals and families. Although members of VFW Post 7764 simply saw various needs in the community and responded, it is an example of a national movement that was being encouraged by both the State and National Veterans of Foreign Wars leadership. Commander Stanis

encouraged other 7th District local posts to observe VFW 7764 and adopt similar strategies to help their posts become a more integral part of their local communities and increase membership. Several 7764 members hail from as far away as California, Benny Akins (California); Travis McCall (Tucson, Arizona); and Jimmy Tootle (Orlando), Florida, and as close by as Glennville, Lyons, Vidalia and Hazlehurst, Georgia. They joined because they wanted the opportunity to do something tangible for the local community. Travis McCall and Jimmy Tootle support the post financially; Benny Akins attends and works with the post when he is home in Reidsville. Ron Wilcox from Hazlehurst often attends to help with projects. In 2021, Post 7764 became an All American and All State Post. It is a national and state

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honor for Posts that complete certain requirements. The Post met those standards again in 2022, 23 and 24, and again in 2025. A great deal of the credit for those achievements must go to Quartermaster Ronnie Thomas. He was elected to that position in 2018, and his attention to detail in reporting post activities to the state and national VFW offices has been key to the recognition of Post 7764 achievement. Quartermaster Thomas was a Naval submariner whose duties kept him abreast of the latest computer technology, and his three years as a Navy recruiter provided valuable experience for recruiting members for the Post. Interestingly, many 7764 members are more excited about a national award presented to the Post in 2023 when it was recognized as number one in the nation for community service. “Certainly, we are proud of the fact that we have been recognized as All State and All American for five years in succession,” Commander Ronnie McCall said. “But it is important to us that our community service hours made up about 50 percent of the total for all posts in District 7 three years consecutively, and now we make up about 35 percent of the hours of community service for two years running in District 6 since we moved to that district in 2024. Simply stated, that means that we are getting out into the community and helping those in need. “WE SERVED THEN; WE SERVE NOW is our motto and we’re trying to live up to that,” McCall continued. “Obviously we try to help our military veterans that served our nation faithfully. Some of those like U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran John Wingate of Reidsville received horrendous

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wounds during their service. John was wounded and almost killed in an ambush in Vietnam, and he had 31 surgeries in 13 months at Walter Reid Hospital in Maryland. His mobility has been, and will always be, limited. He did what the U.S. Army asked him to do then, and the United States Government must do what is necessary to take care of him now. We stand ready to help him, and others like him, if the government hesitates. But, at the same time we try to help those in need who did not serve their country. It is the simple fact that we believe in extending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. Our aluminum wheel chair ramp program is an example of that service, but there is more. VFW 7764 has provided and installed hospital beds for sick or injured individuals, and skilled members have made alterations to home porches and steps, including sturdy handrails for individuals with limited mobility. We have taken down

trees with chainsaws for widows after storms who had no other means for doing it, and we are part of a program with our Auxiliary and local volunteers that sponsor a cake and ice cream party each month at the Tattnall Nursing Home facility. We work actively with the Wounded Warrior Retreat Program out of Swainsboro, Georgia to help wounded warriors get access to the outdoors for hunting and fishing experiences with other warriors and their families. We sponsor the WWR quail hunt at Lamar Smith’s farm each year near Collins, Georgia, and we participate in events like the Hart of Dixie sponsored deer hunt last year and other activities. Are we bragging? Yes, we are. But we are proud of the fact that our members are involved in those services and more.” Quartermaster Thomas has worked closely with local schools to continue the promotion of the Patriot Pen essay contests in the middle schools and the Voice of

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In the mid-1980s, Commander Eddie Brazel and Quartermaster Carl Cowart organized an effort to place monuments to honor those military veterans that died in service from World War I through Vietnam on the Courthouse Square. That project was completed in the mid-1990s and monuments to those killed in action from Tattnall County in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were prominently displayed on the South side of the Courthouse Square.

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Democracy (VOD) at the High School level. Additionally, 7764 has sponsored an Eagle Scout each year for Scout of the Year along with Teacher of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, and First Responder of the Year. Obviously, individuals in these professions are crucial to a strong community, and recognizing them is one way to show appreciation for their services. Currently VFW 7764 is experimenting with a volunteer program which will encourage community members to help post flags on patriotic holidays and install aluminum wheel chair ramps or help with other civic minded activities. “We would like to get parents and their children involved,” Quartermaster Thomas said. “We believe that the feeling they get when they help others will spill over into other areas. In short, we think it will encourage them to develop a ‘service to others attitude.’ Unfortunately, we live in a ‘what’s in it for me world’ and that’s not the ‘spirit of America’ that we believe in. We served then; we serve now, and we’d like to encourage our young people to do the same.” Any military service member that has served in a combat zone and would like to become a member of Post 7764 in Reidsville should contact Ronnie McCall at 912-237-2872 or Ronnie Thomas at 912314-1527.  TCL

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Kemp’s Pharmacy & Gifts

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EYE CARE, WE CARE

Claxton’s Trusted Team for Family Eye Care Providing eye care to Evans County and all surrounding counties

912-732-1800

101 Daniel Street | Claxton, GA 30417

Dr. Ryan W. Piche 120

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Reidsville Reidsville

VeterinaryClinic Clinic Veterinary 7061 US-280, Reidsville, GA 30453 | (912) 557-4993 | After Hours at 557-4401 | reidsvillevetclinic.com

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Watermelon Creek

BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor, Steve Miller

Sunday Services:

Morning Worship - 10:00 am Adult Bible Study - 5:00 pm

Wednesday Services:

Wednesday Recharge - 6:30 pm Creek Kidz (ages 2 - 5th grade) - 6:30 pm Radical Teens - 6:30 pm

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Advanced Cardiology. Personalized Care. At Evans Memorial, we specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart conditions. Our expert team is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care using the latest advancements in cardiovascular medicine.

602 E. Long St. | Claxton, GA 30417 | (912) 927-3434

CLAXTON “Propane Specialists since 1962”

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Claxton Saw

From handheld equipment to mowers and large tractor implements, we have what you need.

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Premium Georgia Pecans

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Keep Your Sparkle. When your jewelry needs a little TLC, trust the experts at K E Butler. We are the only local jeweler offering in-house repair service, so you’ll have your sparkle in no time.

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STRONG ROOTS. STRONG PROTECTION.

Katie Cheshire P.O. BOX 337 | 101 MEMORIAL DRIVE | REIDSVILLE, GA 30453 | 912.557.4789

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Story by Alexa Tebben | Photos by Rose Colored Lens

Bonding with the

Breed

Olivia Brown turned her passion for dogs into a thriving career and a fulfilling way of life.

Olivia Brown of Beard’s Creek Kennel found her purpose early in life when she fell in love with dogs as a child. Years later, she turned her passion for dogs into a thriving career and fulfilling way of life all before the age of 25. A licensed breeder, kennel, and veterinary technician, Olivia carries a wealth of knowledge that enriches the lives of fellow animallovers and their furry friends. Olivia was seven-years-old when she developed a deep love of golden retrievers. “I had been watching all of the Air Bud movies as a kid so I had to have a golden retriever,” she says with all seriousness. Knowing this, her parents drove her to pick out her very own. “The summer between first and second grade, my parents loaded me up in the car one day,” Olivia recalls

of the trip. “I picked the only puppy who wanted nothing to do with us,” she says laughing. “She was so scared she was hiding. She was just the best dog. We had her for almost 15 years.” Describing those years with the dog they named Molly, Olivia says, “She sparked my love of golden retrievers and I’ve been hooked ever since.” In her senior year of high school, Olivia recalls, “I raised my first litter on my own.” The litter of puppies came from their family lab, Garmin. “I used the income off that first litter of puppies to get into competitions,” Olivia says. With her earnings from the litter, Olivia purchased a golden retriever named Emmie who would become her first competition dog. “I wanted a good gun dog, something I could hunt behind,” she explains. An athlete in high school, she admits, “I needed something to still feel that competiveness.” Olivia threw herself into Hunting Retriever Club and American Kennel Club events, the Super Retriever Series and, more specifically, the Coastal Empire Hunting Retrieving Club. The thrill of the competition is invigorating, and she always leaves wanting to come back for more. These events and competitions provide a purpose for her hobby, so she dedicates herself to them wholeheartedly.

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The events are mostly held on the weekends. “There are three different levels at a Hunting Retriever event,” Olivia tells me. “Started test, seasoned test and finished level test.” Of the started test, she says, “They don’t require a lot of skill from the handler. Someone sits next to you with a shot gun and a hopper. They throw a duck out of a launcher and you send your dog to pick the duck up and come back.” The seasoned test requires more involvement from the handler. “You get to hold your dog at this point,” Olivia explains. “You will blow a duck call and somebody will throw out a bird, you will shoot the popper, then a second bird is thrown and you shoot with your dog sitting at your side. After shooting both birds, you send your dog to pick up both birds and deliver them to hand.” The seasoned test also includes a blind retrieve. Someone hides a bird and tells the handler where it is located. “Then you cue your dog on it,” Olivia says. “And your dog needs to be able to stop on a whistle and take your cast (right or left back, over or in) and retrieve the bird.” The finished level consists of a triple retrieve, an honor and a blind retrieve. “It’s not something that you pick up overnight,” Olivia says. “You have to bond with that dog many years before you can actually get it.” Additionally, there is a grand hunting retriever level which consists of four finish level tests and an upland test that takes place over four or five days. “The biggest thing is, especially when you look at running blinds, that dog has to trust you enough to say, ‘you’re in control, and I’m listening to you.’” It is just as important for a dog to trust his/her handler

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Her three years of experience as a veterinary technician at Reidsville Veterinary Clinic have equipped her for unforeseen circumstances. At the clinic, she works with a range of animals from cats and dogs to goats and pigs. “I love working with any type of animal,” she says. “It’s a very rewarding job.”

as it is for that handler to understand the dog. One of Olivia’s golden retrievers, Havoc, received his Grand Hunting Retriever Champion Title in 2021. “A dog is going to do something different every day,” Olivia says, “but you pick up on their habits.” She explains that the more you work with a dog, the better you can understand his/her tendencies and predict how he/she will act in competition. As Olivia’s talent for breeding and competing grew, she desired to make a business of it. “If I didn’t have the family I have, it wouldn’t be possible,” she says. In 2016, she told her parents she wanted to build a dog kennel and expand her breeding program. They willingly offered to help Olivia in any way she needed. When Olivia shared her dreams with her greatgrandfather, Neil Smith, he also wanted to help. “He believed in me enough that he wrote me a check to help pay for the concrete [of the kennel],” Olivia says. “We had it done right. Part of it is indoor/ outdoor with heating and air.” This allows all her puppies to be born comfortably inside no matter the

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time of year. With these improvements, Beard’s Creek Kennel was officially born. “[My family] really helped me get it going and made sure I didn’t settle,” Olivia says with gratitude. “They jumped full force into it, and they’ve bought themselves two dogs. They love it just as much as I do.” Since starting this adventure, Olivia’s business has grown exponentially. In addition to breeding dogs nationwide, she offers kenneling, boarding services and comprehensive obedience training. Olivia says of the dogs in her care, “Our number one goal is we want them to be good, wellrounded dogs, and the key to that is obedience.” She uses the same training program on Bulldogs and Collies that she uses for her hunting dogs, and the results are outstanding all around. In addition, the technology Olivia uses to breed her dogs is incredibly sophisticated. “I do health testing on all of my dogs,” she says. “I have their hips and elbows x-rayed, I have a cardiologist do an echocardiogram on the heart and have an

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ophthalmologist check the eyes. We do DNA testing before we ever breed them to make sure they’re going to better the breed.” Her three years of experience as a veterinary technician at Reidsville Veterinary Clinic have equipped her for unforeseen circumstances. At the clinic, she works with a range of animals from cats and dogs to goats and pigs. “I love working with any type of animal,” she says. “It’s a very rewarding job.” In the short time that Olivia has grown her business, she has made a name for herself within the community of breeders. The events and competitions she attends add credibility to her already pristine reputation, and they fill her with a joy unlike any other. “It’s a whole new group of people that you really bond with, and they become some of the best friends you’ll ever have,” Olivia says.

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“When I started, I did not think I was going to have puppies all over the country,” Olivia says bewildered. “It’s been rewarding to meet these people and see them get excited about something I thought would work.” With every passing day and each dog she encounters, Olivia is living the dream of her childhood.  TCL As Olivia’s talent for breeding and competing grew, she desired to make a business of it. “If I didn’t have the family I have, it wouldn’t be possible,” she says. In 2016, she told her parents she wanted to build a dog kennel and expand her breeding program. They willingly offered to help Olivia in any way she needed.

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Smiles Specialty! are our

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Thriving CPA firm serving Southeast Georgia for 40 years 7790 Highway 280 W | Claxton, GA 30417 | (912) 739-3318

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Baxter’s Towing

For a wrecker, please call 912-601-2428 - Holly | 912-601-2763 David 134

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personalized baked goods to celebrate any occasion 131 W Barnard ST, Glennville, GA | (912) 457-4958 |

Better Living for a Better Life!

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Better Living provides hands-on physical therapy. Our goal for every patient is to improve their quality of life. Our specialty is individualized orthopedic care for injuries of the muscles or joints, post-operative care, total joint replacements, acute and chronic injuries and pain.

Physical Therapy for the Active Patient

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SIGNS • SCREEN PRINTING • BANNERS DIGITAL PRINTING • FLEET GRAPHICS CUSTOM T-SHIRTS & EMBROIDERY COMMERCIAL DIRECT TO FILM PRINTING WITH

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TRICKLAND’S PHA MACY

111 E BARNARD ST | GLENNVILLE, GA 30427 | 912.654.2184

Our Specialized Knowledge of Parts and Equipment Keeps Your Business Moving Ahead!

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ARLENE’S FINE JEWELRY 109 CHURCH STREET VIDALIA, GEORGIA (912) 538-8981 www.arlenesfinejewelry.net

Take the first step today towards living a life free from addiction

We help women to overcome past obstacles, to develop improved relationships, and more importantly to develop their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. An addiction recovery program that works for you. The Promise of Hope System helps you live a life of freedom through faith. Learn more about living a life free from addiction. Promise of Hope Tattnall serves as a faith-based long-term recovery residence for women. We offer nine month and yearly recovery programs for women over 18 years of age.

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G E O R G I A

Your Local Hi-Performance Lawn Equipment Dealer

Collins CITY OF

MAYOR CHARLES RUSHTON | COUNCIL | EMPLOYEES P. O. Box 96 | Collins, Georgia 30421| 912.693.2581

Celebrating 40 Years In Business

Quik-Kut

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A FULL SERVICE FUNERAL HOME SERVING YOU WITH TRADITIONAL BURIAL, CREMATION AND NOW A PET DEATH CARE PROVIDER.

The Drug Store

214 South Main Street | Reidsville, GA 30453 | 912.557.4701

plus a whole lot more!

Obituary Line: Glennville - 654.9409 206 North Veterans Blvd. | Glennville, Georgia 30427 | 912-654-2060

Our Family Serving Your Family Hometown Living At Its Best

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Scenesof Tattnall Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons

why we love

Tattnall.

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CATERINGFlair Southern

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REIDSVILLE Pharmacy

246-A SOUTH MAIN ST | REIDSVILLE, GA 30453 | (912) 557-4000

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Gilbert Jones & A SSOCIAT E S

Accounting Bookkeeping Tax and Payroll Services For All Your

flooring

Needs

GRAHAM’S FLOOR COVERING

311 Church St., Vidalia Mailing: P.O. Box 526, Vidalia, GA 30475 Phone (912) 537-8811 Fax: (912) 537-1637 email: taxxes@bellsouth.net

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Ohoopee Land & Timber LAND AND TIMBER MANAGEMENT PINE AND HARDWOOD TIMBER BUYERS

Trees are our business We purchase, harvest and manage pine and Shane Harrelson hardwood timber. Our Timber Management Kevin Thomas Services include Inventory Cruising, Mapping, Jonah Smith Reforestation, Site Prep, Prescribed Burning, and Land Use recommendations. Join the list 912-293-0679 of Private Landowners and Businesses, Forest Consultants, and Institutional Clients who ohoopeetimberlt.com trust us as their timber management resource.

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CITY OF

COBBTOWN City Of Cobbtown | 912.684.3448 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Index of Advertisers Ace Hardware ........................................................................................ 99 Adams Poultry & Hardware .................................................................. 105 Altamaha Pest Control ........................................................................ 104 Anderson Outdoors LLC ....................................................................... 123 Anytime Fitness ................................................................................... 139 Arlene’s Fine Jewelry ............................................................................ 140 Armstrong’s Cricket Farm ...................................................................... 83 Baxter’s Towing .................................................................................... 134 Better Living Therapy & Fitness ............................................................ 136 Bland Farms ........................................................................................ 135 Brannen Family Funeral Services ......................................................... 141 Brewton-Parker Christian University ...................................................... 99 Canoochee EMC .................................................................................. 102 Captain D’s .............................................................................................. 3 Chantilly’s Floral and Décor ................................................................... 69 Circle F Meats + Market ......................................................................... 36 Circle F Outfitters ................................................................................... 37 City of Cobbtown ................................................................................. 151 City of Collins ....................................................................................... 141 City of Glennville .................................................................................... 67 City of Reidsville ....................................................................................... 5 Claxton Oil Company ........................................................................... 122 Claxton Saw Company ......................................................................... 123 Coastal Plains Eye Care ....................................................................... 120 Collins Mobile Homes .............................................................................. 9 Community Hospice ......................................................................... 58-59 Curren Supply South ............................................................................ 138 David H Womack & Company PC CPAs ................................................ 134 Deloach Odell & Associates, LLC ........................................................... 87 DQ Grill & Chill ......................................................................................... 2 Driggers Farm Fresh Vegetables ....................................................... 20-21 Dubberly Law Firm, LLC. ......................................................................... 85 Duramatic Products ............................................................................... 19 Elite Graphics & Design ....................................................................... 137 Evans Memorial Cardiology ................................................................. 122 Evans Memorial Surgical Associates ..................................................... 88 GB Bank Group ...................................................................................... 51 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center ........................................ 124 Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance - Katie Cheshire ................................ 125 Gilbert Jones & Associates .................................................................. 151 Glennville Auto Parts | Bumper to Bumper .......................................... 101 Glennville Chamber of Commerce ................................................... 52-53 Glennville Funeral Home - Low Country Cremation & Burial ............. 22-23 Glennville Pickleball Association ................................... Inside Back Cover Glennville Sweet Onion Festival ....................................................... 24-25 Graham’s Floor Covering ..................................................................... 151 Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce ........................................... 38-39 Jack Strickland Rehabilitation & Wellness ........................................... 100 Jincy’s .................................................................................................... 35 Johnson’s Steel Building ........................................................................ 72 Jordan Farms ....................................................................................... 124

KE Butler & Company Jewelers ........................................................... 125 Kemp’s Pharmacy & Gifts ................................................................... 120 Kennedy Funeral Homes ..................................................................... 104 Kicklighter Realty, Inc. ......................................................................... 150 King’s Pump & Technical Service, Inc. ................................................. 105 Kyle Durrence Chevrolet GMC .................................................................. 7 LuxSouth MedSpa ................................................................................. 86 Marco’s Pizza .......................................................................................... 2 Mascot Pecan ..................................................................................... 139 Mercer Brooks Lifestyle Interiors ........................................................... 71 Metter Ford ........................................................................................ 119 Mobley’s Well & Pump Service, Inc. .................................................... 103 Mrs. America - Paige Ewing Congratulations ......................................... 97 Ohoopee Land & Timber ..................................................................... 151 Ohoopee River Brewing Company ....................................................... 101 Paul Anderson Youth Home ................................................................. 150 Promise of Hope .................................................................................. 140 Quik-Kut .............................................................................................. 141 Reidsville Family Dentistry .................................................................. 133 Reidsville Pharmacy ............................................................................ 150 Reidsville Veterinary Clinic .................................................................. 121 Renasant Bank .................................................................................... 103 Ringer Veterinary Hospital ..................................................................... 84 Rose Colored Lens ........................................................................... 40-41 Rotary Corporation ................................................................................ 19 Rusty Pig BBQ .................................................................................. 56-57 SoJourney Travel .................................................................................... 82 South Georgia Bank ............................................................................ 100 Southern Flair Catering ....................................................................... 150 Southern Medical Group .................................................................. 10-11 State Farm - Caughey Hearn, Agent ..................................................... 119 Statesboro Cardiology ..................................................................... 26-27 Statesboro Cardiology ............................................................. Back Cover Stricklands Pharmacy ......................................................................... 138 Sweet Pea’s Bakery & Coffee Shop ..................................................... 136 Tattnall County Board of Commissioners ....................... Inside Front Cover Tattnall Insurance .................................................................................. 73 Terrell Brothers, Inc ............................................................................. 102 The Claxton Bank ................................................................................... 74 The Dog Stop ......................................................................................... 89 The Drug Store ..................................................................................... 141 The Farmhouse Restaurant ................................................................. 133 The Supply Company ........................................................................... 135 Tina Maddox ........................................................................................ 137 Todd Padgett Housing Center .................................................................. 1 TotsToTeens Medical Center .................................................................. 55 Triangle-J Transportation ....................................................................... 68 Twin Lakes Venue & Lodge .............................................................. 75, 98 Uptown Hounds ..................................................................................... 70 Vidalia Pediatric Clinic .......................................................................... 54 Watermelon Creek Baptist Church ...................................................... 121

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tattnall county living

Hometown Living at its Best 2025 I S S U E

C O U N T Y GLENNVILLE’S OWN

Paige Ewing Crowned

MRS. AMERICA TATTNALL COUNTY LIVING

2025