By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
19 presidents and 9 dozen candles: Times' matriarch Lessie Smithgall has seen it all
03312019smithgall 1.jpg
The Times’ co-founder Lessie Smithgall is the oldest-living graduate of UGA’s Grady school. She is credited with being among the founders of the Peabody Awards program at the University of Georgia. - photo by Scott Rogers
Layne Saliba
Updated: Mar 30, 2019, 7:27 PM
Published: Mar 30, 2019, 3:00 PM
When Lessie Smithgall graduated from the University of Georgia in 1933, Amelia Earhart had just recently completed the first solo, nonstop trans-Atlantic flight by a woman. Now, Smithgall has completed an impressive feat of her own. The oldest-living graduate of the university and co-founder of The Times, Celestia “Lessie” Smithgall, will turn 108 years old Monday, April 1.
Register to read. It's free.

Read this story and many others for free. 

For access to subscriber-exclusive stories, visit gainesvilletimes.com/subscribe.

Continue with Facebook
By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Update: New details emerge about mysterious bullet discovered in West Hall High bathroom
03062025 WESTHALL 1.jpg
West Hall High School Wednesday, March 5, 2025. - photo by Scott Rogers
Ben Anderson
The Times
Updated: Mar 28, 2025, 8:55 PM
Published: Mar 27, 2025, 8:48 PM
A .45 caliber bullet was found in the boys bathroom Thursday morning at West Hall High School. How it got there remained a mystery, but officials now say they’ve solved it.
Read this subscriber-exclusive story

Keep reading this and other subscriber-exclusive stories! Click the button below to choose your plan.

If you believe you have reached this message in error, ensure you have logged in and then contact our customer care team. 

Subscribe now