JONES COUNTY
Bobby and Joyce Coulter were honored twice this month having been named Citizens of the Month for October by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and honored with a proclamation by the Jones County Commissioners at their Oct. 4 board meeting.
The Oct. 1 Facebook post by Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece named the couple as its first Citizens of the Month. The post stated that, following the loss of their one-year-old son, the Coulters were drawn to service with Jones County’s Emergency Management Agency in 1976.
They began their service as volunteer firefighters and EMTs. Bobby would go on to be named Deputy Director of Jones County Rescue and Assistant Fire Chief. Joyce served as a captain.
Reece said the couple received countless state-level awards and recognitions of their achievements, but none of them mean more to them than their four daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 10 and counting great-grandchildren. The Coulters have been married for 55 years.
“Bobby and Joyce exemplify selfless service and the Jones County Emergency Management Agency, and our community is better because of it. We here at the sheriff’s office offer them both our most sincere thank you,” the sheriff said.
The board of commissioners proclamation was read by Commissioner Wendy Vaughn, who witnessed the dedication of Bobby and Joyce Coulter firsthand as a Rescue volunteer.
The proclamation was more specific, stating that Bobby became a firefighter in 1978 and Joyce became an EMT in 1981. Vaughn read that Bobby held various leadership positions and passed on his knowledge through his roles as EMT Instructor and Crash Victim Extrication Instructor.
She said Jones County’s Rescue Squad received recognition for outstanding performance during Bobby’s tenure, including placing third in the Southwest in an international competition and being honored as the No. 1 Rescue Squad in the state by the Emergency Management Association of Georgia.
Vaughn said Bobby’s individual accolades included being named the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2021 and receiving the EMA Director’s Award for Outstanding Service in 1993. Coulter represented Jones County on the Region 5 Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council from its inception in 1980.
Bobby and Joyce Coulter retired from Jones County Fire Rescue in 2009 after 33 years of service.
“Now therefore, in recognition of Bobby and Joyce Coulter’s many years of dedication to Jones County Fire Rescue and the citizens of Jones County. I hereby proclaim that their exemplary service is recognized, appreciated and celebrated,” Vaughn read.
At the conclusion of the commissioner’s reading of the proclamation, the Coulters received a standing ovation by board members and all in attendance.
The proclamation was signed by Board Chairman Chris Weidner and Clerk of the Board Shannon Wagner.
