Former 'News-Times' editor dies

EVANS, Ga.- Jo Anne Lutcher, 67, died at the home of her daughter on June 10, 2004 in Evans.

Ms. Lutcher was born in Pendleton, Oregon, the daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. John V. Milligan. She was the editor of the Pendleton High School newspaper, The Lantern, before attending the University of Oregon, where she was president of Delta Gamma Sorority and Mortar Board. She was editor of the University newspaper, The Emerald and was a member of Chi Delta Phi, a women's literary honorary society for creative writing.

She graduated with a degree in journalism in 1959, married Lawrence Lutcher, M.D. in 1960 and moved to Augusta with her family in 1970. She was a long-time member of Our Savior Episcopal Church, a freelance journalist and an avid horseback rider and gardener. Until 1987, she was news editor and columnist for The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times.

She is survived by three children, Larry Lutcher of Heppner, Oregon, Shawna Todd of Evans, Georgia and Derk Lutcher of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren, Dillon and William Lutcher and Brittany, Grace and Lauren Todd and two sisters, Virginia Lindberg of Pendleton, Oregon and Mary Chase of Portland, Oregon. Funeral arrangements are private. Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans.