Tributes, page 4A
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Cornelia, Ga. – Matthew Osborne, editor of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal from 2014-19, died suddenly Aug. 13 at his home. He was 47.
Osborne was a journalist for 25 years, starting in 1999 as a sports writer at the Lake City (Fla.) Reporter after graduating from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He had been editor of The Northeast Georgian since 2019.
Matthew also served his communities as publisher/editor of The Graham Star in Robbinsville, N.C.; sports editor and news editor of the Richmond County Daily Journal in Rockingham, N.C.; and sports editor and editor of The Trentonian in Trenton, N.J.
“Matthew was a dedicated family man and editor,” said Alan NeSmith, chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. “He was always fair in his reporting, well respected in the communities he served and a friend to those in need. The CNI family is heartbroken over this tragic loss.”
Osborne won numerous state and regional awards during his career, but preferred to focus on serving local readers. He was well known for his humorous personality, love of sports and professional objectivity.
“The quality of Matthew’s work speaks for itself,” said David Brown, publisher of the Scout, who hired Osborne three times at three different newspapers over the years. “More importantly, Matthew is one of the finest men I’ve ever known, and we will dearly miss him.”
At the Scout, Osborne twice led the local newspaper to winning General Excellence with the N.C. Press Association. The Scout was also named Best of CNI Osborne is survived by his wife, Samantha Sinclair, editor of the White County News in Cleveland, who met her future husband when they worked together in Lake City. She also previously worked with the Scout and Journal. They have three boys – Hunter, Cal and Ollie. The cause of death is still unknown.
Services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at the chapel of Barrett Funeral Home in Cleveland. The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. at the funeral home.