Ed Lightsey(1944-2014) was a native of Valdosta, Ga, and an alumnus of VSU. Lightsey’s life included turns as a writer, television anchorman, author, auctioneer, disc jockey, public speaker, soldier, and numerous positions in politics and government. He served as a senior correspondent for Georgia Trend magazine. Prior to that, his career included a decade as an independent contractor and auctioneer; a stint as district director and campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Charles Hatcher; administrative assistant to Georgia Speaker of the House Tom Murphy; anchorman and reporter at WALB in Albany from 1970-1979; host of Georgia Public Television’s “The Lawmakers;” anchorman and reporter for WCTV in Tallahassee (1969-1970); disc jockey and play-by-play announcer for Valdosta High School football (1966-69); and he served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1962-1966. He donated numerous rolls of film to Valdosta State that documented the history of South Georgia in the 60s and 70s.

Digitized 16mm film from WALB-TV (Albany, Georgia, United States), mostly from the 1970's, donated by Ed Lightsey. Raw newsreel compilations include segments on Jimmy Carter; Ku Klux Klan rally in Plains, Georgia; 1980 Georgia 2nd District Congress campaign spots for Charles Hatcher; Dwight Eisenhower heart attack news report; Escaped convicts; Football; 1973 National Meat boycott; The Georgians at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave w/ H. Jordan & J. Powell; "Insight with Ed Lightsey" interview with Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee; Hamilton Jordan Roast; and more.