Obituaries from Macon County Times

Obituaries from Macon County Times

April 5, 2005

Goldie Mai Freeman Brummett , 80, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2005 at the Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, Indiana. She was born September 12, 1924 in Lafayette, Tennessee, a daughter of the late James Garfield Freeman and Nervie Almeda Snyder Freeman. She was a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm, was a member of New Life Baptist Church, a former employee at Arvins, and was an avid bowler, having participated in several bowling leagues. On May 22, 1945, she was united in marriage to Donald Benton Brummett. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Donald Benton Brummett; a son, James Earl Brummett, Brownsburg, Indiana; a daughter, Janice Kay Taylor, Franklin, Indiana; 4 brothers, J. B. Freeman, of Indiana; Randall Freeman, Franklin, KY; Billy Wayne Freeman, of Kentucky; and James Taxton, Phoenix, Arizona; 5 sisters, Mary Clorine Smalling, of Tennessee; Lona Bell Simmons, of Lafayette, TN; Juanita Faye Gibbs, Greenwood, IN; Shirley Ann Freeman and Creola Davenport, both of Franklin, Kentucky; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by 7 brothers, Shelby Freeman, Jessie Leo Freeman, James Ramson Freeman, Cordis Freeman, Rufus C. Freeman, Douglas McArthur Freeman, and William Smith, and 4 sisters, Spencer Earline Meadows, Idell Trece, Ruby B. Freeman, and Leonie Smith. Funeral services for Goldie Mai Freeman Brummett were conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 2, 2005 at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Henry officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood, Indiana. Obituary notice a courtesy of Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN.

Funeral services for J.L. Deckard, age 78, of 4549 Oak Grove Road, Red Boiling Springs, TN were conducted Sunday, April 3, 2005, 2 p.m. from the chapel of Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Red Boiling Springs with Dewayne Fox officiating. His family and friends served as pallbearers. Interment followed in Whitley Cemetery. J.L. Deckard passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin. A native of Clay County, he was the son of the late Virgil and Cora West Deckard. On September 22, 1948, he was married to the former Elise Davis, who preceded him in death no August 15, 1958. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Betty Kay Deckard; son, Edward Deckard; and sisters, Mamie McCloud and Mary Ruth Frazier. He was the Valedictorian of Hermitage Springs Class of 1945. He was the manager of the former Bray's Feed Store in Red Boiling Springs with 47 years of service and a World War II veteran. Survivors include daughters, Lois Pharris, Red Boiling Springs, Brenda Deckard, Nashville; son, Harold Deckard, Akersville, KY; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mabel & John Davis, Cleveland, OH, Louise Cox, Indianapolis, IN, Joyce & Glen Emmert, Red Boiling Springs; brother, Clifton Deckard, Bay City, Texas; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home, Red Boiling Springs, TN.

Thomas N. "Tommy" Ferrell, 47, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at the Medical Center at Bowling Green in Bowling Green, Kentucky. the Flint, Michigan native was a welder for General Motors and an avid collector of vintage cars and trucks, and a Baptist. He was a son of the late Thomas Buell Ferrell and Ruby Ford Ferrell. He is survived by his wife, Mary Nelson Ferrell, Bowling Green, KY; 2 daughters, Casandra Ferrell and Rainell Ferrell, both of Texas; 2 sisters and brothers-in-law, Rita and Paul Akers, Gallatin, TN; Susan and Bob Eremia, Caro, Michigan. Funeral services for Thomas N. "Tommy" Ferrell were conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, April 4, 2005 at Hardy and Son Funeral Home in Bowling Green with burial at 2:00 PM Monday at Eulia Cemetery in Macon County. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of local arrangements.

Jimmie D. Ford, 80, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Friday, April 1, 2005 at Macon County General Hospital in Lafayette, Tennessee. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Thursday, July 17, 1924, a son of the late Allie Jefferson Ford and Ercie Louella Ragland Ford. He was a member of Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church and a retired laborer. He is survived by a niece and her husband, Shirley and Bob Haynes; a nephew and his wife, James and Betty Ford, all of Lafayette, TN; a great-nephew and 3 great-nieces. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Idell Ford, 3 brothers, Earl, Rudolph, and Tommy Ford, and a great-nephew, Edward E. Ray. Funeral services for Jimmie D. Ford were conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday, April 3, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Eld. Richard Wilson officiating. Burial was in Roark Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tim Rush, Perry Kirby, Jr., Jeff Morgan, Terry Marsh, David Presley, Donnie Likens, and Donnie Morgan. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of arrangements.

Carlene Shrum Fuqua, 78, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2005 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, Tennessee. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Sunday, September 5, 1926, a daughter of the late B. A. Shrum and Lou Dickerson Shrum. She was a homemaker and member of New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. On December 7, 1946, she was united in marriage to Leon Fuqua. She is survived by her husband of over 58 years, Leon Fuqua, of Lafayette, TN; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kerry and Teresa Fuqua, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and Randy Fuqua, Old Hickory, Tennessee; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Sue Shrum, Lafayette, TN; two sisters, Betty McClard, Lafayette, TN; and Irene Shrum, of the Old Bottom Community; three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Linda Shrum. Funeral services for Carlene Shrum Fuqua were conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Eld. J. E. Shoulders and Eld. Terry Austin officiating. Burial was in Macon County Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers were Keith Fuqua, Spencer Shrum, Jonathan Shrum, Ricky Fuqua, Boyd Deering, and Jerry McClard. Honorary pallbearers were Roger McClard, Kenny McClard, Andy McClard, Mike Fuqua, Avery Fuqua, and Larry Goad. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, Tennessee was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Clyde R. Gregory, age 84, of Sycamore Valley Community in Macon County, were conducted Tuesday, April 5, 2005, from the chapel of Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette with Elder Terry Austin, Elder James Lawson and Elder Franky Downs officiating. Pallbearers were Ricky Gregory, Timmy Gregory, Royce Gregory, Roger Gregory, Jeff Gregory, Billy Smith, Chris Johnson and Jimmy Wilburn. Interment followed in Anderson & Son Memorial Park with full military honors. Clyde R. Gregory passed away Saturday morning, April 2, 2005 at his residence. A native of Smith County, TN, he was the son of the late Luther and Kittie Oldham Gregory. On April 20, 1946, he was married to the former Willie Smith, who preceded him in death on March 29, 1994. He was a farmer, member of Maces Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Lafayette V.F.W., and a World War II veteran. Survivors include a brother, Eddie Gene (Dean) Gregory, Hartsville, TN. Arrangements by Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home, Lafayette, TN.

Walter Ellis Gunter, Sr., 73, of Ferguson Hill Road, Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2005 at his residence. The Graham County, North Carolina native grew up in Swain County. He was born Sunday, October 18, 1931, a son of the late Wayne D. Gunter and Flora Brown Gunter Millsaps. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War, a member of Franklin Grove Baptist Church, a Mason, Shriner, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a retired construction supervisor for T.V.A. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Della Petty Gunter, Lafayette, TN; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Diane Gunter Cline, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Debi and Kenneth Camp, Hendersonville, TN; a son and daughter-in-law, Walt (Wally) Gunter, Jr. and Gale Gunter, Portland, TN; 6 brothers, Arthur Gunter and Boyd Millsaps, both of Nebo, North Carolina; David Gunter, Goreville, Illinois; Danny Gunter, Smyrna, TN; Marion Gunter, Terre Haute, Indiana; and Henry Millsaps, Jr., Robinsville, North Carolina; 4 sisters, Vernell Whitaker, Andrews, North Carolina; Betty McLain, Topton, North Carolina; Bonnie Turpin, Andrews, North Carolina; and Ruth Case, Stanley, North Carolina; 3 grandchildren 1 great-grandchild; and 2 soon-to-be-born great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Hyatt Gunter, and 4 brothers, Dr. Oliver Gunter, W. D. Gunter, Lloyd Gunter, and Ward Gunter, and a sister, Wanda Sylvester. Funeral services for Walt Gunter, Sr. were conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 26, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Eld. J. B. Shoulders officiating. Burial was in Anderson Memorial Park. Active pallbearers were Jeff Cline, Zachary Gunter, Mike Betterton, Bobby "Moochie" Hesson, Corey Hesson, and Larry Doss. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Anders, H. N. Reid, Donnie Hesson, Odean Harp, Dennis Brawner, John Gregory, Curtis Parrish, Ken Camp, and Dwayne Shrum. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of arrangements.

Services for Mrs. Aline Hewitt, age 82, of Gordonsville, were conducted Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home and burial was in the Defeated Creek Memorial Gardens. Bro. Frank Bratcher officiated. Mrs. Hewitt died at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning March 26, 2005, at the Carthage General Hospital following a brief illness. Born Altha Aline Reece in the Funns Branch Community of Jackson County on September 7, 1922, she was one of eight children of the late James "Jim" and Grace Franklin Reece. Siblings preceding her in death were two sisters who died as infants, Lela Belle and Virginia Lucille Reece and three brothers, Allen "Tug" Reece, John Henry "Shoate" Reece and Jesse Willard "Buck" Reece. Two daughters preceded her in death, Jean Hewitt Hager and Lucille Hewitt Reeves. On January 25, 1941, she was married to James Vernest "Touser" Hewitt of the Buffalo Community. She was a member of the Carthage Freewill Baptist Church at Tanglewood and retired from the Texas Boot Co. in Carthage in 1982. Surviving in addition to her husband of 54 years are two sons, Paul Hewitt and wife Diane of Gordonsville, Ronnie Hewitt and wife Gen of Lafayette; sister, Dorothy Marie Woodard of Portland; brother, James W. "Kaiser" Reece and wife Reba of Kempville; eight grandchildren, (locally Wendy Williams and Ron Hewitt of Lafayette) and eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Jerry Hughes of Kempville died at the age of 72 at 10 p.m. Wednesday evening March 23, 2005, at the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville of cancer. Bro. Steve Waller and Bro. Frank Bratcher officiated at the 3:00 p.m. Sunday services from the Hackett Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Defeated Creek Memorial Gardens. The son of the late Copas "Preacher" Hughes and Hettie Hester Mundy Kittrell, he was born Jerry Carl Hughes on October 3, 1932, in the Funns Branch Community of Jackson County. On June 11, 1955, he was married to the former Camellia Mae Huffines of the Wartrace Community. Mr. Hughes was retired from the Pasminco Zinc in Gordonsville where he worked in mine maintenance. He retired on January 31, 1998. He served our country during the Korean War with the U.S. Army. He attended Smith County High School and was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving in addition to his wife of almost 50 years are two sons, Paul Hughes and wife Helen of Tanglewood, David Hughes and wife DeAnna of Kempville; four grandchildren and a great-grandson

William Audie Kemp, 79, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and formerly of Macon County, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born March 9, 1926, a son of the late Wiley Kemp and Alice Mary Langford Kemp. He was a retired truck driver, a member of the Masonic Lodge, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, and Teamsters Local #135. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Lohman Kemp; children, Michael A. Kemp, Vicki Lahrman, Sheila Firkins, Teresa VanVolkenburgh, Marissa Lane, Mark A. Kemp, Carla Sue Wright, Robert W. Kemp, William A. Kemp, Jr., Joseph F. Lohman, Craig Lohman, Teresa Harvey, Denise Howe, and Andrea Neal; 46 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by 6 sisters, Mamie McClard, Elizabeth Wiley Doss, Lottie Williams, Myrtle Tuck, Florence Polk, and Evelle Oldham, and a brother, Oddie Day Kemp. Funeral services for William Audie Kemp were conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 2, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Eld. Greg Dunham officiating. Burial was in Haysville Cemetery. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Willie Nixon Lawing, age 87, of Lexington, KY and formerly of Macon County, TN, were conducted Saturday, April 2, 2005, 2 p.m. from the chapel of Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Red Boiling Springs with Brother Denny McCowan officiating. Her family and friends served as pallbearers. Interment was in Whitley Cemetery. Mrs. Lawing passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 29, 2005 at St. Joseph Hospital Hospice Unit in Lexington, KY. A native of Macon County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Maggie Whitley Nixon. She was also preceded in death by her son, Billy Joe Lawing. On February 13, 1937, she married Garland Lawing, who survives. She was a homemaker and a member of North Park Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. Survivors besides her husband include daughters, Betty (Fred) Grimes, Bowling Green, KY, Rosa (Virgil) Rose, Gray Hawk, KY, Judy Lynn Lawing, Richmond, KY; daughter-in-law, Juanita Lawing, Sahuarita, AZ; six grandchildren, one step-grandchild, 16 great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Arrangements by Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home, Red Boiling Springs.

Zelma Lee Bailey Minchey, age 92, of the Wartrace Community in Jackson County, TN, passed away Friday, April 1, 2005 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born April 13, 1912 in Jackson County, a daughter of the late Robert and Hilda Gaines Bailey. She was married to Cordell Minchey, who preceded her in death on Feb. 8, 1997. She was a retired cafeteria employee at Fox Middle School in Gainesboro and a member of Methodist Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Ona May Minchey and Eutolia Denton; one sister, Janice Sloan; and one brother, Frank Bailey; two grandchildren, Wanda Minchey and Holly Minchey. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Helen Minchey of Lebanon, Roy T. and Debbie Minchey of Carthage; one daughter and son-in-law, Delores and Clay Cook of Wartrace; one son-in-law, Sam Denton of Haydenburg; two sisters, Judy McClure and Mareda Thomas, both of Red Boiling Springs; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday, April 3, 2005, 3 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Gainesboro with Bro. Chris Reagan and Bro. Kenneth Clayton officiating. Burial was in the Minchey Family Cemetery in the Wartrace Community

William Glespie "Bud" Roark, 82, of Lafayette, TN, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Thursday, October 5, 1922, a son of the late Earl and Emely Davis Roark. He was a farmer and member of Walton's Chapel Church of Christ. He is survived by 2 sisters, Mary Elizabeth Ramirez, of Lafayette, TN; and Leatrice King, of the Rocky Mound Community; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Homer Roark. Funeral services for William Glespie "Bud" Roark were conducted at 10 AM Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN with burial in Corinth Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kerry Roark, Ronald Birdwell, Kenny Childress, Johnny Sircy, Keith Sircy, and Steve Cothron. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of arrangements.