Obituaries from Macon County Times

Obituaries from Macon County Times

November 29, 2005

Mr. David L. Blankenship, age 55, of 1429A Pleasant Grove Road, Westmoreland, TN passed away Sunday, November 27, 2005. Visitation was on Tuesday, November 29 from 11-9, Wednesday, November 30 from 10-9, and Thursday, December 1 from 10 until service time, held at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson & Woodard with Bro. Anthony, Bro. Randy Andrews, and Bro. John Allen Graves officiating. Interment was in New Hope Cemetery. He was the son of the late Luther Blankenship and Iva Mae Creasy Harper, who survives. He was united in marriage to Barbara Carter Blankenship, who also survives. Survivors besides his mother and wife include sons, Don Blankenship of Westmoreland, Jon and wife, J.J. Blankenship of Lafayette; grandchildren, Hailey, Lucas, and Nathan Blankenship; step-grandchildren, Joseph and Jacob Hargis; step-daughters, Dana Lynn of Westmoreland and Heather and husband, Joe Hargis of Bethpage; sisters, Mary Ann (Ray) Owen of Gallatin and Lois Dean (Paul) Mezo of Gallatin. Anderson and Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland in charge of arrangements.

James O. Blankenship, 75, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Friday, November 25, 2005 at Knollwood Manor in Lafayette, Tennessee. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Tuesday, March 25, 1930, a son of the late James Odell Blankenship and Ruby Renee Roberts Blankenship. He was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, a retired business owner, and a former associate at the Lafayette Wal-Mart. He is survived by a son, Michael Blankenship, of Lafayette, TN; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Jerry Carter, of the Cold Springs Community; Pat and Ricky Andrews, of Lafayette, TN; Pamela and Keith Whitley, Pulaski, TN; a brother, Joe Blankenship, Gallatin, TN; a sister and brother-in-law, Mizelle and Lloyd Driver, of Lafayette, TN; 11 grandchildren, Marty Blankenship, Christy Jones, Anthony Carter, Tim Carter, Derrick Carter, Brandon Carter, Patrick Coley, Danita Coley, Michael White, Monica Whitley, and Melaina Whitley; 2 step-grandchildren, Jessica Andrews and Jordan Andrews; and 8 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Allen Blankenship. Funeral services for James O. Blankenship were conducted at 11 AM Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette with Eld. Dean Dyer officiating. Burial was in Macon County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette in charge of arrangements.

Joyce “Ma” Harper, 70, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at University Medical Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. The Clay County, Tennessee native was born Wednesday, August 21, 1935, a daughter of the late James William Hatcher and Clara Viola Browning Hatcher. She was a graduate of Hermitage Springs High School, a member of Lafayette Church of Christ, a retired dispatcher for the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, and wife of the late James “Dude” Harper. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Larry Sawyer, Lebanon, TN; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Tammy Bean, Lafayette, TN; a sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Cleston Bean, Madison, TN; 7 grandchildren, Chris Sawyer, Felicia Sawyer, Andrea Sawyer, Tara Bean, Derek Bean, Theresa Taylor, and Jamie Bean; and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Joyce “Ma” Harper were conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Terry Gillim officiating. Burial was in Anderson Memorial Park. Pallbearers were members of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Capt. Darrell Taylor, Sgt. Kimball Hall, Sgt. Danny Gross, Sgt. Benny Hudgens, Det. Larry West, and Det. Mark Bartley. Honorary pallbearers were additional members of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Heather Nichole Mayo, age 2 years, 11 months, of Red Boiling Springs, were conducted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of the Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Red Boiling Springs with Elder E.C. Meadows officiating. Interment followed in the Leonard Cemetery in Clay Co. Her family served as pallbearers. Heather Nichole Mayo passed away Monday, November 21, 2005, at her home. She is survived by her parents, Patrick & Angel Davis Mayo; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Callie (Vaughn) Davis and maternal grandfather, David Davis of Red Boiling Springs, TN; maternal great-grandfather Albert Vaughn of Whitleyville, TN; maternal great-grandmother Ruby Morris Mayo of Joppa, AL; paternal grandfather James Mayo of Red Boiling Springs, TN; uncles Josh Davis and Mike, Joey, Timothy, and Daniel Mayo; aunts Donna Privett and Christy Blankenship. Arrangements by the Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home, Red Boiling Springs, TN.

Penny Kathleen (Wilcox) Russell, age 59, of the Green Grove Community passed away Thursday, November 24, 2005 at her residence. Her body was cremated and no services were planned. She was the daughter of Hugh and Margaret Borden Stewart Wilcox. On July 19, 1961, she married Paul A. Russell, Sr., who survives. She was a homemaker. Survivors beside her husband of 44 years include 3 sons, Paul A. Russell, Jr. of Thomasville, AL, Patrick D. (Marcie) Russell, of the Westside Community, Phillip F. (Tina) Russell of Lafayette; 4 daughters, Precious Russell of Pleasant Shade, TN, Promise (Randall) Smith of Willette, Phillina (Johnny) Champion of Pine Hill, AL, and Prezele (Marty) Chrenshaw of Mt. Pleasant, TN; one brother, Roy Wilcox of Burnsville, GA; 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by the Phillip Anderson & Son Funeral Home, Lafayette, TN.

Lona Bell Simmons, 88, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Westmoreland Care and Rehab in Westmoreland, Tennessee. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Monday, August 20, 1917, a daughter of the late Garfield Freeman and Nervie Snyder Freeman. She was a member of Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church, a former employee of the White Hotel, and was a retired assembly line worker for Carter Automotive. She was married to Thurman Stevens who preceded her in death. Later she married James Simmons, and he also preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Jo Ellen Stevens, of the Coleytown Community; a granddaughter and her husband, Tammy and Gerry Glover, Anchorage, Alaska; a grandson and his wife, Casey and Toni Stevens, of the Galen Community; 3 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Clorine Beasley Smalling, of Lafayette, TN; a brother and sister-in-law, J. B. and Jeanett Freeman, Columbus, IN; a step-sister, Creola Davenport, Franklin, KY; a brother-in-law, Don Brummett, Franklin, IN; a sister-in-law, Joyce Freeman, of California; 2 half brothers, Randall Freeman, Franklin, KY; and Billy Freeman, Indianapolis, IN; 2 half-sisters, Shirley Freeman and Juanita Gibbs, both of Indiana; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands and parents, she was also preceded in death by her only child, Junior Stevens just 16 days before her death. She was also preceded in death by 5 brothers, Leo Freeman, Rufus Freeman, Cordis Freeman, Shelby Freeman, and Ramson Freeman; 4 sisters, Earline Meador, Idell Treece, Goldie Brummett, and Ruby Freeman; 2 half-brothers, Mack Freeman and Bill Smith; and a half-sister, Leano Smith. Funeral services for Lona Bell Simmons were conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, November 28, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Eld. Kenneth Hesson officiating. Burial was in Drury Cemetery. Pallbearers were Casey Stevens, Frank Smith, Gene Beasley, Bobby Beasley, Lannie Kelley, and Jesse Beasley. Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Bettie Earlene Wilburn, age 98, of the Old Bottom Community of Macon Co., TN died Monday afternoon, November 21, 2005 at Trousdale Medical Center, Hartsville, TN.Mrs. Wilburn was born September 9, 1907, in the Ebenezer Community of Macon County. She was married to the late Charlie Wilburn on October 24, 1927. She is survived by daughter, Mrs. Berldena (Eddie G.) Gregory of Hartsville; 2 grandchildren, Mr. Ricky (Penny Ann) Gregory of Lebanon, TN and Mr. Timmy (Angelia Lynn) Gregory of Carthage, TN; 3 great grandchildren, John, Will, & India Gregory. Funeral services were held in the chapel of Anthony Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2005, conducted by Eld. James Lawson and Eld. James Shoulders. Pallbearers were Ricky, Timmy, John, Will & Ott Gregory, John Shrum, Joe Dickens, James Mathis and India Gregory. Interment is in the Dixon Springs Cemetery.

Ora Belle Wix, age 90, of Donna Gale Drive in Gallatin, TN, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2005. Visitation was Friday, November 25, from 12 Noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday, November 26 from 10 a.m. until service time, held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2005 at the Anderson & Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland,TN with Bro. Gene Heath officiating. Interment was in Pike Cemetery. She was the daughter of the late James and Martha Ada Pike Wix. She is survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers: L.T., John, Olie, and Elmer Wix and sisters: Maude, Maggie, Lula, Lillie, Selma, and Clara. Anderson & Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland in charge of arrangements.