McNairy County Tennessee obituary file name mcn-obit15.txt USE YOUR BROWSER BACK BUTTON TO RETURN ____________ These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______ Appeared in the Independent Appeal, Wed., June 7, 2000 MARY LILLARD RAY, 83, of Bethel Springs, died of congestive heart failure on May 30, 2000 at Methodist Healthcare McNairy. She was a retired dietitian with McNairy County General Hospital, a member of Central Baptist Church, and active in the Meals on Wheels program for many years. Services were held on Thurs. at 1 p.m. at Shackelford Chapel in Selmer. Burial was in Lake Hill Memory Gardens in Bethel Springs, with James Smith and Andy Robertson officiating. Pallbearers were Don Fiveash, John Longworth Ron Lunsford, Wayne Moore, Scott Halter, Steve Veter, Steve Hunter, and Stan Stephen. Mrs. Ray was the daughter of the late Robert and Rhoda Moore Ray and the wife of the late Guy Wade Ray. She was preceded in death by one son, Charles Whitten Ray. She is survived by two daughters, Olla F. Weir of Germantown, Lola M. Murray of Bethel Springs three sons, Joe M. Ray of Memphis, Bobby G. Ray of Finger, and Jerry W. Ray of Troy; one brother, Slater Whitten of Memphis; 13 grandchildren; and six step-gr-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Baptist church Building Fund, Dowdy Road, Selmer. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DOREEN JUNE BORUTA, 71, of Selmer, died on June 1, 2000 of heart failure at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. She was a homemaker and with the Jehovah's Witnesses in Adamsville. Memorial services were held at 730 p.m. Sunday at Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Adamsville. She was buried in Hope McNairy County memorial Cemetery in Selmer. Mrs. Boruta was proceeded in death by her husband, Charles Boruta, Sr. She is survived by one son, Charles "Chuck" Boruta, Jr. of Bethel Springs; one sister, Norma McCann of Toronto, Canada; one brother, Jim Comak of Toronto, Canada; and two grandchildren. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> JIM BISHOP, 75, of Selmer, died on May 31, 2000 of emphysema at Hardin County Genera Hospital in Savannah. He was an U. S. Army WWII Veteran and an auto mechanic. Mr. Bishop was born and reared in Chester county, Plainview community, son of the late Joe Kent and Silpha Elizabeth Hollan Bishop. He attended schools in Jacks Creek and Plainview. He entered the U. S. Army in 1943 and served in the European Theater of Operations and returned in 1946. He worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Memphis and after that as an auto mechanic. The body was cremated and there was a private committal service on Thurs, June 1 at 6 p.m. at Cabo Cemetery. He is survived by one daughter, Jamie Hildebrant of Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers, George Bishop of Henderson and Tommy Bishop of Milledgeville; one sister Ruby Weaver of Adamsville; and one grandchild/ He was related to Rebekah Rose Hildebrant. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> KENNETH BROOKS HARRS, 63 of Memphis, died May 5, 2000 in Skagway, Alaska, of a heart attack. Mr. Harris was a manager for the Heilig Meyers Furniture Company in Savannah. Services were held 1 p.m. on Fri. at Memorial Park in Memphis. Graveside services were held at 430 at Forrest Hill Cemetery Church in Cordova, where he was a charter member. The Minister was Bob Geabhart. Bearers were Charles Harris, Houston Thrasher, Jim Harris, Brooks Harris Jr., Ben Harris, Brad Harris, and Phillip L. Hansen. Mr. Harris is the son of the late Alton Brooks and Sarah Cato Harris. He is survived by his wife Patricia Thrasher Harris, 3 sons, Kenneth Brooks Harris, Jr. of St. Louis, MO, Ben Allen Harris of Anchorage, Alaska, and Bradley Thrasher Harris of Gainville, GA; a sister, Alice Jean Walls of Trenton; a brother, Charles Lee Harris of Memphis, and 5 grandchildren. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Infant PAYTON DATH MARTIN, 4 months, of Stantonville, died June 1, 2000 at Methodist Healthcare in McNairy due to heart failure. Services were held at 130 p.m. on Sun. at Shackelford Chapel in Selmer, with burial at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Bethel Springs. Payton Dath Martin is survived by his parents Dath and Amy Wagoner martin of Stantonville. He is survived by 1 sister, Jordan Martin and 1 brother, Easton Martin. Maternal grandparents Billy and Joyce Wagoner of Bethel Springs, Paternal grandparents Hugh and Alice Martin of Stantonville; Paternal gr-grandparents Marie Rankins of Bethel Springs, Blondell Walker of Stantonville, and Esthelee Slaughter of Selmer. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> FRANCES MESSER, 77 of Adamsville, died June 3, 2000 at Methodist Healthcare McNairy Co. General Hospital, of heart failure. She was a Past matron Order of The Eastern Star Chapter 330 of Adamsville. Services were held at 1 p.m. Mon. at Shackelford Funeral Home Chapel in Adamsville, with burial at Adamsville cemetery. Mrs. Messer was preceded in death by her husband, James Laiford Messer. She is survived by 2 daughters, Mrs. Ann Harrison of Savannah, and Mrs. Brenda Tedford of Henderson; 2 sisters, Mrs. Verda Barnes of Selmer, and Mrs. Athalee Glover of Nahunta, GA, and 2 grandchildren, Dr. Richard Alexander and Mrs. Shaney Winters, both of Adamsville. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ROBERT L. BRITTON, 72, of Guys, died June 4, 2000 at Methodist Healthcare in Selmer, of heart failure. Mr. Britton was retired U. S. Army, FAA, and Jehovah's Witness. Services were held 2 p.m. Tues., at Shackelford chapel Selmer, with burial at Indian Creek Cemetery. Mr. Britton was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Nanny Bell Davis Britton, and his wife Ida Redding Britton. He is survived by 2 daughters, Gwen Lambert of Michie and Sarah Miller of Corinth, MS, 3 sons, Nick Britton of Guys, James and Dwayne Britton, both of Jackson, 3 sisters, Margaret Forsythe of Guys, Faye Everette of Burbanks, CA, and Sylvia Eaker of Florence AL, 2 brothers Jim "J.H." Britton of Poplar Bluff, MO and L.C. Britton of Chewalla, 4 grandchildren, and 4 gr-grandchildren. >>>>>>>>>>> CARL WAYNE PLUNK, age 63, of Adamsville, died June 2, 2000 in Hardin County General in Savannah, of an apparent heart attack. He was a retired truck driver for Cardox Corp in Memphis for 25 years. He lived in Hardin County all his life. He was a veteran of U.S. Air Force, member of VFW and Teamsters Union, and attended Solitude Freewill Baptist Church. Services were held at 1:30 p. m. Sunday, at Adamsville Funeral Home with Shackelford Funeral Directors and burial at Crump Cemetery. Mr. Plunk is survived by his father, Fred Plunk of Adamsville, and his wife Daisy Kelley Plunk of Adamsville, 1 daughter, Tanya Michele Plunk of Adamsville, 1 son, Anthony Wayne Plunk of McKenzie, 2 brothers, Paul Walace Plunk of Adamsville, and Terry Plunk of Toone; and 2 grandchildren. ...>>>>>>>>>> VESTIE IRENE LOCKE GOOLSBY, 88, of Pocahontas, died on Mon, May 29, 2000 of a brain tumor at Methodist healthcare McNairy Hospital in Selmer. She was a homemaker and member of Rose Creek Sanctified Church. Services were held at 1 p.m. on Wed., May 31 at Shackelford Chapel in Selmer. Burial was at McCalips Chapel Cemetery in McNairy County, with LeRoy Rigsby and Bob Cottle officiating. Her grandsons served as pallbearers. She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Dovie L. Kirk Goolsby and the wife of the late Roy Goolsby. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lessie Mullins and Verble Dillon; 1 brother, Ezra Locke; and one gr-granddaughter, Lauren King. She is survived by three daughter, Shirlene King of Pocahontas; Darlene Cagle of Selmer and Glenda Cox of Bolivar; two sons, Wayne Goolsby of Pocahontas and Robert Goolsby of Selmer; three sisters, Velvie Dillon, Sue Hill, and Vergie Redmon, all of Selmer; one brother, Tildon Locke of Selmer; 11 grandchildren; 14 gr-grandchildren; and one step gr-grandson. >>>>>>>>>> --------- Appeared in the Independent Appeal Newspaper on Wed., June 28, 2000 RALPH RAY WHITE, 79, of Selmer died on June 11, 2000 at the Jackson-Madison Co. General Hospital due to cancer. Mr. White is retired truck driver. He has been a Deacon at Eastview Baptist Church for five and a half years, at West Shiloh Baptist Church for thirty years, and a Church in Farmington, MI for twenty-seven years. He also served in the army during WWII. He is preceded in death by his parents, Iven Washington and Leatha Hopper White, and his brother Junior White, He is survived by his wife Peggy Plunk White; one daughter, Judy Belvin of Savannah; six sister, Ellen Cooksey of Michie, Oberia Sowell of Michie, Omega Sweat of Michie, Virginia Goodwin of Michie, Ruth Tucker of Decaturville, and Marie Byrd of Pontoctac, MS; seven brothers, Jake White of Michie, Charles White of Michie, J. W. White of LaPlanto, AR, Rayburn White of Decaturville, Bruce White of Durant, FL, Roger White of Fort Smith, AR, and Phillip White of Dallas, TX; three grandchildren and his grandparent, Hollie Belvin, Heather Houser, and Hillary Belvin. Funeral service were held at Shackelford Funeral Home in Selmer at 1 p.m. Tues. Burial followed at the Lebanon Cemetery in Michie. Pallbearers were Joey Lawson, Tommy Cooksey, Mitch Goodwin, Nick Tucker, Mike Pickett, and Jimmy Sowell. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> STANLEY LINTON, 38, of Henderson died on June 17, 2000 at his home. Mr. Linton was born in Chester County, son of Mrs. Lola Mae Burross Linton and the late Willie Hayes Linton. He attended schools in Chester County, and worked for Jesse Gilliam Backhoe doing construction work. He had been disabled for the past twelve years. Hew was a member of the Plainview Church of Christ. He is survived by his mother, Lola Mae Linton of Adamsville, and one brother, Johnny Linton of Henderson. Funeral service were held at Leon Johnson Funeral Home in Henderson at 11 a.m. Burial followed at the Milfork Cemetery in Henderson with Bro. Andy Maness officiating. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CLINTON ODELL JONES, 68, of Henderson died June 16, 2000, at his home due to cancer. Mr. Jones was born and reared in the Mifflin Area of Chester County, son of Jerry Clinton and Mary Butler Jones. He graduated from Chester County High School in 1950 and farmed as a young man. He attended West Tennessee Business School in Jackson in 19551. He was employed by Pump and Supple of Jackson, and later by Duren Supply in Adamsville as a Sales Representative until he retired in 1982. He then continued to farm in the Mifflin Community. He attended Adamsville Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Martha Wilson Jones of Henderson; three sons, Gary Jones of Adamsville, Reginald Jones of Savannah, and Kelly Jones of Stantonville; two daughters, Vickey Simpson of Memphis and Clenette Moore of Adamsville; one brother, Donald Jones of Memphis; four step-daughters, Mary Ann Pritchard of Jackson, and Milspaugh of Jackson, Judy Marcom of Cordova, and Denise Jones of Lexington; one step-son, George Marcom of Jackson; and eight grandchildren and one gr-grandchild. Funeral services were held at the Casey Funeral Home on Sat., June 17, at 5 p.m. Burial followed at the Mifflin Cemetery with Rev. Paul Douglas and Rev. Clyde Hamilton officiating. >>>>>>>> WILLIAM BLAIR SCOTT, husband of Frances Campbell, passed away June 2, 2000 after battling cancer. Born Sept. 3, 1930, in Selmer, the son of Loraine Houston and Alton Brown Scott. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Education and Master in History. He then served three years in the US Army, rising to 1st Lieutenant in the Counter-Intelligence Corps in Berlin, Germany. Following his marriage in 1954 and completion of military service he relocated to Lexington where he began work for Kentucky Insurance Agency. In 1969 he formed his own firm, Scott Company, Inc., providing general and equine lines of insurance until his retirement in 1995. He was an agent of the Underwriters at Lloyd's of London and worked to promote the interests of the Thoroughbred industry at large. Mr. Scott was active in community affairs, serving on the Board of Alumnus for his alma mater, Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, Lexington and as a Deacon at Central Christian Church. He was one of the original Directors of Bank of the Bluegrass, serving from 1974 to present. He was active in Sigma Chi, Rotary and the Y's Men's Club and a member of the Keeneland Club, Thoroughbred Club of America, Lexington Country Club and the Civil War Roundtable. Mr. Scott is survived by his wife, and his sons William Blair Scott, Jr., Phillip Alton Scott, and David Houston Scott; daughter-in-law, Ann Holden Scott and grandson, Houston Slade Scott. Other survivors include his brother, James Alton Scott of Corinth, MS and three nieces Andrea Joyner, Sonya Counce and Melanie Heath. Funeral services were at 1030 a.m. Mon. at Central Christian Church, 205 E. Short St., with burial following in Lexington Cemetery. Casket-bearers were Lee Eaton, Henry White, Robert Rahenkamp, Arch Manious, Benjamin Elkin, William Kingsley, Jr., Dewitt Hisle and James Eldon Thomas. Visitation was 630-9 p.m. at W.R. Milward Funeral Home, 159 N. Broadway. Contributions may be to the Salvation Army, 722 W. Main St. Lexington, KY 40508 or Central Christian Church PO Box 1459, Lexington KY 40588. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> RUTHIE REDDIN, 84, of Milledgeville died on June 20, 2000 at the Hardin County General Hospital Mrs. Redding was born in Henderson County, daughter of the late Walter and Lula Hutton Holloway. She was a member of the Enville Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Betty Erwin of Milledgeville and Peggy Wright of Try; two sons, Teddy Wayne Redding of Milledgeville and Joe Earl Reddin of Selmer; one sister, Mae Reddin of Adamsville; one half sister, Maurine Keeling of Shreveport, LA: one brother, Robert Holloway of Savannah; and four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one gr-grandchild and seven step-gr- grandchildren. Funeral services were at Leon Johnson Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on June 23. Burial followed at the Spring Hill Cemetery with Rev. Bill Davis officiating. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LOU JANE GRIFFIN WILSON, 84, died June 6, 2000, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Berry in Selmer due to a brain tumor. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Adamsville Freewill Baptist Church and served in ministry with her late husband, Rev. L. L. Wilson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. L. L. Wilson. She is survived by two daughters, Yvonne Berry of Murfreesboro and Odean Berry of Selmer; one son, Leon Wilson of Memphis; two sisters Elsie Kemp of Savannah and Doshia Wicker of Morris Chapel; one brother, henry Griffin of Michie; and seven grandchildren and seven gr-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Shackelford Chapel in Selmer on June 24 at 3:30 p.m. Burial followed at the Hardin County Memorial Garden. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HENRY C. STEELE, 84, of Adamsville died June 23, 2000 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss., due to heart failure. Mr. Steele was a watch repairman. He served in the U.S. Army during Wold War II. As staff sergeant, he received a World War II Victory medal, Good Conduct medal, American Theater Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, Ap Theater Ribbon and one Bronze Service Star. She is preceded in death by three brothers, his wife, Lottie Verlene Sanders Steele, and his parents, Ode and Mollie McKenzie Steele. His is survived by three daughters, Nancy Henson of Adamsville, Judy Moore of Stantonville, and Sandra Moore of Stantonville; one son, Roger Keith Steele of Savannah; two sisters, Christine Grasshoffer of California and Evelyn Shirley of California; one brother, Roscoe Steele of Luka, Miss; and twelve grandchildren and fifteen gr-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Shackelford Funeral Home in Adamsville on Mon., at 3 p.m. Burial followed at the McKenzie Cemetery in Adamsville. Pallbearers were Clay Steele, Brad Henson, Stacy Kemp, Brian Null, Marty Bowden, and Max Erwin. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CHARLOTTE ANN BUTLER, 51, died in her home on Wed., due to cardio respiratory arrest. Ms. Butler was born on Mon., July 26, 1948 in McNairy County to Mrs. Gladys Butler and the late Robert Owen Butler. She received her education in the Pontiac, Michigan School system. Charlotte accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and joined the Roach's Chapel Untied Methodist Church in Selmer. She worked as a filing clerk and enjoyed computers, cooking and eating in her spare time. She was ain a wheelchair 26 years due to Rheumatoidal Arthritis but remained independent. Ms. Butler spent her last years in the home on 8th Street, she inherited from her beloved grandmother, Charlene Roach. Charlotte leaves to cherish her memory: her mother Mrs. Gladys Butler, a stepfather, Mr. O.C. Triggs of Humboldt, three uncles; Alvin D. "Ann" Robinson of Milwaukee, Wis., Bobby "Wynetta" Robinson of Purdy and Roosevelt "Betty" Robinson of Counce, two aunts, Mrs. Velma Adams and Mrs. Wilmer Lusk of Purdy. She also leaves a host of cousins and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Dale Butler, her grandparents Felix and Charlene Roach and Matthew and Nancy Robinson, one aunt and one uncle. Funeral services were at 3 p.m. on Sat. At the Seven Day Adventist in Selmer. Burial followed at the Prospect Annex Cemetery in Selmer. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. TEXIE LEE TAYLOR, 81 of Selmer died on June 25, 2000 at the Methodist Healthcare McNairy Center in Selmer due to heart failure. Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker and was a member of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents Joshua Lincoln and Texas Anna Daniel King and her husband, Paul Kendrick Taylor. She is survived by one daughter, Doris Carllin of Ramer, one son Grady Alton Taylor of Birmingham, AL, and three grandchildren and eight gr-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Shackelford Funeral Home in Selmer. Burial followed at the Lake Hill Memory Garden in Bethel. >>>>>>>>>>> CARL WAYNE CARROLL, 66, of Virginia Beach, VA died on June 24, 2000 in Virginia Beach, VA Mr. Carroll graduated from Adamsville High School and obtained an Associate Degree from Tidewater Community College, was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 99, and the Disable American Veteran Post 20. He was a retired Senior Chief Storekeeper for the U.S. Navy and for the Virginia State Government as a storekeeper for the State Police. He is preceded in death by his patents, Edgar and Myrtle Carroll, on brother, Earl Carroll, on one sister, Willie Margaret Holloway. He is survived by his wife, Willodean "Deanie" Carroll, two daughters, Thresea Ballard of burke, VA and Susan Carroll-Ramsey of Folly beach, SC, two sons, Richard Baker of Orange Park, FL and Donald Barker, one sister, Imogene Sweat of Adamsville, and eight grandchildren and six gr-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Shackelford Funeral Home and burial followed at the Adamsville Cemetery. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Saint Timothy Lutheran Church, 1051 Kempsville Rd. Norfolk, VA 23502. ------------------------- McNairy County Independent, March 18,1924 NELSON CARRINGTON RIGGS It is a strange coincidence that on the same night in the old town of Purdy, the grim reaper stalked forth, and gathered in the souls of two of the county's prominent and distinguished citizens, neighbors and friends for a long time, and business associates; one a lawyer, the other a prosperous and substantial business man, Judge James F. McKinney and Nelson C. Riggs. The latter died in the early morning hours of May 22, 1880, his neighbor and friend, Judge McKinney, preceding him only a few hours. Mr. Riggs was older than Judge McKinney, he having been born in 1810, in Orange county, North Carolina. He was born just after the close of the administration of Thomas Jefferson, and only a short time before the second war with Great Britain. His father was named John Riggs, and his mother a Miss Carrington. He came to Henderson county three years before McNairy county was formed, and very soon after attaining his majority he came to McNairy county. He married a Miss Blakely in 1833. There was a son born to this union, Marcus L. Riggs, who was gallant Confederate soldier, and was in the 154th Tennessee Regiment, at the battle of Franklin. There in that terrible engagement he was killed. This young soldier was a very popular and most exemplary young man. His wife died, and he married again this time to a Miss Blackshire, this being in 1844. Three children were born, one of the number being remembered by many as Bascom Riggs, who has long since died. He married again after the death of his second wife, to a Miss McLaughlin, and she died in 1876. Two years later he married Miss Maggie Pharr, known to all of us now as Mrs. Srainback. Mr. Riggs was a church man, a member of the Methodist church, and took an active part in all matters pertaining to the church and its work. He was in the early days of the county, one of the sheriffs, and later was Clerk and Master. By strict attention to business, he amassed considerable property. He was of that number of the early settlers in the county, who had none of the advantages that later come to the boys of the county. But in spite of his surroundings, and the lack of facilities, he grounded himself in the fundamentals and rudiments, and by patient application obtained an education. There are those living who will remember the home of this old citizen. It stood on the south side of the road leading east from Purdy to Adamsville and Savannah, and was the last house to be seen in leaving Purdy going east. He died in the old Riggs home a two story building on the south side of town. On an afternoon in May, 1880, in the old town of Purdy, more than forty years ago, in the old brick church, there was a double funeral service. Surrounded by loved ones, who had gathered in large numbers, lay the bodies of Judge McKinney and Col. Riggs. An eminent Methodist divine, Dr. W. T. Harris, a nephew of the illustrious Ishal G. Harris, delivered a most eloquent funeral sermon. Then the solemn march to the cemetery, and both of these old citizens were buried. There they sleep in sight of the town they loved, and where old and stately cedars cast their shadows across their graves; where the wild birds sing, and flowers grow in wild profusion all about, and clinging vines hold in their embraces the marble and granite monuments erected to the memories of them who sleep in that sanctuary in that silent city of the dead. REMINISCENCES of the EARLY SETTLEMENT and EARLY SETTLERS of McNairy County, Tennessee by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, Published in 1882, Pages 71 & 72 NELSON CARRINGTON RIGGS. Nelson Carrington Riggs was born in Orange county, North Carolina, December 17, 1810. His father, John Riggs, married a Miss Carrington. John Riggs was a farmer and shoemaker. He was a man at that time like most North Carolinians who came to this county----of small means. Nelson C. was the oldest child. His parents moved to Henderson county, Tenn., when he was 10 years old. He lived with his parents, together with six brothers and sisters, in Henderson County until he was in his majority, when he moved to McNairy county, and engaged. On October 7, 1833, he married a Miss Blakely, and lived with her happily in their humble home for several years,when she died. There was born unto them Marcus L. Riggs, who reached manhood, and during the war was a Confederate soldier in the 154th Tennessee Regiment; was killed in line at Franklin, Tenn. He was at that time the only grown son of Nelson C., and was an exceedingly popular and brilliant man. His lose was keenly felt by his father. After the death of his first wife he married Emily Blackshire on March 21, 1844, with whom he lived -and had born to them three children, the only one now surviving being R. B. Riggs, a young man now married and living in Purdy. His second wife died in 1853, and he married Miss Angie MeLaughlin, with whom he lived in Purdy until her death, in 1876. In February, 1878, he again married, Miss Maggie L. Pharr, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred very suddenly on the morning of May 22, 1880. At the age of 30 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church (South.) He was a devoted Christian and Sunday school worker. Was superintendent of the Purdy Sunday-school at the time of his death. He believed in heartfelt religion, and was prominent as a public worker in all revivals. He held the office of Sheriff for many years in the county. was Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court after the war. He was an old Line Whig, with strong. feelings in his political belief. During the war he was an inactive Unionist. and after thewar an independent voter. He had, by a peculiar diligence to the question of finance, accumulated quite a respectable fortune, and was actively engaged in making money at the time of his death. He had many warm friends drawn to him by his force of character, his strict sense of honor and duty, and many other noble qualities possessed by him in an eminent degree. Nelson C. Riggs was truly a self-made man, for he had. few advantages in early life. but his example shows what a man can make of himself. when he determines to make, the beat of the advantages God has given him. He was a man of fine intellect, and rare judgment. He never did anything hastily or from impulse, but weighed every matter with careful consideration and seldom failed to meet with success. He was a kind and considerate husband and father, and was never happier than when in the sacred precincts of his home. His loss is greatly felt by many in the county, for he was a staunch friend, and a friend in need to many. He lies in the Purdy cemetery, where a white shaft marks his last resting place, and flowers strewn by loving hands bedeck the new made grave. His memory will remain long in the hearts of many of the people of McNairy county. -----------------------------