Obituaries

Carl Eldon Prater, age 84, passed away at his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Oct. 15, 2019.

Carl was a native of Cannon Co., where he grew up in the Leoni Community. Carl lived in Murfreesboro for a number of years and was a member of the East Main Church of Christ. He attended high school in Cannon Co. and was later drafted into the U.S. Army. He was later employed by Samsonite Corp. for 37 years, after which he retired. He enjoyed spending his time doing woodworking.

Carl was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Benjamin Harrison Prater, Sr. & Jimmie Blanton Prater; Brothers, J.C. Prater, B.H. Prater, Jr. & Edmond Prater; Sisters, Nora Prater St. John & Lola Prater Ramey; and two half-brothers, Haskell Prater and Truman Prater. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Grace Witty Prater; Son, Greg Prater (Isabel Gauthier) of Nashville & daughter, Jennifer Prater King (Brian Tedrow) of Eagleville; three grandchildren, Natalie (Shaun) Bell, Chase (Tira) Prater, & Tanner King; two great grandchildren, Lincoln & Story Bell; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Sunday, October 20, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bros. Wayne Langford, James Lively, & Herb Alsup officiating. Interment will follow at Leoni Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Saturday, October 19, 2019.

The family would like to express their deep felt thanks to Willowbrook Hospice nursing staff for their excellent in-home care allowing him to remain in his home with family and his beloved companion, Dixie.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mr. Joseph “Blake” Barrett, 24, of Woodbury passed away on October 15, 2019.  He was born in Murfreesboro, TN on November 13, 1994.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John P. and Patricia Barrett and Molly Sue Butcher.

He is survived by his mother, Tammy Hazel Barrett of Morrison; father, Joe Don Barrett of Woodbury; brother, Bronson Barrett of Woodbury; grandfather, Billy (Barbara) Hazel of Murfreesboro; step-grandfather, Rick Butcher of Readyville; several aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins and friends; and close friend Andrew Ellis of Gassaway.

He was known to family and friends as Blake.  He was an easy-going country boy.  He was a hard worker but had suffered with diabetes for a big part of his life.  Working with his father logging, excavating, fixing equipment, and welding.  The talent for being able to do many different kinds of work runs in his family.  Growing up around all the men he developed a love for the outdoors.   They had coon dogs and he also loved his mother’s Pitbull Lulu.  He enjoyed going catfishing at Normandy Lake and Rock Island.  He liked hunting for turkey and deer.  Many of his friends and family knew him to be a good shot with a rifle or pistol.  Some of them had him sight in scopes for their rifles.  He and Bronson shared a very close bond as brothers.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on October 19, 2019 from 12 to 4 pm.  Funeral services will follow in the Smith Funeral Home chapel on October 19, 2019 at 4 pm.  Jerry Barrett will officiate.  Blake’s wishes were to be cremated following the visitation and funeral and have his ashes scattered on the grave of his grandparents, John P. and Patricia.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to assist with funeral expenses by contacting Smith Funeral Home.  Share thoughts, memories and condolences at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Kathryn Byford age 77 of the Short Mountain Community, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at her residence.

She was born May 21, 1945 in Kentucky.  Kathryn was a nurse at DeKalb Hospital and was affiliated with the Brethren In Christ Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John R. Byford and several brothers and sisters.  She is survived by 2 children, George Lee (Lisa) Byford of Dowelltown and Deanna (Stacy) Guy of Sparta; 8 grandchildren, John Curtis Adams, Jarrett Adams, Jesse Adams, Johnathon Byford, Brandon Byford, Heather Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Jennia Wilson; 10 great-grandchildren, Gavin Adams, Shaylah Dowell, Autumn Byford, Jasmine Byford, Trent Byford, Riley Simms, Adikus Cox, Brayden Lawson, Kegan Ruthledge and Mykenzie Wilson; sister, Wanda Petersen of Texas; special nephew, David Gipson and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:AM Saturday, October 12, 2019 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Larry Steffee officiating and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.  Visitation with the family will be on Friday 1:PM until 8:PM and Saturday 9:AM until the time of the service at 11:AM.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Jeanette Morris Prater Barrett, 75, passed away Mon., September 30, 2019 at Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro.  She was born in Cannon Co.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Leslie) Prater of Benton, KY., Annette (Joe) Rice and Lori (Steve) Jones all of Woodbury; borrowed daughter,  Darcy Lack of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Ashley (Erik) Haslinger and Landon Harrison of Murfreesboro; siblings, Mary Gunter of McMinnville, Shirley (Earl) St. John of Hermitage, Leon (Audrey) Morris of Murfreesboro and Linda (Dickie) Bedwell of Bradyville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gribble and Esta Lee Bogle Morris; husbands, Jerrell Prater and Donald Barrett, Siblings, Cling Morris and Loretta Dodd.

Jeanette was a member of the Church of Christ and was a retired seamstress and teachers’ aide at Woodbury Grammar School.  She was a member of the Cannon Co. Walking Horse Assoc., enjoyed her flowers and cooking. She loved her family and especially her grandchildren.  

Funeral Services will be 2 pm Thursday, October 03, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Joe Rice, Bro. Ralph Richardson and Dr. Matthew Barrett officiating.  Interment will follow in the Leoni Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be 4 pm to 8 pm Wednesday, October 02, 2019.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro and American Brain Cancer Foundation.  

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Colton Andrew Memphis Placek, 15, passed away in a peaceful and restful state at his home, Saturday, September 28, 2019.  He was surrounded by his closest family and friends.  He was born July 19, 2004 in Rutherford Co.

He is survived by his parents, Jennifer Joseph of Bradyville and Andrew Placek of Woodbury; siblings, Ayden Placek and Larissa Collette both of Bradyville and Celestia Nadeau of Murfreesboro; Grandparents, Lisa and Wade Sissom of Bradyville and Danny Joseph of Manchester; Uncles and Aunts, David, Daniel Joseph and Brandy DeHaven all of Manchester and Samuel Sissom of Bradyville and Andrea Placek of Mooresville, IN.; Great Uncle and Aunt, Paul and Manissa Smartt; Best Friends, Kylee Lowe and Gavin Wilson.

Colton was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2016 called Osteosarcoma.  It first affected his right leg, below the knee.  Teens are most often affected by this type of cancer.  It usually starts around the time of puberty in areas that have fast bone growth such as the long arm and leg bones most commonly.  It can start in any bone; however, Colton was affected by high grade Osteosarcoma, meaning it was particularly fast growing.  About 400 children are diagnosed with it in the U.S. every year.  Osteosarcoma makes up 2% of childhood cancers so many people are unaware that it even exists.  There are clinical trials that treat it but without funding it is hard to get this type of cancer to be made a major priority to find effective treatments beyond what already exists.

“I would like Colton’s three-year battle with cancer to be a steppingstone toward Osteosarcoma awareness.  It seems ironic that he passed away during Childhood Cancer Awareness month, but I would like to use his story as a hope toward a cure in the future.  He went through multiple surgeries, had to learn to walk again, went into a short remission only to have it reappear in his lungs.  This is what made it excessively hard to treat because this is the point in which current treatments methods are limited.  He endured two lung surgeries to remove tumors but unfortunately the cancer decided to hold its grip onto his little body and continue multiplying despite every available treatment. 

Throughout all these major surgeries, Colton never complained.  Ever.  He spent the equivalent to more than an entire year being inpatient at Vanderbilt.  Throughout all the nausea, hair loss and other devastating side effects, he still got up every day without a single complaint and fought with everything he had.  He fought until his very last peaceful breath.  My wish is that he would be a source of encouragement for other people battling terrible things in life.  He was just your typical teenager that loved to wear black clothes, converse shoes and play video games.  He loved his brother and his two sisters.  He loved animals and planting flowers with me in our yard.  He had an old soul and was extremely intelligent and wise beyond his years.” -Jennifer

Graveside services will be 4 pm Wednesday, October 02, 2019 at Ivy Bluff cemetery, 8597 Ivy Bluff Rd., Morrison, TN. Pallbearers will include Ayden Placek, Gavin Wilson, Hagen Fann, Jackson Thomas, Cordell Howell, Samuel Sissom and Byron Clay. Visitation with the family will be from 1 pm until 8 pm Tuesday, October 1^st at Woodbury Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St. Woodbury, TN.  37190.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodbury Funeral Home to help his family with funeral expenses.  To leave condolences for his family you may visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net  or call 615-563-2311.

Bobby Dean “Bunt” Barrett, 85, passed away Wed., September 18, 2019 at Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro.  He was born in the Burt Community of Cannon Co and lived in Woodbury.     

He is survived by his children, Michael (Beverly) Barrett, Vickie Winfrey and Katrina Haston all of Woodbury; son-in-law, Ray Shipp of Woodbury; Grandchildren, Amy (Phillip) Parton, Kevin Shipp, Derek (Allison) Fann, Brooke (Josh) Smith, Angela Barrett, Michael “Noah” Barrett, Austin Pitts, Dalton Pitts, Beth (Joe) Myers, Brett Trail, Britta (Jonathan) Cantrell and Breka Williams; sister and brother-in-law, Sue & James Knox of Woodbury and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry & Betty Thomas of Auburntown.  Also surviving are 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel & Rilla Borren Barrett; his wife, Martha Ann Thomas Barrett; daughters, Janice Shipp and Sharon Fann and son-in-law, Russell Fann.

Bobby was a member of the Sugar Tree Knob Church of Christ and a veteran of the United States Army.  He was a well-known mechanic and was retired from TN. Dept. of Transportation.  He loved to coon hunt, ride horses and be in his shop tinkering with just about anything.  Bobby sure loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and they were just as crazy about him.  He considered them his greatest blessings as he had a nickname for just about all of them.  

Funeral Services will be 2 pm Sunday, September 22, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Herb Alsup and Bro. Ralph Richardson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Riverside Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 12 noon until 8 pm, September 21, 2019.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cannon Co. Walking Horse Assoc.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net  

Danny Day Cantrell, 64, passed away September 17, 2019 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  He was a native of Smithville and lived in Woodbury.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy Kelley Cantrell of Woodbury; daughters, Christy (Richie) McKnight of Smyrna and Misty Cantrell of OH.; stepson, Kristopher Wheeler of Smyrna and brother, Kenneth Cantrell of Smithville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie & Louell Driver Cantrell.

Danny was a veteran of the Army and worked in construction.

Graveside Services will be 12 noon Friday, September 20, 2019 at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 10 am until 11:30 am Friday, September 20, 2019 at Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or leave condolences for the family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Brenda Carolyn Phillips Angst, age 67, of Christiana passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at her home.  She was a native of Cannon Co.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Angst of Christiana; Children, Michael McIver & Bradley McIver, both of Murfreesboro; Grandchildren, Malike McIver, Killian McIver, Aleghia McIver, Gavin McIver, Isabella McIver, Cloud McIver, & Lane McIver; and Siblings, Larry (Brenda) Phillips of Bradyville, Rita Thompson of Woodbury, Vicky (Mike) Melton of Woodbury, & Michael (Maylene) Phillips of Woodbury.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Phillips & Alice Bailey Phillips; and Siblings, Phyllis Phillips & Steven Phillips.

Memorial Visitation will be from 1 to 5 PM Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

William “Dee” Maxwell Smith, age 82, of Murfreesboro passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019 at St. Thomas West Hospital. He was a native of Madison Co., AL.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Betty Smith of Murfreesboro; Children, Diana (Troy) Keele of Manchester, Steve Smith of Woodbury, Joann Smith of Murfreesboro, & Renee (Terry) Bowen of Murfreesboro; Stepdaughter, Kim (Steve) Wright of Murfreesboro; Grandchildren, Nicole (Jeff) Hogg, Christopher Watson, Alaina (Jason) Banks, Shannon (Mark) Gilbert, & Todd (Jessi) Mason; Step Grandchildren, Joseph Boyd, Mary-Evelyn Wright, & Erika Boyd. 13 Great Grandchildren also survive. Sister, Dottie (Jim) Jones of Woodbury.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel & Mabel Ross Smith; Stepson, Kirk Boyd; Step Granddaughter, Lauren Eischied; and Siblings, Daniel Smith, Harris Smith, Alvin Smith, Wesley Smith, Milton Smith, Frank Smith, Edith Caylor, Helen Curtis, Dorcas Filyaw, Ruth Zachos, & Rachel Smith.

Dee served in the Army and was a member of the Walter Hill First Baptist Church. He was a retired plant manager & supervisor at Cummins Sign where he was loved and respected by his employees. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on cars, building houses, motorcycles, & boats.

Funeral Services will be 1 PM Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Shelby Smith & Bro. Jim Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Sycamore Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Tuesday, September 17, 2019 & from 11 AM until time of the service Wednesday.

Pallbearers will be Chris Watson, Todd Mason, Hayden Smith, Terry Bowen, Jason Banks, Robert Smith, & Joseph Boyd.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Wilburn Grizzle, 75, passed away  Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Woodbury Health and Rehab.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Chris Emberton of Woodbury; grandson, Braden Emberton of Woodbury and sister and brother-in-law, Bobbi and Ray Freeze of Manchester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claudie and Bertha Arnold Grizzle and brothers, Carson and Kenneth Grizzle.

A member of the Church of Christ, Wilburn was a mechanic. 

The Grizzle family would like to thank send a thank you to Woodbury Nursing Center especially Helen Davenport and the rehab staff for their special care of Wilburn.

Graveside Services will be 11:30 am Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Amity Cemetery with Bro. Al Bugg officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 9 am until 11 am Tuesday.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Short Mtn. Bible Camp.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net