Obituaries

Treva Ann Summers, 82, of Manchester passed away at her home, Tuesday, August 13, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born in Coffee Co., she was the daughter of the late John Wesley Davis and Lena Jane Crosslin Davis.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Wade) Parham of Morrison, Teresa (Steve) Champion, Michelle Brown and Valerie (David) Kirby all of Manchester; grandchildren, Amber (Josh) Phillips, Steven (Kinzy) Champion, Eli (Cheyanne) Champion, Clay Kirby, Samantha Kirby and Evan Kirby; great grandchildren, Lukas Phillips, Lillian Champion and Penelope Champion; sisters-in-law, Velma Davis of Beechgrove and Waltina Davis of MI.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eli Summers and her brothers, Eldie, John Robert, Kenneth, Abe, Dorris, Eugene, Elvin, Jimmie and Vernon Davis and her sisters, Opal Bush, Ethel Duke and Jane Davis.

Ms. Summers was a selfless mother and homemaker. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family making memories, camping and playing cards especially Rook and Dominoes. She also enjoyed computer games, and growing flowers. She loved all animals especially dogs.

Her family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Saturday, August 17, 2024. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Midway cemetery.

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

Sondra Lee Harper, 86, of Woodbury passed away at her daughter’s home in Christiana Wednesday, August 14, 2024 following an extended illness. Born in Payette, ID, she was the daughter of Bob and Mary Helen Dorathy Ralston.

She is survived by her daughters, Jamie Harper Skinner and her husband, Wayne of Christiana and Linda Harper Frizzell of Reno, NV; grandsons, Chris Knagge, Alan Frizzell and Ryan Frizell and her life partner, James Stembridge of Woodbury. Sondra was a Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer for over 50 years. She was an accomplished pianist and played many other instruments. She always enjoyed music and loved dogs.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 17, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Goodridge Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Friday, August 16, 2024.

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

Harold D Duggin, 83, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, August 10, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford surrounded by his family. Born in Cannon Co., he was the son of the late Mack and Lovie Alexander Duggin.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Earlene Tenpenny Duggin of Woodbury; his sons, David Duggin (Kim Fann) of Woodbury and Wade (Jennifer) Duggin of Woodbury; grandsons, Jacob (Brittany) Duggin, Austin Duggin (Madison Blanton) and Will (Brooke) Bailey; great grandchildren, Lily, and Amelia Duggin and Harper Bailey; his brother, Bratten (Wanda) Duggin of Woodbury and special friend, Dale Thompson.

A member of the Sanders Fork Baptist church, Mr. Duggin was a song leader and Deacon for 63 years. He retired from Rutherford Farmer’s Co-Op and previously worked at Colonial Corporation. Harold was a farmer and loved to garden. He enjoyed gospel music, his guitar and doing both at the Red Apple Days and the Gassaway Homecoming.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Marvin Davenport and Bro. Paul Lane officiating. Interment will follow in Reed cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, August 13, 2024 after 4:00 P.M.

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made to Reed cemetery or Sanders Fork Baptist church. Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Raymond D. Merriman, age 70, passed away at Alive Hospice of Nashville on Monday, August 5, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on August 9, 1953 in Joliet, Illinois to the late Raymond D. & Tommie Lee Duboise Merriman.  Ray lived in Woodbury, Tennessee for the past 35 years.

Survived by his sisters, Jacqueline Blessent and Shirley (Larry) Lewis; his good friend, Micheal Puckett, who Ray called brother; son, Marc Thomas (Michelle) Merriman; grandsons, Mason & Maguire Merriman; nephews, Jeffrey Toller, Lawrence Lewis, & Jacob Lewis; niece, Emily Kress; great nephews & nieces; and numerous cousins in Murfreesboro, Woodbury, & surrounding cities.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Leah Beth Merriman; sister, Brenda Joyce Toller; brother-in-law, Charles Toller; nephews, Matthew & Michael Toller; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

During the Vietnam era, Ray served in the United States Army stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the 101st Airborne Division.  He was proud of his military service and of being a veteran.

Ray enjoyed kayaking, horseback riding, watching movies especially about history, visiting historical sites and museums, and riding motorcycles.  Ray loved spending time with his dog companion, Karma.

The family will receive friends for the visitation Monday, August 12, 2024 from 10 am until noon at Woodbury Funeral Home.  A graveside funeral service will take place at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Woodbury at 12:30 pm.  Pastor Bobby Nichols of Shiloh Baptist Church, where Ray attended, will be officiating.

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

Mary Katherine “Katie” Muncy Smith Prater, 79, of Woodbury passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Woodbury Health and Rehab.  Born in Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Kenneth & Evalena Muncy.

Katie is survived by her children, Gail Markum, Cindy Barker, Kevin Smith, Kerry Smith and Kory Smith and her siblings, Billy Muncy and Becky Hayes.  Also surviving are several grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Smith and her brother, Jackie Muncy.

A member of the Leoni Church of Christ, Katie was a retired LPN.  She was a wonderful and loving mother who enjoyed painting, journaling, cooking, singing and performing in plays.  She was also a Sunday school teacher over the years.  A graduate of the Woodbury Central High Class of 1962, she still got together once a month with “The Golden Girls”, her high school friends which she truly looked forward to. 

Her family will receive friends Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. Noon.  Funeral services immediately following in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Mark Barker officiating.  Interment will follow in Leoni cemetery. 

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made to Leoni cemetery or Short Mtn. Bible Camp.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-53-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net.

Mrs. Alice Joy Shelton Jacobs was born Jan 24, 1946 in Manchester, TN and went to meet her Savior on July 31, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Joy was a devout Christian, a member of the Free Methodist Church and attended Covenant Fellowship Church until her health declined.  She studied the Bible daily, until her vision would no longer allow her to read.  Then she asked Wayne to get her a Bible she could listen to.  She used that until she couldn’t see good enough to use it.  After that he would read her Dr. David Jeremiah’s daily devotional, which she enjoyed. 

She answered to many names over the years including Mama, Baby, Nana, Nana Joy, Ms. Joy, Cowmaw, Mrs. Alice, Aunt Joy.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother to her grandchildren, whom she adored.  She chose to stay home and raise her children and help raise her grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.  She later worked at Hale’s Cleaners.  She was a wonderful cook.  As long as her health allowed, she enjoyed flowers, hummingbirds, and butterflies.  She loved unconditionally. 

She will be sorely missed by her family and many who loved her.  She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Charles Wayne Jacobs of Centertown, daughters Stacy Jacobs of Knoxville and Jamie Crim of Manchester, grandchildren John Thomas Crim of Manchester and Ivy Crim of Murfreesboro, sisters Pamela Jacobs of Centertown, Kathryn (Jimmy) Merriman of Centertown, and Gwendolyn (Gary) Williams of Pelham, Ala.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by parents William Thomas and Cleo Parker Shelton, sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Hiram Stanley, brother-in-law Boby Jacobs, nephew Mark Bush and her life-long friend Dorothy Sartain Daniel.

Receiving of friends will be held at Woodbury Funeral Home on Saturday, August 3^rd from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday, August 4^th beginning at 10 a.m. with service at 2 p.m. and burial to follow at Centertown Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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

JC Young, 75, of Centertown passed away at St. Thomas River Park ER Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  Born in Woodbury, he was the son of the late Fred and Margie Todd Young.

He is survived by his children, Todd Gregory of McMinnville and Brian (Michelle) Young of Centertown; his grandchildren, Savannah Cameron, Katelyn (Josh) Seng, Austin Taylor and Cassidy Taylor; great grandchildren, Riley Cameron, Ava Cameron and Kaden Taylor and siblings, Peggy Miller, Marsha Bragg and Timothy Young all of Bradyville.

In addition to his parents, JC was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Young.

A member of the Woodbury Church of Christ, JC was a farmer and retired from Bridgestone. He enjoyed farming, car shows and was active in raising his great grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be 4:00 P.M. Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Ivy Bluff Cemetery, Warren Co with Bro. Tim Knox officiating.  Pallbearers include Michael and Kevin George, Tim Blanton, Eric Taylor, Jonathon Morris, Austin Taylor and Gary Hibdon.

His family will receive friends from 4:00 PM. – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 and from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-53-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net.

Mrs. Annabel Seward Black, 87, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024. She was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on Tuesday, August 25, 1936 to the late Harry and Grayce Martin Seward. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Buddy Black, and several cousins and extended family members.

She is survived by her close friends, Tommy and Linda Malone of Woodbury, Pam Hawkersmith of Manchester, and Melinda Bailey of Woodbury; cousins, Katye Jones of Chattanooga and Marcia Marsh of Rockwood; and several other extended family members.

Born in the middle of the Great Depression as an only child, Annabel tended to not talk much about her childhood. However, she did keep her old high school basketball team photo and a few other cherished memories close at hand. While the stories were far and few between, the impact was pervasive in her life. 

A woman of forethought, Annabel knew exactly what she wanted in life and set out to conquer what she set her mind to do. She attended Ohio State University and received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts before going on to work for the State of Tennessee in Chattanooga. Working in the TN Department of Employment Security, her decisiveness and tact was noticed, and she took on the managerial role of the Department for almost 30 years.

Her drive got her noticed outside of the workplace too. It was on a blind date in Chattanooga that she met her future husband, Buddy. Recognizing that Annabel was the epitome of a lady, Buddy made sure to get on her radar. A decorated, professional horse and mule trainer and showman, Buddy didn’t know the challenge of the show he was entering himself in with Annabel. It might have been the hardest win of his career, but they were wed on November 26, 1983.

Work took the couple to McMinnville, where Annabel finished up her last years in the Department of Employment Security before the position was abolished. Then, they made their way to Woodbury, where Annabel and Buddy expanded their family through church. The First United Methodist Church of Woodbury became their church home, and they met friends to last a lifetime. Tommy and Linda were some of the first, and Annabel quickly found a sister, bonding with Linda about growing up as an only child.

Now, those friends really proved their worth when Annabel showed Buddy he wasn’t the only one with show-grade animals. Rather than horses, Annabel took up with rabbits. She trained them to use the litter box, and they had their own room in the house. Other than their habit of chewing up anything. they were clean and well-mannered. Annabel would drive anywhere to get their food, but Buddy didn’t have the same sentiment toward them. So, she got Tommy and Linda to take care of them anytime she was away.

Even though Annabel was thorough and particular, she made it easy to love her. Tommy picked at her that she was sweet (nearly) all the time, but everyone knew the truth of the matter with Annabel. She was set in her ways and stern, but her heart was filled with care and compassion. The wisdom of knowing when to draw a line in the sand and when to step over was her strong suit. Pam commented on what kind of a person it takes to keep and care for both your mother and mother-in-law at the same time. That was just Annabel.

If you knew her, you knew she was going to have the TV on when Ohio State was playing, speak her mind, make your heart and belly fuller, and strive to serve. Annabel enjoyed watching football in general, but when it came to her alma mater, don’t even try to call her when they were playing. If football wasn’t on, the TV usually got turned to old Westerns, Perry Mason, or Columbo. She must have picked up a thing or two from those shows because Annabel knew how to lay down the law.

She educated herself on current events and had strong political views. Pam would pick at her out of playful meanness, but Annabel had her rebuttal prepared. And when Ohio State lost? Even the men at church knew to steer clear. Melinda was about the only one that Annabel let talk to her no matter what the scenario, but Annabel couldn’t stay mad long. She was a giver, and it was an itch she never could scratch. 

Time and time again, Annabel gave of herself, her time, and her talents. She could make your waistband grow a little tighter with her chocolate pecan candy, pimento cheese, and sweet potato casserole. When she decided to trade out rabbits for dogs, she took in rescues. Trixie was her loving companion until she had to be put down, but Sadie was already lined up for a better life too. She held a special place in her heart for God’s creatures.

Her servant’s heart led her to use her artistic abilities to paint the murals at the church in the Sunday School classes and for Christmas. She also knitted Afghans, nativity scenes, and prayer shawls for people. While knitting the prayer shawls, she would pray that whoever received it would be blessed by God. Then, it was passed around the congregation for additional prayers before being given to the individual in need. Then, it came a time when Annabel was in need of a prayer shawl herself.

When Buddy’s health began to fail, Melinda came into her life, and Melinda stayed as true to her as a daughter to her mother, taking care of Annabel after Buddy passed in 2017. Annabel doted on her with that signature love and care yet sternness when she felt it necessary. Rallying around her, Linda, Tommy, Pam, and Melinda aimed to make every day as easy and memorable as possible, and Annabel returned the favor through her love and devotion as a friend.

In all of the chaos of life, Annabel’s boat remained even-keeled because she let God take control of the rudder. She used her talents to bless people’s lives and her friendship to make them all the richer. Though she is getting to hear “Well done” and it is only a temporary parting, there are still holes in the hearts of those she left behind.

Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Woodbury on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 12-2 pm. Funeral services will follow after on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 2 pm in the First United Methodist Church of Woodbury chapel. Rev. David Lilley and Bro. Scott Eggleston will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Garden. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Woodbury.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Johnny Lloyd Gannon, 60, passed away suddenly Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home in Woodbury. Born in Cannon Co., he was the son of Barbara Gannon of Woodbury and the late Lloyd Gannon. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ricky Gannon.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Diane Lloyd Gannon of Woodbury; his sons, Matthew Gannon of Murfreesboro and Hagen Fann of Woodbury; sister, Lisa (Chris) Patterson of Woodbury and brothers, Terry (Susan) Gannon of Morrison and Kevin (Jessica) Gannon of Auburntown; step-son, Ricky Gannon, Jr. of Woodbury; step-daughter, Christy (Ryan) Soper of Shelbyville; grandson, Braxton Soper; aunts, Judy Koval of Woodbury, Marilyn (Denny) Harrell of GA. and Faye Thomas of Bradyville; uncle, Wade Gannon of Woodbury; nieces, Ashley (CJ) Patterson, Carlie Gannon, Annie Gannon and Gracie Gannon and sister-in-law, Faye Cain.

Johnny attened the Church of Christ and he was a retired truck driver. Johnny enjoyed playing with his dog, Bandit, watching Judge Judy, spending time with his family and having Sunday dinner at his moms.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 28, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Brian Hayes officiating. Interment will follow in Prater cemetery.

His family will receive friends Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. 

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

Peggy Joanne Pittman Flavin, 69, of Bradyville passed away at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.  Born in Columbus, IN., she was the daugther of the late Carl Eugene and Bette Marie Franklin Pittman.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dennis Flavin of Bradyville; her children, Amy Eileen Flavin of Woodbury and Colleen Marie Flavin of Bradyville; granddaughter, Elizabeth Leigh Flavin;siblings, Carol Pittman Caswell of Lakeland, FL., Donald Gene Pittman of Asheville, N.C.  

Mrs. Flavin was a homemaker and member of the Presbyterian church. She loved to color, do word puzzles and cross-stitch.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

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