Obituaries

Lamora Juanita Wilson Parker, age 91, died Oct 11, 2022 following a second stroke in recent months.  Born January 28, 1931, in Allen County, Kentucky to Francis Asbury (F.A.) Wilson and Effie Jane Hooten Wilson, Juanita was the youngest of their 8 children.  Raised in southern Kentucky, she moved to Cannon County, TN with her parents in 1948 when F.A. was appointed pastor of Simmons Chapel Free Methodist Church.  Here she met and married Parker Hill native Lawrence Allen Parker.  Married for 61 years, the couple raised 3 children.  An avid reader, Juanita was a lover of books, flower gardening, the ocean, and new adventures.  The last of which she proved by water skiing in her 60’s, taking a ride on an ultralight in her 70’s, and grass surfing on a board pulled behind a 4-wheeler in her 80’s.

Greater still, however, were her love for her church, her family and her Lord.  A long-standing member of the Simmons Chapel Church Juanita served in numerous ways through the years.  From teaching countless Sunday School classes, leading children and youth ministries, directing Christmas programs, and hosting guest evangelists and speakers, to serving on various boards and committees at both the local church and annual conference levels, she was a faithful servant and mentor in the body of Christ.  Together she and Lawrence were responsible for inviting and providing transportation for many, many people to attend Simmons Chapel, both children and adults.

In addition to being a mother and housewife, Juanita also worked for many years in the Traffic Department at the Colonial Corporation in Woodbury.

Juanita was proceeded in death by her husband Lawrence A. Parker; sister Golda Carver and husband, Arthur; sister Cora Forrester and husband, Lloyd; sister Myrtle Smith and husband Bill; sister Beatrice Kiousis; brother Buel Wilson and wife Gerry; sister Lucille Douglas and husband Doug; sister Joyce Carter and husband Joe; and long-time friends Clyde and Lou Basham. 

Survivors include 3 children, Sharon Fran Parker Hoyer (Jeff); Roger Alan Parker and wife Rachel; Mark Wilson Parker and wife Dawn; 5 grandchildren Charity Parker McMackins (Kyle), Christy Hoyer, Heather Hoyer Davis (Josh), Mark W. Parker II (Caroline), Seth Parker (Elizabeth); 7 great-grandchildren, Talan, Max, Harper, Molly, Cadence, Penny and will; several nieces and nephews, and close friends, Helen Minton and Shirley Bortner.

Funeral Services will be 1 PM Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Simmons Chapel Free Methodist Church with Rev. Al Buckta and Rev. Bobby Wheeler officiating. Interment will follow at Parker Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends for her visitation Friday from 5 PM until 8 PM at Woodbury Funeral home and Saturday from 12 until time of service at Simmons Chapel Free Methodist Church.

Pallbearers, Mark Parker, II, Seth Parker, Josh Davis, Kyle McMackins, Shea Basham, and Roger Confer. Honorary pallbearers, Ray McMullen, Matt Douglas, Jeff Bratcher, Henry Douglas, Jim Sabia, and Kevin Jones.     

Ralph Edward Taylor, age 86, of Woodbury passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Legacy Health and Rehab. He was born to his parents Benton and Bessie Phillips Taylor on March 8, 1936 in Cannon County. 

He is survived by his children, Denise (Donnie) Vickers, Mary Ann Schaal, and Penny Brown all of Woodbury; grandchildren Daniel (Danielle) Vickers, Brandy Vickers, and Hunter Schall; great grandchildren, Levi Vickers, Mason Vickers, Kiley Goynes, and Greyson Stafford. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Sue Bush Taylor; sons Steve Edward Taylor, and Bobby Schaal; his brother Eddie Taylor.

Ralph attended Center hill Baptist Church. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, being outside in his yard and restoring old cars. He was auto mechanic for over 50 years.

Funeral Services will be at 3 PM Friday, October 14, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends for his visitation from 12 PM until 8 PM Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Rachel Ann Womack Titsworth, age 75, of Woodbury passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022 at St. Thomas West Hospital.  She was born to her parents, Wood B. & Clara Mai King Womack on March 9, 1947 in Cannon County.

She is survived by her son, J.D. (Gail) Melton of Woodbury; Sisters, Joyce Owen & Susie Morris both of Woodbury; Sister-in-law, Betty Womack of Woodbury; and Grandchildren, Kayla (Cody) Poss, Kasey St. John, & Chad (Shelly) Bailey.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Titsworth; her son, Charles Boyd Melton; her brothers, Willie Womack & Johnny Womack; and granddaughter, Vicky Lynn Bush.

She was a member of the Elkins church of Christ and enjoyed tending to her garden and watching the Hallmark Channel.

Funeral Services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, October 12, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Bryan Hayes officiating.  Interment will follow at Riverside Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends for her visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Phyllis Ann Parker Young, dedicated, loving and nurturing wife and mother passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones at the age of 83.  She was the daughter of the late Berlie Lee and Mallie B. Herman Parker.  She also was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim Lester and Willie Mae Young; sister, Freda Rose Parker; brothers, Billy & Truitt Parker and infant grandchildren, Jason Allen and Joshua Young.

   Phyllis is survived by her husband, Bobby Joe Young; children, Joe Edwin (Jeri) Young, Deborah Ann Jones, Barbara Sue (Steve) Pearcy and Timmy Lee (Brittney) Young; grandchildren, Chris, Joey, and Jessica Young, Nathan and  Nicole Jones, Jonathan Pearcy, and Samantha, Timothy and Wesley Young; sister, Betty Jo Wattlington; brother, Jerry Parker; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Buddy Davenport.  Also surviving are 13 great grandchildren.

   She was a member of Woodbury church of Christ, a retired seamstress and enjoyed working her garden, flowers and was a perfectionist when she was sewing.

   Funeral services will 2:00 PM Tuesday October 11 in the chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Herb Alsup officiating.  Interment will follow at Riverside Gardens with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.  Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

Dorothy Jean Hobbs, 77 of the Short Mtn. community passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at NHC of McMinnville. She was born in Cannon Co., the daughter of the late Grover and Viella Thomas Estes. 

She is survived by her children, Murinna Herman of Short Mtn. and Steven (Melisa) Hobbs of Short Mtn.; grandchildren, Brittney Carpenter, Reba (Hunter) Kemp, Olivia (Matt) Melton and Leslie McKee; great grandchildren, Gunter Kemp, Eliza & Remi Kemp, Camden, Colsen & Presley Duncan, Ava & Ivy Melton, Allie, Jack, Brady and Mary Grace McKee and siblings, Betty (Jesse) Tanner of Warren Co., Ruth (Med) Murphy and Virginia (Jay) Waycaster both of Short Mtn.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lonnie Estes and Linda Estes.

A member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist church, she was a seamstress and worked at the shirt factory. She was also the caretaker at Center Hill Marina. She enjoyed making white oak baskets, sewing and making curtains. 

Funeral services will be Friday, October 7, 2022 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Leonard Herman and Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Aaratt Cemetery.  Pallbearers include Jeff Tanner, Donnie Estes, Dewayne and Cody Ashford, Hunter and Gunter Kemp.

 

Visitation with her family will be from 4 pm to 8 pm Thursday, October 6, 2022 and Friday from 10 am until her time of service. 

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

Olivia “Libby” Dee Merriman, 73, passed away Mon, Oct. 3, 2022 at her home in Manchester following an extended illness. She was born in Rutherford Co. to her parents, the late Earl D. Bryan & Willie Mae Pelham Bryan.

She is survived by her children, Tina Stem of Manchester and Jason (Allison) Merriman of Nashville; grandchildren, Joshua (Lindsey) Stem, Rickeia (David) Digin, Zachary Merriman, Jillian (Scott) Estes, Katie Merriman and great grandchildren, Aiden Stem, Kyler Stem and Jack Estes.

A member of the church of Christ, Libby was a factory worker where she sewed. She enjoyed riding horses and loved growing up with her dad in the horse business.

Visitation with her family will be from 10 am until 1:30 pm Thursday, October 6, 2022. Graveside services will follow at Riverside Gardens with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodbury Funeral Home to help her family with funeral expenses.

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

Wanda F. Todd, 79, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Woodbury Health and Rehab. 

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert “Bobby” Todd of Woodbury; daughters, Rene (Al) VanPliet of TX. and Robin (Paul) Smithson of Manchester and sister-in-law, Vicky (Eugene) Baxter.  Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Grace Ritchie Mayo and her siblings, Ron Mayo and Charris Davis.

Mrs. Todd was retired from Jefferson-Smurfitt. She also worked as a social worker with DHS and was the Postmaster Relief in Bradyville.  She was a member of the Eastern Star and enjoyed painting, singing and playing the piano.

Graveside services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Thyatira Cemetery with Bro. Paul Smithson officiating.  Pallbearers include Caleb Smithson, Jacob Smithson, Jedidiah Smithson, Daniel Gardner, Lane Foster and Hunter Baxter.  Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Gardner and Will Gardner.

Visitation with her family will be Monday, October 3, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

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

Ronnie Stephen Martin, Jr., 52, of Woodbury passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford.

He is survived by his mother, Jackie Graves Martin, his brother, Nicky Martin, his grandmother, Martha Graves and his nephews, James Steven Martin and Matthew Bates Martin all of Woodbury.

Ronnie attended the Experience church of Murfreesboro and he was self employeed as a driver for Lyft and Uber.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Fairfield Cemetery in Westmoreland, TN.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 

Delmer Lee Clark, 76, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Ft. Sanders Regional Hospital, Knoxville, TN.  He was born in Placerville, CA.

He is survived by his children, Adam (Rhonda) Clark of Woodbury; Gina (Avery) Myers of Maryville and Jeremy (Torrie) Clark of Iowa; sister, Nadine Nicholay of Mesquite, NV; grandchildren, Chris Clark, Madison (Andrew) Witt, Shalynn Clark, Tatum Myers, Shelby Clark, Jacob Clark, Will Myers, Samuel Clark and Isabella Clark and great grandchildren, Adaleigh Clark and Ezekiel Clark.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otha Warren Clark and Edith Elva Kern Clark; his wife, Sharon Anne Clark and his siblings, John Clark, Otha Clark, Lavonna Hyatt, Leroy Hall and William Webb.

A member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, Mr. Clark was a carpenter.  Delmer was known for his love of baseball, especially Dixie Youth, from coaching young men, umpiring or just to watch the game. He also enjoyed horses, classic cars and fishing.  Mr. Clark loved the lord and his family, especially his beloved wife, Sharon.  He was a wonderful storyteller and could capture your attention when he spoke.  He was very giving and would give anyone the shirt off his back.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, October 2, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Matthew Tinkham officiating.  Interment will follow in Amity Cemetery.

Visitation with his family will be Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Sunday from 12 noon till 2 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cannon County High School Baseball team.

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

Norene Rogers Allen, 83, passed away Monday, 9/26/22 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  A native of Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Quixie Wilcher Rogers.

She is survived by her children, Brenda Choate, Billy Choate and Robbie (Mark) Smith all of Woodbury; grandchildren, Chad (Myka) Choate, Tristian and Rachel Choate, Matthew (Jade) Smith and Ryne Smith (Breka Williams); great grandchildren, Silas, Candon, Kylee, Chandler, Kendra, Landon and Korbin; special animals, Luna and Rigley.  Many special friends also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Allen.

A member of the Woodbury church of Christ, she was retired from Stones River Hospital where she was the dietary supervisor.  She previously worked at Norene’s Dairy Dip.  Her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers, opened the first Dairy Queen in Woodbury where she also worked. 

She loved her trips to Goodwill and to the mountains with her daughters every year.  They enjoyed shopping, eating and spending time with each other.  Most of all, she loved living life especially with her family.

Ms. Allen’s family would like to send a special thank you the ABC Girls, Barnabas Sisters,  and the medical professionals who took such great care of her, Community Wellness and Adoration Home Health.

Graveside services will be 11:00 am Friday, September 30, 2022 Riverside cemetery.  Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation with her family will be Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am – 10:45 am.

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