Obituaries

Coach Robert A. Harris of Readyville passed away peacefully at the age of 98.  Just 10 days shy of his 99th birthday.  He was born in Bradyville, Tn., the son of the late Robert Adam Harris, Sr and Mary Roxie Reed Harris. 

He is survived by his loving daughter, Doris Ann Fitts and his grandson, Josh Fitts both of Readyville. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Holt Harris; his son-in-law, Hoyte Fitts and his siblings, Raymond, Rachel and Marvin Harris.

Mr. Harris was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in WWII where he landed on Normandy Beach as a part of the landing crew.  He later was a part of the recovery team once the battle was over. He was a true hero.

As a coach and a teacher for 40 years in Cannon Co., he was a force to be reckoned with in both the classroom and on the court.  He coached his teams to a multitude of wins including the 1989 State Championship.  He was the second father to many of “his girls” being of support when it was needed, buying food, shoes or letterman jackets. 

A member of the Woodbury church of Christ, he was also a member of the Woodbury Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge and the honorary Captain of the “Liars Table” at Parsley’s Market. He may have had one arm, but he could outwork anyone.  He never saw that as a disability.  Coach Harris was a master carpenter and could fix anything that he set his mind to. 

Graveside services for Robert A. Harris will be 11:00 am Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Thyatira Cemetery with Military Honors. Bro. Herb Alsup will conduct his service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cannon Co. Girls Basketball program or the Woodbury church of Christ Building Fund.

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

Jimmy Bragg, 71, Saturday, December 18, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  He was born in Cannon Co., the son of the late Emory and Ruby Davenport Bragg.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marsha Young Bragg of Bradyville; his girls, Lisa Hass and Rhonda Owen both of Woodbury; son, Jason (Patty) Bragg of Dickson; siblings, Kathy Vinson of Woodbury and Bobby Bragg of Antioch; grandchildren, Cindy Hass (Steven King), Daniel Hass, Brinth Owen (Brittany Ferrell), Hunter Owen (Addy Todd), Cody, Camron and Adian Bragg; special great grandchild, Aurora Hass and best friend, Roy Gann.

Mr. Bragg was preceded in death by his parents, Emory and Ruby Davenport Bragg and his siblings, Richard and Edward Bragg.

Jimmy was retired from General Mills where he worked in Maintenance.  He was known for his love of drag racing is his younger days and also at Buffalo Valley.  Jimmy enjoyed spending his time in the woods hunting but more importantly he loved making memories with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Thursday, December 22, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Shane Nichols officiating.  Interment will follow in the Cherry Cemetery.  Visitation with his family will be Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 10:00 am until his time of service.

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

Ruby Evelyn Smith Barrett, age 96, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Woodbury Health & Rehab.  She was born on July 30, 1926 to her parents, Moses Smith & Penny Taylor Smith in Cannon Co.

Survivors include her children, Dewey Barrett of Woodbury & Joyce Barrett Tilford of Murfreesboro.  Also surviving are several grandchildren, great grandchildren, & great great grandchildren

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pearson Barrett; her daughter, Sue Barrett Hollandsworth; her sons, Jack Barrett & Ronnie Barrett; her brothers, George Smith & Chester Smith; and her sisters, Ester Smith Sullins, Mae Smith Alexander, Cora Smith, & Ora Smith Delbridge.

Ms. Ruby was a member of the church of Christ and a homemaker.  She was a hard worker that devoted her life to her family.  She loved to cook and keeping things clean.

Funeral Services will be 12 PM Tuesday, December 20, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Herb Alsup officiating.  Interment will follow in Riverside Gardens Cemetery.  The family will receive friends for her visitation on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 9 AM until time of the service.  Family & Friends will service as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverside Gardens Cemetery Trust Fund.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Dorthy Carolyn Banfield Browning, 91, passed away December 17th at Woodbury Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born in Christopher, Illinois on November 8, 1931. She has been living in Woodbury since 2001.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ramona Adkins, and her parents Raymond and Edna Banfield.

She is survived by her Son-in- Law, James Adkins, Woodbury, her Grandson, Jay Adkins (Stephanie), Great Grandchildren, Raymond, and Elynnor, all of Elizabethton, TN.

Dorthy attended Woodbury United Methodist Church and Experience Community Church Cannon. She was retired from Southern Illinois University. Dot, as friends called her, Garni as she was called by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, loved to knit dishrags, and gave them away to anyone and everyone.

She enjoyed taking trips to and from Illinois with Jay and listening to the Eagles, The Rolling Stones, and Willie Nelson. Dot and Ramona’s favorite thing to do was shop until they dropped. She collected swans and punch cups for many years. A recent highlight in her life was a surprise 90th birthday party with many of her friends, student workers, and past co-workers traveling from Southern Illinois and upper East Tennessee to visit and honor her on that occasion. 

Visitation will be held at the Woodbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 3-6 pm.  Funeral services will follow at the church at 6 pm.   A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 11 am.  Rev. David Lilley will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodbury United Methodist Church in her memory. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com.  Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337.  Because every life has a story.

Douglas Wayne Young, 79, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  He was born in Dekalb Co., the son of the late Newton Reece Young and Lillian Hibdon Rogers.

He is survived by his children, Angela (Brent) Mathis of Woodbury, Ryan Young (Miranda Furbee) of Bradyville; grandchildren, Magan (Adam) Anderson, Cameron Cawthorn, Chloe and Sawyer Owens; great grandchildren, Colton and Cooper Anderson and sister, Reba Prater of Woodbury. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Laketa Young Cawthorn and siblings, Christine Paull, Homer and Jimmy Young.

Doug was a member of the Baptist church and was a retired painter.  He had a love for life and being with his friends and family making memories that are still laughed about today.  He always enjoyed working on cars especially his 1955 Chevy Bel Aire.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, December 17, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow in Amity Cemetery.  Pallbearers include David Thomas, Michael Thomas, Teddy Jackson, Kevin Luttrell, Ryan Tenpenny and Justin Nichols.

Visitation with his family will be Friday, December 16, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

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

Wilma Louise Merritt Thomas, 83, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022 at St. Thomas Midtown.  A native of Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Claude and Angie Lee Fann Merritt.

She is survived by her children, Diane Thomas Davenport (Will Windrow), Ronnie Gale Thomas and Michael Thomas (Lisa Jones) all of Woodbury; grandchildren, Christopher Davenport, Jake Smithson and Breanna Thomas and special friend, Arlis Thomas.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, George Thomas; her daughter, Renee Thomas Smithson and her siblings, Garland Merritt, Estes Merritt, Lanis Merritt, Laura Mae Gannon and Charlie White Merritt.

A member of the Pleasant View church of Christ, she was a homemaker and chair maker.  She enjoyed puzzle books and reading.  Above all, she was a wonderful and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will always be missed but left a lifetime of precious memories.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Jerry Gilley and Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery.  Visitation with her family will be Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

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

Debbie Simmons, age 61, of Readyville passed away December 10, 2022 at Woodbury Health & Rehab Center after an extended illness.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Eston & Clatie Lewis Simmons and beloved family friend, Sene Kongthalath.

She is survived by her sister, Linda (Curtis) Snapp of Manchester; and brothers, Danny (Lynn) Simmons of Houston, TX; David (Teresa) Simmons of Brentwood, Randy Simmons & Steve (Larraine) Simmons of Murfreesboro; Donnie Ray Simmons of Readyville; several nieces & nephews also survive.

Debbie loved fishing, riding her bike, and watching TV.  Being the youngest of seven, she always looked forward to being with her family and will be deeply missed.

The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care of the staff of Woodbury Health & Rehab Center and Avalon Hospice.

Graveside Services will be Monday, December 12, 2022 at 11 AM in the Parker Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parker Hill Cemetery Fund at First National Bank in Woodbury.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Joyce Fann Grizzle, 74, passed away on Monday, November 29, 2022 at Unity Medical Center in Manchester.  A native of Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Fred Morgan Fann and Kathryn Mullinax Fann.

She is survived by her siblings, Joe Don (Linda) Fann of Auburntown, Kathy (John) Smith of Hillsboro, Bobby Fann of Morrison and Kerry (Myra) Fann of Manchester.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Ms. Grizzle was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Morgan Fann and Kathryn Mullinax Fann; her husband, Don Grizzle; her son, Chris Grizzle, and her brothers, J.W. Fann, Jackie Fann and Freddie Fann.

Joyce was a member of Midway church of Christ and a homemaker by title, but she was so much more than that.  She devoted her life to her beloved son, Chris giving him the best life and care that he deserved.  He preceded her in death on September 16, 2022.  Joyce enjoyed collecting glassware and antiques, but she loved shopping on the Home Shopping Network.  

A private memorial service will be held with her family where she will be laid to rest by her husband and son.  

Mrs. Vernell “Vern” Norris, 71, of Readyville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022 with her family by her side. She was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Saturday, June 2, 1951. Preceding her in death were her parents, John Robert and Jean McCullough; husband, Bobo Norris; brother, James Victory; and sister, Linda Perry.

She is survived by her sons, Boyd “Bo” (Wendy) Molloy of LaVergne and Eddie Pinkston of Readyville; daughter/granddaughter, Melissa Day Pinkston of Readyville; brother, Timothy “Bubba” Victory of Murfreesboro; sister, Darlene Holt of Christiana; and grandchildren, Owen Malachi Pinkston, Jonah Timothy Pinkston, Willow Grace Pinkston, Kaylie Reigh Molloy, and Paisley Grace Molloy.

A movie should have been made about Vern’s life because she had a love story worthy of sharing far and wide. Vern and Bobo started off as teenage sweethearts but soon turned star-crossed lovers when they got separated. It wasn’t until much later on in life that they reconnected. Eddie actually met Bobo in Pastimes Barber and Pool Hall. Meeting someone who knew his mom intrigued him, so he went home to tell Vern. The rest? History! The two were reconnected and never separated again.

One might wonder how Vern held on to that love for so long. Well, the simple answer is faith. Vern was a firm believer that God could move mountains. It was fitting that her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man,” and oh boy, did she trust the Lord! The Bible was her church, and she sought after God’s guidance and instruction on a daily basis. During the time that Vern and Bobo were separated, God kept Vern busy working and being a mother to her two favorite men in life, her boys.

To train them, Vern led by example and demonstrated how to work. During the majority of her life, she was a factory worker in warehouses, but she also worked as a CNA in an assisted living facility. However, work wasn’t all that Vern made sure her boys knew how to do. As a nurturing mother, she made certain she also showed them how to love and how to create meaningful relationships. She was someone who always did the little things and would bend over backward for those she loved. Her giving and caring nature endeared her to her children.

To Bo, Vern was his best friend and rock. They talked on the phone 3-4 times a day, and to Eddie? Well, being the baby boy, Vern quickly became Eddie’s everything. Even in her hobbies, Vern delighted in showering the boys with love and affection. She crocheted them blankets and was always making something new in the kitchen, especially if it had to do with baking. Eddie was quick to say her chocolate pie was his favorite. She would make him his own every Thanksgiving and put less filling in his since he liked a crunchier consistency. Bo, on the other hand, was just ready to eat whatever she made.

It was actually wrong earlier to say that Vern and Bobo never separated again because they did have one more separation when Bobo passed away. Without work, God kept Vern busy again, except this time with crocheting and baking. She mainly crocheted blankets making American flags and more intricate patterns, like spider webs and a 3-D Afghan of purple, pink, and white that looks like a box once it’s complete. That extravagance in her craft also transferred to her baking. Vern could make professional-grade cakes, using fondant to bring characters to life.

Now, just because Vern used a lot of sugar in the kitchen didn’t mean she sugar-coated her conversations. She told the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. Bo and Eddie remember many occasions where her solicited advice began with, “Now, you may not want to hear this, but…” And that trait made Vern an excellent and trustworthy friend. You knew where you stood with her because if she liked you, she liked you – and she made sure you knew through her acts of love. Though her family’s hearts ache without her here to share that love, they know she is reunited with the love of her life and present with the Lord.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

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

Mr. William Michael “Big Mike” Swander, 62, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022. He was born in Fremont, Ohio on Sunday, January 24, 1960. Preceding him in death were his adopted parents, Delbert and Anna Swander, and brother, Larry Swander.

He is survived by his wife, Tracie Swander of Woodbury; sons, Zachary Edmiston of McMinnville and Michael (Ashley Morris) Swander of Woodbury; stepchildren, Michael (Ashley) Utley of Watertown, Matthew (Linda Tierney) Utley of Smyrna, Chelsea (Austin Saeger) Utley of Woodbury, and Nikki (James Becknell) Carman of Manchester; biological mother, Barbara Morrison of Brighton, Michigan; biological father, Elbert Harris; sisters, Dawn Morrison, Beth Morrison, and Gail Morrison all of Michigan; 17 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Most people call it just being a boy, but for Big Mike, that endless energy followed him throughout his life. He was a man of action and couldn’t be still. He was born in Ohio, raised in Florida, and lived in Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee as an adult. If you drove a straight line from Michigan to Florida, Big Mike had probably lived there or at least gone there a time or two. During his time on the road headed from Florida to Michigan with the boys to see family, they remember playing “Freeze Out.” Even though Big Mike was full of energy, apparently none of that converted to heat because he was usually the first to give up when he got too cold.

His zest for life and sense of humor gave Big Mike an unbreakable spirit, and he never got too busy for others. He had a knack for lifting others spirits with a joke or by teasing them, but by all means wouldn’t stop there. Willing to do anything for anyone, he thought of himself last, or not at all, and that went double when he became a father. There may only be 6 children listed, but Big Mike was a father to everyone. Kids clung to him, and he served as a mentor and father-figure whenever he had the chance. The right of passage for Big Mike’s “kids” was saying yes to a popsicle or jalapeno poppers. Those were his favorites, and he wanted to share the enjoyment with those he adored. In addition to food, Big Mike also shared his sense of humor with his kids, and since he usually did the grounding, it became a running joke within the family that they were all grounded.

That sense of humor wasn’t left at the house, and he definitely brought his child-like spirit to the work place. When he was a manager at Dollar General Market, he found enjoyment being entertainment for others. He would do crazy things like riding the kids toys around the store or taking a trip down the conveyor belt. He boosted morale so much that he managed to avoid getting himself grounded and made it fun showing up to work. But Dollar General was just one of Mike’s last jobs. Before that, he came to find that the worst person to work for is yourself.

Big Mike was a jack of all trades as a craftsman and mechanic, and on top of that, he was a perfectionist. He made porch swings and furniture, and you better believe he wasn’t going to do the job halfway. When the boys were little, he had a mechanic shop that he loved. Working in his garage, the boss could be overbearing at times, and Big Mike wasn’t above getting frustrated and throwing a tool. But after a popsicle break he had renewed energy and a new frame of mind to get the job done. Being able to work on things exposed Big Mike to many different tools, and his kids had the experience of him making u-turns on the highway for tools. He could spot one on the side of the road from a mile away and be able to name the brand and exact tool before he ever picked it up.

It’s with heavy yet full hearts that his family lays him to rest. He enriched their lives with love and laughter, and the memories, pictures, and words of wisdom will be passed down to the future generations. All in all, Big Mike was a wonderful man who brought joy to everyone he met. He loved and was loved by so many. His presence and influence will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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