Obituaries

Carlos Faye Smithson, 78, passed away Monday, May 16, 2022 at Woodbury Health and Rehab.  A native of Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Richard and Hazel Mitchell Davis.

Survivors: siblings, Glenn (Debbie) Davis of Bradyville and Deborah Gibson of Readyville; nieces and nephews, Vickie Pennington, Jr. Davis, Richie (Megan) Davis, Andy (Ticia) Davis; great nieces and nephews, Josh Davis, Kelly Davis, Ethan (Lauren) Curtis, Lilly, Jack and Rose Davis, Hunter and Abbie Davis, Miranda Johnson, William Thomas and Nathan Eley. Several great great nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Loy Smithson, daughter, Penny Smithson and siblings, Arlene Pennington, Buck Davis and Vivian Eley.

Ms. Smithson was a member of the Iconium church of Christ and was a seamstress working for many corporations such as Colonial Shirt Factory, Valdor and Crane. She enjoyed crocheting, making White Oak baskets and canning. She also loved to can and was a wonderful cook.  Her family meant the most to her and spending time with them was something she looked forward to.

Visitation with her family will be from 11 am until 1 pm Wednesday, May 18, 2022 with her funeral services to follow at 1 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Bro. Norman Pelham will officiate.  Interment will follow in Blue Wing Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Gilley officiating.  

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

Edith Aline Owen Miller, 83, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Lynchburg Nursing Center.  She was born in Warren Co. to her parents, the late Johnny Owen and Mary Jane Todd Owen. 

She is survived by her son, Darrell (Tammy) Fults of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Erica (CJ) Rasch of Murfreesboro and Jared Fults of Knoxville

great grandson, Maxwell Rasch.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Miller was preceded in death by her son, David Fults and 9 siblings.

She was a member of the Red Hill Church of Christ and was retired from Woodbury Nursing Center.  Edith enjoyed gardening, doing word searches and watching The Wheel of Fortune.  She sold Avon and was proud of the fact she was able to read her bible through at least 12 times.  Above all, she loved her family especially her grandchildren. 

Visitation with her family will be from 11 am until 4 pm Sunday, May 15, 2022 with her funeral services to follow at 4 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Bro. Eddie Duke will officiate.  Interment will follow in Ivy Bluff Cemetery.  

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

Chris Mullican, 59, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford following an extended illness.  He was born in Cannon Co., TN.

He is survived by his daughter, Linsey Mullican (Sawyer Henderson) of Woodbury; mother, Wanda Thomas Mullican of Woodbury; granddaughters, Riley Goodman and Sophie Hiles; siblings, Jerry (Tammy) Mullican of Woodbury, Judy (Jimmy) Orrick of Centertown and Tammy (Randy) Burnett of Bradyville.

Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cloy Dwyane Mullican and his sister, Beth Ivie.

Chris was a mechanic and best known as a “jack of all trades”.  If anyone needed anything done you could count on him.  He did many jobs all of which he enjoyed including, carpentry and masonry.  He loved “supervising’ odd and end jobs which was mainly telling his friends what to do.  In his spare time, he enjoyed “relaxing” and that involved camping, riding horses, farming and driving a tractor.  Above everything else, his favorite thing was spending time with his family especially his granddaughters, Riley and Sophie, his soon to be son-in-law, Sawyer and his daughter, Linsey who will always be a “daddy’s girl”.

Funeral services will be 2 pm Sunday, May 15, 2022 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow in Centerhill Cemetery.  

Visitation with his family will be Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 4 pm until 8 pm and Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 11 am until time of service.

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

Wilma Jean Phillips Harris passed way at her home in Auburntown on May 9, 2022, after an extended illness. She was born on October 6, 1934, in the Center Hill area of Cannon County.

She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Bryan (Jerry) and Martye Harris; along with two granddaughters; Leah Bryan Wilson (Nick) and Rebekah Bryan Tate (Josh); seven great grandchildren: Maggie Tate, Allie Wilson, Elijah Wilson, Maya Wilson, Levi Tate, Isaiah Wilson, Noah Wilson and “grand dog” Paige Harris. She is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Vance, and Reba Denny McGee. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Eugene M. Harris; her parents, Wiley and Ila Mae Phillips, as well as 7 siblings: Captola Armstrong Bell, Mozell Page, Vida Brazzell, JD Phillips, Hoyt Phillips, Jerrell Phillips, and Louise Smith.

She was a seamstress by trade and worked at the Colonial “shirt factory” in Woodbury and for Norvell in Alexandria for many years. She was an excellent cook and was famous for her homemade banana pudding.

She was a beloved member of the Auburntown Church of Christ and was hostess to many visiting ministers over the years.

Visitation will be at the Woodbury Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. (504 W. Main Street, Woodbury, TN 37190)

The funeral will be held at the Auburntown Church of Christ at 15 West Main Street, Auburntown on May 12th with visitation from 1:00PM until time of the funeral at 2:00PM with David Dunn officiating. Interment will be at the Prosperity Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Josh Tate, Nick Wilson, Ed Faille, Jason Brown, Travis Turney, Elijah Wilson.   Serving as Honorary Pallbearers, Robbie Owen, Darnell Brown, Ruth Davenport, Betty Thomas, Katherine Faille.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Auburntown Church of Christ.

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

Christopher Bryan Batey was born on Thursday, August 26, 1971 in Woodbury, Tennessee. He departed this life on Thursday, May 5, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Christopher was a man’s man, prepared to pursue, defend, and conquer all of life’s obstacles. While attending Cannon County High School, he found his place on the football team. Quick as a wink, his speed proved to be a true asset to the team for the 3 years he played. Balancing school, athletics, and family didn’t prove too much of a challenge for Chris, so he threw working at the local Dairy Queen into the mix.

Graduating with the Class of ’90, Chris went on to hold several jobs. Still tough as nails, he began working at Crane Interiors. He was someone with the grit to get the job done, and it wasn’t until his health started failing that he left work. In his spare time, Christopher enjoyed watching NFL games, checking out classic cars, and collecting guns. However, the true light of his life was his daughter, Christiana, whom he loved to pick up and take go-cart riding.

He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Nettie A. Batey of Woodbury; his precious daughter, Christiona Batey; his father, James Swafford of Murfreesboro; his brother, Julian (Tarra) Johnson of Murfreesboro; his sister, Nika (Josh) Bennett of Murfreesboro; his great uncle, James Batey of Woodbury; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Friday, May 13, 2022 from 12-1 pm. Memorial services will be held directly after on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 1 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Brother Demetrius Desnoes will officiate.

Support the family with 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

Joe L. Shelton, age 75, of Woodbury passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.  He was born in Cannon County on March 2, 1947 to his parents, the Late Jim Henry & Carrie Young Shelton.

Survivors include his daughter, Penny Rains Forstel of Murfreesboro; son, Paul (Tonia) Hollandsworth of Artisia, NM; and Siblings, Ann Smothers of Tulsa, OK, Jim White Duke of Woodbury, Alvin C. (Sandy) Shelton of Centertown, Emma Shelton of Woodbury, & Dale Shelton of Woodbury.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Jo Ann Shelton; and his siblings, Carney Shelton, Nina McMahan, & Albert Shelton.

He was a member of the Pentecostal Church and was a veteran in the Army where he served in Vietnam.  He owned a landscaping, green house, & garden center business.

Funeral Services will be 12 Noon Saturday in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Bryan Carlos Sadler officiating.  Interment will follow at Cherry Cemetery.  The family will receive friends for the visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM Friday, May 6, 2022.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mrs. Virginia Kay Pogue Barrett, 55, of Woodbury, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. She was born in Joliet, Illinois on Friday, May 6, 1966. Preceding her in death were her parents, Bill and Illa Pogue, and her sister, Brenda Sue Nunley.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 38 years, Jerry Barrett of Woodbury; children, April (Michael) Vance of Bradyville and J.D. (Ashley) Barrett of Woodbury; granddaughter, Makenzie Alyse Vance of Bradyville; brother, Mike Pogue of Manchester; sisters, Diane Thompson Barrett and Sylvia Lynn Bush both of Manchester; uncle, Melvin Pogue of Tullahoma; close friends, Tanya Whited, Belinda Ruth, and Amy Templeton; and several nieces and nephews.

Kay’s family moved early on in her life to Tennessee, and she had the opportunity to live a country life and love story. Meeting the man she would marry while swimming at the Readyville Dam was just the beginning of a grand adventure. She would tell the kids how it all started with her seeing Jerry swinging from a rope in his jean shorts. After that, they always seemed to come back to one another and decided they didn’t want to spend any more time apart. They were married on Saturday, May 19, 1984, and Kay graduated from Coffee County High School just the year after in 1985.

Being born in the North didn’t hold much weight with Kay. Even though Jerry liked to pick at her about it, she was a Southern girl at heart. A natural when it came to Southern hospitality, Kay was a woman that exuded love to everyone she met. It earned her the title of “Mama” to more than just her children, and she always thought it was so sweet to hear the words “Mama Kay.”

That love for people went into Kay’s work. She spent time sitting with the elderly and enjoyed taking care of them. When she felt like she still had more love to give, she convinced Jerry they should open a daycare at their home. For Kay, it didn’t matter what age you were, young or old, she loved you, and she always seemed to have more love to give. However, life isn’t meant to be done alone, and though she had found her perfect partner in Jerry, she needed a little girl time.

She was the receptionist at Woodbury Medical Center for several years, greeting everyone with a smile you could hear through the phone. It was there she met the ladies who formed the four musketeers, and she, Tanya, Belinda, and Amy would go out shopping and come back more energized than they had left. Jerry said he could tell she’d had a good time because she would come back talking up a storm and tell him all about her day.

That zest for life came from Kay’s faith in the Lord. She was a member at Smith Grove Church of Christ and a beam of light and love for her Lord and Savior. Every day was a ministry to her, and she wasn’t going to waste a moment. Her family remembers her as a disciple-maker and encourager. She was there for every sermon and every funeral that Jerry preached and knew when she needed to preach to him for a bit. Her talent lied in knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.

When she took time to herself, Kay still wasn’t alone. Her favorite quality time to spend was with her granddaughter, Makenzie. They were always coming up with crafts, and painting made it to the top of the list of favorite activities to do together. When Kay and Jerry went to Gatlinburg, she had Jerry gathering and cleaning up rocks for her and Makenzie’s future painting projects. Time out in nature was also a big part of Kay’s life.

She loved flowers, especially hydrangeas, lilies, and tulips, and she planted them all around their home. Going out into God’s creation was the prime time for having a little talk with Jesus. It helped her to recenter herself and find balance. Her faith and consistent relationship with God were her secrets to facing every challenge with a level of grace and poise beyond what seemed humanly possible.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 4-8 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Al Bugg, Jr. will officiate. Interment will be in McMahan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stones River Recovery or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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

Sandra M. Parton, 80, of Woodbury passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Woodbury Health and Rehab.  She was born in Freeburg, St. Clair, IL. to her parents, John and Ruth Lehr Burns.

She is survived by her children, David Parton, John (Dana) Parton, Traci (Claude) Alexander, Danny (Anita) Parton, and Jason (Jenn) Parton all of Cannon Co.;  her sister, Rita Baker of IL and her special nephew, Kirk Parton Todd (Stephanie) of Woodbury. 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren also survive.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Parton was preceded in death by her husband, Dorse Parton.

A member of Iconium church of Christ, Sandra was a homemaker and full-time granny to her precious grandchildren.  She enjoyed crocheting, traveling the world, was an avid reader and loved her chow chow dogs.  

Graveside services will be 10 am Friday, May 6, 2022, at Iconium cemetery with Bro. Norman Pelham officiating.  Visitation with her family will be from 4 pm until 8 pm Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Woodbury Funeral Home.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Iconium Cemetery Fund.  

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

Haven MaKenzie Gahart, 8, of Woodbury passed away Thursday, April 28, 2022.  She was born in Crescent City, CA.

She is survived by her parents, Tessa Gahart & Doug Robbins of Woodbury; grandparents, Tamra (Scott) Cooper of Porterville, CA, Randall & Janice Robbins of Woodbury, Kirk Patterson of Fresno, CA. and Frank Payne of MO. and great grandmother, Bonnie Hunt of Porterville, CA.  Several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.

Haven was a 3^rd grade student at Woodland Elementary School and was very artistic.  She loved all animals, but especially loved and enjoyed spending time with her cats.  She was a member of the Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet.

A Celebration of Life service for Haven will be Saturday, May 7^th, 2022 at 3 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  A visitation for her family and friends will be from 1 pm until the time of her service.

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

Lee Wright Emmert, 81, of Woodbury passed away Wed., April 27, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  He was born in Thorntown, IN.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Sue Minnick Emmert of Woodbury; children, Stephanie Sprague of Woodbury and Danny Lee Emmert of Aurora, IN.; grandchildren, Norman Sprague IV, Chase Emmert and Kennedy Emmert and great grandchildren, Mackenzie Lee Sprague, Ayden Michael Sprague and Braden Leo Sprague.

Mr. Emmert was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Lee Emmert and Ruth E. Wright Emmert; siblings, Anita E. Dickerson, Nina P. Emmert, Thomas E. Emmert and Ora G. Emmert.

Lee was a Christian and enjoyed woodworking.  He was a retired researcher for Dow Chemical and was also a school custodian.  

It was Mr. Emmert’s wishing to be cremated and memorial services will be held at a later date.

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