Obituaries

Gertrude Lewis Cawthorn passed away October 29, 2020 at Unity Medical Center at the age of 94. She was born December 10, 1925 and was the daughter of Rebecca Parker Lewis and Ernest Lewis of Bradyville, TN.

In addition to her parents Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years General H. Cawthorn and two infant daughters.  Also preceded in death by sisters Marie Richardson, Cleo Phillips, Hazel Simmons and Clatie Simmons. Brothers Bill, Clarence, Edward and Grady Lewis.

Gertrude is survived by daughter, Judy (Shawn) McClellan of Winchester. Sons, Ronnie (Sandy) Cawthorn of Tullahoma, Barry (Patricia) Cawthorn of Bradyville and Steve (Kerri) Cawthorn of Murfreesboro. Survived by five grandchildren, Troy Cawthorn, Mark (Amanda) Cawthorn, Tina Cawthorn, Jacob (Sherry) Cawthorn and Cameron Cawthorn. Seven great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. One sister Lucille Palmer of Murfreesboro.

Besides being with family, Gertrude while able, loved gardening, taking care of her many flowers, and every opportunity, telling everyone she met about her Lord Jesus and his saving grace. A deeply religious person of Pentecostal Faith over the years she ministered at House of Prayer Pentecostal at Iconium, hosted gospel radio programs at Manchester and Woodbury and loved attending revivals and gospel singings.  She always looked forward to Sunday services and gospel singing at the assisted living center where she lived. She recently hinted at staying around until she was 100 years old. She didn’t realize the Lord had other plans for her. He needed another angel in Heaven .  HOME AT LAST.

Graveside Services will be 2:30 PM Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Parker Hill Cemetery with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 12:00 PM until 2 PM at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Doyle Edwin Mooneyham, 52, of McMinnville passed away Wed., Oct. 28, 2020 at Alive Hospice in Nashville.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

He is survived by his daughters, Whitney Eubanks and Sarah Nunley both of McMinnville; grandchildren, Alyssa, Leah and Brantley Eubanks and Aryanna Nunley; siblings, Frances Buse of Woodbury and Melba Finley of McMinnville and special friend, Phyllis Evans of Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Howard Mooneyham and Janie Elizabeth Underwood Mooneyham; siblings, Linda Brown, Sherry Reed, James Howard, Carl, Ernest, Billy Joe and Joe Robert Mooneyham.

A member of the Baptist church, Doyle loved his family especially his mama, Janie, his daughters. and grandkids.

Graveside Services will be 12 noon Saturday, October 31, 2020 Centerhill Cemetery with Bro. William Randolph officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 10 am to 11:30 am Saturday, October 31, 2020. 

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

Mr. Brian Ray “Worm” Alexander, 35, of Lascassas passed away on October 27, 2020.  He was born in Murfreesboro, TN on October 11, 1985.  He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, James Samuel Stacey and John Allen Alexander, and by his brother, Eric Lee “Bigen” Stacey.

He is survived by his father, James “Bubba” Stacey of Murfreesboro, mother, Karen Alexander Stacey of Lascassas, son, who he loved very much, Kobe Brian Alexander, grandmothers, Jolene Hillis of Shelbyville and Mary Alexander of Lebanon and by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brian worked with his uncle at Bradley Paving for most of his working life.  When he wasn’t working, he liked to catch up on sports, such as football, basketball and M.M.A. fights, some of his favorite athletes were Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant.  He liked to go hunting and fishing too.  He was good at raising game roosters and traveled to many different states to events.  People at the events knew him by the entry name, “Magic 4”.  One of his favorite places to go was Louisiana. His best buddy was his pit bull, Caesar.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Monday, November 2, 2020 from 10-2 pm.  Funeral services will be at 2 pm in the Smith Funeral Home chapel.  James Wade will officiate.  Interment will be in Bradley Creek Cemetery in Lascassas.  Support the family with condolences and memories at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Larry Ricky Blair, age 65, of Lebanon passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Summit Medical Center.  He was a native of Detroit, MI.

Survivors include his children, Desiree Greer of Georgia & Micah Blair of Woodbury and Siblings, Dean Colbert of Woodbury, Bill Blair of MI, & Terry Blair of MI.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Star Blair, Son, Larry Ricky Blair, Jr.; Parents, Floyd W. Blair & Sylvia Hibdon Blair; and Siblings, Morris Blair, Will H. Blair, & Jimmy Blair.

Mr. Blair was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and worked in construction.

Graveside Services will be 2:30 PM Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Amity Cemetery.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

David Alan Schroder, age 74, of Shelbyville passed away Saturday, October 24, 2020 at his home.  He was a native of Memphis, Tennessee.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Sue Jane Acree Schroder of Shelbyville; Children, Ginna (Darby) Chaney of Cartersville, GA, Amy (Andy) Cooper of Morrison, and Tony (Amanda) Schroder of Lebanon; Granddaughter, Mackensie Schroder; and Brother, John Clifford (Frieda) Schroder of Mt. Home, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Herman Schroder & Beverly Virginia Hundley Schroder.

He was a teacher in Moore County & Cannon County.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Ivy Bluff Methodist Church with Father Chris Finley officiating.  Interment will immediately follow at Ivy Bluff Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Andy Cooper, Tony Schroder, Darby Chaney, Travis Johnson, Christopher O’Neal & Timothy O’Neal.

The family requests that anyone attending the funeral to please practice social distancing and wear masks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mr. Ronnie Johnson, 80, of Readyville passed away on October 25, 2020.  He was a native of Florence, Alabama born on June 20, 1940.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Ethel Milford Johnson and by all his siblings. 

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Johnson, children, Mike (Kristina) Johnson of Woodbury, Alan Smithson of Smyrna and Scott (Michele) Smithson of Auburntown; Teresa (Gary) Brooks of Mount Juliet, Angie (Jeff) Graham of Murfreesboro, grandchildren,  Josh (Taylor) Johnson, Jacob (Michelle) Smithson, Brandy (Daniel) Baltz, Jenna (Will) Shelton, Jackson Graham, Kayla (Cody) Brown, Charlie (Paige) Brooks, Erin Phillips, eight great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was an easy-going person with a smile and a story or joke ready to share. Always ready to help family or friends.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and showing them things.  He didn’t like to be idle he kept his yard and shop neat and clean all the time.  He was retired from Yellow Freight with over 30 years driving for them.  He was a member of the Teamsters Local 480 for over 50 years. Many of his friends knew him best by his c.b. handle, the “Silver Road Hog”. In his spare time, he and Cheryl loved to ride motorcycles and see the unusual sights on the back roads.  They had ridden all over the Southeastern United States as well as to the Badlands, Key West, and the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. When Cheryl still worked for the Bank of Commerce, he would go with the Bank Cloggers on trips to support Cannon County and the Lions Club.  He would sometimes drive the truck they clogged on in the parades. He and Cheryl enjoyed going with their family on an annual trip to Florida in June to celebrate many of their birthdays.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 1-4 pm. A celebration of his life will follow at 4 pm in the Smith Funeral Home chapel.  His grandson, Charlie Brooks will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial donations are requested to the American Cancer Society. Support the family with condolences and memories at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Virginia Sue Davenport, 69, passed away Friday, October 23, 2020 at St. Thomas Rutherford.

She is survived by her sister Brenda Vannatta; nieces, Lisa Wimberly, Tracy Vannatta, Dana Davenport, and Vanessa Shrum, nephew Danny Vannatta.  Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews.9

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vanice K. Davenport Sr., and Vera Bell Davenport; brothers, Vanice K. Davenport Jr, and Michael Lewis Davenport.

She was a member of Dillon Street Baptist Church, previously worked at Colonial. She enjoyed reading, going out to eat with friends, loved helping others and adored her Church family.

Graveside Services will be 4:30 PM Monday, October 26, 2020 at Banks Pisgah Cemetery with Bro, Ray Patrick officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 pm. at Woodbury Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the family with expenses or Dillon Street Baptist Church.

Woodbury Funeral Home 615 563 2311

Or to leave condolences for her family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Annie Lois Parton Paschal, 94, passed away Thurs., Oct. 22, 2020 at her home following an extended illness. She was a native of Cannon Co.                  

She is survived by her children, Russell (Janet) Paschal of Woodbury and Lois Marie Paschal of Manchester; grandson, Kelly Joe Ferrell of Manchester.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Sylvester and Delia Mae Smith Parton; her husband, Neil Henry Paschal; and siblings, Idell Summars and Wiley Parton.
 
Ms. Paschal was a member of the Baptist church and a housewife.
 
Visitation with the family will be from 1 pm to 3 pm Sunday, October 25, 2020. Graveside Services will immediately follow in the Riverside Gardens.

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

Mrs. Alena Hope Preston Grayson, 26, of Murfreesboro passed away unexpectedly along with her soon to be born son, Hayden Zane Merlo on October 19, 2020.  She was born in Murfreesboro, TN on October 6, 1994.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Arvis and Mildred Marie Black.

She is survived by the love of her life, Brandon Merlo, mother, Lena “Pat” (Alan Barrett) Garland of Smyrna, father, Tracy L. Preston of Murfreesboro, children, Serenity Grayson, Gabriel Grayson, Waelyn Merlo, grandparents, Wiley and Beverly Preston of Leanna, brothers, Noah William Garland of Smyrna and Aiden Wesley Preston of Murfreesboro, sister, Olivia Ann Preston of Smyrna, Brandon’s parents, Tom and Luann Yates, and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was a wonderful loving mother, hardly ever spending a minute away from her kids.  They were her world.  She had a bubbly personality, full of life, and ready to pull a prank to make you laugh.  A country girl, who loved jacked up trucks, and wearing sundresses with cowboy boots.  She loved to cook and insisted on cooking for the kids and Brandon every chance she had.  She was a go-getter, always willing to be there for family and friends who needed her.  If she loved you there were no limits to what she would do to help or get you to laugh. She was a Christian baptized by her uncle in the lake, just like a country girl would.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 4-8 pm.  Funeral services will be on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 2 pm.  Earl Black will officiate.  Interment will be in Thyatira Cemetery.  Support her family with condolences and memories at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Mary Louise Goins Simmons, 98, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 at her home in Woodbury.  She was a native of Cannon Co.

She is survived by her son, Larry Joe (Gracie) Duncan of Arrington, TN.; daughter-in-law, Deborah Lynn Simmons of Lebanon; grandchildren, Lynn (Ricky) Fann, Mary Beth (Josh) Creswell, Sean (Mindy) Simmons and Holly Simmons; siblings, Farris (Vertrice) Goins of Woodbury, Wayne (Linda) Goins of Clayton, NC, Shirley Goins Taylor of Nashville; sisters-in-law, Frankie Goins of Readyville and Sarah Goins of Franklin.  Also surviving are 6 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Jimmie Sullins Goins; husband, John D. Simmons; son, Martin Steve Simmons, grandson, Jesse Leo Duncan and siblings, Gertrude Goins Bogle, Irlee, James, Bill and Charles Bogle. 

Ms. Simmons was a member of the Church of Christ and was a florist.

Graveside Services will be 2 pm Thursday, October 22, 2020 in the Riverside Cemetery with Bro. Ron Hackney and Bro. Mike Lamb officiating.  

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