Obituaries

George Ray James passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at his home in Bradyville.  He was 72 and a native of Ludington, MI.

He is survived by his children, Frank (Danyelle) James of Bradyville, Charlie James and Christine James both of Nashville, MI.; grandchildren, Brandon (Abby) James, Cody (Desirae) James, Jessie (Chelsa) James, Brittany (David) Thomas, Remington James, Haley Mills, Tia James, Logan Hill, Christina Torres, Michael (Courtney) James, Carnelle James and Christian Main; siblings, Jessie Comstock and Cokkie Karosas both of Ludington, MI and Ron James of Nashville, MI. 21 great grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and June Vandervest Currier and his brother, Charlie Currier.

Mr. James was a retired handyman and a veteran of the United States Army where he served in Vietnam.  He enjoyed hunting and teaching his grandchildren about life.  George would always help someone in need.  

His family will celebrate his life at a private gathering. 

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

Mrs. Wendy Lee Whittemore, 51, of Woodbury passed away on August 26, 2020 with her family at her side.  She was born in Woodbury, TN on May 30, 1969.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Joel Ross Youngblood and Dovie Dean Cook Youngblood, husband, Johnny Whittemore, and by her brother, Joel Carson “Bubba” Youngblood.

She is survived by sons, Kyle (Shauna) Whittemore, Johnny Brian Whittemore, and Justin Odom, daughter, Emily (Jonathon) Bess, sister, Deana (Jeff) Lorance, grandchildren, Kaytlyn Bess, Maleah Odom, Drayden Mendoza, Kamden Whittemore, Jaxsten Bess, Aylah Bess, and soon to arrive Kimberlynn Bess and by special friend, Jeffery Clayton.

She was a family-oriented person, who loved her grandchildren. She was happiest when they were around. Family was the most important thing to her. Almost all the kids and grandkids were named after someone in the family.  She met Johnny at the age of 16. They were together over 27 years when he passed.  They were the perfect pair, always cutting up and carrying on.  There was never a dull moment with them. She was an outspoken and independent person. Even as her health declined, she wanted to do things for herself. She loved going fishing and kept on the go.  In years past she worked at Bridgestone Arena as a shift supervisor for their numerous events.  She loved getting to see all the musicians, athletes, and other well-known stars. In more recent times she had been baptized and attended Pleasant View Baptist Church until her health kept her from going. 

Her wish was to be cremated and rejoined with Johnny.  The family will hold a private memorial service in her honor.  Share memories and condolences with them at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

James D. Shelton Sr. passed away on Friday August 21, 2020 at Northview Health and Living Center in Anderson Indiana. James was born in Manchester Tennessee the son of Birdie H. and Willie F. Shelton on Tuesday March 30, 1937. He served in the United States Army and then having several full-time jobs before settling at the United States Post Office where he retired after 32 years. He enjoyed family and anything “Racing”, Indy or NASCAR, fishing and being at Menards.

Surviving James are his wife of 63 years Judy Shelton; sons James D. (Kathy) Shelton Jr., Joseph R. (Sara) Shelton; grandchildren, Shaira, Shayna, Michael, Austin, Bailey, Cole and Chase; brother Clyde R. Shelton and sister Betty L. Hankel.

His parents, son, John P. Shelton; and sisters Alberta Kriete and Juanita Reid preceded James in passing.

The family would like to thank the staff at Northview Health and Living Center for the quality of care they gave to James.

Funeral services will take place at Parson Mortuary in Muncie, Indiana at 1:00 pm Thursday August 27, 2020 with burial at Cherry Cemetery, Woodbury Tennessee on Friday at 5:00 pm.  Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements.  Share memories and condolences at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Grover Denton Parker, age 95, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020 at his home.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Alice Ferrell Parker. He is survived by his children Brenda (Teddy) Rains, Denton Parker, Lynn Parker, Dale Parker, Thomas (Kaitlin) Parker; grandchildren Luke Parker and Macy Scott; also, many family and friends.

Grover was the son of the late Thomas C. and Minnie Powell Parker.  He was preceded in death by young siblings Morgan, Clatie, Eartle as well as siblings Clyde Parker, Estelle Kirby, Burt Parker and Milton (Juicy) Parker.

He was born and raised in the Pleasant View Community of Cannon County, TN. Grover lived and raised his family at Clearmont in Warren County, TN where he worked as a logger and farmer growing tobacco, pepper, hogs and cattle. He also worked as a custodian at Woodbury Grammar School and Centertown Elementary. He had a love for music and signing – as many knew him from entertaining as the Parker Brothers with his brother Milton. He was a member of the Ivy Bluff church of Christ.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Tuesday, August 25, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Norman Pelham, Bro. Bryan Reed, and Bro. Robert Hoover officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 PM to 8 PM Monday, August 24, 2020 at the funeral home.

Carl Glenn Stembridge, age 66, of McMinnville passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020 at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

Survivors include his children, Carla Stembridge, Tyler Stembridge, & Collin Stembridge, all of Woodbury & Shane Cook of Liberty; Stepdaughter, Lisa Brown of Woodbury; Grandchildren, Courtney Barrett & Trenton Bynum; Brothers, Harrell Stembridge, James (Sondra) Stembridge of Woodbury & Wade (Pat) Stembridge of Kunkla, OH; and Sisters, Bernice (Darce) Wimberly & Teresa Farless, both of Woodbury & Carolyn (Tommy) Burks of Murfreesboro.  A great grandchild also survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel & Mary Susan Harrell Stembridge; and Siblings, Joy Stembridge, Clarence Stembridge, Frank Stembridge, Russell Stembridge, Brenda Redmon, & Joe Bob Stembridge.

Carl was a member of the Baptist church and was a farrier and a horse trainer.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Monday, August 24, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow at Center Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2 PM to 8 PM Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Quentin Cook, Taylor Cook, Randall Deberry, Thomas Russell, Greg Wimberly, Trenton Bynum, & Jonathan Redmon.

Donations may be made to Woodbury Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Lincoln Burbank Blair, age 1, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  He was born on June 14, 2019 in Rutherford Co.

He is survived by his parents, Joshua & Lauren Brown Blair of Woodbury; Grandparents, Avery & Linda Blair of Centertown and Tony & Sonia Brown of Woodbury; Aunt, Courtney Blair of Centertown; Uncle, Hunter Brown of Woodbury; and Great Grandparents, Naomi Blair of Woodbury, Wayne & Margie Helton of Woodbury, & Sarah Melton of Woodbury.

Funeral Services will be 4 PM Sunday, August 23, 2020 at New Hope church of Christ with Bro. Ralph Richardson officiating.  Interment will follow at Wood Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 1 to 4 PM Sunday, August 23, 2020 at New Hope church of Christ.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Beverly Jayne “Jaynie” Langford, 78, passed away Saturday, August 15, 2020 at St. Thomas West Hospital.  A native of Dickson County, she lived on the Cumberland River, moved to Woodbury, TN, and recently moved to Nashville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Langford, and her parents Tom Herndon and Geneva Von Schmittou Redden.

She is survived by her children Johnnie (Donna) Dodd of Nashville, and Jayna (Ray) Brake of Burlington, KY.  She leaves behind four grandchildren: Jessica (Daniel) Peterson, Tyler Brake, Austin Brake, and Jake Dodd; two great grandchildren: Hallie Brake and Raegan Peterson.  She also leaves behind her faithful, furry, four-legged companion, Ellie Mae.

Jaynie was a former hairdresser and an astute businesswoman, retiring from Woodman of the World Insurance Company.  A mother to many and a friend to all, she enjoyed many things including gardening, cooking, canning, and entertaining.  She loved her family, friends, and her God.  She never turned down an opportunity to help a friend in need, and always thought of others before herself.

Jaynie was a generous, caring, and humble person who lived a life full of making memoires with family and friends.  She never missed an opportunity for a “gathering” especially Memorial Day and Labor Day at Langford Landing.  Her family and friends will be forever grateful for these memories.

Due to the current pandemic, her children have decided to postpone any service/social gathering at this time.  There will be a celebration of her life at a later date.

Memorials can be sent to St. Jude (www.stjude.org) or Alive Hospice (www.alivehospice.org)

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Deborah “Debbie” Bullock, age 70 of Foley, Alabama, formerly of Murfreesboro, died Friday, August 14, 2020 at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley. She was born in Metropolis, IL, and was a daughter of the late Fred and Aleen Schwartz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Edward Flint Baskin, and a brother, Fred Schwartz.

Survivors include her husband, Donny Bullock of Foley, AL; a daughter, Wendy Higgins and husband Shannon of Woodbury; step son, Steve Bullock and wife DrLyn of Omaha, NE; grandsons, Trevor Higgins and wife Ariel of Lascassas and Heath Higgins of Murfreesboro; sister, Darlene Cronin of Cape Canaveral, FL; sister in law, Carolyn Schwartz of Woodbury; brothers in law, Dan Bullock and wife Pam of Murfreesboro and Mike Bullock and wife Sheila of Foley, AL and a host of other loving family and friends.

She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and laughter. She will also be fondly remembered by her customers at Dillards where she was a beauty consultant and counter manager for Elizabeth Arden for 13 years.

Visitation with the family will be 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Riverside Cemetery in Woodbury with Tim Knox officiating.

An online guestbook is available for the Bullock family at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Edward J. Lewis, 89, of Murfreesboro passed away Friday, August 14, 2020 at Adams Place.  A native of Cannon Co., he was the son of the late Earnest and Rebekah Parker Lewis.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Highland Lewis of Murfreesboro; children, Mark Edward (Brenda) Lewis and Roger Brandon (Norma) Lewis both of Woodbury, Kevin Lewis of Murfreesboro, Kayla (Chris) Talmage and Ken Alan Lewis both of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Matt (Beth) Lewis, Daniel Lewis, Jared (Candice) Lewis, Kinsley Grace Talmage, Carter Talmage and Tori Talmage; great grandchild, Landen Powell and sisters, Gertrude Cawthorn of Manchester and Lucille Palmer of Murfreesboro.  

Mr. Lewis was looking forward to the birth of his twin granddaughters, Ashlynn Elise and Oaklynn Elaine Talmage that are to be born in Sept.  Ed was especially close to his cousin, Mack Simmons, as they were born seven days apart.  Even though they were cousins they were as close as brothers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Marie Richardson, Hazel Simmons, Clatie Simmons, Bud Lewis, Cleo Phillips, Bill Lewis and Grady Lewis.

A member of the Baptist church, Mr. Lewis was a veteran of the Korean war where he served in the Army.  Edward was a carpenter for Miranda Construction (Ronnie Nichols) for over 30 years.  He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, hunting, fishing, playing checkers, traveling, and helping other in any way he could. He loved God, his family, and friends and he will be greatly missed.

The Lewis family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Rayburn, Dr. Christopher Waynick and Dr. Paul Johnson for all your care and kindness shown to Mr. Lewis during his illness.

Visitation with family will begin at 10 am Thursday, August 20, 2020 with funeral services to follow at 2 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Bro. Tom Watkins will conduct his service.  Interment will follow in Parker Hill Cemetery.  

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

Jackie Jeanene Hodge Thomas, 46, passed away Sunday, August 09, 2020 at Unity Medical Center following her battle with cancer.

She was born in Smithville, Tn and lived in Hillsboro.

She is survived by her father, Richard Hodge of Aurora, Co.; children, Justin Thomas of Maryville, Josh Thomas of Belvidere, Joseph and Jocelyn Thomas both of Hillsboro; siblings, Richard Hodge, II of IN. and Raymond Farless of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Kinley, Bryson, Eli and Amelia Thomas, Ashton and Ashlyn Ferrell.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Trail Hodge, brother, Jason Hodge and grandparents, Claude and OnaMeega Trail Duncan.

Jackie was a homemaker and a Christian.  She enjoyed going fishing, she adored her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. 

Visitation with the family will be begin at 10 am Thursday, August 13, 2020 with funeral services to begin at 2 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Bro. Shane Nichols will conduct her service.  Interment will follow in Farrar Hill Cemetery.  

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