Obituaries

Thomas Frank Stembridge, age 80, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 at his home.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Cynthia Ann Gannon Stembridge of Woodbury; Children, Debbie Lening of Joelton, Anthony “Tony” (Irene) Stembridge of Liberty, Jamie Stembridge of Joelton, Thomas Stembridge of Woodbury, & Sharon (Steve) Melton of Woodbury; Sisters, Bernice (Darce) Wimberly of Woodbury, Carolyn (Tommy) Burks of Murfreesboro, & Teresa Farless of Woodbury; Brothers, Harrell Stembridge of Woodbury, James (Sondra) Stembridge of Woodbury, Wade (Pat) Stembridge of Ohio, & Carl Stembridge of McMinnville. 7 Grandchildren & 13 Great Grandchildren also survive.

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

Frank was a member of the Pentecostal church and was a dozier operator and a logger.

Funeral Services will be 1 PM Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bros. Johnny Tipton & Mark Tipton. Interment will follow at Center Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 PM to 8 PM Monday, August 10, 2020 at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Peggy J. Manus, 69, of Murfreesboro, formerly of Woodbury, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 at St. Thomas – Rutherford.  She was born in Rutherford Co.

She is survived by her son, son, George W. Manus, Jr. of Murfreesboro; siblings, Roy Parker, Shirley Dodson and Betty Moorehead all of Nashville and chosen family, Vickie Amis and Greg Nowak both of Murfreesboro.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lizzie Brown Prater and her husband, George W. Manus, Sr.

A retired seamstress, Ms. Manus loved people and was everyone’s mama and friend.  She loved spending time with her son, George, and her beloved dogs, Max and Olivia.  She was of the southern Baptist faith.  

Funeral Services will be 11 am Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 from 4 pm until 8 pm. 

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

Roy Parker, 76, passed away at his home on August 1, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Parker; Children Barry (Robyn) Parker and Kim (Jamie) Kilpatrick; Grandchildren, Wes (Hayley) Parker, Savannah (Jon) Buchanan, Hannah (Dakota) Beasley, Callie (Matthew) McCloskey, Lakelyn Kilpatrick, Carly Ward, Rylee Ward and Dalton Ward; Great grandchildren, Elly Parker, Tucker Parker, Easton Parker and Kane McCloskey; Nieces, Jenny Donnell, Beverly (Kevin) Krieb and Michelle Swan; Nephews, Charles Donnell and Tony (Linda) Parker; Great Nephews, Noah Krieb, Chandler Todd, and Mickey Donnell; Great Nieces, Addy Todd, Tiffany (Todd) Gannon, and Whitney Parker; Mother-in-law, Augusta Donnell; Sister-in-law, Renae Swan; and Brother-in-law, Billy Vance.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Houston Parker and Mary Reed Parker; Siblings, Kenneth (Mamie) Parker, Norma Vance, Grady (Alice) Parker, Coy (Patsy) Parker; Grandson, Logan Parker; Nieces, Brenda Parker and Tracey Todd; Brothers-in-law, Kenneth Simpson and Charles Donnell.

Mr. Parker was a member of Woodbury First Baptist Church. He was retired from General Electric after 24 years of service. He also retired from the Town of Woodbury as the City Manager after 25 years.  He was an active member in Cannon County Sports:  High School, Junior Pro Basketball, and Dixie Youth Baseball. He also served on the Cannon County School Board.

Funeral Services will be 11 am Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at First Baptist Church with Bro. Greg Mitchell, Bro. Dean Anderson, and Bro. Bobby Zumbro officiating. Interment will follow at Parker Hill Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4 pm until 8 pm Monday, August 3, 2020 at Woodbury Funeral Home and from 10 am until time of service on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Parker can be made to the Youth Group at Woodbury First Baptist Church.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mr. Ricky Wilson, 32, of Woodbury, TN passed away unexpectedly on July 27, 2020. He was born in Murfreesboro Tennessee on December 16, 1987.

He is survived by his wife Jessa Wilson of Woodbury, his mother, Theresa Wilson of Yerkes, Kentucky, two sons, Jason Wilson and Mason Wilson, a sister, Jessica (Michael) White of Yerkes, Kentucky, and a slew of other relatives and friends.

Ricky was a cut up who like to goof around. He loved getting his family and friends to laugh at his antics. Things like having his picture made walking his cat, Rocky, without his shirt on, sticking his belly out. He was good at fixing cars and worked doing landscaping and lawncare in times past too. He liked spending time with his boys. Most of the time he had one of them with him. They liked to go to the creek and catch crawdads or go fishing.  He planned to teach the oldest one to hunt this year.  He liked riding 4-wheelers and just being outdoors. He was just a regular old country boy.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Monday, August 3, 2020 from 11-2 pm.  Funeral services will follow in the Smith Funeral Home chapel. Due to his untimely passing and leaving a wife and two young sons, donations are requested to help with funeral expenses. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Tanya Ann Jackson Chapman, 42, of McMinnville passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at St. Thomas Rutherford. She was born in St. Louis, MO.

She is survived by her children, Shawna Vanatta and Joshua Chapman both of McMinnville, and Melondy Chapman of Dibrell; her parents, Liz Jackson of Centertown and Joe Hurst, Sr. of Fairfax, S.C.; siblings, Joe (Kristen) Hurst, Jr. of Woodbury and Wendy (Albert) Hurst of Soddy Daisy, TN.; nieces and nephew, Kaydenze Summerford, Braiden Hurst, Lina, Erza and Rylee Jo Hurst.
 
She was preceded in death by her sister, Brandy Jo Hurst and grandparents, James & Frances Jackson, Charles & Elouise Hurst.
 
Tanya was a Christian, a homemaker and loved spending time with her family.

Visitation with the family will be from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Kingdom of Jesus Church, 242 County House Rd., Smithville, Tn.  37166 with memorial services to follow at 12:30.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodbury Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Mrs. Betty F. Billings, 87, of McMinnville passed away on July 27, 2020.  She was born in Woodbury, TN on September 12, 1932.  She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” Powell Milligan and Nannie Vandergriff Milligan, also by nine siblings, Milton “Brown” Milligan, Billy Milligan, Jack Milligan, Sammye Tenpenny, Marjorie Lorance, Rachel Hillstrom, Quixie Carroll, Shirley Tate, and Helon Gentry.

She is survived by her son, Jeff (Laura) Billings of Spencer, TN, grandchildren, Bethani (Todd) Haynes of Chattanooga and Trevor (Natosha) Billings of Knoxville, five great grandchildren, Carter Billings, Reese Billings, Layton Haynes, Rivers Haynes and Crew Haynes, brother, Jimmy (Shirley) Milligan of Port Saint John, FL, her most special friend and companion of many years, Bearl Wiley of McMinnville, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Mrs. Betty was a graduate of Woodbury Central High School in the Class of 1950.  She is one of the few remaining members of two special groups, the Milligan Family and “The Greatest Generation”. As a member of these groups she shared the characteristics of both. They put God and family first.  They knew hard times with few material goods but had lots of love to fill in the gaps.  She would think of others first, remained humble and knew how to laugh and brighten your day with her smile. She was truly a caring and giving soul as were her other siblings. They came by it honest.

She owned and operated a community grocery store, Carroll’s Grocery for many years in McMinnville. She loved her customers at the store and would often have family come to visit and spend the afternoon with her.  After selling her store she worked at Super D Drugs in McMinnville for many years too. She was a loving mother to her son, Jeff and loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren just as much.  She was a member of West Riverside Church of Christ.  She and Bearl attended together and were devoted friends and companions.

Due to the continued threat of COVID-19 the family will hold a graveside service at Leoni Cemetery on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 2 pm.  They ask all who attend to please wear a mask.  Share thoughts, memories and condolences at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Khadija Sousen Mingle, 37, passed away Friday, June 24, 2020 at her home in Franklin, KY. following her battle with cancer.  She was born in Morocco, Africa. 

She is survived by her parents, Rahma Mingle of Woodbury and the late Carol Wayne Mingle; her children, Josh Brahim Mingle and Khaliyah Stanback both of Woodbury; siblings, Nora Sousen of France, Rahma Sousen of Morocco, Tammy Myer of WA., and Mike Mingle of CA.

Khadija was a member of the Plainview Baptist church and was a former employee of Nissan where she worked in shipping and receiving.  She was a wonderful artist but most of all she was a loving daughter and mother.

Graveside Services will be 2 pm Mon., July 27, 2020 at Riverside Gardens Cemetery with Bro. Al Bugg, Jr. officiating.  

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

Fay Jernigan Francis, 85, passed away at her home Thursday, July 23, 2020 at her home.  She born in Cannon Co.

She is survived by her sons, Mike (Carol) Francis and Tony (Sharon) Francis all of Woodbury; grandchildren, Kasondra (Will) Vaughn and Felicia (Cody) Brown and great grandchildren, Gracie Lynn and Macie Rae Hancock and Colt Vaughn.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Manley and Myrtle Todd Jernigan; her husband, Claymon “Buck” Francis; grandson, Clay Francis and 4 siblings.
 
Ms. Fay was a member of Centerhill Baptist church.  She was a homemaker, farmer and a seamstress at Colonial Shirt Factory.  She enjoyed quilting and fishing with her husband, Buck.
 
Funeral Services will be 2 pm Sunday, July 26, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday, July 25, 2020. 

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

Lemuel Dwaine Prater, 76, passed away at his home July 15, 2020.  He lived in Woodbury and was born in Fl.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Reba Young Prater of Woodbury; children, Connie Caldwell Rigsby and her husband, Greg Rigsby of Hendersonville; Ricky Caldwell of Woodbury; grandchildren, Melissa Lutrell, Candise (Will) Hendricks, Trevor (Emily) Rigsby and Lawanna Holloway; great grandchildren, Makenna Lutrell, Maguire Lutrell, Maci Caldwell, Charlotte Hendricks, Fiona Hendricks, Cora Jo Rigsby, Madelynne Bogle and Samuel Holloway; siblings, Dale (Alice) Prater of Woodbury and Jerry (Joyce) Prater of Manchester.
 
The family would like to acknowledge special family and friends that were close to Dwaine, Maria and Rick Parsley, Kevin Lutrell and Denise Whitlock.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Prater and Ona Pitts Prater and siblings, Lavada Duggin, Kathy Crouch and Lanny Prater.
 
A loved member of the Woodbury Central Class of 1962, Dwaine was a veteran of the United States Marines and served in Vietnam.  He retired from Bridgestone where he was head of safety and security.  He enjoyed woodworking and raising miniature horses but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren as they were his life.
 
Graveside Services will be 10:30 am, Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Leoni Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Gilley officiating.  A private family visitation will be held.
 

Star Melody Blair, age 65, of Lebanon passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.  She was a native of Houston, TX.

Survivors include her husband, Larry Ricky Blair of Lebanon; Father, Gay Inright; Children, Melody McReynolds, Holly, & Jimmy; Brother, John Inright; Sister, Helen; and 18 Grandchildren also survive.

She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and a seamstress.

Graveside Services will be at 10 AM Friday, July 17, 2020 at Amity Cemetery.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net