Obituaries

Mr. Lindsay Gene “Lee” Powers, 38, of Woodbury passed away on July 11, 2020.  He was born in Nashville, TN on June 29, 1982.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Jean (Mason) Powers, aunts and uncles, Mary Honaker, Barbara Hood, Mike Waldrep, and Delton Waldrep.

He is survived by his father, James “Jimmy” (Lisa Davenport) Powers of Woodbury, his loving daughter and her mother, Lindsay Victoria Powers and Leslie McGregor both of Woodbury, his mom, Nina Winfrey of Cullman, AL, sister, Kasie Powers of Murfreesboro, aunts and uncles, Jeff Mason of Lebanon, Richard Keefus, John Powers, Jeff Powers, Dolly Powers Brewer, Ted Powers all of Hohenwald, Yvonne Peak of Nashville, Leacel Waldrep, Theo Waldrep, Remona Adkins all of Alabama, and by his best friend, Leo Lopez of Murfreesboro.

He was born in Nashville and later moved to Murfreesboro and then to Woodbury.  He lost his mother in a tragic accident when he was a small child.  He was raised in the homes of his father and mom, Nina from that point forward.  He and his father were close.  Growing up he wasn’t fond of his name Lindsay. Many of his family and friends called him Lee. This all changed after his daughter was born and she was named after him. She was his special little Lindsay. He was fun loving and could be silly. He started riding dirt bikes at an early age and could pop a wheelie in a second.  He loved motocross.  When he wasn’t riding, he liked working on them and other small engines. Anything to get greasy. He also enjoyed working on computers as a hobby. He liked his music loud with a bumping base rhythm.

The family is holding a visitation on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 11-1 pm Calvary Chapel of Murfreesboro, 229 River Rock Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN and a service in his memory at 1 pm. Lee Soloman will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Suicide Prevention Life Line.  Share memories and condolences with them at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Mr. Bradley James “BJ” Durham, 30, of Readyville passed away on July 11, 2020.  He was born on November 2, 1989 in Murfreesboro, TN.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Calvin and Betty Durham and Harris and Barbara Smith and by a brother, Chad Durham.

He is survived by his parents, Randy and Jeannie Smith Durham, daughter, Stella Louise Durham, sister, Kelly (Eric) Futral, nephews, Hunter and Jesse Futral, all of Readyville, special friend, Hope Lynch, and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Family and friends called him BJ.  He was a fun loving and plain-spoken person.  He loved his music loud and his cars fast.  He loved muscle cars, racing, and 4-wheelers. It was said he was a “dare devil, who had a need for speed.” He liked many types of sports teams including the Vols, Titans and Chicago Bulls.  He worked with his parents most of the last 17 years in their restaurant, Lions Den Pizza.  As much as he loved all the other things, his one true love was his daughter, Stella.  He called her Daddy’s Princess.  He loved bouncing on the trampoline with her, going on adventures in the woods, showing her how to ride a 4-wheeler, and taking her to pet the neighbor’s horses.  He spent as much time as he could with her.  He was baptized in the Baptist church when he was young and liked attending Plainview Baptist Church. 

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Friday, July 17, 2020 from 4-8 pm.  Funeral services will be Saturday, July 18, 2020 in the Smith Funeral Home chapel at 2 pm.  Jonathan Womack will officiate.  Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Mina Belle Brandon Lewis, 89, of Readyville passed away Tues., July 14, 2020 at Woodbury Health and Rehab.  She was a native of Cannon Co. 

She is survived by her sons, Mark Edward Lewis and his wife, Brenda Lewis of Woodbury and Roger Brandon Lewis and his wife, Norma Nichols Lewis of Woodbury; grandsons:  Jared (Candace) Lewis of Woodbury, Matthew Brandon (Elizabeth) Lewis of Knoxville and Daniel Youree Lewis of Nashville; father of her sons, Edward J. Lewis of Murfreesboro. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucious Lamar Brandon and Effie Gaither Brandon; siblings, Joe Lamar Brandon, Ralph Elam Brandon, Rhea Reed and Pearl Markum.

Ms. Lewis was a member of the Burt Baptist church and was a homemaker. She was also a caregiver for many of the elderly. Ms. Lewis graduated from MTSU in the early 1960’s with her bachelor’s degree while attending with her sons. She loved the Lord, gardening and making quilts.

Visitation with the family will be from 10 am until 1:30 pm Friday, July 17, 2020 at Woodbury Funeral Home with graveside services to follow at Curlee Cemetery beginning at 2 pm.  

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

Billy Joe Haley, 81, of Woodbury passed away Sun., July 12, 2020 at his home. He was a native of Cannon Co.

He is survived by his children:  Timmy Haley of Nashville, Roy Haley, Patty Speckner, Angela (Thomas) Mathis all of Woodbury, Adam (Stephanie) Haley of Crossville and Chad (Tiffany) Haley of McMinnville; grandchildren:  Lori Harris, Bret Markum, Cole and Sky Haley, Ashley Patterson, Brittany Rhoady, Cody Church, Anthony Rutledge, Aaron Brewer, Tequila Lawson, Kayla Abbott, Sydney Burnett, Savannah Peters, Hunter Haley, William Alex Haley and Kaleb Haley; sisters,  Joyce Earls of CO. and Martha Haley of MI. 15 Great Grandchildren also survive.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Hill Haley and Gertie Gann Haley; wife, Flesha Campbell Haley; son, Steven Haley, grandchildren, Dalton Wayne Haley and Madelynn Rose Haley.
 
Mr. Haley was of the Baptist faith and was a veteran of the United States Army.  He was a mechanic, loved fishing and road trips.  He also enjoyed watching westerns and was a master junker.
 
Funeral Services will be 1 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Leoni Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 10 am to 6 pm Tues., 07/14/20 and Wed., from 10 am until 1 pm. 

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

Hazel Kathleen May Gartman, age 101, of Woodbury passed away Friday, July 10, 2020 at her home.  She was a native of Lamar Co., Alabama.

Survivors include her daughters, Carol (Mike) Reed of Woodbury and Victoria (Larry) Moses of South Carolina; Grandchildren, Alisha Day, William Barton Bryant, Ryan Lee Reed, Hayley Rooker, Christie Coleman, John Moses, & Wesley Moses.  10 Great Grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Gartman; parents,  Oliver & Edna Pearl Caldwell May; and granddaughter, Lucinda Eaton.

She was a member of the Woodbury Seventh Day Adventist Church, a Dietician, and a housewife.  Ms. Gartman was an avid gardener, loved to bird watch, a talented woodworker, and enjoyed cooking at the Indian Creek Camp on Center Hill Lake.

Graveside Services will be 2 PM Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Riverside Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Dennis Clark officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Indian Creek Camp at Center Hill Lake.

For the safety of the family and the public, the family requests that everyone attending the services, please wear a face mask and social distance following COVID guidelines.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Helen Marie Davis Fults, 73, passed away Tues., July 7, 2020 at St. Thomas Hospital Rutherford.  She was a resident of Murfreesboro and a native of Cannon Co.

She is survived by her children, Vanessa Hoover, Eula Davis and Tonya Davis all of Murfreesboro and Anthony Davis of Bell Buckle; stepdaughter, Pam Mathis of Murfreesboro; siblings, Janice Barrett of Manchester, Rosie Mathis, Jimmy Mathis, Pete Mathis and Mikey Mathis all of Murfreesboro and George Mathis of Shelbyville. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Mathis and Alta Murphy; husband, Lonnie B. Davis; stepson, Michael Davis; grandsons, Brandon Byrd and Eric Davis.

Ms. Fults was a member of the Experience Community church in Murfreesboro and was a homemaker.  She was resourceful and could make something big out of nothing for her family.  She was a wonderful cook, good at everything she set her mind to, loved her family and the Lord.  

Funeral Services will be 11 am Saturday, July 11, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Harrison officiating.  Visitation with the family will be Friday, July 10, 2020 from 2 pm until 8 pm.

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

Andrea Paige Damron, 29, passed away Tues., July 7, 2020 at Alive Hospice in Nashville.  She was a native of Davidson Co., TN.

She is survived by her mother, Harrette Grayson Damron of LaVergne; father, Jeff Damron of LaVergne; son, King Damron of LaVergne; sisters, Brittany (Jessi) Rublee of Tri Cities, WA. and Ashley Shepherd of Lebanon; grandmother, Elouise Mayo of LaVergne; niece and nephew, Kierstin, MaKayla, Halen and Piper.  She is also survived by several other extended family members and close friends.  

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert Grayson, JoAnn and Buddy Cunningham.

Andrea was a former Corrections officer at Cannon Co. Sheriffs Dept.  She loved to write, sing, play video games, hike and swim but most of all she loved being a mama to her son, King and spending time with her mama, Harrette. 

Visitation with her family will be from 5 pm until 8 pm, Fri., July 10, 2020 

For those wishing to do so, in lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Woodbury Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St. Woodbury, Tn.  37190, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net.

Avery Jackson Tucker, age 80, of Woodbury passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020 at St. Thomas Stones River Hospital E/R.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

Survivors include his daughter, Michella Tucker; Sisters, Pat Fann of Woodbury & Faye Elam of Murfreesboro; SIsters-in-law, Darlene Tucker & Mickie Tucker, both of Woodbury; brother-in-law, Richard Grissom and Special Friend, Linda Sissom.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam & Odie Sissom Tucker; Son, Michael Tucker; Siblings, Edward Tucker, Kenneth Tucker, Milan Tucker, Sharon Tucker, & Regenia Grissom; Brother-in-law, Fred Fann, Sr.; and Sister-in-law, Dot Tucker.

Mr. Tucker was a dozer & heavy equipment operator.  He loved to spend his time gardening.

“Although Avery was raised on a row crop and dairy farm, he didn’t care for milking or feeding hogs, etc.  Anything with a motor was fine.  He enjoyed helping his brothers run a mobile feed mill but what caught his attention was Daddy operating a bull dozier and heavy equipment.  Avery worked for other construction people, had his own business, including a dump truck that he and Kenneth hauled gravel and topsoil on.  Rheumatoid arthritis took hold of him as it had Daddy at an early age rendering him unable to work for a while but with medicines, rubs, etc he improved to the point that when a friend needed his expertise on a bulldozer he said, “I probably won’t hurt much worse there than in a rocking chair.”  So he crawled on and went to work.  He worked part time helping people with their clearing land, etc.  A heartwarming story that comes to mind is, He was working for a good friend and farmer clearing land for farming.  The land joined a farm owned by a Mennonite family with young children and they would line up at the fence and watch Avery work on that big yellow machine.  He took up with them and asked their Momma if he could bring them some candy.  She approved and he took them a bag of goodies every week.  They would look forward to seeing the “Candy Man”. This went on even longer than the job (which was his last) in 2019.  They moved away to be closer to family and it really made Avery sad.” – written by his sister, Pat

Graveside Services will be at 11 AM Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Midway Cemetery with Bro. Norman Pelham & Bro. Ronnie Hall officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will include, Fred Fann, Jr., Glenn Fann, Greg Grissom, Ken Tucker, Dustin Ward, & Justin Ward.

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

Martha Jean Smithson Melton, age 78, of Murfreesboro passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 at NHC of Murfreesboro.  She was a native of Gassaway, Cannon Co.

Survivors include her children, Susan (Albert) Donnell of Auburntown, Sandra (Mark) Stiles of Dayton, & Rex Melton of Woodbury; Grandchildren, Abby Stiles of Dayton & Lexie Melton of McMinnville; Brother, Danny (Louise) Smithson of Chattanooga; and Brother-in-law, Ray (Jean) Melton of Thompson Station.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe B. Melton; Son, Joey Wayne Melton; Parents, Clarence & Thene Nokes Smithson; and Sister, Thelma Crosslin.

Ms. Melton was a member of the Gassaway church of Christ and was a seamstress. 

Martha Jean faced many challenges during her lifetime, but those challenges did not prevent her from living a remarkable life.   She was an inspiration to so many because she welcomed every day with a smile on her face.  She was a woman of grace and elegance whose joy arose from all she gave to others.   

Private Family Funeral Services will be 2 PM Wednesday, July 8, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Robison officiating. Interment will be held at Sycamore Cemetery immediately following. Visitation with the family will be from 10 AM until time of service Wednesday.

Family will serve as pallbearers.  Her NHC Family will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jean Melton to NHC Murfreesboro c/o Lynn Foster, 420 N. University St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

For the safety of the family and the public, the family requests that everyone attending the services please wear a face mask and social distance following COVID guidelines.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Jackie Dean Gunter died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 2 in Woodbury, TN at the age of 81.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Faye Foster Gunter, son Phillip Gunter; daughters, Sherry (Greg) Cotten, and Ginger (Mike) Ruehlen: Grandchildren, Bo (Amy) Bush, Michael Chapman, Cody Ruehlen, Rudy (Kayla) Cotten, Greg (Lauren) Cotten and Justin (Brandi) Cotten; Great Grandchildren, Kelly, Macie, Trinity, and Taylor Bush. He was preceded in death by his father Lemuel Gunter and his mother, Gay Sullins Gunter.

Jackie was an avid fisherman and loved fishing in the local bass club tournaments for many years. The last several years he has fished the Saturday morning bass tournament at Cotten’s Marina in Rock Island, TN. He loved watching most all sports, especially the Atlanta Braves and the University of Tennessee Volunteers basketball and football teams.

He was a member of the Elkins Church of Christ. Jackie retired from Rudy’s Farm Sausage with 30 years and from Pillsbury with 10 years. He loved the work that he did at both these companies and treasured the many friendships that he made at both places.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 5, 2020 from 10 until 2 and Graveside services will follow at Fugitt cemetery with Bro. Herb Alsup officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to charity of your choice.

Pallbearers Bo Bush, Michael Chapman, Cody Ruehlen, Rudy Cotton, Greg Cotton, and Justin Cotton, Honorary pallbearers Kelly Bush and Macie Bush