Obituaries

Mrs. Wanda Kay Murphy Mathis, 62, of Woodbury passed away on June 27, 2020 in Nashville, TN. She was born on February 13, 1958 in Woodbury, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifton White Murphy and Helen Louise Hall Murphy, husband, Billy Joe Mathis, and brothers, Ricky Murphy, Ray Murphy, and Troy Murphy.

She is survived by a daughter, Mandy Jo Edwards of Woodbury, step-daughter, Betty (Mitchell) Sanders of Woodbury, sister, Teresa (Jim) Parker of Watertown, sisters-in-law, Ruth Murphy, Kathy Murphy, Ruby Mathis and Alice Davis all of Woodbury, grandson, Will Braxton Edwards, step-grandson, Ryan Sanders, special niece, Beth Murphy, and many other nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Mathis came from a family who knew how to work and worked hard their whole lives.  Over the years she worked doing lots of different things. She worked in the shirt factory, fruit stand, and day care.  Two of her favorite jobs were working side by side with her husband Billy Joe at Higgins Livestock and Asphlundh Tree Service. It was a little different, but it was another way they could be together.  They were married over 27 years. Family was very important to her. She loved her grandson, Will. She also loved to take trips to Gatlinburg with her family. When she was there, she liked to sample the different kinds of moonshine being made. Her family knew if she was going out to eat it would be either Kentucky Fried Chicken or Captain D’s. She was known to be strong willed and had a little stubborn streak. She also knew how to be the life of the party and have fun. Early in life she was baptized into the Baptist Church. 

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, July 5, 2020 from 10-2 pm.  Memorial services will follow in the Smith Funeral Home chapel. Greg Mitchell will officiate. She will be laid to rest with her parents in the Jennings Cemetery in Statesville. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in her memory. Support the family with condolences and memories at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Normagine Root “Jean” Haley, 94, of Woodbury, TN went home to our Heavenly Father unexpectedly on June 26^th, 2020.

Born in New Hope, AL, this loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is survived by her sister Polly Campbell, sons Richard Haley & wife Peggy, Jim Haley & wife Ginny, Dwight Haley & wife Karen and Larry Haley & wife Lisa. Also survived by her grandchildren Michelle Dodson, John Haley and Reed Haley and preceded in death by Jimmy Haley and Isaac Haley. Several great grandchildren also brought her much joy. She was also preceded in death by her parents George & Margaret Root and husband Grady C. Haley.

A member of Woodbury United Methodist, this amazing woman grew up in her parent’s general store in Readyville, TN. Living through the Great Depression, World War II, the advent of jet flight, and the first man on the moon, she spent her later years as a rural Postal Carrier in Woodbury until she was required to retire at age 70. A cancer survivor for 30+ years, she met every day with a smile and a great attitude finding the positive in everything saying “I don’t have problems, only annoyances”. Anyone that met her for the first time remembered her smile and zest for life. Nothing brought her more joy than time with family and they will miss her dearly.

Graveside services will be 2 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at Ivy Bluff Cemetery with Rev. David  Lilley officiating.  Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family please visit  www.woodburyfuneralhome.net.

Ray Dave Cawthon, 78, of Readyville passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Billie Jean Sanders Cawthon, daughters, Sarah Alexander and Regina (Danny) Mullins; Grandchildren, Michael (Taylor) Alexander, Amanda Alexander, Jesse (Emily) Alexander, Ben (Kaitlyn) Alexander, Derrick (Brandy) Mullins, Dustin (Paula) Mullins, Tabitha (D.W) York and Stephanie Mullins; Great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Conner, Ethan, Ty, Maverick, Mila Alexander, and Bradyn and Raylynn Mullins, nephew and best friend Butch Gillespie. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Ray was the son of the late Jesse and Florence Knox Cawthon and was also preceded in death by his sisters, Ruth Cawthon Paschal, Jewel Cawthon Gillespie, Doris Cawthon Lynch, and Mattie Sue Cawthon Gillespie. 

He was a member of New Hope Church of Christ . Ray was a farmer and retired from Wegmann Automotive (Perfect Equipment) with 50 years of service.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Ralph Richardson and Bro. Howard Knox officiating with burial following at Thyatira Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 2 pm until 8 pm.

Donations can be made to Short Mountain Bible Camp, Thyatira Cemetery or New Hope Church of Christ.

Kenneth O. Tucker, age 84, of Bradyville TN, went to be with the Lord on 21st day of June 2020.  A native of Cannon County, TN, he was the son of the late Samuel and Odie Sissom Tucker. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Sharon Tucker and Regenia Grissom; brothers, Edward Tucker and Milan Tucker; sister-in-law, Dorothy Tucker; brother-in-law, Fred Fann Sr. and nephew, Michael Tucker.

A graveside service will be held Thursday June 25, at Midway Cemetery in Bradyville, TN at 2:00 PM brother Norman Pelham will officiate.

He is survived by son, Ken Tucker, his wife Brittany, grandsons, Grayson and Sawyer of Woodbury, TN; stepdaughter, Kellie Walia and her husband Henry, granddaughters, Ashlyn, Autumn, Aasha, Saylor, and Shyla of Sacramento, CA; last wife Mickie Tucker of Woodbury; sisters, Pat Fann of Woodbury, and Faye Elam of Murfreesboro; brother Avery Tucker of Bradyville; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and close friends.

Kenneth grew up on the family farm in Cannon County, where he always enjoyed saying he had done more work than 5 men.  He was truly a jack of all trades; from plowing fields, mobile feed crushing business, working at the rock crusher, running road grader, paving asphalt, spreading lime, making bags at Bemis Packaging (where he had 15 years perfect attendance), and in later years hauling cattle.  If you saw Kenneth, he was speeding down the road in an orange Ford truck, anything else to him was an off brand. Most may remember his funny sense of humor and his many sayings. He loved life, he loved horses, and loved his family but the thing he loved most in the world was his grandchildren.

Greg Grissom, Glenn Fann, Fred Fann Jr, Donald Alderson, Eugene Baxter, and Wayne Mullins will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Tucker can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Harry Lee Barnes died at his farm on Sunday, June 21, 2020. He was born in Warren County, Tennessee to C.D. and Lucille Barnes on April 14, 1947. He graduated from Centertown High School Class of 1965. Services will be held at 10:00 am at Leoni Church of Christ on Tuesday June 23, 2020. Burial will follow in the Leoni Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 PM to 8 PM Monday, June 22, 2020 at Woodbury Funeral Home. 

He is survived by wife, Janet; daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Jeremy Judkins, Valerie and Michael Bush, and Stephanie Fann. His grandchildren are Jared Judkins, Blake Bush, Abbie Judkins, Jenna Bush, Jake Fann, Kendra Fann, Ty Fann, and Braden Fann.

Also surviving are brother, Jimmy and Paula Barnes; sisters, Joyce Faye Barnes, Vickie and Michael Bouldin; his brother-in-law, Jonathan Lines; and numerous special nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces.

Harry was proceeded in death by his parents, C.D. and Lucille Barnes; brother, Carl Barnes; mother and father-in-law, Marshall and Wauline Duggin; and sister-in-law, Bette Lines.

Harry was known for his love of his family, Leoni Church of Christ family, the Tennessee Vols and the Atlanta Braves.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Barnes can be made to the Leoni Church of Christ Missionary Fund or Seek the Old Paths.

To plant a tree in memory of Harry Lee Barnes, please visit our tribute store.

Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Florence Elaine Howell, age 73, a McMinnville, TN resident and Short Mountain, TN native, was born July 15, 1946 and passed June 18, 2020 at home following an extended illness.

She was retired from NHC of McMinnville, a member of Short Mountain Old Methodist Church, and the daughter of the late, Howard Daniel and Naomi “Dude” Jewell Motley Howell. She was also preceded in death by brother, Michael Daniel Howell and son-in-law, Dean McMillen.

Ms. Howell is survived by four children, Tamela McMillen, JerryLee (Kymberly) Certain, Brent Hayes, and Amanda (Brandon) Stalcup all of McMinnville; she was a proud and loving nana to twenty grandkids and twenty three great-grandkids; sister, Cynthia Anne Howell; brother, Timothy Rowan (Virginia) Howell; two nieces; one great-niece and three great-nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2020 in High’s Chapel with Faye Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in Whorton Springs Cemetery in Smithville, TN. Visitation will be Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Peggie Lois Driver Grandstaff McClain, age 71 of Woodbury, TN passed away Thursday afternoon, June 18, 2020 at her residence.

Mrs. Peggie was born on June 22, 1948 to her parents, the late Gene & Rosie Arnold Driver. Her husband, Cecil McClain also precedes her in death along with a sister, Doris Driver. She worked for Hartman Luggage & was a Cafeteria worker at Centertown Elementary School. She loved camping in the outdoors and fishing.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 1pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Nick Pelham will officiate and burial will follow at Viola Cemetery in Warren County. Visitation with the family will be on Friday from 2-8pm & again on Saturday from 10am until the service time at 1pm. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed.

Survivors include her son, Marcus (Dianna) Grandstaff of Woodbury, TN. 3 Grandchildren, Dakota Grandstaff, Tyler Grandstaff & Zaxton Grandstaff all of Woodbury, TN. 3 Step Children, Shirley Tomlin-Butler, Kent McClain & Danny McClain. 5 Step Grandchildren, Tabitha Medley, Tiffanie Tomlin, Jennifer Tomlin-Botbyl, Lauren McClain & Julie Tomlin. 1 Brother, Robert Driver of McMinnville, TN. 3 Sisters, Pat Pelham of McMinnville, TN, Jewell Kirby of Smithville, TN & Debbie Scurlock of Smithville, TN.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in charge or arrangements.

Gerald Allen “Joe Joe” McCandless, 28, of Woodbury passed away on June 17, 2020. He was born on December 21, 1990 in Evansville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Dude McCandless and George Altheide, step-grandfather, Bob Newcom, and by an uncle, Troy McCandless.

He is survived by his parents, Joe McCandless and Pamela Altheide McCandless of Readyville, long-time girlfriend, Heather Johnson of Readyville, daughters, Madison Johnson, Ellie Mae McCandless, and Harper McCandless, grandmothers, Judy Newcom of Marion, KY and Patricia (Tom) Hauck of Newburg, IN, brother, Michael (Carol) Miller of Readyville, sister, Karly (Trenton Seal) McCandless of Readyville, nephews, Braxton Miller and Branson Miller, a host of other family in Marion, KY and Evansville, IN, many friends, and by loving and concerned neighbors in the Porterfield and Readyville communities. 

Family and friends all called him, “Joe Joe” after his dad’s nickname, “Cadillac Joe”. He graduated from Westside Elementary and CCHS in the Class of 2009. During high school he played football until he hurt his knee to bad to play anymore.  He and his family were very patriotic.  They loved the United States.  After high school he joined the U. S. Marines. He had a big and loud personality. When he came into a room you would know it right away. He had a big heart and would give you the shirt off his back.  He had a knack for knowing what to say to cheer you up if you were down. He liked doing mechanic work and worked construction building sheds more recently.

He loved his girls and liked to do anything they wanted. He would often take Ellie Mae on coon hunting adventures.  He liked to take them riding. They would tell him to go fast and do doughnuts, until Heather found out, anyway.  He liked riding 4-wheelers, fishing, kayaking, and just being outdoors.  Family described him as a go getter and a little stick of dynamite. 

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 11-1 pm. Funeral services will follow in the Smith Funeral Home chapel. Jay Johnson will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.  Due to his untimely passing and leaving three small girls, memorials donations are requested in lieu of flowers to assist with expenses. Share memories and condolences at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Read Less

Jacob Bradley Watts, 16, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  He was born in Davidson Co. to his parents, Thomas Watts (Jennifer Smitty) of Woodbury and Jennifer Bugg Watts (Dwayne Taylor) of Murfreesboro.  In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Sidney Watts of Murfreesboro; grandparents, Bud & Vicky Watts of Woodbury and Barbara Anderson of Manchester; aunt and uncle, Lori Watts of Woodbury and Jason (Heather) Anderson of Watertown and his cousins, Justin Watts, Anna Lee, Trent Ricketts, Zeth Locklear, Julianna and Tessa Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Bradley Bugg.

Jacob was a member of Mt. Herman Baptist church and recently completed his sophomore year at Cannon Co. High School.  He loved all genres of music, history and anything that involved being outdoors including kayaking and motorsports.

Funeral Services will be 2 pm Fri., June 19, 2020 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Jerry Howard officiating.  Interment will follow Odom Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 pm until 8 pm., Thursday, June 18, 2020.  Pallbearers, Thomas Watts, Trent Ricketts, Jason Anderson, Robert Finch, Justin Watts and Anna Lee.

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