Obituaries

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

Mr. Edwin “Slim” Smith, 64, of Woodbury passed away unexpectedly on June 27, 2020.  He was born on March 16, 1956 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Edwin Smith and Evelyn Elaine Jarrell Smith, and by a son, C. J. Francis.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Smith of Woodbury, son, Paul Smith of Kentucky, daughter, Amber Wilson of Texas, brothers, Harold Smith of Louisiana and Kenneth Smith of Kentucky, sister, Pam Smith of Kentucky, and by six grandchildren.

He was born into a military family.  His dad served in the Air Force.  He loved his country and decided to join the Army.  While in the Army he was trained how to use a crane. During his time in the Army he was injured. After he was discharged, he went to work on an oil rig running a crane. He was a man of many talents. He could build a house from the ground up. He had a love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. Many people would ask if he was a member of any biker club. He was a devoted Christian and believer in Christ’s teachings and a friend made a patch for him to show people who asked if he belonged to a biker club.  It said, “Riding for Christ”. He was a gentle soul who loved people and critters. His family joked he was the “Critter Whisperer”. He would have his chickens come sit in his lap.  He was thoughtful and loving. He liked to kid and tease family and friends.  He would leave you with a smile or laugh if he could. He and Sandra were childhood sweethearts who reconnected about 10 years ago.  They made their home in Woodbury and it was the happiest time of his life.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from 12-2 pm. Funeral services will follow in the Smith Funeral Home chapel.  Interment will be in Fugitt Cemetery. The U S Army Honor Guard will present funeral honors. Support the family with condolences and memories at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

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.