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SARA L. TILSON, 67, homemaker, died of heart failure Thursday at Baptist Memorial Hospital East. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Grace Evangelical Church, where she was a member, with burial in Memory Hill Gardens. Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel has charge. Mrs. Tilson, the wife of William F. Tilson, also leaves a daughter, Carol T. Luhm of Germantown; three sons, Billy D. Tilson of Memphis, Mark L. Tilson of Cordova and Paul L. Tilson of Atoka; a sister, Agnes Irby of Collierville, and 10 grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Grace Evangelical Church.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
VIRGIL C. VERNON, 85, of West Memphis, retired printer for Evening Times and Crittenden Publishing, died of cancer Thursday at his home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis with burial in Memphis Memory Gardens. He was a member of Kirby Woods Baptist Church. Mr. Vernon, the husband of Frances Vernon, also leaves three daughters, Betty Ellis of Alexandria, Va., Rachel French of Marion, Ark., and Rebecca Vernon of West Memphis, and five grandchildren.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
ROBERT J. WALKER, 46, of Millington, carpenter for Libertyland and Mid-South Fairgrounds, died Wednesday in Memphis. Cause of death has not been determined pending an autopsy. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Northridge/Woodhaven Chapel with burial in Northridge/Woodhaven cemetery. Mr. Walker, the husband of Cindy Walker for 17 years, also leaves a daughter, Elizabeth Walker of Millington; his parents, Mel and Myrtle Walker of Lucy and four brothers, David Walker and Steven Walker, both of Memphis, Stan Walker of Germantown and Danny Walker of Lucy.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
JOE WILLIAMS, 95, of Memphis, died of heart failure Thursday at Memphis Veterans Medical Center. M. J. Edwards & Sons Funeral Home has charge. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Marion and an Army veteran. Mr. Williams, the widower of Minnie Lee Williams, leaves eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
NYETHA BARTON WILLIAMS, 43, of Syracuse, N.Y., formerly of Memphis, employee of Birchwood Hospital, died of cardiac arrest Wednesday at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at N. J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home with burial in New Park cemetery. She was a member of Tucker's Baptist Church. Mrs. Williams, the wife of Peter Williams, also leaves a daughter, Samantha Williams, and four sons, Charles Williams, LeVar Barton, Thomas Newman and Tyson Williams, all of Syracuse; a sister, Carliess Gail Richard of Memphis; four brothers, Walter Richard of Syracuse, Theodore Richard and T.C. Richard, both of Rossville, Tenn., and Emmitt Ragland of Memphis, and eight grandchildren.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
JERRY S. WOTEN JR., 52, of Hardy, Ark., formerly of Memphis, died of heart failure Thursday at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Forest Hill Funeral Home East with burial in Forest Hill cemetery East. He was a Vietnam Army veteran. He leaves a son, Jerry W. Woten of Olive Branch, Miss.; his parents, Topsy Tucker of Memphis and Jerry S. Woten of Batesville, Miss.; a sister, Phyllis Heimert of Cordova; two brothers, Johnny Tucker of Atlanta and Terry Tucker of Bartlett, and four grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Disabled American Veterans.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
MARY J. WRIGHT, 88, of 3160 Hilda Road, homemaker, died of heart failure Thursday at Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville. M. J. Edwards & Sons Funeral Home has charge. She leaves two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.
[Obit dated Friday, Nov. 26, 1999]
JAMES MURIES SMITH, 71, passed on Thursday, October 11, 2001.
He was a most unforgettable coach and teacher. He served in Korea with the U.S. Army.
He attended Tennessee State University where he received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Biology.
After graduation, he worked with the United States Postal Services in Nashville, Tennessee. His earliest appointment in education as The Montgomery County Schools in Clarksville, Tennessee as a Physical Eduction Teacher and Head Track and Field Coach and Basketball Coach at Burt High School and Cobb Elementary. Moving to Memphis, he taught at Manassas High School and served as Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach, and the Memphis Park Commission.
After retiring from Memphis City Schools, "Coach Cook" shared his talents at LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee. He worked with the National Youth Sports Program and served as Assistant Track Coach, Head Volleyball Coach, Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, Sport Information Director and Women's Basketball Coach.
These affiliations warrant mention: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated; United Teaching Profession, TSSAA Coaching Association, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Black College Sports Information Director's Association, 1996 Olympics.
Accolades include City Track Team Champions Coach, TSSAA Hall of Fame, Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, 1996 Olympics (Atlanta) Judge Sports Information Director and Manager of Venue, TSSAA District Track Team Champions Coach, Track Coach of the Year, Indoor Track Coach of the Year, Nominated for National Coach of the Year and Special Congressional Recognition.
He held membership at Ardmore Terrace Baptist Church, serving with the Finance Committee, Tennessee State Alumni Association, Booker T. Washington Alumni (Class '51), The American Legion and University Lane Improvement Association.
The memory of Eddie Cook will remain forever cherished in the lives of a son, William "Tip" O. Cook of Carbondale, Illinois, a daughter, LaRuth Everoleta Cook of Memphis, Tennessee, brothers: R.C. Pickens (Diane) of Marion, Ohio, Curtis Pickens (Mary) of Kankakee, Illinois and Anthonyh Tyrone Cole (Carolyn) of Memphis, Tennessee, cousin/sister, Rose Broadwater (Richard) of St. Louis, Missouri, niece/daughter, Ann Thurman, cousin/daughter, Karon White, cousin/daughter, Michelle Harris, Emma Boston, Kansas City, Missouri, William Hines, (Irene) Chicago, Illinois, two sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, four grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family requests that any memorials be sent to Manassas High School Scholarship Fund, 781 Firestone Blvd, Memphis, Tennessee 38107.
Visitation Wed. 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. Middle Baptist Church in Whitehaven, 801 Whitehaven Lane. Remains will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Thursday. Funeral commencing at 11:00 A.M.
Rev. Millard W. Baggett, 97, died October 14, 2001. Born in Leesville, LA on December 10, 1903, he was the eldest son of Thomas and Mary Gheen Baggett.
He was educated in schools in Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas, graduating from Centenary College in Shreveport, LA in 1927, followed by graduate courses at Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX.
Following retirement after a lifetime as a minister in Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in a five state area of the south, Rev. Baggett moved to Memphis in 1969.
He was preceded by his wife of 68 years the former Maurine Adele Bently of Mansfield, LA and a younger brother and sister Vernie and Estella Baggett.
He is survived by his son Frank and his wife Norrine of Shreveport, LA; daughter Anne Marie Woodward and her husband Don of Southaven, MS; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at Kingsway Christian Church with interment in Memorial Park cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
The family requests that any memorials be sent to Kingsway Christian Church.
James C. Henry of Memphis died October 11, 2001 at Methodist Central. He was a veteran and retired employee of the Kroger Company. He was a bible student of Jehovah Witness. Mr. Henry always had a smile and a lively joke. Mr. Henry leaves to morn his passing, a devoted wife Catherine Henry, 6 daughters Margaret (Johnny) Lawson, Mildred Henry of Memphis, Marviaette ( Robert) Sims of Palmsdale, CA, Cheryl (Tony) Brown of Stone Mountain, GA, Jacqueline Henry of Bellflower, CA and Brenda (Lake) Stith of San Antonio, TX, three sons Julian Hill Henry, Michael (Simone) Harrell of Memphis and Maurice Henry of Albany, GA. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Memorial services will be Wednesday 11:00 AM. at S. W. Qualls Funeral home and visitation is Tuesday at 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
DR. AUDLEY CHRISTIAN SPELLMANN, Chiropractor, 89, of Memphis, died of heart failure Thursday at Methodist Germantown Hospital. Services will be at 2:30 Saturday at Forest Hill South Funeral Home with Rev. Samuel L. Pace officiating. Burial will be in the Spellmann Family cemetery at Smiley, Texas with Lambrecht-Jansen Funeral Home in charge there. Dr. Spellmann, a pioneer in chiropractic, graduated from Texas Chiropractic College in 1939 where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic, and PhC degrees, with post-graduate work at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, began practice in Michigan, and moved his family to Memphis in 1942. He served as president of Shelby County Chiropractic Assn. and the Tennessee Chiropractic Assn., receiving the Chiropractor Of The Year Award. He was a long-time member, Sunday School Superintendent, and Chairman of the Board of Stewards at St. Paul United Methodist Church. He retired in 1998 after a long and successful career. Dr. Spellmann leaves a daughter, Doris Roper of West Memphis, Arkansas, a son, Dr. Leonard C. Spellmann of Durant, Oklahoma, 3 sisters, Elna White and Tommie Bullock of Smiley and Leona Dixon of Austin; 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian Barba Spellmann in 1981 and his daughter Wanda Hollis Hendricks of Durant, OK in 1986. Dr. Spellmann loved his family, his patients and his profession, and was loved by his family, his friends and his patients.
Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society.
J. James (Jim) Bailey, III, died Wednesday, October 10, 2001 in Sevierville, Tennessee. He was 84.
Mr. Bailey joined his father John J. Bailey in the real estate business in 1943. He served as Director of the Tennessee State Association for Real Estate Brokers in 1958. He served on the Memphis Board of Realtors in various capacities and was its president in 1964. He was chairman of its Professional Standards Committee from 1969-1971. In 1973 he was named "Realtor of the Year". He was a member of the Tennessee Real Estate Commission under Governor Winfield Dunn and served as its chairman.
He was a lifelong member of Buntyn Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder.
He leaves: His wife of 65 years, Mary W. Holland Bailey, Son: Dr. Jack Bailey of Sevierville, TN, Daughter: Mary Bailey Armstrong of Gadsden, Alabama, Brother: Robert S. Bailey, Sisters: Mrs. Charlotte Heiburg and Mrs. Helen Sullivan, all of Memphis. He also leaves six (6) grandchildren and nine (9) great-grandchildren.
Graveside service and interment 1 PM Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the family cemetery. Friends may call 11 AM-1 PM Tuesday at the family home. The family requests that any memorials be sent to the Alzheimers Association, East Tennessee Chapter, 600 Henley Street, Suite 50, Knoxville, TN. 37920. Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville, TN, in charge of arrangements.
WILLIE WARD, SR. - A celebration of the life of Mr. Willie Ward, Sr. will be held Saturday. October 13th, 1999 at 1:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church, located at 2849 Broad Avenue. Mr. Ward, a veteran of World War II was 83 years old at the time of death. Willie Ward, Sr. was born on July 19, 1918 in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Willie and Nina Holman Ward. Anyone who knew Willie could testify that he consistently answered his Macedonian call by reaching out and responding to the needs of others, often neglecting his own. One would not find a more giving, compassionate, kind, and gentle person. When he departed this world on October 09, 2001 Willie had indeed made peace with God, and went swiftly to his eternal arms. Willie leaves to celebrate his life a loving and devoted wife, of 59 years, Willie Mae, a daughter o Ann Ward Sanders (Earl), of Birmingham, Alabama, a son Rev. Willie Ward, Jr. (Dorothy), of Memphis, Tennessee. Five grandchildren; Ricky Boyd of Memphis, Tennessee, Kevin Spencer of Burlington, Vermont, Chandra Ward Mosby (William) of Memphis, Tennessee, Austin Bradley (Denise) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Otis Bradley, Jr. (Liquita) of St. Charles, Missouri.
Willie also leaves two surviving siblings: a loving sister Jeanette Coulter (Leo) of Flint, Michigan, a brother Calvin Ward (Lemmie) of Gary, Indiana. He leaves a special sister-in-law Lavelion Hill of South Bend, Indiana and a brother-in-law Lee Grant Williams (Elizabeth) of Memphis, Tennessee. He also leaves to celebrate his life twelve great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter and a host of nieces and nephews. A sister, Lula Ward and two brothers, Duncan Johnson Ward and Bennie Lee Jones, preceded him in death.
Our lives have been permanently and positively affected by his love and kindness. The memory of him will remain in our minds and hearts forever and our love for him is infinite, binding, and eternal. E.H. Ford Mortuary Services has charge.
Dr. James Brent Johnson - A memorial service for Dr. James Brent Johnson will be held at 10am. Oct. 11, 2001, at Trinity Baptist Church. A private family graveside service will be held afterwards at the Tyronza cemetery in Tyronza, Arkansas. Brother Don Wilson, Dr. John McClanahan, and Rev. Lawrence Tucker will conduct the service.
Visitation will be Oct. 10 from 5-7pm. at the Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Chapel.
Mr. Johnson passed away on Oct. 8, 2001 in Memphis. He was born on Dec. 22, 1926 in Monette, Arkansas. He received his BA from Quachita Baptist University and served his country in the Army during WW II.
He served as a Minister of Music and Education in Baptist churches for over 50 years. Near the beginning of his ministry in Tyronza, Arkansas, he married
his wife of over 50 years, Jane Justus Johnson on June 1, 1949. Thereafter he served as a minister in numerous churches including Blytheville, Pine Bluff and Memphis. Over the years he authored many articles and Sunday school lessons for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and the Brotherhood Commission.
Dr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Jane, and two sons and their families: Jim Paul and Wanda and granddaughter Jolie; Joel and Melissa and granddaughters Ruth, Beth and Lara. He is also survived by a large extended family that fondly called him "Uncle B."
He will be remembered for his love of God, life, family, music and friends and for the many ways he touched the lives of countless people through his faith and ministry.
The family requests that memorials be sent to the charity of the giver's choice.
