Dr. Tannye Burnett Rawls - retired college professor
Dr. Tannye Burnett Rawls, 78, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at St. Petersburg's Tyrone Medical Inn. She was a native of Tiptonville, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and a teacher for 40 years.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 29, at the Pasadena Presbyterian Chapel in St. Petersburg.
A memorial service will be held in Tiptonville at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Tiptonville Presbyterian Church. The church pastor, the Rev. Gene Canestrari, will officiate.
Burial will be in Tiptonville City Cemetery beside her parents, Olivia Stirling Burnett and David Burdine Burnett.
Tannye Olivia Burnett was born Oct. 23, 1923, in Tiptonville to the late Olivia Stirling Burnett and David Burdine "D.B." Burnett.
She was a stellar forward on the Tiptonville High School girls' basketball team. She was salutatorian of the 1941 THS class.
She received an Associate of Arts degree at Stephens College, Columbia, Mo., where she later taught. She graduated with honors from Iowa University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Physical Education. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She later received a Master's degree from the University of North Carolina while she was completing a Teaching Fellowship in Education. She received her Doctorate degree from Nova University in Florida in 1966.
Besides teaching at Stephens College she taught at the University of Virginia Women's Division, University of Florida, University of Auburn, and St. Petersburg Junior College.
While married to Charles K. Rawls, she taught science at Tiptonville High School, receiving the Tennessee Science Distinguished Teachers Award. She taught swimming to children for many summers at Sunkist Beach.
Tannye was a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and attended many of the Olympic Games in the States and foreign countries. She was an active member of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon, Elder, and Stephens Minister. Other activities included Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association, Habitat for Humanity, and docent of the St. Petersburg International Museum.
She leaves two sisters, Davie Burnett Anderson, Harrison-ville, Mo., and Marian Burnett Ford, Gadsden, Ala.; nieces, LeeAnn Anderson McKee of Harrisonville, Mo., and Lynne Anderson McLain, Butler, Mo.; nephews, David Benjamin Ford, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Douglas Burnett Ford, Hoover, Ala.; and Dr. George Stirling Ford, Tampa, Fla.; grand-nieces and nephews, Daniel and Tara Olivia McKee, Harrisonville, Mo.; Lynnsey and Lee McLain, Butler, Mo., and Riley Anne Ford, Tampa, Fla.
Memorials are suggested to Tiptonville Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society.
Mary Louise Barker Lavender
Mary Louise Barker Lavender, 85, of Drummonds, died Sunday, July 7, 2002, at Baptist Hospital in Union City.
Visitation was at Cryer Funeral Home in Obion between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, preceding graveside services at Zion Cemetery in Obion at 2 p.m. The Rev. Bobby Williams officiated.
Pallbearers were Mack Gantt, Brad Perkins, Jerry Robinson, Patrick Robinson, Jody Smith, and George Syata.
He was born Oct. 21, 1916, in Obion, to the late Maude Turnage Barker and Ira Barker.
She married Dick Lavender, who preceded her in death.
She leaves three daughters, Barbara Gantt of Drummonds, Linda Robinson of Franklin, and Patsy Syata of Overland Park, Kans.; a son, Mike Lavender of Tiptonville; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
James Ervin Pilkenton
of Bogota, retired employee of the Lake County Highway Department, died Monday, July 8, 2002, at Methodist Hospital in Dyersburg. He was a veteran who served with the U.S. Navy.
Visitation was at Curry Funeral Home in Dyersburg Tuesday evening.
Services are at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother John Huse Robinson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Lynn Welch, Jimmy Welch, Pete Welch, Rob Wood, Chris Cobb and Grant Presgrove.
Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery near Ridgely.
He was born December 13, 1925, in Lake County, to the late Levie Elizabeth Howie Pilkenton and James Edward Pilkenton.
He married Colleen Presgrove, who preceded him in death in 1997.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He leaves a daughter, Laura Gregory of Bogota; three sisters, Pearl Childress and Magalene Welch, both of Bogota, June Wood of Dyersburg; a brother, Eldred Pilkenton of Dyersburg; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Cecil James Azbell
Cecil James Azbell, 89, farmer, of Ridgely, died Monday, July 8, 2002, at Ridgely Care and Rehab, where he was a patient.
Visitation was Tuesday evening at Ridgely First Pentecostal Church.
Services are at 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, at the church, with the pastor, the Rev. David Henry, officiating.
Grandsons will be pallbearers.
Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery near Ridgely, with Curry Funeral Home in charge.
He was born Dec. 27, 1912, in Lee County, Miss., to the late Gertrude King Azbell and Smith Azbell.
He was a member of Ridgely First Pentecostal church.
He married Julia Brooks, who survives.
He leaves his wife, Julia Brooks Azbell, of Ridgely; five daughters, Blondell McCann of Humboldt, Martha Ballinger of Dyersburg, Janet Wisneski of Tiptonville, and Patricia Kravis and Nina Lovell, both of Ridgely; a son, Danny Azbell of Indianapolis, Ind.; a sister, Annie King, of Dresden; 29 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Almedia Azbell; two sisters, Evelyn Keaton and Vera Graves; two brothers, J.W. Azbell and Kenneth Azbell; two grandchildren, Jerry Ray Sims and Tonya Brown, two great-grandchildren.
James C. Bedwell, 81 - WWII army veteran
James C. Bedwell, 81, of the Owl City community out of Tiptonville, died Thursday, July 4, 2002, at Methodist Central Hospital in Memphis, where he had been a patient for a few weeks. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier.
Visitation was Friday evening at First United Methodist Church in Tiptonville.
Services were at the church at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the pastor, the Rev. Ralph Gunter and Dr. Jimmy Bedwell officiating. Music was provided by pianist Bobby Woods, and “In the Garden” was sung by Cassandra Chadwick, and Pam McCaslin sang two number, including, “Daddy’s Home”.
Pallbearers were Dr. Sonny Jones, Don Smith, Marty Starrett, Scott Layman, Mark Bedwell, Alton Vandyke, Trice Griggs and Chad Hearn.
Burial was in Bell Vernon Cemetery of Friendship with Dyersburg Funeral Home in charge.
He was born May 26, 1921, in Friendship to the late Emmaline Carter Bedwell and Horace Bedwell.
Following his retirement as a mail carrier, he was a host at Reelfoot Lake State Park campgrounds for 12 years.
He was a member of Crockett Chapel Methodist Church, and active in all church activities. He was an avid fisherman, and in retirement became an excellent cook.
He married Imogene Weaver Mitchell, who survives.
He leaves his wife, Imogene Bedwell of Tiptonville; two sons, Dr. Jimmy Bedwell of Pinson and Terry Bedwell of Bainbridge, Ga.; two daughters, Sara Smith of Cordova and Pattye Starrett of Lakeland; a step-daughter, Janice Jones, of Meridian, Miss.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Leonard York
Leonard York, 72, of Ridgely, retired maintenance employee of Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond, Ky., died Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at Methodist Healthcare of Dyersburg.
Visitation was Friday evening at Church of God of Prophecy of Ridgely. Services were at the church at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the pastor, the Rev. Clayton Mahan, officiating.
Pallbearers were Bradley Kuykendall, Greg Kuykendall, Ronnie Kuykendall, Glen Tittle, Johnny Tittle and Wilburn Tittle.
Burial was in Rosehill Cemetery in Obion, with Cryer Funeral Home of Obion in charge.
He was born Aug. 20, 1929, in Richmond, Ky., to the late Betty Creeke York and Sam York.
He leaves his wife, Sarah York, of Ridgely; a son, Jimmy York of Ridgely; two sisters, Helen McGuire of Crab Orchard, Ky., and Marylin Short of Richmond, Ky.; five brothers, Hugh York of Berea, Ky., James Dilbert York of Somerset, Ky., Oscar York of Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert York of Richmond, Ky., and Willie B. York of Okeechobee, Fla.; two grandchildren, Timothy York of Ridgely, and Virginia Mae York of Carlisle, Pa.
Jerell Wayne Fisher
nson, Ill., a retired truck driver, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Lexington Manor Nursing Center of Orland Park, Ill.
Visitation was Tuesday evening at Ridgely Chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Services are at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, July 31, at the chapel, with the Rev. David Gray, pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship Church of Ridgely, officiating. Alice Ann Gray will sing "Because He Lives."
Pallbearers will be Billy Earl Gray, Michael Fisher, James Rickman and family members.
Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery near Ridgely.
He was born Feb. 19, 1941, in Dyer County, Tenn., to the late Mollie Wilson Fisher and J.C. Fisher.
He was a high school graduate with one year of college.
He was a retired truck driver for Cape Air Freight Air Transportation Service.
He was a member of the Pentecostal Church of Minonk, Ill.
He leaves four sons, David Jerome Fisher of Tupelo, Miss., Jerell Daniel Fisher of Crestwood, Ill., Michael Dwayne Fisher of Minonk, Ill., and Darrin Ray Fisher of Flanagan, Ill.; two brothers, Michael Fisher of Dyersburg and Joe Fisher of Knoxville; a sister, Shelby hall of Ridgely; eight grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd "Junior" Fisher and a sister, Nola Jeanette Flincham.
Gregory Owen Hale, 26,
dies in auto accident
Gregory Owen Hale, 26, died Monday, July 19, 2002, following a one-car accident on the Old Hickman-Woodland Mills roads. He died at Baptist Hospital-Lauderdale at Ripley, where emergency personnel stopped because of his condition, enroute to Regional Medical Center in Memphis.
He was an employee of Jimmy Dean in Newbern.
Visitation was Tuesday evening at Cryer Funeral Home in Obion.
Services are at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, at Cryer Funeral Home Chapel, with Ricky Burse, Church of Christ minister, officiating.
Pallbearers will be Mark Keeling, Luke Keeling, John Keeling, Jeff Cartwright, Jon Hale, Mikie Hale, Keith Via, Mark Gray, Kevin Parish and Jeff Pollock.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery of Obion.
He was born March 1, 1976, in Union City to Vickie Keeling Hale and Gary Hale.
He attended Obion County Central High School at Troy. He attended the Church of Christ.
He leaves his mother, Vickie Keeling Hale of Cloverdale, his father, Gary Hale of Cloverdale; a son, Dylan Hale of Obion, a stepson, Brian Morris of Troy; a stepdaughter, Bridgette Morris of Troy; a brother, Doug Hale, of Union City; two half-brothers, Joshua Hale and Christian Hale, both of Cloverdale; his grandparents, Bobbie and J.R. Hale of Cloverdale and Blanche and Bill Keeling of Elbridge.
Robert Marr Sumners
Union City, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2002, at his residence. He was an insurance adjuster, the uncle of Rep. John Tanner, and a native of Ridgely.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at New Haven Cemetery near Ridgely, with the Rev. Tom Murdock officiating. White Ranson Funeral Home is in charge.
Pallbearers will be William Barrett Tanner, John Portis Tanner, Walker Daniel Tanner, Wyatt Tyree Tanner and Kyle Carter Atkins.
Honorary pallbearers are Bill Acree, John Harbour, Richard Hane and Harry Burgess.
He was born June 16, 1928, in Ridgely, to the late Mary Rodgers Sumners and Dr. William Lee Sumners.
He had never married.
He was a member of First Christian Church of Union City, and a Life Member of American Duplicate Bridge Assoc.
He leaves three nephews, John Sumners Tanner and Rodger Beck Tanner, both of Union City, and Robert Tyree Tanner of Waynesboro.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Edith Sumners Tanner, and a brother, Billy Sumners.
Richard Eugene Hedgepath
Richard Eugene Hedgepath, 34, of Newbern, died Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at Methodist healthcare of Dyersburg. He was a retired employee of Firestone of Dyersburg.
Visitation was Saturday evening at Johnson Funeral Home.
Services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, with Randall Rose officiating.
Pallbearers wer Gene Mills, Ronnie Flowers, Bill Ennis, Mike Long, Chris Hedgepath and Brent Rogers.
Burial was in New Haven Cemetery near Ridgely.
He was born in Tiptonville Aug. 12, 1968, to the late AnnaBell Mills Hedgepath and Robert Ray Hedgepath.
He leaves his wife, Lisa Hedgepath of Newbern; three sons, Dillion Hedgepath, Joshua Hedgepath and Richard Eugene Hedgepath jr., all of the home, of Newbern; two sisters, Debra Long and husband, Mike, of Parsons, and Dorothy Rogers and husband, Brent, of Tiptonville; four brothers, John Hedgepath of Nashville, Tommy Hedgepath of Huntsville, Ala., William Hedgepath of Parsons and James Hedgepath Sr. and wife, Susan, of Union City.
