Rev. Caris Ashcraft
The Rev. Caris Ashcraft, 92, of Dyersburg, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, at Dyersburg Regional Medical Center. He was a retired minister, restaurant owner, and World War II Air Force veteran.
Graveside services will be held at New Haven Cemetery at 4 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 25, with the Rev. Raymond Boston officiating.
Pallbearers will be Lewis Shelton, Mike Heathcott, Rusty Canada, Thurston Shelton, and Mike Shelton.
He was born Oct. 24, 1911, in Tennessee.
He was a college graduate, and served in World War II with the Air Force.
He married Maysel Shelton, who survives.
He was a retired minister, and retired owner of Caris’ Cafe of Dyersburg.
He attended First Baptist Church in Dyersburg.
He leaves his wife, Maysel Shelton Ashcraft, of Dyersburg.
Memorials are suggested to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.
Gertrude Lorell Sellers Roberson
Gertrude Lorell Sellers Roberson, 72, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at her home in Ridgely. She was the wife of Yvone Roberson.
Visitation was Thursday evening at Ridgely Church of Christ.
Services were at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the church, with ministers Earl Chism and Jeff O’Dell, present minister of the church, officiating.
Pallbearers were Dwayne Haggard, Colt Mitchell, Jamie Roberson, Leonard York, Jackie Flowers, and James Canoy.
Burial was in New Haven Cemetery with Curry Funeral Home in charge.
She was born Feb. 23, 1931, at Broadmoor, Dyer County, Tenn., to the late Lena M. Stout Sellers and James A. Sellers.
She married Yvone Roberson, who survives.
She as an active member of Ridgely Church of Christ, and a volunteer at Ridgely Care and Rehabilitation Center.
She leaves her husband, Yvone Roberson of Ridgely; three daughters, Donna Roberson-Rike and Denise Roberson-Craig, both of Arlington, Margaret Roberson-Davis of Ridgely; nine sons, Macie Roberson and Richard Roberson, both of Tiptonville, Daniel Roberson of Crestwood, Ill, Michael Roberson of Martin, Jackie Roberson and Raymond Roberson, both of Union City, Keith Roberson of Hickman, Ky., James Roberson of Dyersburg and Rodney Roberson of Ridgely; a sister, Dorothy Roberts of Burbank, Ill., three brothers, Bud Sellers of Burbank, Ill., Glen Sellers of Palestine, Tx., and Farrell Sellers of Crestwood, Ill.; 21 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Bruce Roberson; a daughter, Debbie Roberson Gatlin; two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Hailey Roberson.
Memorials are suggested to the Lake County Relay for Life, American Cancer Society.
Billie Marshall Sadler
Billie Marshall Sadler, 73, of Clermont, Fla., security employee at Disney World, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at Celebration Hospital in Kissimmee, Fla.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 25) at Ridgely Pentecostal Church, with visitation at the church one hour preceding the service. Former pastor, the Rev. W.D. McCollum, will officiate.
Burial will be at New Haven Cemetery with Dyersburg Funeral Home in charge.
He was born Dec. 1, 1930, in Obion, Tenn., to the late Alisa Johnson Sadler and Homer Sadler.
He married Mary Estes, who survives.
He was a high school graduate with two years of college.
He leaves his wife, Mary Estes Sadler of Clermont, Fla.; a son, Ronnie Sadler, of Orlando, Fla.; two grandchildren, Jerry Michael Clay and Mary Elizabeth Sadler.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Kay Sadler Clay; two brothers, J.W. Sadler and James Harold Sadler; three sisters, Hazel Long, Mazel Richardson and Laverne Kuehn.
Mary Margaret Pilcher
Mary Margaret Pilcher, 18, of Somerville, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, in an automobile accident. She was the daughter of Atha Flatt and James Tracey “Jim” Pilcher. Her mother and family were former residents of Ridgely. She was a senior at Fayette Academy, where she was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad.
Services were Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Somerville First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Steve Mischke, the Rev. Gordon Henderson and the Rev. Dianne Harrison officiating.
Pallbearers were David Barnes, Mark Brooks, Kyle Brooks, John Brannen, James Brannen and James McCorkle.
Honorary pallbearers were Chris Alexander, Daniel Hampton, Ingrid Harper, Rebecca Ross, Jordan Terry, Tyler Ubelhor, Catherine Underwood, Megan Young and James Shelton.
Burial was in Somerville City Cemetery, with Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home of Somerville in charge.
Among her other accomplishments and honors at her high school were Junior Rotarian, class representative for football homecoming 2003, a member of the Beta and Drama clubs, an officer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by her senior class.
She was a member of Somerville First United Methodist Church, where she served as president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, was a member of the adult chancel choir, attended and served as a certified counselor at Lakeshore Summer Camp. She was a student employee at Somerville Cleaners.
She leaves her parents, Atha (Flatt) and James Tracy “Jim” Pilcher of Somerville; her grandmother, Carolyn Pilcher of Ripley, and grandfather, James N. Flatt of Dyersburg.
Memorials may be directed to Somerville First United Methodist Church, 2002 South East Street, Somerville, Tenn. 38068, or Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly, 1458 Pilot Knob Road, Eva, Tenn. 38333.
Emerson Beck “Buzz” Tanner
Obion County native, honored veteran and businessman, father of State Representative John Tanner, Emerson Beck “Buzz” Tanner, 82, of Union City, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City. He had been hospitalized since March 21, when he was involved in an auto accident in Union City.
Visitation was Friday evening at White-Ranson Funeral Home and Saturday preceding the service.
Services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at the funeral home chapel. Bishop Richard L. Saunders officiated, assisted by the Rev. Tom Murdock, pastor of First Christian Church of Union City.
Pallbearers were his four grandsons, Portis Tanner of Nashville, Walker Tanner of Huntingdon, W.Va., Wyatt Tanner of Los Angeles, Calif., Barrett Tanner of Union City, his cousin, Mike McWherter of Jackson, his grandson-in-law, Kyle Atkins of Jackson.
Honorary pallbearers were Jim Rippy, Bedford Dunavant, Al Oliver, Barry Rives, Bill Acree, Leon Jessup, James Glasgow Sr., Leon Burkett, George Thomas, Gov. Ned R. McWherter, Gene Crawford, Ron Cooper, Jim Pierce, Joe Hill, Pete Whitten, Ray Terrell, Al Martin, Billy Moore, Jimmy McConnell, David Critchlow Sr., Bart White, Robert Clark White, David Parks, Dunaway Conner, Al Creswell, J.T. Vaughan and Dr. Robin Pierce.
Burial followed at Eastview Cemetery at Union City.
He was born June 17, 1921, in Obion County to the late Dorothy Beck Tanner and Walker Tanner.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in March, 1943, with a degree in business administration. As a member of the UT Advanced ROTC program, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Infantry, US Army, upon graduation.
While on active duty, he was wounded in combat, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He earned numerous other awards and decorations for exceptional service. He saw action in France, Germany, and Belgium, and was a surviving veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 14-26, 1944.
He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain, and returned to Union City to join his father, the late Walker Tanner, in his business, Union City Insurance Agency, with which he was affiliated until his death.
He afterward also served 20 years with the Tennessee National Guard, retiring in 1964 with the rank of Major.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Fulton, Ky.
He first married Edith Sumners Tanner, daughter of Dr. W.L. Sumners, formerly of Ridgely, and she preceded him in death after 54 years of marriage.
He married Carolyn Hubbard Tanner Sept. 5, 1998, and she survives.
Among his civic and business accomplishments were president and Paul Harris Fellow of Union City Rotary Club, former president of Tennessee Savings and Loan League, former president of Insurors of Tennessee, past director of the Federal Home Loan Bank at Cincinnati, Ohio, member of Obion County Industrial Development Corporation, and Obion County Chamber of Commerce.
He leaves his wife, Carolyn Hubbard Tanner, of Union City; three sons, Congressman John Tanner of Union City, Dr. Robert Ty Tanner of Waynesboro and Rodger Tanner of Union City; a brother, Bill Tanner of Union City; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two step-daughters, Liz Upshaw of Houston, Tx., and Margaret Neese of Union City; three stepgrandchildren and two step-greatgrandchildren.
Faye Marie Garrard
Faye Marie Garrard, 68, of Savannah, died at Hardin County General Hospital Friday, April 9, 2004.
Services were at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2004, at Shackelford Funeral Home in Savannah.
Burial was in Piney Grove Cemetery near Savannah.
She leaves four daughters, Trudy Gerrard of Cameron, Tx., Teresa Borden, Paulette Garrard and Lisa Worley, all of Savannah; five sons, Jerry Garrard, Ricky Garrard, Mark Garrard, Johnny Garrard, Charlie Garrard, all of Savannah; a sister; two brothers; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Ruby Lee Willis England
Ruby Lee Willis England, 79, of Ridgely, died Monday, May 2, 2005, at her residence. She was a retired employee of Henry I. Siegal, clothing factory, and had been a clerk for Councill’s Five and Ten in Tiptonville. She was the wife of William Leo England.
Visitation was Tuesday evening at Curry’s Ridgely Chapel.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 4, at First United Pentecostal Church in Ridgely, with the Rev. David Henry and the Rev. Timmy Turnbo officiating.
Pallbearers will be Bradley Turnbo, Brandon Chism, Christopher Chism, Joe Lee England, Jason Thomas, Mark Klos, and Jamie Boykin.
Honorary pallbearers are Charles Robert Upchurch and Joseph Goodlett.
Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery of Ridgely.
She was born June 20, 1925, in Chester County, Tenn., to the late Molly Johnson Willis and Harvey Willis.
She attended Enville Elementary School and completed school at Adamsville School.
She married William Leo England, and they had been married 62 years.
She was a member and Sunday School teacher at Ridgely First United Pentecostal.
She leaves her husband, William Leo England; a daughter, Patricia Goodlett and husband, Billy, of Ridgely; two sons, Danny England and wife, Linda, of Hornbeak, and Harold England and wife, Lilly, of Ridgely; eight grandchildren: Lisa Turnbo and husband, Timmy, of Newbern, Donna Chism and husband, Mike, of Hornbeak, Karen Weldon and husband, Alan, of Dyersburg, Tracy Klos and wife, Kim, of Fort Hood, Tx., Joe Lee England and wife, Carol, of Wynnburg, Laura Thomas and husband, Jason, of Tiptonville, Jamie Boykin and wife, Stacy, of Columbia, Mo.; 12 great-grandchildren: Bradley Turnbo, Brandon Chism, Christopher Chism, Jon Eric Weldon, Kayla Weldon, Hunter Thomas, Taylor Thomas, Joshua England, Katie Klos, Hailee Underwood, Brittney Underwood, Rachel Lee Boykin; two great-great-grandchildren, Jarred Landon Turnbo and Jackson Lane Chism.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Kay England; two sisters, Lois Terry and McNeva Davis; four brothers, Clyde Willis, Claude Willis, Robert Willis, and Lloyd Willis; a great-grandchild, Gabriel Weldon.
The family suggests that any memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.
Carol Hoffman Maddox
Carol Hoffman Maddox, 66, of Ridgely, died Thursday, April 28, 2005, at Jackson Madison General Hospital in Jackson. She was a seamstress, and the wife of Ralph C. Maddox.
A memorial service will be held at a later date following cremation at Arrington Crematory.
She was born Dec. 4, 1938, in Washington, D.C., to the late Lola White Hoffman and Carl Hoffman.
She attended Abundant Life Fellowship Church of Ridgely.
She leaves her husband, Ralph C. Maddox of Ridgely; two sons, Doug Maddox and Ken Davis, both of Ridgely; a stepson, Donnie Ray Maddox of Orlando, Fla., and a stepdaughter, Debra Pille, also of Orlando, Fla.; three brothers, Dennis Hoffman of Chicago, Ill., Dale Hoffman of Arkansas and Elbert Hoffman of Georgia; a sister, Doris Dobson of Louisiana; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Peggy Spicer Pierce
Peggy Spicer Pierce, 70, of Union City, died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at her residence. She was the wife of Jerry L. Pierce of Union City, formerly of Tiptonville.
Visitation was Tuesday evening, May 3, at White-Ranson Funeral Home in Union City.
Services are today, Wednesday, at 2 p.m. at White-Ranson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Eddie Mallonee and Bro. Jerry Leggett officiating.
Music included “How Great Thou Art” and “Shenandoah”.
Pallbearers will be Arnold Wheatley, Elvis Stewart Jr., Jamie Spicer, Larry Mitchell Jr., John Spicer, James Spicer, Josh Spicer, and David Pierce.
Honorary pallbearers are Ralph Wheatley, Elvis Stewart, Charles Quillin, Robert Spicer, and Ernie Pierce.
Burial will be in Obion County Memorial Gardens in Union City.
She was born Nov. 26, 1934, in Samburg to the late Pauline Sampson Spicer and Gardner R. Spicer.
She married Jerry L. Pierce on June 4, 1954, and he survives.
She attended Second Baptist Church in Union City.
She leaves her husband, Jerry L. Pierce of Union City; a son, Jerry L. Pierce Jr. of Columbus, Ohio; three sisters, Ellen Stewart and Caroline Wheatley, both of Troy, and Wanda Quillin of Union City; three brothers, Harold Spicer of Dyersburg, Greg Spicer of Murray, Ky., Russ Spicer of Union City; several nieces and nephews.
Guy Olen “Jr.” Quillions
Guy Olen “Jr.” Quillions, 72, of Tiptonville, died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at Reelfoot Manor, Tiptonville. He was a retired truck driver.
Visitation will be tonight, Wednesday, at Tiptonville Chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 5, with the Rev. Houston Northcutt, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church, officiating.
Music will include “Go Rest High,” “Precious Memories”, and “I Can Only Imagine.”
Pallbearers will be Dewayne Haggard, Paul David Jones, George Allen, Jack Haynes Jr., Doug Presler and Tony White.
Honorary pallbearer is Jake Stevens.
Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery of Ridgely.
He was born Feb. 23, 1933, in Hohenwald to Mary Ruth Coble and Herman Windsor.
He married Doris Henson, who preceded him in death.
He had been a member of the Tennessee National Guard, and a member of VFW.
He leaves an ex-wife, Mary Ola Burroughs, of Parsons, the mother of his children; three daughters, Sandy Hopper of Tiptonville, Barbara Troast of San Antonio, Tx., and Susan Wortman of Trenton; three brothers, Murphy Dial and Eugene Dial, both of Tiptonville, and Jerry Dial of Pontiac, Mich.; a sister, Shirley Kelley of Tiptonville; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Dial and Thomas Quillions; his stepfather, Fuzz Dial.
