Category: Obituaries

CLARECE ELIZABETH BROWN BURKS, age 74 of Winchester, Tenn. departed this life when the Lord called her home on Saturday, August 23, 2014, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Ms. Burks was born in Decherd, Tenn., to the late John L. Brown  and Louvernia McFarland Brown on October 23, 1939, she was the second of eighteen children.

Ms. Burks was a very loyal and dedicated member of the New Hope Church of God in Christ in Cowan, Tenn. She served on the Mothers Board, sang in the choir, worked in the kitchen and anywhere else she was needed in the Church. Ms. Clarece began working for the Franklin County Board of Education in February of 1966 as an Education Assistant. She retired in May, 2001 after 35 years of service.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Burks was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Varnell Burks, son, Leroy Burks, Jr. and three of her siblings.

Ms. Burks “Meme” is survived by her five children; Patricia (Roger) Jelks of Winchester, Vanessa (Roderic) Richardson of Smyrna, Nona (Hubert) Hendon of Winchester, Shannon Burks, Millard (Lolita) Burks all of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and eleven grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be held from 11:00 A.M. until service time at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 30, 2014, at the New Hope Church of God in Christ, 300 Cowan Street, E., Cowan, Tenn., with Superintendent, Willie Bonner, Jr. officiating.

Interment will follow in the Franklin Memorial Gardens in Winchester beside her beloved husband.

Grant Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.

Denis Andrew Root of Fayetteville passed this life on Saturday, August 23rd, 2014 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at the age of 73.

Mr. Root was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts to the late Henry A. and Cora-lou Noonan Root.

During his life he worked as an Agricultural Planner for Toddy Hollow Inc. and was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and the St. Andrews Brotherhood.

Mr. Root is survived by his wife, Claire Root of Fayetteville, Tennessee; three daughters, Jennifer Sanders and her husband Ed of Calera, Alabama, Mary Ann Watts and her husband Andy of Danville, Indiana, and Louise Rein and her husband Clark of Ottawa, Kansas; one son, Sean Root and his wife Larissa of Nashville, Tennessee ; one brother, Henry Root and his wife Jana of Fort Wayne, Indiana; one sister, Victoria O’Neal and her husband Tom of Rhode Island; and thirteen grandchildren, Gerry, Josh, Jon, and Emily Sanders, Jamie Russell, Lindsey McGlaun, Keely Watts, Margaret Grace Root, Elizabeth, William, Ragan, and Briley Rein, and Jena Gray.

Visitation for Mr. Root will be held on Friday, August 29th, 2014 from 4:00-5:30 pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma with a memorial service to immediately follow at 5:30 pm with Father Michael Murphy, Father James Pappas, and Father Randal Dunnavant officiating.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Building Fund, 110 East Lincoln Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388, or to the National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016.

Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Mr. Charles Edwin, “Charlie”, “Bubber”, Vaughn, age 81 of Manchester, will be Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Manchester Funeral Home Chapel with David Petty, Winston Clinedinst, and Jamey Hurst officiating.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, August 26th from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Manchester Funeral Home.

Mr. Vaughn passed away early Monday morning at Bailey Manor in Manchester.

Mr. Vaughn was born in Beechgrove, TN to the late Olan and Bessie Mae Floyd Vaughn who were also of the Beechgrove community.

Charles served in the US Army. He was employed at Genesco for 36 years as a supervisor and where he earned several certifications. After leaving Genesco, he worked for Wal-Mart for 15 years. Charles was a very dedicated member of the Manchester Church of God, loved The Smoky Mountains, working in the yard and the garden, fixing anything that was broken, being a mechanic, spending time with family, and talking to people. He had a special interest in feeding birds and squirrels where he earned yet another nickname “Purple Martin Man”.

In addition to his parents, Charles was also preceded in death by one sister, Oneita Floyd and two brothers-in-law Jr. Floyd and Roy Green and son-in-law, Jack Hurst.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lula Frances Wimberley Vaughn, son, Ronald (Tina) Vaughn of Manchester, and two daughters, Joyce (Dan) Huddleston of Cookeville and Charlene (Jonathan) Tosh of Manchester; four sisters, Thelma “Sis”(Ervin) Green, Wavelyne (Grady) Brown, Margie Green, and Geraldine (Thurman) Lemons, all of Manchester. Charles was blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – Highland Rim Chapter at 201 West Lincoln St., Tullahoma, TN 37388


MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE Vaughn Family

Mrs. Melissa Ann Farrar, age 47 of Manchester passed away Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at 2 PM at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Danny Boyd officiating.

Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, August 26, from 5 PM – 8 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.

A native of Tullahoma, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Sue Ellen Sanders Liles.

She was a homemaker and member of Lincoln Heights Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading and listening to Christian Music. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, James William Liles.

Mrs. Farrar is survived by her husband, Raymond Farrar of Manchester; one son, Brandon Farrar of Manchester; one daughter, Brittany Nicole Liles of Tullahoma; three brothers, Robert Anthony, Robert Dewayne, and Troy Dale Liles, all Tullahoma; one sister, Connie Crowder-Hill and her husband, Terry of Tullahoma; two grandchildren, Blake Austin and Bridgette Michelle Beck and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Mr. Bennie H. Carter, Jr., age 82, of Manchester will be conducted Monday, August 25, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel with Reverend Sally Harvey and Reverend Linda Tennil officiating.

Interment will follow at Farrar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Carter passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

He was born January 3, 1932 in Coffee County, TN the son of the late Bennie Hooper Carter, Sr., and Georgia Anna Driver Carter.

He was spent in childhood in the Blanton’s Chapel community and joined the United States Army on November 4, 1952. He served during the Korean Conflict and was discharged with the rank of Corporal from the Army October 4, 1954. He married the love of his life, Grace Simmons on April 12, 1955 in Tullahoma, TN and the two began their 59 year marriage together. Mr. Carter was employed in retail sales management for many years. He managed the M & M Variety Mart in Manchester for over 13 years and then in the early 1980’s, when he turned 50, he began a 17 year career at Castner-Knott Department Store assisting customers in the Men’s department. He was known for his knowledge of men’s clothing as well as his charming personality and always serving people with a smile. He never met a stranger and had a love for people. He retired from Dillard’s Department Store in 2000. Mr. Carter was an avid fisher man, enjoyed woodworking and was known to share fresh grown vegetables straight from his large garden. He was a member of Blanton’s Chapel United Methodist Church where he was Superintendent of the Sunday school program. He will forever be remembered as a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rickey Duke; sister, Anna Marie Jones; and three brothers, Edward, Marlin, and Raymond Carter.

Survivors include his loving wife, Grace Simmons Carter of Manchester; three daughters, Deborah Carter Duke of Beechgrove, TN; Rita Denise Carter Duke and husband, Eddie of Beechgrove, TN; Donna Rhea Carter Jacobs and husband, Ronnie of Manchester; seven grandchildren, Nathan Duke (Keauna), Msgt. Jarrod Duke, USMC (Wyndi), Stephanie Johnson, Jason McCormick (Jennie), Jessica Hamby (Ryan), Jo Anna Jacobs and Sgt. Chris Jacobs, USAF; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Annie Ruth Martin and husband, Charles of Manchester; Marshall “Leroy” Carter and wife, Linda of Tullahoma, TN; Marvin G. Carter of Manchester; and Richard Carter and wife, Betty of Summitville, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
COFFEE COUNTY FUNERAL CHAPEL IS HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF MR. BENNIE H. CARTER, JR.

Richard Dean Herron, passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at his home in Estill Springs.

He was born in Dresden, Tennessee to the late Chancellor Clarence Grooms and Mary Brasfield Herron.

Mr. Herron received his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1959 where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and where he met and married his wife Diane E. Lamar. He earned his Master of Science from the University of Tennessee Space Institute in 1963. Mr. Herron began his engineering career with ARO, Inc. at AEDC in 1959 and retired in 1996 with 37 years of service. He was recognized as an AEDC Fellow in 1997. He served in the Army National Guard from 1956 to 1983 and retired at the rank of Colonel. Mr. Herron served as the Commander of the Marksmanship Training Unit and won many competitions as an expert marksman. He set multiple national records, won the individual rifle champion Farr Trophy in 1970, and was a member of the President’s Hundred. He was a member of the Estill Spring’s Lions Club for 30 years where he was the Lion of the Decade in 2000 and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award in 2014. Mr. Herron was a member of the Tullahoma First United Methodist Church. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betsye Herron Hickman.

Mr. Herron is survived by the family he was so proud of; his wife of 55 years, Diane Lamar Herron; sons, James (Christa) Herron and Richard Herron; granddaughters, Shelby and Lindsay Herron that were so special to him; brothers, Roy (Nancy) Herron and Ben Herron; and his mother-in-law, Ava Waller Lamar.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm, Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Kilgore Funeral Home with the funeral service taking place at First United Methodist Church at 11:00am on Monday, August 25, 2014.

The family asks for donations to the First United Methodist Church, 208 West Lauderdale Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388 in lieu of flowers.

Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Billy Wayne Painter Jr, age 60 of Tullahoma, Tennessee passed away, Friday, August 22, 2014 at his residence.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 25 at 4 PM at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with Bro Joe Hill officiating.

Burial will follow at Lynchburg Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, August 24 from 4 -9 PM at Dave’s-Culbertson Funeral Home.

Mr. Painter a native of Coffee County, was the son of the late George and Effie Mae Painter.

He was a U S Navy veteran. Mr. Painter owned and operated, Billy’s Cleaning and attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Billy loved his “cleaning” work and enjoyed riding his motorcycle, dancing and singing Karaoke. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, JoAnn Painter.

Mr. Painter is survived by his wife, Estrella “Beth” Painter of Tullahoma; three sons, Brandon Painter, Wesley Painter and his fiancé’, Jacqueline Sullener and Jamie Green and his wife, Anna; two daughters, Brandi Hill and her husband, Joe and Jodi Jacob and her husband, Jonathan; two brothers, Robert Painter and his wife, Annette Painter and Richard Painter and his wife, Patricia; one sister, Jenny Painter; step-mother, Beatrice Painter and eight grandchildren, Clayton Smith, Peyton and Kaleigh Hill, Olivia Jacob, Heather, Tyler, Luke and Evan Green.

DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

ORVILLE KEITH MEDLEY, age 53, of Estill Springs, departed this life on Friday, August 22, 2014, at his residence following an extended illness.

Keith was born in Harvey, Ill. to the late Orville L. and Annie G. Steele Medley on June 17, 1961.

Keith was employed at Mtek in Manchester as a machinist before his illness.  He was an avid Atlanta Braves Baseball fan. Keith’s favorite hobby was “antiquing”.

In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his sister, Margie Ann Medley and a brother, Robert Elliott.  He is survived by his wife, Connie Medley, daughter, Katie (Trey) Hendon of Tullahoma, stepsons; Cotey McCarver of Decherd, Dalton McCarver and Travis McCarver both of Estill Springs, brothers;Lonnie L. (Tonda) Medley, Wayne A. (Carolyn) Medley all of Estill Springs and James L. (Linda) Medley of  Broughton, Ill. Sisters; Wanda K. (Lester) Sisk of Winchester and Brenda S. (Burl) Sisk of Belvidere, granddaughters; Mylee and Rylee McCarver and grandson, Treyson Hendon.  Several nieces, nephews, and special friend, Benny Powers and many more too numerous to name.

Visitation for Mr. Medley is scheduled for 4:00-8:00 P.M. Saturday, August 23, in the Chapel of Grant Funeral Services.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 24, at Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Chuck Wilkerson, officiating with Interment to follow in the Keith Springs Cemetery in Belvidere.

Grant Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.

Anthony “Tony” Edward Hungerford, age 73 of Hillsboro, Tennessee, passed away on August 21, 2014 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Born in New York City, NY,   

Mr. Hungerford was a retired Vice President with Equifax and  Vice President with T.R.W. Credit Data. He will be fondly remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, all-around handyman  and friend who loved to garden, collect stamps, raise dogs and love birds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Richard Kempt Hungerford and Jane Elizabeth Freston Hungerford; and brother, Paul Torpey Hungerford.

He is survived by five children, Cathy A. Callaway (Bentley) of Tustin, CA,  Mary Lynn Newbrander (Glenn) of Riverside, CA,   Jim B. Hungerford of Mission Viejo, CA,   Kevin A. Hungerford (Sara) of Tustin, CA  and  Kristen E. Lannoo of Hood River, CA; three sisters, Jane H. Obernesser (Peter) of Colorado Springs, CO,  Anne H. Malnati of Macungie, PA  and  Susan H. Biondi (Bob) of Skillman, NJ; fifteen grandchildren, Morgan Callaway, Cord Callaway, Glenn Newbrander, Ryan Newbrander, Kimberly Newbrander, Zach Hungerford, Trevor Hungerford, Katie Hungerford, Ian Hungerford, Kelly Hungerford, Collin Boucher, Blake Lannoo, Dylan Lannoo, Abigal Lannoo and Ethan Lannoo; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, August 23, 2014 from 11:30 a.m.  –  1:30 p.m. at Central Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Manchester with Father Stephen Klasek. 

CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN in Charge of Arrangements.

Mrs. Frances L. Gilliam, age 86, of Tullahoma, passed away Thursday at Emeritus in Tullahoma.

She was born in Giles Co., TN to the late Joe and Carrie Buchanan Dean. In addition to her parents she is also preceded in death by her husband, Buford Gilliam.

Mrs. Gilliam was a former store manager for Hancock Fabric’s, a former member of First Baptist Church in Tullahoma, a member of Woodmen of the World, a member of the Tullahoma Business Women’s Association and was an avid sewer. 

She is survived by two sons, Terry (Pam) Gilliam of Normandy, Tom (Judy) Gilliam of Tullahoma, grandchildren, Carmen, John and Matt and great grandchild, Lydia. 

Funeral services for Mrs. Gilliam will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday at Tullahoma Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Visitation with the Gilliam family will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Sunday at Tullahoma Funeral Home. 


Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Frances Lorene Gilliam.