Helen Ray Allen was born on a crisp October day in 1930 and died Sunday,
November 12, 2017, another cool autumn day in Atlanta, Georgia. She
surely covered a lot of ground in those years and lived a life of unusual
experiences. Helen and her husband of 66 years, Charlie (aka Mel) Allen
enjoyed living in the Republic of Panama, Saudi Arabia, and a host of
postings in Florida. While their tours of duty through the Army
Corp of Engineers were often challenging, they opened the opportunity to
travel, all over the world. Helen loved to visit new countries,
experience different cultures, and meet new friends. Born to William
Brown Ray and Lota Mae Shasteen Ray, Helen was raised and educated in
Tullahoma Tennessee which she always referred to as “home”. Her sister,
Alma Jean (Corkey) / Johnny Waller preceded her in death along with her
parents.  Her surviving sister, Kathy Ray lives in Atlanta. She is
survived by a slew of nieces and nephews who were a source of immense
pride for her. Helen was a real pacesetter when she was hired as the
Society Editor for the Tullahoma News as her first career move. She
chronicled the social scene in Tullahoma for a couple years before moving
to Florida with her family. Helen and Charlie moved frequently through
the years as Charlie’s career flourished and Helen served as the rudder
for the family’s adventures. She was a home room mother, Cub Scout
Den Mother, Little League team Mom, Sunday School teacher, and everything
else that was required to guide and nurture her family through their
travels and tribulations. In her later years, Helen enjoyed volunteering
at the local health center helping women and children obtain needed
healthcare. She also loved playing bridge with the ladies, and
corresponding regularly with her elected officials. Helen was interested
in everything and everyone. She collected and maintained friends
over many decades. Her recent correspondence included friends from
childhood through her life in Tucker, Georgia. If you were ever a friend,
you were still a friend on the day of her passing. If you were so lucky
to be such a friend you well knew that she had a huge heart and an even
larger sense of humor. She always had a smile that would light a
room, was ever cheerful, and made you feel like you were one of her own.
While her collection of friends was cherished, her joy was her children
and, perhaps even more so, her grandchildren. She raised three boys, Gary
Brent Allen of Loganville GA, Randall Lee (Mary Lou Montagne) Allen of
Brookhaven GA, and Jay Matthew (Jane McCurdy) Allen of Monroe Georgia and
Ennis, Montana. Let the record be clear, Helen adored her
daughters in law. Sweetly, they were both at her side in the last
moments of life. Her grandest and most cherished role was serving as Meme
to her grandchildren Randall Lee Allen, Jr., Atlanta, Claire Montagne
Allen, Atlanta, Shelby Raye Allen, Monroe Georgia, and Margaux Elizabeth
Allen, Bozeman Montana. They brought her immense joy and a healthy dose
of pride. Visitation will be 12:00- 2:00 PM with a memorial service to
follow at Kilgore Funeral Home, Tullahoma Tennessee, Saturday, November
25, 2017 with Rev. Martin S. Nutter officiating. The family asks in
lieu of flowers, please honor Helen by performing an act of kindness or
charity for another.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Services for Mr. Carl Edward Brothers, age 79, of Manchester, TN will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 17, 2017, at Manchester Funeral Home with Dr. Cox officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Mr. Brothers passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at his home in Manchester, TN.

Carl was born in Beechgrove, TN the son of the late A.C. and Maude Brothers. He was a technician at AEDC for over 38 years. Carl was a member of the First Baptist Church in Manchester, loved fishing and watching UT sports. He was an avid gardener, taught and played tennis, and was the owner of an archery club. He could fix anything, and everyone said, “If he ever started something; he finished it”.

Carl is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Wilma; two brothers, Boyd (Sheila) and Gene (Claudette) Brothers; and one sister, Carolyn (Charles) Bryson.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Carl’s name to the First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve The Brothers family.

Russell “Gene” Eugene Dawes, of Tullahoma passed this life on Monday,
November 13, 2017 at his residence at the age of 101 years. Funeral
services are scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2017 at 2 PM at Davis
Funeral Home in Cushing, OK with Bro. Jim Reynolds officiating. Burial
will follow at Fairlawn Memorial Cemetery in Cushing, OK. Visitation with
the family will be Monday from 1 -2 PM. No local services are scheduled.

Mr. Dawes, a longtime resident of Cushing, OK was the son of the late
Walter Easley and Cora Johnson Dawes. He was born on September 11, 1916 in
Yale, OK. He was a U S Navy Seabee and served during WW II. He was
employed at an oil refinery where he worked as a platform operator. He was
a member of the First Baptist Church of Cushing and a 32nd Degree Mason.
Mr.
Dawes relocated to Tullahoma several years ago to be near his daughter. He
was a people person who “never meet a stranger”. He enjoyed fishing,
playing cards and dominoes and watching the weather on TV. He always had a
great interest in the weather and could have been a weatherman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nina
Evelyn Dawes; one daughter, Sonja McFarland and one brother, Harold Boyd.

Mr. Dawes is survived by one daughter, Janna Washington of Tullahoma; two
brothers, Leonard Dawes of Colfax, CA and Edward Boyd of Stillwater, OK and
one granddaughter, Anjarae Washington of San Francisco, CA.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Jo Sitz, age 71, of Manchester, TN passed away on November 7, 2017 at her residence. No services are scheduled at this time.

Mary was born in Columbus, OH, the daughter of the late Raymond and Florence Duffy Hora. She was a teacher’s aide for Seminole County Public Schools, where she retired. Mary loved reading and spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

In addition to her parents, Mary was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles D. Sitz. She is survived by one daughter, Darla Linkins; two brothers, Jim and Tom Hora; one granddaughter, Margarita Colon (Isiah Santiago); one great granddaughter, Mia Rae Santiago; numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws; and special friends, including best friend, Amber Stefanisko, and adopted granddaughter, Jill Dooley.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Sitz family.

Vicki Pauline Soniat – Dufossat of Manchester passed this life on Sunday,
November 12, 2017 at her residence at the age of 69 years. No services are
scheduled.

Vicki, the daughter of the late Joe and Betty Adkins Coffee was born on
April 15, 1948 in Chattanooga, TN. She lived for the Lord and would say
“God and Jesus, First”. She enjoyed studying her Bible and spending time
with her grandchildren. She also loved all her pets.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Barry
J Soniat – Dufossat and brothers, Richard and Allen Price.

She is survived by two daughters, Regina Durham of Navarre, FL and Teresa
Howard and her husband, Bobby of Manchester; brother, Charles Harrell and
his wife, Mary of Cleveland, TN; sister, Donna Kerr of Ft. Oglethorpe, GA;
three grandchildren, Stephanie Rogers and her husband, Matt of Unionville,
TN, Johnathan Durham of Navarre, FL and Victoria McNair and her husband,
Hunter of Navarre, FL and two great grandchildren, Tyler Coy Rogers and
Leigha McNair.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Billy H. Penn, age 66, of Manchester, TN passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Unity Medical Center in Manchester, TN.

Billy was born in Manchester, TN, the son of the late Charles and Ollie Penn. He worked at M-Tek. In addition to his parents, Billy was also preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Penn. He is survived by his two brothers, Randy (Engeline) and James (Ellen) Penn.

No services are scheduled.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve The Penn family.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.manchesterfuneralhome.com