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May 20, 2008


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OBITUARIES

EARNEST "TEX" "BUD" UMSTEAD
1927-2008
MCKENZIE: Earnest "Tex" "Bud" Umstead, 80, died Wednesday, May 14, at McKenzie Healthcare Center. Funeral services were Friday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at Brummitt Funeral Home in McKenzie with burial in Concord Cemetery in McKenzie.
Mr. Umstead was born October 30, 1927 in Camden to the late Henry Paul Umstead and Myrtle Allen Umstead. He was retired from Carroll County Highway Department and a preacher. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Umstead.
Survivors include: his wife, Frances Coleman Umstead of McKenzie; one son, Earnest Lee (Tina) Umstead II of McKenzie; one daughter, Mary Kay Umstead Mitchell of Paris; three brothers, Neal Umstead of McKenzie, Wray Umstead and Bobby Umstead, both of Huntingdon; three sisters, Pearl Winchester of Memphis, Alice Chappell of Gleason and Shirley Brewer of Huntingdon; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

RICHARD "DICK" BAYLESS, SR.
1928-2008
BRUCETON: Richard "Dick" Bayless, Sr., 80, died Thursday, May 15, at his home. Funeral services were Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at Bruceton Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Bradshaw officiating. Burial followed in Prospect Cemetery in Hollow Rock. Masonic rites were held on Friday, May 16.
Mr. Bayless was born January 19, 1928 in Bruceton to the late Henry Porter Bayless, Sr. and Edith Taylor Bayless. He was a boilermaker for Local #455 and a member of the Bruceton First Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Navy as a deep sea diver. He was a member of the Hollow Rock VFW Post #4349, Hollow Rock Masonic Lodge #288, Bruceton Order of Eastern Star Adah Chapter #314, Bruceton Lion's Club, Memphis Scottish Rite, Al Chymia Shrine, and he was a charter member and entertainment chairman of the Carroll County Shrine Mounted Patrol. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Hurt Bayless; and one son, Richard Bayless, Jr.
Survivors include: two daughters, Major Roselle Bayless of Murfreesboro and Susan (Bob) Bouldin of McKenzie; one sister, Jennie Moore of Virginia; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

WILLIE LEON ROGERS
1943-2008
McKENZIE: Willie Leon Rogers, 64, died Wednesday, May 14, at Jackson Regional Hospital. His wish was to be cremated and to have a private service with no visitation.
Mr. Rogers was born October 13, 1943 to the late William Julious and Eunice Leon Sasser Rogers. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Evelyn Swain.
Survivors include: his wife, Barbara Kubes Rogers; four daughters, Cindy (Leon) Mayberry of Cedar Grove, Carinna Lynn Rogers of McKenzie, Mary Beth (Joe) Ada of Lasacassas, and Billie Jo (Shannon) Hardwick of McKenzie; five sisters, Gertie Virginia Gilliam, Rachel Corinne (Jim) Murphy, Eva LaVern (Kenneth) Spicer, Cornelia Ann Walker and Martha Nell (Michael) Dowdy; two brothers, Floyd Ray (Mary) Rogers and Roy (Karen) Rogers; eight grandchildren, Bobby Dale Birdwell, Jr, Zachary Brett Butler, Taylor Rae Mattson, Faith Ada, Grace Ada, Dylan Ada, William Alexander Raspa and Jack Raymond Hardwick; one great-granddaughter, Sydney Michelle Birdwell; and several nieces and nephews.

JAMES THOMAS "DOODLE" PRUITT
1946-2008
MCKENZIE: James Thomas "Doodle" Pruitt, age 61, died Thursday, May 15, at his residence. Services were Monday, May 19, 10 a.m. at the McKenzie Church of Christ with Bro. Jim Roberts officiating. Burial was in Shiloh Cemetery.
Mr. Pruitt was born October 29, 1946 in McKenzie to the late Thomas Wilburn and Evelyn Pittmon Pruitt. He was a retired CSX railroad employee, a member of the McKenzie Church of Christ, Gleason American Legion, and a U.S. Army veteran, who served in the Vietnam War.
Survivors include: his wife, Deborah Kay Helms Pruitt; one daughter, Kristie (Brent) Arnold; one son, Thomas Randall Pruitt, and five grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or LeBonheur Children's Hospital, both in Memphis.
McKenzie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

JOSEPH MAX GREGG
1916-2008
HUNTINGDON: Joseph Max Gregg, 91, died Monday, May 12, at Life Care Center in Bruceton. Funeral services were Thursday, May 15, at 2 p.m. at Dilday Funeral Home with Bro. Dennis Lunsford officiating. Burial followed in Leach Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery.
Mr. Gregg was born July 27, 1916 in Carroll County to the late Henry and Lula Ester Humphrey Gregg. He was a retired employee of Brown Shoe Company, a member of the Carter's Chapel United Methodist Church and an Army veteran having served in World War II. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Gregg; one granddaughter, Sandy Casper Wilson; two brothers, Marvin Gregg and Jim Gregg; two sisters, Katy Ownby and Ruth Breeden.
Survivors include: one son, Frank (Brenda) Gregg of Huntingdon; two daughters, Marilyn Maxine (Tom) Casper of Statham, Georgia and Annie Taylor of Jackson; two sisters, Christine Green of Jackson, and Lucille Keele of Pendleton, Oregon; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

JAMES STANLEY ROSS
1952-2008
GLEASON: James Stanley Ross, 56, died Friday, May 16, at Huntingdon Health and Rehab Center. Funeral services were Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Gallimore Funeral Home with Rev. Ed Long officiating. Burial was in Tyson Cemetery.
Mr. Ross, a former truck driver, was born February 21, 1952.
Survivors include: his parents, Willard Ross and Martha Wray Ross; two daughters, Anna Eaton of Nashville and Amy Hampton of Gleason; one sister, Teresa Phelps of McKenzie; and three grandchildren.

MAURICE LEE BUNN
1932-2008
HUNTINGDON: Maurice Lee Bunn, 75, died Sunday May 18, at his home. Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Dilday Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Callicott and Dr. William Bailey officiating. Burial followed in Carroll Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Bunn was born August 7, 1932 in Mansfield to the late James Ira and Edith Louise Deeter Bunn. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Huntingdon, a retired employee of Carroll County Electric Department and a retired volunteer Assistant Fire Chief for the Huntingdon Fire Department. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Nell Bunn
Survivors include: two sons, Steve (Angie) Bunn and David (Tammy) Bunn, both of Huntingdon; one daughter, Marsha (Jim) Barger of Huntingdon; one brother Lyndell (Virginia) Bunn of Humboldt; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

CLYDE W. DAVIS
1921-2008
CAMDEN: Clyde W. Davis, 86, died Saturday, May 17, at his home. Funeral services were Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Dilday Funeral Home with Bro. Scott Carter officiating. Burial followed in Palestine Cemetery.
Mr. Davis was born December 2, 1921 in Huntingdon to the late Clyde Davis and Lonnie King Davis. He was a retired woodsman, and an Army veteran. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, J.C. Davis.
Survivors include cousins.

BETTY JEAN BRANDON CORDER
1959-2008
HUNTINGDON: Betty Jean Brandon Corder, 49, died Saturday, May 17, at Baptist - East in Memphis. Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at 1 p.m. at Dilday Funeral Home with Bro. Scott Carter officiating. Burial followed in Long Rock Cemetery.
Ms. Corder was born April 11, 1959, in Huntingdon to the late Ray Eugene Brandon and Corene Murphy Brandon. Survivors include: two sons, David (Amanda) Wooley of McKenzie and Matthew (Robbie) Quinn of Huntingdon; two sisters, Linda (Charles) Johnson of Huntingdon and Brenda (Windell) McCartney of Big Sandy; and two grandchildren.

MATTIE L. CALDWELL
1927-2008
HUNTINGDON: Mattie L. Caldwell, 81, died Thursday, May 15, at Harmony Hill Assisted Living. Funeral services were Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at Chase Funeral Home with Rev. Valeria Conley officiating. Burial followed in Cloverdale Cemetery.
Mrs. Caldwell was born February 5, 1927 in Carroll County to the late Luther Kirby and Lula (Burrow) Kirby. She was a farmer and a member of Hope Hill CME Church. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, L. J. Caldwell.
Survivors include: two sisters, Harlie Pope and Willie Adams, both of Milan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

REV. EARL THOMAS
1921 - 2008
HUNTINGDON: Rev. Ernest Earl Thomas, 86, died Saturday, May 17, at Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services were Monday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at Chase Funeral Home with Rev. Marty Johnson officiating. Burial followed in Hebron Cemetery.
Rev. Thomas was born December 20, 1921 in Hollow Rock to the late Albert Sidney Thomas and Ethel May (Walker) Thomas. He was a minister since 1951 and retired from the United Pentecostal Church. He also retired from the Valero Oil Company as a station manager, served in the Army during World War II, and was a member of Camden United Pentecostal Church. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
Survivors include: his wife of 62 years, Jewel Dean (Bond) Thomas; two daughters, Sherry (Doug) Holsing of Adamsville, Lawana (Wayne) Snodgrass of Millington; one sister, Peggy Cobb of Huntingdon; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

LONNIE G. AKERS, JR.
1936-2008
DICKSON: Lonnie G. Akers, Jr., 72, died Friday, May 9, at Horizon Medical Center. Funeral services were Monday, May 12, at 2 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home with Bro. Daryl Mosley officiating. Burial followed in Dickson County Memorial Gardens.
A native of Carroll County, Mr. Akers was born in McKenzie on January 19, 1936 to the late Lonnie G. Akers, Sr. and Almer Riola Williams Akers. He served his country in the Tennessee National Guard and was also in the Reserves for more than 13 years. He worked in law enforcement most of his life for the Gibson County Sheriff's Department and he retired from the Dickson County Sheriff's Department. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in White Bluff. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Curtis L. Akers; and one sister, Bertha Martin.
Survivors include: his wife, Mary Helen Isbell Akers of Dickson; two daughters, Loretta (Johnny) Ayer of Burns and Deborah (Randy) Turner of White Bluff; three sisters, Fannie May Murphy of Dickson, Annie Fay Cook of Huntingdon, and Linda Sue Climer of Regen; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

DON REX PRUITT
1945-2008
HUNTINGDON: Don Rex Pruitt, 63, died Saturday, May 17, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at 1 p.m. at Chase Funeral Home with Bro. Fred Ward and Bro. Jeffrey Moody officiating. Burial followed in Union Academy Cemetery. Masonic services were held Monday, May 19, at 8 p.m.
Mr. Pruitt was born March 26, 1945 in Carroll County to the late Guy Randolph Pruitt and Mildred (Geans) Pruitt. He was a retired production worker for the Milan Arsenal, retired Staff Sergent after serving 40 years for the Army National Guard, and a member of the Huntingdon Masonic Lodge # 106. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar A. Pruitt and Johnny Ray Pruitt.
Survivors include: his wife of 40 years, Shelby (Fields) Pruitt; three daughters, Sherry Coleman, Gail Hardin, Teresa (David) Lloyd, all of Huntingdon; two sons, Donald Pruitt of Huntingdon and Jeffrey Moody of California; one sister, Wanda Kirksey of Huntingdon; one brother, Gary Pruitt of Georgia; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
The family will receive friends in the Cherry Wood Room of Chase Funeral Home on Monday after 5 p.m. with Masonic services being held at 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until time of services.

BRANDELL K. JONES
WESTPORT: Brandell K. Jones, 51, died Friday, May 9, in Memphis. His body was cremated.
Survivors include: his father and mother, William Jones and Patricia Jones of Westport; two sisters, Brenda Raineri of Chicago, Illinois and Christine Jones of Wheaton, Illinois.

CLARA WEBB
1920-2008
GLEASON: Clara Webb, 87, died Sunday, May 18, at her home. Funeral services are Thursday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at McKenzie Funeral Home with burial in Hopewell Cemetery in Gleason.
Mrs. Webb, a homemaker, was born December 12, 1920 in Sharon to the late Alvin and Mary Jane Medlock Adams. She was Presbyterian in faith. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Webb; and one son, Cloyas Webb.
Survivors include: two daughters, Nancy Smith of Paris and Ferrellin Cassidy of Gleason; one son, Joe Webb of Gleason; one sister, Odell Blakemore of Dresden; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until time of service.

MINNIE BELLE COLE
BUENA VISTA: Minnie Belle Cole died Monday, May 19, at Huntingdon Health & Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services are Wednesday, May 21, at 11 a.m. at Dilday Funeral Home with Bro. Tony Wiggins and Bro. Wendell Boyd officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Mrs. Bell was born in Carroll County to the late Dolphus Franklin and Minnie Williams Crossett. She was a homemaker. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Leslie Cole; two sisters, Jewell Crossett and Jeanette Langley; one brother, Frank Crossett; and two half-sisters, Maude Gasque and Mary Revell.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until time of services.