Benton County, Tennessee Genealogy
Obituaries
The following obituaries have been contributed to the
web site.
Mrs. G.B.
Greer
Died Tuesday Mrs. Mollie Greer, aged
75 wife of G.B. Greer, died at their home on Washington
Street Tuesday night. She was a cripple and had been
affected for a number of years. The writer had know her
from childhood as a classmate and playmate; kindly
disposed, jolly, frugal, industrious, sympathetic, she
was a worthy helpmeet of one of our most Christian and
noble citizens. Mrs. Greer was one of four daughters of
R.P. Haley deceased, one of the early citizens of Camden.
She professed faith in Christ at an early age in life and
united with the M.E. Church, South. Her house was always
open to the friendless and distressed and her deeds of
charity will be remembered by many who will ever cherish
her memory. This splendid woman lived the life of a
Christian in the fullest sense of the word. Funeral
services were conducted yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock
by Rev. King Dickerson. Interment took place at Cowell's
Chapel Cemetery.
"Molly Haley Greer"
Obituary from "The Camden Chronicles" -- July
22, 1932 [ap 25 1890] Date Ja 1929-D-1935 - Tennessee
State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.
Microfilm collection Benton County, Tennessee.
Transcribed by Peggy
Haley Ferguson, descendant.
Greenberry Greer
Given Burial Tuesday Big Sandy
Correspondent Greenberry Greer, age 94 died early Monday
morning at the home of his son, P.S. Greer at Big Sandy.
Mr Greer was a confederate veteran, and had served Benton
County as County Court Clerk three successive terms. He
was married three times and was a local minister of the
M.E. Church, South. Burial was at Cowell's Chapel Tuesday
with funeral service in charge of Rev. H.F. Clayton, Big
Sand, Rev. L.R. Watson and J.N. Wilford, Camden.
"Greenberry Greer"
Obituary from "The Camden Chronicles" [ap 25
1890] date Je 17, 1931 - Je 24, 1938. Tennessee State
Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. Microfilm
collection Benton County, Tennessee.
Transcribed by Peggy
Haley Ferguson.
Mary Susan Haley Greer and husband
Greenberry Greer buried at the Cowell's Chapel
Cemetery in Camden, Tennessee location: East on 641
turn left at Cowell's Chapel Road. Cowell Chapel
Church Cemetery is located at the intersection of
Cowell's Chapel Road and Natchez Trace Road.
Greenberry and Mary Susan Haley Greer's tombstone is
close on the Natchez Trace Road side of the church
near the parking lot.
Richard
Petry Haley
R.P. Haley Has Joined the Silent
Majority.
R. P. Haley died at the home of his
son-in-law, G.B. Greer, about 4a.m. last Saturday
morning, aged 86 years. Funeral services were conducted
by Rev. W. F. Acuff and the burial, which was under the
auspices of Camden Lodge No. 210 I.O.O. F., took place
Sunday afternoon in Camden Cemetery in the presence of a
large gathering of sympathizing friends.
Mr. Haley was a man of generous
impulses and never forgot the hospitable way of the
pioneer. The stranger, even though a beggar, never failed
to reach his warm heart, and he was at home by the
bedside of the sick and delighted in all kind and
neighborly offices. He had enjoyed prosperity quietly and
borne adversity bravely. He had filled the various
relations of life, as husband, father, friend, and filled
them well. Who can do more?
But he is gone! Another name is
stricken from the ever lessening roll of the old
settlers, and loving children are left to attest how
sadly they will miss him. It must be so, these tender
human ties can not be severed with a pang. Yet in such a
death there is really no cause for grief. His life work
was done and well done. He had passed the age generally
allotted to man, and wearied with life's duties and
cares, weary of suffering and waiting, he lay down to
rest.
"Tired! ah yes! So tired,
dear.
I shalt soundly sleep tonight.
With never a dream and never a fear,
To walk in the morning light."
He was a man who united sound sense
with strong convictions, and a candid, outspoken temper,
eminently tilted to mold the rude elements of pioneer
society into form and consistency, and aid in raising a
high standard of citizenship in our young and growing
State. How much this community owes him and such as he,
it is impossible to estimate, though it would be a
grateful task to trace his influence through some of the
more direct channels of the church and Sunday School, to
hold him up in these degenerate days in his various
characters of teacher and father, of neighbor and friend;
to speak of those he has reared to perpetuate his name,
those who have been influenced by his life and emulate
his virtues. But it comes not within the scope of the
brief article. Suffice is to say, he came to Camden from
Virginia in 1859. He had been an Odd Fellow since 1855,
and a Mason for thirty odd years. He became a Christian
in early manhood, and lived nobly and died peacefully at
the advance at age of 86 years. The storekeeper found him
"as a shock of corn, fully ripe for the
harvest."
Not for him be our test rather let us
crown his grave with lands; few of us will live as long
or as well and still fewer yet will the Angel of Death
greet with such a loving touch.
Submitted
by Peggy Haley Ferguson
Martin
L. Smothers - Sallie Bell Barnes Smothers
Benton Man, Wife to Be Buried Today
Camden, Tenn. - Services will be held
today for a Benton County man and wife whose deaths
occurred only 17 hours apart.
Martin L. Smothers, 90, retired
farmer, died Friday night at his home on Natchez Trace
road, 14 miles south of here. Saturday afternoon, his
wife, Mrs. Sallie Bell Barnes Smother, 85, died at the
home.
Services will be at 2:30 P.M. at
Liberty Methodist church near Holladay, Tenn, the Rev.
Neal Butler and the Rev. Mitchell Rayburn officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors include three sons, John W.,
Dewey and Leonard Smothers, Holladay; five daughters,
Mrs. Effie Sanders, Huntingdon, Tenn., Mrs. Julia Kelly,
Bruceton, Tenn., Mrs. Fay Ware, Elgin, Ill., Mrs. Zula
Harwell and Mrs. Bertie Hollman Holladay; 21
grandchildren.
Mr. Smothers is also survived by two
brothers, Logan Smothers, Camden, and Elbert Smothers,
Paris, Tenn.; a sister, Mrs. Minnie Florence of Missouri;
21 grandchildren
Taken from clipping from Nashville
Tennessean. Martin Luther Smothers was born January 22,
1869 in Benton County Tennessee and died December 19,
1959. Sallie Bell Barnes Smothers was born January 31,
1874 and died December 20, 1959.
Submitted
by Brian Nichols
ABBOTT
Wayne Abbott, age 61 of Hollow Rock,
Tennessee was dead on arrival at Baptist Memorial
Hospital in Hungtington, Tn. Wednesday June 2, 1993.
The funeral was held Saturday June 5,
1993 at 10:00 a.m. at Stockdale-Malin Chapel with Bro.
Mitchell Rayburn officiating. Burial was in Prospect
Cemetery with Stockdale-Malin in charge of the services.
Mr. Abbott was born April 1932 in
Benton County, Tn. His parents Connie Abbott and Eunice
Higdon Abbott preceded him in death. His wife survivor
was Bonnie Sue Wright Abbott and family.
Submitted
by Norma Watson
BREWER
Mrs. SudieDowdy Brewer, age 89 of
Clarksville, Tn. died at her residence in Clarksville,
Tn. Monday May 31, 1993. Funeral held June 2, 1993 at
Stockdale-Malin Funeral Home in Big Sandy, Tn. with Bro.
Russell Ragsdale officiating. Burial was in McRae Chapel
Cemetery with Sykes Funeral Home of Clarksville in chg of
services.
Mrs. Brewer was born May 27, 1904 in
Big Sandy, Tn. Her parents were George W. Dowdy and
Margaret Graham Dowdy and proceded her in death. Her
husband Erbie L. Brewer also proceded her in death. She
is survived by one daughter Nelda Brewer Parker of
Clarksville, Tn. and one nephew Carl Dowdy of Big Sandy.
Mrs. Brewer was a homemaker.
Submitted
by Norma Watson
FARMER
Willie Richard (Biddy) Farmer, Jr. age
79 of Big Sandy, Tn. was d.o.a. at Henry County Medical
Center in Paris, Tn. Friday May 28, 1993. Funeral was
held Sunday May 30. 1993 at Stockdale-Malin Chapel in Big
Sandy, Tn. with Bro. Jeff Hardy officiating. Burial was
in Mt. Carmel Cemetery with Stockdale-Malin of Big Sandy
in charge of services.
Mr. Farmer was born Nov. 17, 1913 in
Benton County, Tn. His parents Willie Richard Farmer, Sr.
and Lola Westerman preceded him in death. Also preceded
in death by two brothers Wilson and Frank Farmer and a
Grandson. Survivors include his wife Pauline Higdon
Farmer, one dau Betty JoFarmer, Arlington, Tn. 4 sons,
Carlton, New Lenox, Ill., Kenneth, Tommy, Johnny Glenn
all from Big Sandy, Tn; 2 sisters Lucy Cooper, Allen
Park, Michigan, Lucille Jackson, Paris, Tn. 9
grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was a retired
heavy equipment operator for U.S.Fish & Wildlife
Service.
Submitted
by Norma Watson
FRENCH
Emma Florence French, age 67 of
Camden, Tn. died Friday May 28, 1993 at Jackson Madison
County Hospital, Jackson, Tn. Funeral held Saturday, May
29, 1993 at 4:00 p.m. with graveside service at Flatwoods
Cemetery with Bro. Leonard Greer officiating.
Stockdale-Malin of Camden in charge of services.
Mrs. French was born Dec. 21, 1925 in
Benton County, Tn. Her parents Virdie Bell and Valeria
Pafford Bell preceded her in death. Survivords include
husband David E. French, one da Donna Lynn Townsend,
Camden, one son David Lynn French, Camden, one sister
Virginia Hollingsworth, Camden, 1/2 sister, Dorothy Jean
Daniel, Camden, 3 grandchildren and one great grandson.
Mrs. French was a retired utility
operator from HIS and a member of Eva Baptist Church.
Submitted
by Norma Watson
BARNES
Sarah Jane Barnes, age 99 of Holladay,
Tn. died Tuesday, May 18, 1993 at Valley Regional
Hospital in Camden.
Funeral held Thursday, May 20, 1993 at
Stockdale-Malin Chapel with Bro. Marty Arnold
officiating. Burial was in Old Liberty Cemetery, Hollday,
Tn. Mrs. Barnes born May 15, 1894 in Benton County, Tn.
Her parents were John Smothers and Martha Hicks Smothers
and Willie H. Barnes husband preceded her in death and
also 2 sons. Her husband Willie died January 1, 1969.
Survivors include 1 son, Loye Barnes of Holladay, Tn, 2
grandchildren Phillip and Peggy Bell, Tracy and Dana Bell
of Holladay, Tn. Mrs. Barnes was a homemaker and member
of Old Liberty Methodist Church.
Submitted
by Norma Watson
Obituaries
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