Benton County, Tennessee Genealogy
Obituaries


The following obituaries have been contributed to the web site.


McCAMPBELL

James R. McCampbell, 77, died Jan 7 at Henry Co. General Hospital. Burial was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Survived by his wife, Mrs. Lillie McCampbell; four daughters, Mrs. Henry Hutcheson of Detroit, Mrs. Nelson Van Huss of Nashville, Mrs. Vella May Robbins and Mrs. Clinton Wynn of Big Sandy; three sons, Victor McCampbell of Detroit, Paul McCampbell of Big Sandy, and Nelson McCampbell of Camden; one sister, Mrs Fannie Lashlee of Dresden; 28 grandchildren and 24 gr.grandchildren.

(from the Camden Chronicle, Jan 6, 1966)

Submitted by Kenneth Allen


Dr. Jacob Browning Florence

Obituary of Dr. Jacob Browning Florence (23 Dec 1838 - 30 Sep 1911):

Camden Chronicle: Rcd copy of Chronicle page 11/96 from Dan Florence:

"Death of Dr. Florence: Dr. J. B. Florence died at an early hour last Saturday morning, aged 72 years. It was the writer's good fortune to have known him long and well, and we only knew him to esteem him more highly as the years passed by. Today we miss his kindly smile and friendly greeting; we long in vain to hear the ring of his jovial laughter and to feel again his genial presence.

"Sunday afternoon we stood before his bier in the church yard not far from the scene of his youthful, happy days. We stood by his open grave as the last sad rites were performed, and as the clay of earth closed above his silent resting place, we said with the poet: 'Cold in the dust the perished heart may die, But that which warmed it once can never die.

"As we stood by his grave when the sky was trimmed with her gorgeous rosy hue, in fancy we could see him - not in death's cold shroud of sorrow and despair, but smiling upon us from the sunset halo that marks God's farewell to the day - smiling with all the remembered grace of his manhood, love and devotion, and saying to us: 'The sunset speaks but feebly of the glories of another day. All is well.'

"Dr. Florence was a kind, devoted husband, indulgent father and the soul of fellowship. But above all he was a man. And as a man it is that those who knew him best most love to contemplate him. He believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow men, who lets into the dark places of life the sunlight of human sympathy and human happiness, is following in the footsteps of his blessed Master.

"His cheerful, helpful life; his devotion to his wife and family and kindness to everyone will Linger as a sweet memory in the home which his presence brightened and which death has now darkened. Though he is gone his record has been made and will remain with us as a lasting treasure. His life was gentle, but like the still waters it was deep. In his heart of hearts he carried those he loved, and his hand was never weary, his step never failed in caring for and ministering to those who were in any way dependent upon him.

"An unusual long procession of Masons, brethren of the order he loved so well, assembled about his bier at Rushing's Creek Cemetery while Rev. E. R. Conder paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of the deceased. J. T. Spalding of Nashville officiated in the Masonic burial services. The casket was covered with many beautiful floral designs wrought by loving fingers, all of which spoke of peace, purity and immortality.

"Besides a bereaved companion he leaves five sons, four daughters, twenty- one grandsons, seventeen granddaughters, and seven great grandsons and three great granddaughters. We can only remind these grieved ones that he is not dead; he is only asleep --resting after a long and well spent life here; he can not, and would not if he could return to us; we can, if we will, go to him. Behind the storm clouds always lurks the rainbow and when the storm is past it weeps upon the flowers of the land and gems of the sea. Darkness precedes the dawning and out of the blackness of night comes the sunshine and joy of the day. And so from the beauty of his life take an inspiration and go fourth to live as he lived, so that when the summons comes you may say as did he, 'All is well.'

Submitted by Jean Stringham


James Wyly
Nashville, Tennessee American Newspaper, page 5, May 12, 1857

Nashville, Tennessee American Newspaper, page 5, May 12, 1857 Died: At his residence in Benton County on Friday the 8th inst., James Wyly, Esq., in the 58th year of his age, of Pneumonia. The deceased was a man greatly loved and respected by all who knew him. His family deeply mourn the loss of so kind and attentive a parent, and his neighbors will all testify that his devotion to them was of a kind that it will take years to obliterate it. The oppressed, the poor, the widow and orphan found him a true and fast friend. He was always disposed to help those who were in need, and it was his nature to be kind and just to every one. His slaves found in him a father not a master. So conscious was he of his rectitude, that not a word escaped him that did not fully justify his confidence in the promise, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

The deceased was several times elected to the State Legislature, where he performed valuable service to the State and his constituents. In his death the community has lost one of its best citizens.

Submitted by E.J. and Frances Sims


Flossie Hedge Wofford Sheffield

Flossie Hedge Wofford Sheffield, age 92 was born July 10, 1904, to the late James Eli and Sarah Elizabeth (Williams) Hedge. She died at Camden General Hospital in Camden, TN on Wednesday morning May 7, 1997.

Survived by:
Beulah Kee, daughter, Camden, TN.
Minnie Alice Utley, sister, Westland, MI.
4 Grandchildren
9 Great Grandchildren
Preceded by:
Charles Wooford, Husband
Dannie Sheffield, Husband
Edgar A. (Buddy) Wofford, Son
She was a Homemaker, Member of Missionary Grove Baptist Church. Services will be Friday, 2 P.M., May 9, 1997 at Stockdale-Malin Chapel, Minister, Bro. Kenneth Zike, Interment at Crossroads Cemetery.

Submitted by E.J. and Frances Sims


G. B. Holladay
Camden Chronicle Thursday May 23, 1968

A prominent Camden and Benton citizen, G.B. (Blanty) Holladay 95, died in Humphreys Co. Nursing Home on Sunday morning, May 19, 1968. With Stockdale- Malin Funeral Home in charge, burial was in the Camden cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. Robert Dixon officiating.

Mr. Holladay was the son of John Milton Holladay and Rachel Matthews Holladay. He was an outstanding citizen having been active in earlier years in the church, masons, politics and overall community life.

He was am elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 50 years, a mason for 70 years, circuit court clerk for 12 years, clerk and master 14 years, mayor of Camden and for many years chairman of the democratic executive committee.

Survivors include a son, John M. Holladay,a practicing attorney in Camden. Two daughters,Mrs Vivian H. McMillan of Memphis and Mrs Rachel H. Ferran of Eustis, Florida ,five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Submitted by Dona M. Taylor


Ernest Hawkins Smothers
Appeared in "The Camden Chronicle," page one, June 8, 1951

Ernest H. Smothers Buried Sunday Funeral Services for Ernest H. Smothers, who died at his home Friday night, (June 1, 1951) were held at Camden Methodist Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. J.L. Leggett officiating.

Mr. Smothers was postmaster at Camden for several years. He has been a director since the organization of the Bank of Camden and was vice president at the time of his death. He was 72 years old. He was a merchant for many years, active in religious and civic organizations. He had owned and operated the Dixie Theater since 1936.

Masonic rites were held at the grave. Bural was at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

He leaves his wife, Mrs Rose B. Smothers, three daughters, Mrs J.M. Sims, Milan, Mrs Shirley Davidson, Camden and Mrs Will Holladay, Holladay, and a son Wayne Smothers, Camden, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Camden Funeral Home was in charge of bural.

Submitted by E.J. Sims


Mary Frances Florence
Appeared in the Camden Chronicle on July 28, 1893

"After a very short illness Miss Mary Florence, who resided about five miles north of Camden, died suddenly Thursday of last week. She was about forty-eight years of age, and a most estimable woman, who was widely known and beloved throughout the community for her charitable disposition and gracious manner. she was a sister of Mr. George Florence, now a prominant merchant at Lexington, who was present at her funeral."

Submitted by Dan Florence


David Sylvester Cuff
Death notice from the Camden Chronicle, dated: September 25, 1891

"On Sunday morning, the 20th instant, at his late residence, 4-1/2 miles east from Camden, Mr. D.S. Cuff, of consumption. Mr. Cuff was about fifty-three years of age and was a sucessful farmer and useful citizen, enjoying the friendship of many. He had an attack of La Grippe about a year ago which brought on consumption. His remains were interred at the family burial grounds Sunday. His wife and several children survive him."

Submitted by Dan Florence

Obituaries

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