DEATHS AND OBITUARIES (1973-1989)
from the clippings of the late Elsie Johnson of Lexington, Tennessee
This contains all mentions of deaths in all clippings in one of the two scrapbooks of the late Elsie Johnson. Most of these clippings do not indicate dates or sources. Identifiable dates range 1973-1989. Sources probably are the Lexington Progress and the Jackson Sun. Bookmarks go to formal obituaries. Most people listed are black.
|
Arnold, Linda |
Kindle, Mildred Maude |
Seals, W. K.* |
*Items with asterisk include photograph.
Linda Arnold
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [she died in 1986 per tombstone]
LEXINGTON - Services for Linda Arnold, 38, will be at 1 p.m. today at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Lonnie Black officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.
Mrs. Arnold died Thursday morning at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a short illness.
She was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.
Surviving are her husband, Lewis Arnold, four sons, Christopher Arnold, Xzavion Arnold and Joel Arnold, all of Lexington, and another son whose name and address were unavailable, her mother, Margie Scott of Nashville; eight brothers, Dwight Pate, Calvin Garrett, Clecon Garrett, Leonardo Garrett and Douglas Hooten, all of Nashville, Alexander Scott of Whiteville, William Franklin Scott of Indianapolis, and Lynn Ray Scott of Tacoma, Wash.; and eight sisters, Elaine Jones, Shannon Hooten, Renea Hooten and Lawana Hooten, all of Nashville, Alma Scott and JoAn Pate, both of Parsons, Judy Peleher of Knoxville, and Martha Graves of Detroit.
Parham Mortuary is in charge.
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Carlos Bradley
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
MORRIS CHAPEL - Services for Carlos Bradley, 94, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Church of the Living God. Burial will be in Cawthon Cemetery.
Mr. Bradley, a retired carpenter, died Saturday at his home.
He was married to Mary Bradley. They had two children, Carlos Bradley Jr. of Morris Chapel and Jacqueline Strickland of Selmer.
For more information, call Parham Mortuary of Lexington at 968-5882.
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Hattie Bradley
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
LEXINGTON - Services for Mrs. Hattie Bradley, 96, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church with the Rev. Samuel White officiating. Burial will be in Clifton Cemetery with Nathaniel Parham Jr. in charge.
Mrs. Bradley died Sunday evening at NuCare Convalescent Center after a long illness.
She formerly lived in Clifton and was a member of Steven's AME Church there. She had lived in Lexington for the past 10 years and attended Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Fannie Washington of Joplin, Ill.
The family will receive visitors at Pilgrim Rest Church from 6-9 p.m. today.
[She is buried at Lizard Glade Cemetery, shares a double marker with Will E. Bradley (1885-1962), and was born in 1884.]
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Naomi Briggs
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Funeral services for Mrs. Naomi Briggs will be Saturday, at 1 p.m. from the Salem Baptist Church with the Rev. F. D. Joy, officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery with Stephenson and Shaw Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Briggs, 208 Sullivan, died Wednesday morning at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. She was born in Gloster, Mississippi, daughter of the late Rev, and Mrs. N. J. Neyland. She attended the public schools in Little Rock, Ark., and was a graduate of Magnolia Training School, Pioneer, La. She attended Grambling College, Grambling, La., majoring in music.
Early in life, she became a member of Terry's Chapel Church, Little Rock, later moving to Oak Grove, La., she became a member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
She was married to Rev. Louis S. Briggs in 1927, and upon his call to Jackson, Tennessee, thirteen years ago, she became a member of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as assistant pianist of the Church, a member of the senior Choir, the Missionary Society and other departments.
She was active with the Interdenominational Ministers Wives, pianist of the West Tennessee Central Association and director of the Baptist Training Union of the association, and was past president of the Ministers Wives.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. L. S Briggs; five sisters, Mrs. Ruthie Wright, South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Annie Bough, Mrs. Estella Banks, Mrs. Louise Holloway and Mrs. Lucille Buckley all of Little Rock; one brother, Isaiah Neyland of Little Rock; two aunts, Mrs. Ioda Profit and Mrs. Charlottie Scott both of Monroe, La.; and other relatives.
Active pallbearers are requested to meet at the funeral home at 12:30 p.m., they are Leonard Johnson, Jessie Stovall, James Thompson, Gene Huntspon, Ezell Martin and Clarence Bangs.
Honorary pallbearers are Church, Trustees and Ministers Wives.
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Jason Buckley
Boy dies in trailer fire; mother lives
Jackson Sun
Date Unknown [He died in 1988 according to temporary marker on his
grave]
By Diana Branum
Sun reporter
LEXINGTON - A 21/2-year-old boy died in a trailer house fire Thursday afternoon, but his 33-year-old mother was rescued from the blaze.
Jason Buckley was dead on arrival at Methodist Hospital of Lexington, a hospital spokeswoman said.
His mother, Marilyn Buckley, was rescued from the burning building by neighbors and remains in the hospital for observation.
Buckley also has a young daughter who was not in the trailer during the fire. Officials were uncertain where she was Thursday but think she was at school. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the state fire marshal's office, said Lexington-Henderson County Fire Chief Danny Barker. The state investigator couldn't be reached for comment. Firefighters arrived at Azbill's Trailer Park at 2:48 p.m. and put out the fire in about five minutes, Barker said.
Services for Jason Paul Buckley will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Timberlake Grove Baptist Church. Burial will be in Kizer Cemetery.
His father is Terry Scott of McKenzie. His sister is Beverly Buckley of Lexington.
For more information, call Parham Mortuary at 968-5882.
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Charles Campbell
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [He died in 1986 according to temporary marker on his
grave]
LEXINGTON- Services for Charles Campbell, 26, will be at 11 a.m. today at the Keys Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Neriah Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.
Mr. Campbell died Thursday night at his home on Pope Road of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was an employee of the Swan Hose Corp. and a member of the Keys Chapel United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Sonya Campbell of Lexington; his parents, William and Edna Campbell of Lexington; a son, Ansian Campbell of Lexington; a daughter, Vanity Campbell of Lexington: a grandmother, Delma Campbell of Lexington; four brothers, James Campbell, Rodney Campbell and George Campbell, all of Lexington, and Gary Campbell of Jackson; and a sister, Susan Campbell of Lexington.
Parham Mortuary is in charge.
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Avie Carter
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Avie Carter, 93, formerly of Carroll County, died Tuesday at Veterans Administration Hospital in Vansville, Ill. Arrangements are incomplete. For more information, call Bledsoe Funeral Home at 427-1521.
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George Elsie Casey
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
SALTILLO - Services for George Elsie Casey, 80, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morning View Baptist Church in Saltillo with the Rev. R. S. Neely officiating. Burial will be in Saltillo Cemetery with Parham Mortuary in charge.
Mr. Casey died Monday afternoon at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a long illness.
Born in Decatur County, he was educated in Decatur and Hardin counties. He was a farmer and a member of the Baptist Church of Bethel Springs.
Survivors include a son, Johnny Casey of Harvey, Ill.; two daughters, Mrs. Rosie Casey Johnson of Saltillo and Mrs. Dorothy Jean McDaniel of Salina, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
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Stevie Bumphus 'Bo' Clemens
Services set for murder victim
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
CLIFTON - Wayne County authorities are still investigating the Sunday afternoon shooting of a 20-year-old 1aborer in a residential area of town, according to Sheriff Larry Simmons.
The sheriff said that there had been a quarrel before to the shooting, that his officers were taking statements from witnesses this morning and that no arrests had been made yet.
Stevie Bumphus 'Bo' Clemens died Sunday evening at Riverside Clinic in Clifton from a gunshot wound.
Services for Mr. Clemons will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Frank Churchwell officiating. Burial will be in Clifton City Cemetery with S. B. Moore Funeral Home of Selmer in charge.
He was born in Clifton, son of Claude Bumphus and the late Pauline Churchwell.
Also surviving are a daughter, Secherria Clemons of Clifton; four sisters, Mrs. Bessie Witherspoon, Mrs. Teresa Churchwell, Miss Vicky Bumphus Clemons and Miss Nancy Bumphus Clemons, all of Clifton; six brothers, the Rev. Frank Churchwell and James Churchwell Jr., both of Sandusky, Ohio, Kenneth Bumphus and Gregory Bumphus Clemons, both of Clifton, Mike Churchwell and Jesse Churchwell, both of Augusta, Ga.; and his grandmother, Mrs. Mamie Johnson of Clifton.
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B. R. Graham
Services Set
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
CLIFTON, Tenn. - Services for the Rev. B. R. Graham, 70, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. James Methodist Church in Clifton with the Rev. W. G. Couch officiating. Burial will be in Clifton Cemetery with Parham Funeral Home in charge.
The Rev. Graham died at Wayne County General Hospital at Waynesboro Wednesday evening where he had been a patient three weeks. He had been in ill health a short time.
He was born in Dyer County, son of the late Brooks and Amanda Tally Graham. He was a graduate of Lane College, attended Fish University and taught in the Hardin County School System for 32 years.
The Rev. Graham was a member of St. James Methodist Church.
Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Etta Fikes of Toledo, Ohio, and a brother, Tally Graham of Joplin Mo.
The body will be at St. James Church after 7 tonight until services.
The family will receive friends at Peoples Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Friday.
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Claude Harmon
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [He died in 1988 according to his tombstone]
Services for Claude Harmon, 82, will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Greater Bethel A.M.E. with Rev. Otto W. Duncan, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Tennessee.
Mr. Harmon died Friday morning, June 24th, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Lillie E. Harmon, two sisters, Alberta Douglas of Lexington and Pauline Hutcherson of Indianapolis, Ind. and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at Bledsoe Funeral Home.
The body will lie in state at the church Thursday from 12 noon until time of service.
Bledsoe Funeral Home
427-1521
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Malcolm Antonio Ingram
Butcher knife in heart kills Jackson man; girl, 17, held
Jackson Sun
Date Unknown
By Diana Branum
Sun reporter
A 19-year-old Jackson man died Thursday night after he was stabbed in the heart with an 8-inch-long butcher knife, police said.
Malcolm Antonio Ingram, of Parkway East Apt. E1, was pronounced dead at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at 11:10p.m. by Dr. John Matthews, said Deputy Police Chief R. E. Curlin.
A 17-year-old girl is being held in the juvenile detention center and may face charges in Ingram's death, Curlin said. Juvenile investigators will be questioning possible witnesses before making any charges.
Police arrived at Parkway East on Carver Avenue at 10:10 p.m. and found Ingram unconscious on the ground between the D and E buildings of the apartment complex, Curlin said. Witnesses told police they saw Ingram staggering before he fell to the ground, Curlin said.
Ingram was taken to General Hospital with ambulance crews administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, according to ambulance authority records.
Police recovered the knife suspected as the weapon from the kitchen sink in an apartment where they arrested the suspect.
Witnesses told police Ingram and the girl were arguing and fighting and said they saw her stab him. She is charged with attempted murder.
Police don't know the nature of the relationship between the girl in custody and the dead man, said Curlin.
Arrangements are incomplete with Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home in charge.
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Landon Todd Keeton
Teenager dies after accidental hanging
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
DECATURVILLE - A 17-year old boy accidentally hanged himself Tuesday at his home, a family spokesman said.
Further information about the death of Landon Todd Keeton was unavailable from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which is handling the case.
Arrangements are incomplete with Boyd Funeral Home in charge. The funeral home's number is 852-3711.
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Mildred Maude Kindle
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [She died April 18, 1984 according to her tombstone]
DECATURVILLE - Services for Mrs. Mildred Maude Kindle, 80, will be at 2 p.m. today at Freedman Chapel AME Church with the Rev. James Nesbitt Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Decaturville Cemetery with Parham Mortuary of Lexington in charge.
Mrs. Kindle died Wednesday night at Decatur County General Hospital after a long illness.
She was a lifelong resident of Decatur County and a member of Freeman Chapel AME Church.
Surviving are a brother, Dover Scott of Decaturville; three sisters, Mrs. Lessie Yarbro and Mrs. Velora Fisher, both of Decaturville, and Mrs. Margaret Stanton of Cleveland, Ohio; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
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Lewis Henry Kizer
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [He died in 1977 per tombstone]
LEXINGTON - Services for Lewis Henry Kizer, 56, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Key's Chapel United Methodist Church with Sister Marjorie Gray officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Parham Mortuary in charge. [He is buried in Kizer Cemetery.]
Mr. Kizer died Sunday at the Nyack, N.Y. hospital unexpectedly.
He was born and reared in Henderson County.
He leaves his widow, Mrs. Glee Kizer of Nyack, N.Y.; two daughters, Miss Sharon Kizer and Miss Denita Kizer both of Nyack, N.Y.; his mother. Mrs. Lillie Kizer of Lexington; five sisters, Mrs. Doris McDade, and Mrs. Rachel Bomer both of Nyack, Mrs. Robener Wilson, and Mrs. Nell Faust, both of Chicago, and Mrs. Enda L. Campbell of Lexington.
The body will be at the funeral home chapel until time of service.
Pallbearers will be R. D. Hillyard, Charles Kennedy, James McDonald, Thomas McDonald, John Allen Parker and Printice Wadley.
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Odie Kizer
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
LEXINGTON - Services for Miss Oddie Kizer, 87, will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church with the Rev. Samuel White officiating. Burial will be in the Lexington Cemetery with Parham Mortuary in charge.
Miss Kizer died Wednesday at the Lexington-Henderson County General Hospital. She was born in Henderson County. She was a member of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
She leaves two sisters, Mrs. Flora Combs and Miss Lillie Kizer both of Scotts Hill. The wake will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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Virgil Moffitt
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [a temporary marker recorded in 1976 lists death date as March
29, 1971]
LEXINGTON - Funeral services for Virgil Moffitt, 75, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Parham Mortuary with the Rev. Graple Donnell officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.
Mr. Moffitt, a lifelong Henderson Countian, died suddenly Monday morning at his home on Lexington.
He was the son of late Ben and Lessie Cooper Moffitt. He was a retired farmer.
Surviving are a son, Melvin Moffitt of Lexington; a daughter, Mrs. Truda Mae Lassiter of Paducah; several grandchildren nieces and nephews.
The body will be at the Mortuary chapel after 7 tonight until services.
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Esther Borroughs Nance
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
CLIFTON Services for Esther Borroughs Nance, 86, will be at 3 p.m. today at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Mrs. Nance, a homemaker, died Friday at Hardin County General Hospital.
She was married to the late Hugh R. Nance. They had four children, Edna Nance and Hugh Laden Nance, both of Clifton, Mary Emma Wilson of Sarasote, Fla., and Betty Lou Bigbie of Helmer, Ind.
For more information, call Shackelford Funeral Home of Shavannah at 925-4000.
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J. C. Owens
Huntingdon's vice mayor, educator J.C. Owens, dies
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
HUNTINGDON - Dr. James Curtis Owens, 72, vice mayor of Huntingdon since 1976 and an educator, died Wednesday at his home after suffering an apparent heart attack.
Arrangements are incomplete with Williams and Rawls Funeral Home of Paris in charge.
Mr Owens was a former associate professor of education at University of Tennessee at Martin.
He also was a noted gospel music personality, particularly as host of the Sunday morning "Black Focus" program airing at 8:30 on WKTA-FM in McKenzie. Known as "Deacon Owens," probably because he was a deacon at Huntingdon's Srnyrna Missionary Baptist Church, he gave exposure to a number of area gospel groups who had recordings. Many of the groups gathered annually to hold a "J. C. Owens Appreciation Night" concert, held in recent years at Carroll County Civic Center here.
A native of the Huntingdon area, Mr. Owens received his education in Carroll County public schools, received a bachelor's degree in social science from Lane College in 1956, a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from Tennessee State University in Nashville in 1959, and a doctorate in education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1967.
He had also done postgraduate work at UTK and Ohio State University. He served as principal of Smyrna Elementary School from 1940 to 1951, principal of Hale Junior High School in Huntingdon until 1962, and principal of Bruce High School in Dyersburg until 1968.
Mr. Owens joined the UTM faculty in 1969 and also had served as director of education self-study and director of student teaching before retiring in 1977 after more than 37 years in education.
He was honored by his peers at retirement with the "Outstanding Teacher Award," which cited his service to the university and community. Other honors included inclusions in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities," "Outstanding Personalities of the South," "Community Leaders of the America" and "Tennessee Outstanding Principal of the Year" for 1965.
He was first elected to the Huntingdon Board of Mayor and Aldermen in March 1974 and first designated vice mayor by other council members in July 1975.
He had served continuously since that time, primarily as adviser to the city fire department, according to City Recorder Ken Houston.
"He was well thought of in the community, particularly by the young people," Houston recalled, adding that Mr. Owens was "a stablizing influence on the council. He seemed to have an ability to look at problems from both sides and approach a solution from a rational viewpoint. He'll be missed."
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J. L. 'Stinker' Pettigrew
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [He died August 31, 1986 according to his tombstone]
LEXINGTON - Services for James Lewis "Stinker" Pettigrew, 32, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Lewis Chapel AME Church with the Rev. S. B. Moore officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.
Mr. Pettigrew, a state Transportation Department employee, died early Sunday morning at Lexington Methodist Hospital from a gunshot wound, according to the Lexington Police Department report.
A Perryville native, he lived most of his life in the Lexington area. He was a member of Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge.
Surviving are his wife, Cheryl D. Pettigrew; a stepson, Lewis Moffit of Lexington; his parents, John and Beedie Pettigrew of Perryville; two sisters, Lucille Bender of Cleveland, Ohio, and Louise Terrell of Nashville; and a brother, Charles "Scasie" Pettigrew of Lexington.
The family will receive friends at Peoples Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Friday.
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Jimmie Ruth Price
Jimmie Ruth Price, 69, homemaker
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
SAVANNAH - Services for Jimmie Ruth Price, 69, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Savannah Cemetery.
Mrs. Price, a homemaker, died Sunday at Hardin County General Hospital.
She was married to Charles Price. They had five children, Bobby Price of Savannah, Will Price of Houston, Lavern Price of Los Angeles, Jerry Price of Columbus, Ga., and Tommy Price of Martinez, Ga.
She had a brother, L. V. McClarin of Gary, Ind., and five sisters, Johnnie Oakley and Martha McClarin, both of Savannah, Anna Bell of Nashville, Kathalene Walker and Martha Prim, both of Minneapolis.
For more information, call Parham Mortuary of Lexington at 968-5882.
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Isaiah Webster Savage Jr
Isaiah Savage rites Saturday
Jackson Sun
March 13, 1981
Services for Isaiah Webster Savage Jr., 60, Jackson educator and civic leader, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. W. K. Seals officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery with Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Savage, who lived at 550 S. Royal St., died Tuesday at Hubbard Hospital, Meharry Medical College, in Nashville, after a long illness.
A native of Jackson, Mr. Savage taught auto mechanics for more than 30 years at the old Merry High School and at Jackson Central-Merry High School.
He was a part-time field representative for U.S. Rep. Ed Jones, D-Tenn, and had been active in the leadership of the black community, holding office in the local NAACP chapter. He was a past chairman of the Jackson Housing Authority and treasurer of the West Tennessee Health Improvement Association board.
He also served on the boards of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Jackson Boys Club and the Southwest Tennessee Development District.
He was a veteran of World War II and was active in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He was a trustee, deacon and Sunday School teacher in Berean Baptist Church, and chairman of its budget committee.
He was active in local Democrat party politics.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Margaret Tatum Savage; three daughters, Mrs. Margaret Cassandra Robinson and Mrs. Anona Webster Huntley, both of Newark, N.J., and Miss Yolanda Carol Savage of Jackson; his mother, Mrs. Jessie Watson Savage of Jackson; a sister, Mrs. Lurline Savage Riley of Newark; a brother, Carl Savage of Detroit; a cousin, Mrs. Lillian Parker, and a foster son, Roy David Manuel, both of Jackson; five grandchildren, and other relatives.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Melvin Wright, Dr. Ernest Carter, Dr. Robert Owens, J. A. Cooke, Alexander Moore Jr. and Tommy Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons and trustees of Berean Baptist Church, and also Curtis McMillan, Buddy Patey, Chester Rushing and Talmage Critchfield.
The family will receive visitors at the church 7-8 p.m. today.
The body will be at Macedonia Baptist Church on Lane Avenue at noon Saturday and will remain there until services, when it will be taken to Berean Baptist Church.
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William T. Seagraves Jr.,
Man says he killed baby 20 years ago
Jackson Sun
Date Unknown
By Chris Haywood
Sun reporter
LEXINGTON - A 43-year-old Lexington man faces murder charges after telling authorities last week he killed his infant son 20 years ago.
William T. "Terry" Seagraves, of Gore Trailer Park on Natchez Trace Drive, told Henderson County investigators Friday he murdered his son, William T. Seagraves Jr., in 1968 by putting his hand over the month-old infant's mouth and smothering him when they lived in Carroll County, authorities said.
Seagraves was on a jail work crew, picking up highway litter Friday for a public drunkenness conviction, when he asked a deputy to take him to the sheriff's office because he wanted to make a statement.
"He was real nervous and showed signs of distress," said Sheriff Bobby Butler. "He was very upset. He asked to see his pastor and wife before he made the statement. This had been eating at him for 20 years."
Seagraves told authorities he, his wife at that time, and the baby were in bed when he killed the infant. He and his wife had come home from partying, the baby was crying, and "in his drunken stupor he thought he could get the baby to shut up," said Butler.
The baby's death was determined as crib death, the report said.
The infant, who would have been 20 Thursday, was the Seagraves' only child. He and the baby's mother have since divorced, Butler said.
Seagraves remains in Henderson County Jail on public drunkenness charges. The investigation has been turned over to Carroll County officials where a spokeswoman said a second-degree murder charge against Seagraves has been filed.
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W. K. Seals
Civil leader, W. K. Seals, dies
Jackson Sun
Date Unknown
By KEVIN BARNARD
Sun Reporter
The Rev. W. K. Seals, 76, a religious, civic and minority leader in Jackson for more than 10 years, died Saturday afternoon after apparently suffering a heart attack at his home at 444 N. Hays Ave. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
It was the Rev. Seals' fourth heart attack since a massive coronary in 1975, said his wife, Mrs. Alena Seals.
She said the second, in 1979, and the third, which sent him to the hospital in May, were minor.
The Rev. Seals had been Jackson's Affirmative Action officer since about 1978, monitoring compliance with federal regulations concerning hiring of minorities in city departments. He also served as an informal community relations officer, helping residents in need of city assistance or relief.
During the early 1970s the Rev. Seals served as president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. During that time he participated with James L. Buchanan and Genevieve R. Brooks in a class action lawsuit challenging Jackson's three-man commission form of government.
That lawsuit - which alleged the commission form diluted the voting strength of minorities - was dismissed in March by U.S. District Judge Odell Horton, and is now on appeal.
The Rev. Seals had been pastor of Berean Baptist Church since about 1970.
He was born and raised in Houston, Miss., attending Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss., and graduating from A and M College in Alcorn, Miss. The Rev. Seals was principal of Houston (Miss.) Junior High School for about five years.
He later graduated from the Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville and moved to Jackson.
[remainder of article missing]
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Robert Sharp
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [a temporary marker on his grave notes he died Jan. 18,
1976]
LEXINGTON - Services for Robert Sharp, 81, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at McHaney Cemetery with the Rev. Samuel White officiating. Burial will be in McHaney Cemetery with Parham Mortuary in charge.
Mr. Sharp died Sunday at Methodist Hospital in Memphis after a short illness.
He leaves four sons, Opal Sharp of Indianapolis. Ind., Edward Sharp of St. Louis, Mo., Ezell Sharp of New Jersey and Will Sharp of Florida; 10 daughters, Ruthie Mae Sharp of Indianapolis, Mrs. Essie Watson and Mrs. Ethel Mae Sharp, both of Kansas City, Mo., Rosie Lee Sharp, Barbara Ann Sharp and Susie Sharp, all of Memphis, Hattie Mae Sharp of New Jersey, Mrs. Olivia Butler and Barbara Lou Sharp, both of Chicago, and Belbetlene Sharp of Mississippi; two brothers, Edd Sharp and Nathan Sharp, both of Indianapolis; two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Williams and Mrs. Olivia Hart, both of Indianapolis; 20 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. today.
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Lee Roy Smith
Lee Roy Smith Rites Thursday
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
LEXINGTON, Tenn. - Services for Lee Roy Smith, 72, will be at 2:30 p. m. Thursday at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church with the Rev. J. W. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery with Parham Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Smith died Saturday evening at Henderson County General Hospital.
He was born in Henderson County, son of the late William and Sophia Poole Smith. He was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Mary Smith; three daughters, Mrs. Carrie Pearson of Lexington, and Mrs. Georgia Britt and Mrs. Elizabeth Rasberry, both of Memphis; a son, Willie Smith of Lexington; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren.
The body will be at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Wednesday until services.
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Lucy J. Taylor
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [Her tombstone lacks death date but lists birth date as April
3, 1893]
PARSONS - Services for Mrs. Lucy J. Taylor, 93, will he at 11 am. Sunday at Temple Church of God and Christ in Parsons with Elvis Fuller officiating. Burial will he in Parsons Cemetery with Parham Mortuary in charge.
Mrs. Taylor, widow of John Taylor, died Wednesday at Decatur County General Hospital after a long illness.
Survivors include a son, Herman Taylor of Parsons.
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Will Stanley Thomas
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Funeral services for Mr. Will Stanley Thomas, 37, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 1989 at Beech Springs Baptist Church with Rev. R. S. Neely officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Thomas departed this life Sunday, January 1, 1989 in Henderson, Tennessee.
He was born in Henderson, the son of the late Will Thomas and Bertha Thomas Woody. He worked for the City of Henderson Water-Gas Department for 15 years, and served four years in the United States Marine Corp.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Thomas, three children, Kameo Thomas and Keisha Thomas all of Henderson and Orlando Arnold of Lexington, his mother and step-father, Bertha Thomas Woody and Curley Woody both of Henderson, four sisters, Brenda Prather of Jackson, Louise Thomas, Melinda Thomas and Tangie Thomas all of Henderson, his grandmother, Cora Lee Barham of Henderson, several uncles and aunts, Lucille Meadows of Union City, Boston and Gathon Barham of Selmer, Culls and Precious Thomas, E. C. and Geneva Armstrong, Sarah Thomas and Zelma Hubbard all of Henderson, W. C. and Dorothy Joyner of Trezevant, Willie B. Barham of Memphis and Henry Thomas of Akron, Oh., and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home in Henderson, Tennessee.
Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home
989-2222 or 427-7411
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Betty Tucker
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
SAVANNAH - Services for Mrs. Betty K. Tucker, 51, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ with the Rev. S. B. Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Savannah Cemetery with Moore Funeral Home in Selmer in charge.
Mrs. Tucker, a retired nurse's aide at the Hardin County General Hospital, died Wednesday morning at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a short illness.
She was a native of Hardin County's Sparks Bend community, daughter of the late Bert and Gertrude Sowell Bumphus, and attended the Love Tabernacle Church. She was the widow of George E. "Peck" Tucker Jr.
Surviving are five daughters, Miss Natalie Tucker and Miss Freda Tucker, both of Jackson, Mrs. Sondra Earley and Miss Nancy Tucker, both of North Canton, Ohio, and Miss Betty V. Tucker of Savannah; a son, George E. Tucker III, stationed with the Navy in Philadephia; a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Sparks of Savannah; three brothers, Ulis Grant Bumphus and George Bumphus, both of Savannah, and Harvey Bumphus of Pontiac, Mich.; and four grandchildren.
The body will be at the church from 11 a.m. Saturday until time for services.
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Mary Ellen Weatherspoon
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Funeral services for Mary Ellen Weatherspoon, 84, of Waynesboro were conducted Tuesday, January 27 at 1 p.m. at the St. James Methodist Church in Clifton with Ernest Howse officiating. Burial was in Lizard Glade in Clifton.
Miss Weatherspoon died, Thursday, January 22 at Wayne County Hospital. She was a native of Tennessee, a daughter of the late Ed Weatherspoon and Kate Weatherspoon, a housekeeper and a memher of the St. James Methodist Church.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
[Ellen Weatherspoon (1902-1987) is buried at Lizard Glade Cemetery.]
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Charles (Snook) Williams
Source Unknown
Date Unknown [May 1973]
MR. CHARLES (SNOOK) WILLIAMS - At Methodist Hospital, May 2, 1973. Husband of Mrs. Historia Williams, father of Mrs. Charlie Mae Harney, Mrs. Veatrice (Bonnie) Ivy, Mrs. Lee Ella Echols and Mr. Charles Williams Jr. devoted grandchild, Bryce (Beenie) Williams and 9 other grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, brother of Mrs. Ruby Lee Beaty. A host of nieces, nephews, brother-in-law of Mrs. Thelma Bailey Eason, father-in-law of Mr. Lamon Harney, Mr. Columbus Echols and Mrs. Don Williams and other relatives and friends. Due notice. R. S. LEWIS & SONS, 374 Vance Ave., 526-3264.
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Elmyra Ann Witherspoon
Elmyra Witherspoon, 92, homemaker
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Services for Elmyra Ann Witherspoon, 92, will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at New Greater Bethel AME Church. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Witherspoon, a homemaker, died Tuesday morning at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital's emergency room.
She was married to the late Joe Witherspooon. They had two children, Wilma Witherspoon of Jackson and Robert Witherspoon of Flushing, N.Y.
She had three sisters, Mary Alice Blalark of Jackson, Lena Fuller of St. Louis and Helen Holliday of Pomona, Calif., and two brothers, Roy Blalark and Elder L. D. Blalark, both of Jackson.
For more information, call Bledsoe Funeral Home at 427-1521.
Source Unknown
Date Unknown
Services for Mrs. Elmyra Ann Witherspoon, 92, will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church with Rev. Paul Tipton officiating. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Gardens with Bledsoe Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Witherspoon passed away Tuesday at Jackson Madison County General Hospital's Emergency Room.
She was born in Wayne County, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Dave and Ida Bailey Blalark, where she attended the public schools. She had lived in Jackson since 1931 and was a member of the Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church. She was married to Mr. Joe Witherspoon who preceded her in death.
Survivors are a daughter, Wilma Witherspoon of Jackson; a son, Robert Witherspoon (Irene) of Flushing, NY; three sisters, Mary Alice Blalark of Jackson, Lena Fuller of St. Louis, Mo. and Helen Holliday of Promona, Ca.; two brothers, Roy Blalark and Rev. L. D. Blalark (Theresa) all of Jackson; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews, Larry Witherspoon, Dennis Witherspoon, Kelly Witherspoon, David Eddings, Roy Adkins and Stanley Blalark.
Her body will be at the funeral home until time of services.
[Dates on her marker are 1900-1993.]
Bledsoe Funeral Home
427-1521