J. I. Leath, aged 84 years, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the Beech Bottom section of the county, died at eight o’clock Tuesday night after several months of ill health from a complication of diseases. He leaves his wife, Mrs Cis Leath; two sons, John W. Leath of Ebenezer; and James Leath of Bethpage; four daughters, Mrs. Della Wilburn, with whom he had made his home for a short time; Mrs. Ella Porter of Lafayette, Mrs. John Patterson of Nashville; and Mrs. Ela Smith of Rocky Mound; and one sister, Mrs. George Patterson of Union Camp.

Burial was made about three o’clock Wednesday afternoon in the Wilburn cemetery near Beech Bottom, with funeral services conducted by Elder Calvin Gregory. The deceased was a member of Ebenezer church for many years. He was a native of the Beech Bottom section and had spent nearly all his life there.

Source: Macon County Times – Lafayette, TN – Thursday July 16, 1936

Submitted By: Bill Patterson, email is: BplusM@aol.com