EMMA STEWART

 STEWART, Emma Jean, age 89, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. She was born on Feb. 28, 1934, in Decherd, Tennessee, to the late Webb Tate and Mary Lou Starnes Swann. Jean was a school teacher in Tullahoma, Tennessee, for many years and was a member of the Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Webb Tate and Mary Lou Starnes Swann; husband, Louis Allen Shuster; husband, Jack Stewart; sister, Bonnie Sue Hughes; and brother, Frank Tate Swann. Jean is survived by her daughter, Diane (Mickey) Gipson of Winchester; sister, Sylvia Patricia Briggs of Murfreesboro; and grandchildren, Hannah Gipson, Faith Gipson (Nick) Bible and Grant (Maggie) Gipson. Emma Jean leaves behind a legacy of warmth, kindness and passion for service that touched the lives of all who knew her. For 39 years, she was a dedicated teacher, guiding and inspiring generations of young minds. Her nurturing nature and boundless patience left a mark on her students, many of whom still fondly remember her as the source of inspiration that shaped their lives. Beyond the classroom, Emma Jean’s heart knew no bounds. As a “Pink Lady” hospital volunteer, she brightened the lives of patients and staff alike with her infectious smile and compassionate demeanor. Her selfless dedication to helping others during their times of need exemplified her genuine and caring spirit. Emma Jean’s commitment to civic duty extended to the community as well. Every election season, she found joy in visiting with friends while assisting in the voting process. One of the most endearing aspects of Emma Jean’s life was her unique and undeniable fondness for her backyard squirrels. Her genuine love for her little friends served as a reminder of her ability to find joy in the simplest of things and her connection to the beauty of nature. Ultimately, Emma Jean’s greatest passion was her grandchildren. She was the epitome of a doting Nannie Bell, always ready with a warm embrace, a playful game and stories that ignited their imaginations. Her cherished role as a grandmother brought her immeasurable joy, and her grandchildren will forever hold dear the precious memories they shared with her. “We will remember her with smiles and gratitude for the many ways she enriched our lives. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched and let her love for life remind us to find joy in the simple pleasures of life.” Visitation was held on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. at the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home Chapel with services following at 4 p.m. in the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was at Franklin Memorial Gardens. A favorite charity of Emma Jean’s was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

CHARLES MARION

MARION, Charles Dwayne, age 55, of Cowan, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.  Dwayne was born in Fayetteville, on Jan. 10, 1968, to Charles Marion and the late Mary Reba (Seymour) Marion.  He served his country in the United States Army. Dwayne worked at Tri-Green Equipment as a tractor diesel mechanic and recently began working as a ranch foreman. An avid outdoorsman, Dwayne enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and traveling to the Smoky Mountains.  He had a kind, caring nature and was always helping others.  In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his sister, Angela Marion Bragg.  Dwayne is survived by his loving wife, Cookie Marion of Cowan; children, Jarred (Mikaley “Sweetie”) Marion of Winchester, Zac (Rebecca) Marion, Allison (Greg) Dietz of Winchester, and Zane Rollins of Cowan; father, Charlie Marion of Estill Springs; grandchildren, Sophia Marion, Eli Marion, and Kaisen Dietz; and special friend, Tim Cole.  A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at 4 p.m. at Cowan Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ronnie Pittenger officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Cowan Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

RUTH MCKINNEY

MCKINNEY, Ruth Thompson, age 72, of McMinnville, Tennessee, formerly of Winchester, Tennessee, departed this life on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at St. Thomas West in Nashville, Tennessee, following a brief illness.  Ms. McKinney was born in Sherwood, Tennessee, on July 30, 1951.  She was a homemaker.  Ms. McKinney was of the Pentecostal faith.  She enjoyed working in her flowers and her vegetable garden. She also liked cooking and her animals.  She loved singing and taking care of her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and sister and her beautiful singing voice will be greatly missed by all. She was preceded in death by her mother, Leona Wiseman; daughter, Tina McKinney; and brother, Floyd Wiseman. She is survived by her lifetime friend, Henry McKinney of Winchester; daughters, Sherry (Ricky) Sims of Belvidere, Dora (Barry) McKinney of McMinnville, and Kim (Victor) McKinney of Manchester, sisters, Shelia (Billy) Stewart of Huntland, and Vicky (William) Fitzpatrick of Winchester; grandchildren, Alan (Amy) Hendon of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Matthew Hayworth, Cherish (Billy) McKinney, all of McMinnville, Acacia Tate and Allyiah Tate, both of Manchester, Tyler (Kelly) Hendon of Estill Springs, Issaiah Tate of Manchester, and Malachi McKinney of McMinnville; three great-grandchildren, Ariyah Hayworth, Ziyanna Hayworth and Billy Wayne McKinley, Jr.; aunts, Daisy Ramsey of North Carolina, and Nancy Christa of Unionville, Tennessee; and an uncle, James Thompson of Tullahoma, Tennessee. Visitation was held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Daniel Ramsey officiating. Interment followed services in the Mt. Garner Cemetery in Decherd, Tennessee, where she was laid to rest beside her daughter, Tina. Her grandchildren served as pallbearers.    

LAWRENCE FOWLER

 FOWLER, Lawrence Wallace “Larry,” age 82, of Fayetteville, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at his home while surrounded by his family.  Larry was born on March 21, 1941, in Lauderdale County, Alabama, to the late Laurence M. and Bertha Wallace Fowler. He worked in construction for most of his life, employed by others as well as himself, and on jobs large to small. He was a Mason and was of the Church of Christ faith. Lawrence enjoyed being outdoors, hunting and fishing, and was known to many as “Mountain Man.” He carried that love into a second career in taxidermy. Lawrence loved his family, especially his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Carla Rae Fowler; children, Nick (Amy) Fowler, Adele (Darrell) Martin, Timothy (Angela) Fowler, Larry Dale Fowler and Joel (Sheila) Fowler; grandchildren, Shyanne, Graycee, Chloe and Nahshon Martin, Brent, Daniel, Jeremiah, Dakota, Tristan, Jonah and Sarah Fowler; sister, Norma Jean Dickens-Hallmark; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his sisters, Joyce Gray and Roma Dee Williams. The family held a memorial service on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Marble Plains Baptist Church at Tims Ford Lake with Bro. Randy Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Chloe R. Martin Special Needs Trust, c/o Mill Creek Church of Christ, 7260 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135, Venmo @CMartin-Special-Needs-Trust. Higgins Funeral Home, 213 Market St. East, Fayetteville, TN 37334, 931-433-2544, www.higginsfh.com.

VICKEY SUMMERS

SUMMERS, Vickey Stubblefield, age 67, of Decherd, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.  A native of Franklin County, she was born in Winchester on July 31, 1956, to the late William Dee and Rita (Temples) Stubblefield.  Vickey had been employed for over 40 years as an RN at the hospital in Winchester.  In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, cooking and traveling.  But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her beloved family, especially her grandchildren.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn David Stubblefield.  Vickey is survived by her loving daughter, Jennifer Arnold (John) Hodosi of Winchester; grandchildren, Ashlynn Hodosi (Blake Langley) and Ayden Hodosi; sister, Karen (Don) Rich of Stevenson, Alabama; nieces and nephews, Jason (Tara) Rich and children of Fort Payne, Alabama, and Julie Rich (Jake Bailey) of Stevenson, Alabama; many other beloved family members; and hundreds of friends.  Visitation was held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Rev. L.Z. Johnson officiating.  Interment followed at Franklin Memorial Gardens with Jody Millard, Donny Garner, Larry Garner, Corky Garner, Eden Stephens and Daryl Doney serving as pallbearers.  Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

R.B. RAY

 RAY, R.B., age 73, of Cowan, passed away on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System in Sewanee, after an extended illness. A native of Franklin County, he was born on July 26, 1950, to the late Robert Harvey Ray, Sr. and Thelma George Ray.  R.B. enjoyed spending time in the mountains, camping, barbequing and classic muscle cars.  In addition to his parents, R.B. was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Charlotte Ray; brother-in-law, Franklin T. “Frankie” Morris; and nephew, Chris Morris.  He is survived by his loving wife, Decla Ray of Cowan; nieces, Stephanie Haley (Mark Boles), Tara Ibarra of Huntland, Susan Morris of Estill Springs, and Carol Ann (Lance) Stephens of Estill Springs; nephew, Robbie Ray of Huntland; several great and great-great-nieces and nephews; cousins, Henry and Allison Greene, Toni Greene and Carol Sue Greene, all of Huntland; special friends, Bill and Lynda Fernander of Cowan, Ted and Cheryl Boswell of Winchester, and Felix Wayne Steele of Decherd; and numerous other friends.  As per R.B.’s request, no funeral or memorial services will be held. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to a charity of your choice. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.