BILLY GOFF

GOFF, Billy Joseph, age 92, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Medical Center in Winchester, Tennessee. He was born in Decherd, Tennessee on Jan. 22, 1931, to Mr. and Mrs. Shelton and Kathrine Glover Goff. Mr. Goff is survived by his wife, Lure B. Grider Goff; children, Sandy (Johnny) Stevens, Carol (Jimmy) Stubblefield, Susan (Joe Cash) McBee and Billy (Martha) Goff.; grandchildren, Chris McBee, Emma Jo Stubblefield Dull, John Stubblefield, Brent McBee and Cody Goff; great-grandchildren, Gavin McBee, Ella McBee, Henry McBee and Walter Stubblefield; and sisters, Earlene Judge, Kay Clark and Brenda Stephens. Visitation was held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at noon at Rudder Funeral Home in Stevenson, Alabama, followed by burial in the Cumberland Cemetery with military honors bestowed. Rudder Funeral Home, 45015 AL-277 Stevenson, AL, 35772, 256-437-2971.

 GLORIA HAWK

HAWK, Gloria Lou Theresa, age 87, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Brookdale in Tullahoma. Gloria was born on Feb. 23, 1936, in Lake Grove Township, Mahnomen County, Minnesota. The daughter of the late Martin and Thekla, she grew up as a farm girl, graduating from St. Agnes High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1954. She took religious vows with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato, Minnesota, with whom she began her teaching career. After leaving the convent, Gloria continued teaching until the early 2000s, retiring from Crestwood School District in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. She valued life-long learning, earning her master’s degree from the University of Michigan. Every Catholic parish she has been a member of has benefitted from her dedication to various ministries, especially as a musician, lector and minister to the sick and homebound. Most recently she has been a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Decherd, and St. Paul’s in Tullahoma. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing puzzles and various different crafts. In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her loving husband, Phillip Hawk; and 20 siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Erin Dawe; three step-sons, Cory Hawk, Christopher Hawk (Diane) and Robin Hawk (Marie); grandchildren, Lauren Dawe and William Dawe; step-grandchildren, Theresa Grantland (Josh), James Hawk (Natasha), Rose Hawk and John Hawk; and 11 step-great-grandchildren. Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Tullahoma Funeral Home from with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral mass was  held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Decherd, Tennessee, with Father Anthony Mutuku presiding. Interment immediately followed in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hawk family.

FRANCES ARP

 ARP, Frances Jean, age 78, of Pelham, Tennessee, passed from this life on Monday, March 27, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Mrs. Arp was born in Grundy County, Tennessee, to her late parents, Ernest Harris and Nannie Patrick Harris. She loved working in the yard with her flowers, sitting on the front porch visiting with friends and family, yard sales and babysitting all her grandchildren. Easter was her favorite holiday and spring was her favorite season. She loved playing cards, scratching lottery tickets, and vacations to the beach. Mrs. Arp’s favorite thing in the world was when all her children and grandchildren would gather together for a day of family fun. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son; daughter, Teresa Welsh; granddaughter, Amber Dawn Jones; sisters, Bonnie Nunley and Mollie Jo White; and brother, Don Harris. Mrs. Arp is survived by her husband of 63 years, James Reffer Arp; children, Lori Nolan, Ricky (Pam) Arp, Sheila Fults, Terry (Mandy) Arp, Greg (Misty) Arp and Bryan Scott Arp; sisters, Earline Argo, Gayle Stills and Patricia Sands; and brother, J.W. Harris. She was a loving grandmother to 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, Tennessee. Funeral services were conducted immediately following visitation at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Central Funeral Home with Bro. Dale Winton officiating. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery in Pelham. Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Arp family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com.

BARBARA FLOYD

 FLOYD, Barbara Nell Coker, age 77, of Decherd, Tennessee, departed this life peacefully on Monday, March 27, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family and daughter at her side, at Manchester Center of Rehabilitation and Healing in Manchester, Tennessee, following an extended illness.  Ms. Floyd was born in Winchester, Tennessee, on March 4, 1946, to the late George Cline Coker and Beulah Ray Powers Coker. Ms. Floyd was affectionately known as “Barb” to her family and friends and “Granny” to her beloved grandchildren.  She loved spending time with her children and grandbabies.  She loved gardening, planting flowers, working in her yard and front-porch sitting.  She loved her coffee, Sun Drop, hairspray and cigarettes.  She was happiest when getting away with mischief, spending time in the summers with her sister, Linda on her deck, working on her many potted plants and playing with her dog, Drake. Barb will be remembered by her spunky spirit.  She lived her life unapologetically by her own terms.  To know her was to love her.  She was super special in every way and could make anyone laugh.  She had a caring soul and a serving heart.  She worked caring for older adults with special needs for many years and retired from the Adult Life Activity Center in Winchester in 2016. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Ray Floyd and her son, John G. Smith.  She is survived by her daughter, Lindsay Rae Craver and husband, Bryan Craver of Harvest, Alabama; grandchildren, Finn Smith and Caden Smith of Huntsville, Alabama, and Ava Makenzie Craver of Harvest, Alabama; her favorite sister and best friend, Linda Partin, and husband Bill of Winchester, Tennessee; two brothers, Danny Coker, wife, Judy of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Tommy Coker of Normandy, Tennessee; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Visitation was held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Rev. Charles Miller officiating.  Interment followed in the Watson Memorial Park in Winchester, where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Lester Ray Floyd. Serving as pallbearers were her two grandsons, Finn Smith and Caden Smith, her “favorite” son-in-law, Bryan Craver, James Barnes, Bobby Corn, Carey Coker and Ayden Hill.

SALLY PERRY

PERRY, Sally Jean Gipson, age 84, of Estill Springs, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 31, 2023 at her residence.  Mrs. Perry was born on Sept. 10, 1938, in Alto, Tennessee, to the late Charlie and Lou (Coker) Gipson. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, taking care of babies, dancing and being out in the sunshine.  She attended The Journey Church in Winchester. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hershel (Hut) Perry; brothers, John Thomas, Jessie Huelin and Woodrow Wilson Gipson, Grady “Dunnie” (Billie) Gipson and Andrew (Geneva) Gipson; and sisters, Inez (Howard) Champion, Ruth (Milton) Archey and Ruby (Jim) Glasner. Mrs. Perry is survived by daughters, Deborah Diane Finney (Brian) of Decherd, and Sandra Perry (Jack Hill) of Estill Springs; sons, Hershel Dean Perry (Patty) of Huntsville, and Timothy Lynn Perry (Annette) of Estill Springs; grandchildren, Tiffany Riddle (Jeffery) and Jonathan Cunningham (Brittany), both of Tullahoma, Stephanie Tomes (Andrew) of Huntsville, Alabama, Ryan Perry (fiancé, Angela Wadford) and Brandon Perry (Shania), both of Estill Springs, and Samantha Schiffner (Max) of Manchester; and great-grandchildren, Peyton Riddle (fiancé, Andrea Dinsmore) of Kernersville, North Carolina, Bryson Riddle (fiancé, Emi Lewis) of Tullahoma, Hayden Cunningham of Manchester, Annistynn and Ramsey Cunningham of Tullahoma, Reed and Lynnleigh Tomes of Huntsville, Alabama, Aaron, Jordan and Lily Perry of Estill Springs, and Shayn, Kayvan and Raegan Perry of Estill Springs. The family received friends on Monday, April 3, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home with burial following at Brick Church Cemetery in Estill Springs. Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.

DALLAS JOHNSON

 JOHNSON, Dallas “PeeWee” Jackson, age 84, of Jackson, Tennessee, previously of Franklin County, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Laurelwood Healthcare Center in Jackson, Tennessee.  He was born on Oct. 27, 1938, in Grundy County to the late Clarence and Mary Edith (Summers) Johnson. Before his retirement, he was a security guard for many years and was known for umpiring baseball and football games. In his spare time, Dallas enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, camping and spending time with his grandchildren. He will be remembered for being a jokester. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Franklin Johnson, James Johnson and Clarence Johnson, Jr.; son, Donald Johnson; and grandson, Specialist Jackson Johnson. Dallas is survived by his sons, Jason (April) Johnson of Hillsboro, Missouri, and Troy Johnson of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Renee Johnson, James Freeman, II and Anna Lee; sister, Sally Aldridge of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.  Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home Chapel. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

JERRY CARKHUFF

 CARKHUFF, Jerry Leroy, age 58, of Belvidere, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.  He was born in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 25, 1964.  He was most recently employed as a chef in the restaurant business and was a talented artist and musician.  Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Carkhuff.  He is survived by his mother, Myra (Sam) Merckle of Belvidere; children, Jayson Carkhuff of Belvidere, Sasha (Chris) Alphin of Monteagle, Jeremy Carkhuff of North Carolina, and Jonathan Carkhuff of Morrison; grandsons, William Alphin and Timothy Alphin of Monteagle; and siblings, Bobbi Coleman of Washington, Heidi (Greg) Tabor of Monteagle, Anthony (Rhonda) Carkhuff of Ohio, Jason Carkhuff of Tullahoma, Sam “Bo” (Lilly) Merckle of Winchester, and Amee (Bobby) Rood of Huntland. Visitation was held on Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home.  Private family graveside services are planned.Watson Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com.

CHARLES MCGEE

 MCGEE, Charles Eugene “Gene,” age 91, of Decherd, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at his residence while surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on Feb. 24, 1932, to the late Ezera and Ruth Ann (Mann) McGee.  Gene served his country in the United States Air Force before attending Sanford University and receiving masters and doctorate degrees from Duke University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Before his retirement, he was a research forester for the United States Forestry Service.  He served on the Franklin County Industrial Board and Decherd Planning Commission.  An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking as well as playing golf. One of his fondest memories was having attended the 2015 honor flight with fellow veterans of the armed services. He attended Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Gene is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Joann McGee; son, Rev. Randall (Jane Ann) McGee of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Ann McGee (Derrick) Nelson of Burlington, Vermont; granddaughter, Sarah Catherine Nelson of Boston, Massachusetts; and sister, Faye (Gene) Franklin of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home followed by services at 1 p.m. in the Moore-Cortner Chapel with Dr. Rev. Michael Clark officiating.  Interment followed at Mt. Garner with military honors bestowed.  Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

MARGARET HILL

 HILL, Margaret Willes, age 94, of Westmoreland, Tennessee, formerly of Franklin County, Tennessee, departed this life on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Signature of Portland Nursing Home in Portland, Tennessee, following a brief illness.  Miss. Hill was born in Huntland, Tennessee, on Oct. 13, 1928, to the late Lawrence Benjamin Hill and Ruby Bell Brewer Hill. She was the first of 10 children. Miss Hill was retired after 30 years as a server at Morrison’s Cafeteria of Rivergate in Nashville.  She loved to spend her days reading and spent many years collecting books for her personal library that she loved to read and look at daily. She loved cats and was involved in helping animal shelter animals for decades.  She was a member for at least 50 years of the ASPCA and made monthly donations.  She was also a member of Wounded Warriors another worthy cause she made monthly donations to as well. She always shared her love for God in every conversation and enjoyed reading and talking about the Bible and wanted everyone to know about God and Heaven.  She spent years learning and reading about history and all of the wars and times of the world. She could talk (non-stop) about her love for her brothers and how proud she was of their service to our country.  She always let it be known how proud she was of them. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Carl Hill, George R. Hill, Ralph Hill, Jewell Lee Blankenship, Archie Hill, Hulan Hill, Louise Campbell and Charles Hill. She is survived by her sister, Ivory Kelton of Greenbrier, Tennessee, and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hill of Estill springs and Joyce Hill of Illinois; brothers-in-law, Russell Neil Blankenship of Scottsville, Kentucky, and Governor “Buster” Campbell of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by 25 nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Ray Gardner officiating. Interment followed in the Watson Cemetery in Huntland, Tennessee.

REBECCA JACKSON

 JACKSON, Rebecca Ann Judge, age 69, of Winchester, died on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.  Survivors: children, Charity Austin and Scott (Sandy) Austin; grandchildren, James Adams, Allison Austin, and Ciarra Austin; siblings, Deborah Holliday, Nona May, Wendy Burney and Jon Judge; and several nieces and nephews.  Private family services are planned. 

LOUISE HODGES

 HODGES, Louise Annie (Clark), age 87, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2023, while surrounded by family and friends in Crown Point, Indiana. She was born in Huntland, Tennessee, on Sept. 29, 1935, to the late Newman G. and Lila A. (Henshaw) Clark. In addition to her parents, her beloved husband Marvin Lowell Hodges, with whom she shared over 50 years of marriage, preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Wayne G. Clark; daughters, Marcia (Joseph) Goetz, Constance Hodges (Timothy McKeough) and Lydia (Gregory) Rovner; grandchildren, Lauren (Aaron) Johnson, Ashleigh (Nathan) Gunningham, Timothy (Alexis) McKeough, Morgan McKeough and Madigan McKeough; and great-grandchildren, Kaelyn Johnson, Ethan Johnson, Remy Gunningham and Roeby Gunningham. She moved to Illinois in 1953 and soon married Marvin Hodges, also from Huntland. Louise and family were very involved in various ministries at Lorimer Memorial Baptist Church in Dolton, Illinois, for decades. She and Marvin raised their daughters with strong Christian values. They welcomed, with unconditional love, the family as it grew with sons-in-law and later grandsons-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law. She was an accomplished seamstress, making wedding gowns, formal dresses and her daughters’ entire wardrobes. She loved making porcelain dolls and outfits for them. Louise was a wonderful homemaker with good taste in decorating. She was a great cook and holiday meals ended with a choice of five or six of her delicious pies. The grandmother of five and great-grandmother of four (and one on the way), Louise loved hosting the kids for overnight visits which would include tea parties, movies with popcorn and frozen pizza around midnight. In her last years, Louise was a resident of Symphony Crown Point, a senior living facility. She was cared for and loved by wonderful people who treated her like family. Her memory will always be a blessing. Visitation was held on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with funeral services following at 1 p.m. from the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  Interment followed at Moore Memorial in Huntland, with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

MARIE TOBITT

TOBITT, Marie, age 84, of Estill Springs, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Tristar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. Marie was born May 20, 1938, in Winchester, Tennessee, to the late Charlie and Myrtle (Hunt) Wiseman. She was a homemaker, but in her free time she enjoyed fishing, playing cards and watching her favorite basketball team, North Middle School. Mrs. Marie enjoyed everything she did, but most importantly she loved gathering with her family and caring for her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Arnold, Jr.; husband, James Tobitt; son, Michael Arnold; five brothers; and four sisters. She is survived by her son, Ronnie (Debbie) Arnold; daughter, Tina Marie; daughter in-law, Allison Arnold; grandchildren, Craig (Jennifer) Arnold, Christopher (Heather) Arnold, Derrick Arnold and Matthew Arnold; great-grandchildren, Makenzie Arnold, Montana Arnold, Haylee Arnold and Hayden Arnold, Anthony Seno, Tyler Seno, Miles Arnold. Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon followed by funeral services at noon at Tullahoma Funeral Home with Brother Bryon Lawrence officiating. Burial followed in New Center Grove Cemetery. Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tobitt Family.  

BETTY HASKELL

HASKELL, Betty Jo (Coble), age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Franklin Manor in Winchester, Tennessee, after an extended illness.  She was born on June 8, 1937, in the small community of Penile Hill (Decherd) in Franklin County, Tennessee, to Ruby Elizabeth (Merryman) and Raymond David Coble.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, William (Billy) Franklin Coble, and her ex-husband and friend, Frank Haskell, Jr.  She is survived by her two daughters, Susan (Terry Hayes) and Marjorie (Robert Gore); six grandchildren, Jeremy, Joel (Elizabeth), Tess, Naomi (Don Poe), Jacob (Frances) and Jesse (Kimmie); three great-grandchildren, Hannah Hayes, Kelsie Lucchesi and Finley Hayes; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A graduate of Franklin County High School (Class of ’55), she spent many years at Mary Sharp School before going to college and earning her Masters in Childhood Nutrition.  Coming back to be the director of nutrition in Franklin County, she then moved to Georgia and worked for the State of Georgia reviewing the meal plans of the Head Start Day Care centers, retiring in 2002. She was always active with 4-H and the Franklin County Family and Community Education (FCE) program.  Her true love was sewing, especially quilting.  She enjoyed showing her works at craft fairs and Quilting on the Mountain, which gave her an opportunity to brag about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Winchester.  A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Tubb and Rev. Joe Butler officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Franklin County Tennessee 4-H in her name.  Donations can be sent to the Franklin County Extension Office in Care of Mary Beth Henley, 406 Joyce Lane, Winchester, TN 37398, or at www.tn4hfoundation.org (please ensure that Franklin County is specified). Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

DEBORAH LANE

 LANE, Deborah Hitt, age 79, of Sewanee, died on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester.  She was born on Feb. 26, 1944, in Wilmington, Delaware, to William Charles Hitt and Winifred Free Hitt.  Debbie graduated from Wilmington Friends School, Sophie Newcomb College (Tulane) and the University of Houston where she received her Master’s Degree in Anthropology.  She was a research associate at American University in Washington, D.C.; later she was a teacher at the Village School in Houston.  She was a member of the Junior League in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Houston. After moving to Sewanee, she was involved with several organizations including the Appalachian Women’s Guild in Tracy City and was a past treasurer of Otey Parish. A lover of animals of all types; over the years she had several horses, dogs and too many cats.  She was a supporter of Animal Harbor in Winchester. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Sarah Hitt Winston.  She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gordon; daughters, Dr. Sarah Turner Lane of Houston, and Stephanie Lane Moran (Robert) of the Bronx; grandchildren, Wyatt, Mateo and Lucas. Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery.  A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.