CONNIE MILLER

 MILLER, Connie Marie, age 74,of Cowan passed away on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at STRHS-Winchester, while surrounded by her family. Mrs. Miller was born in Winchester to the late Rufus and Frances McKnight Sherman. During her life, Connie worked for many years as the secretary of Doric of Tennessee Vault Company, but many would say she was truly the backbone of the company. She loved living in Cowan, (a.k.a. “Slag Town”) and being by the train tracks. She used to ride horses and was known to race tractors on Georgia Crossing Road. Connie loved to plant flowers, play marbles, read and watch NCIS and Alabama football. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids and “grand-dog” Ranger. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, April Sherman. Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband, George Miller; son, Travis Stewart; two daughters, Jennifer Brewer and Jordan Mantooth (Brad); sister, Stephanie Bruce; brother, Floyd “Mushy” Sherman (Becky); grandchildren, Cole and Cason Stewart, Holden Spry, Cheyenne Hayes, Alyssa Stewart, Carson Mantooth and Brooklyn Mantooth; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  A graveside service was held on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

NANCY EVANS

 EVANS, Nancy Lou Soloman, age 66, of Ft. Payne, Alabama, formerly of Winchester, Tennessee, departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Erlanger Health Systems in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ms. Evans was born in Winchester, Tennessee, on Oct. 1, 1956, to the late Fred Soloman and Oree Smith Soloman.  She was a 1974 graduate of Franklin County High School.  Ms. Evans was a member of the Lexie Crossroads Baptist Church.  She was first employed at Wisco Envelope Company in Tullahoma for several years before meeting her husband and moving to Ft. Payne, Alabama. Ms. Evans was last employed at The Children’s Place Distribution Center in Ft. Payne, Alabama.  She enjoyed “hanging out” at her best friend’s flower shop in Ft. Payne to meet and greet all the customers that came in.  Her hobbies were talking on her phone with family and friends, Facebook and listening to Pastor Greg Locke. She loved people and being around them.  When you would first met “Fancy Nancy” you weren’t a stranger long because she would know everything about you in just a few minutes. She will be greatly missed by all of her Alabama and Tennessee family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Evans and infant brother, Donald Soloman.  She is survived by her sister, Freida Foster and husband, Tim of Winchester; brother, Freddie Soloman of Winchester; step-son, Raymond Evans; step-grandson, Chad Evans; best friend, Carrissa Finch of Henegar, Alabama; and aunts, nephew, Travis Soloman and several cousins. Visitation with the family was held on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Chris King officiating.  Interment followed at Austell Cemetery in Hytop, Alabama, where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Ray.  Family and friends served as pallbearers.

ELLEN SHORT

 SHORT, Ellen Joy Walker, age 72, of Cowan, Tennessee, departed this life suddenly at her residence on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023.  Ms. Short was born in Winchester, Tennessee, on Jan. 9, 1951, to the late John Tilton Walker and Ellen Sybil Powers Walker.  She was of the Baptist faith.  Ms. Short was a cosmetologist for several years and was employed by different beauty shops until opening her own at her home in Cowan.  She left the cosmetology business after seven years at her home and was employed at the University of the South in Sewanee as a custodian.  Ms. Short was a lady who loved to have fun.  She will be remembered as a loving and caring, mother, daughter and grandmother. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Rooster Short; son, Jared Bailey; and brother, John Wade Walker.  She is survived by her son, John Bailey and wife, Dawn of Cowan; mother, Sybil Walker of Cowan; sister, Melinda Vineyard and husband, Jim of Winchester; grandchildren, Kim Brown and husband, David of Cowan, Joshua Bailey and wife, Jennifer of South Dakota, Aaron Bailey and wife, Sarah and Breana Brown and husband, Jason of Cowan, and Gunner Bailey of Dothan, Alabama; eight great-grandchildren; and her favorite pet, Irene. Visitation was held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Burial followed in the Bailey-Short Cemetery in Cowan.

BILLY CAGLE

 CAGLE, Billy Joe, age 82, of EstillFork, Alabama, passed away on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Knox County, Tennessee, to the late John Tyler and Jimmie Lee (Masoner) Cagle. Bill was an engineer by trade, retiring from Navistar (formerly International Harvester). He enjoyed going to auto races in his younger years, antiquing, woodworking and watching Tennessee football. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. His loved ones described him as knowledgeable and strong-willed. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Dana Cagle. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane Cagle; son, Billy (Stacy) Cagle, Jr.; step-daughters, Wendy M. (Greg) Stocker and Kimberly D. Parrish; grandchildren, Taylor (Trenton) Long, Tyler Cagle, Trenton Cagle and Tanner Cagle; step-grandchildren, Brooklyn Stocker and Caleb Stocker; and great-grandchild, Kayden. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home was in charge of the graveside service held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at the Beechgrove Cemetery in Francisco, Alabama. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

KAY STEWART

 STEWART, Kay Frances Ables, 82, of Winchester, died Feb. 24, 2023. Survivors: daughter, Judy Cayton; son, Higgins Stewart; grandchildren, Candice Dudley, Buster Cayton, Savannah Cayton, Ashley Thurston; great-grandchildren, Pepper, Brooke, Kaylee, Leah, Kolton, Wyatt, Emma, Grayson, Jenson, Melina. Services, Feb. 28, 2023, at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Interment, Stewart Cemetery, Fayetteville.

DUANE STEVENS

 STEVENS, Duane Lee, age 67, of Winchester, passed away on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at home while surrounded by his loving family.  A native of Franklin County, he was born in Winchester on March 7, 1955, to the late Carl and Hazel (Turner) Stevens.  Duane served in the United States Air Force for 13 years, becoming a staff sergeant before serving another seven years in the Army National Guard.  He was a combat veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  He then retired with 27 years of service as a Master Trooper from Tennessee Highway Patrol.  After his retirements, Duane served as court security for the Franklin County Sheriff Department from 2014-2016.  His years of service to our county, state and country are a testament of his love for his community and nation.  An avid sportsman, he enjoyed deer hunting, golf and being in the great outdoors as well as cheering for the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Duane was a member of Decherd Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shriner, Order of the Eastern Star and the Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Mike Stevens and mother-in-law, Nancy Hall.  Duane is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Tammy Hall Stevens; daughter, Carlie (Andrew) Gaby; grandsons, Langley and Gunner Gaby; father-in-law, Jerry Hall; brother-in-law, Mitch (Joetta) Hall; niece, Chloe Hall; nephew, Ryan Pitocco; four-legged best friends, Cleo and Nelson; and grand-dogs, Izzy, Murphy and Cozmo. Visitation was held on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  Funeral Services were conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Dr. Michael Clark officiating.  Interment followed at Mt. Garner Cemetery with military honors bestowed. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

CAROLYN MEDLEY

 MEDLEY, Carolyn Elaine Metcalf, age 71, of Estill Springs, Tennessee, departed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at her residence, losing her battle with cancer.  Mrs. Medley was born in Harvey, Illinois, on June 23, 1951, to the late Thomas Edward Metcalf and Dola Brown. Mrs. Medley was of the Church of God of Prophecy faith.  She was employed at several different factories during her working years, Genesco, SAS, Tennessee Apparel, to name a few. Her last employment was the most rewarding; she was a caregiver. Mrs. Medley’s hobbies were “collecting” shopping at thrift stores, going to yard sales and auctions; she was a real “bargain hunter”.  She had a big heart for animals.  She enjoyed playing all types of cards and spending time with her family.  If she loved you, she loved you deeply; if she didn’t you knew it. All in all she had a loving spirit for everyone. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Edward Metcalf and Dola Brown.  She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Wayne Allen Medley, Sr. of Estill Springs; children, Tina Marie Pruitt of Cowan, Tennessee, Vickie Elliott and husband, Kirt of Winchester, and Wayne Allen Medley, Jr. and wife, Danielle of Winchester; six grandchildren, Brenda, Cyrus, John, Storm, Trey and Wayne Allen, III; and two sisters, Sheila Karstens of Illinois, and Theresa Brown of Alabama. Visitation was held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Ron Taylor officiating. Interment followed in the Keith Springs Cemetery in Belvidere, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Mrs. Medley’s memory to the Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, 765 Nonaville Road, Mt. Juliet, TN  37122. 

SCOTT THOMAS

 THOMAS, Scott Shane, age 41, of Decherd, Tennessee, departed this life on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Erlanger Health Systems in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident.  Mr. Thomas was born on Oct. 7, 1981, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, to Kathy Elaine Blanton Thomas and the late Alton Bradford Thomas, Sr.  Mr. Thomas was the owner of the J. & S. Construction Company specializing in fencing.  He was an avid motorcyclist and owned his own Harley.  He enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors, fishing, hunting, canoeing and he was an avid NASCAR fan as well.  He will be remembered as a loving and caring person who never met a stranger. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Melissa “Missy” Thomas and sister, Tammy Thomas. He is survived by his mother, Kathy Thomas of Decherd; his significant other, Denise Amburgey of Tullahoma; siblings, Gail Thomas, Alton (Margaret) Thomas and Tony Thomas, Jr., all of Shelbyville, Pamela (Annette) Polly of Mulberry, Rhonda (Patrick) Medley of Memphis, Ronnie (Vicky) Thomas, Daniel (Kandi) Thomas all of Decherd, and Trey Thomas of Murfreesboro; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services were conducted on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Interment followed in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma.

JACOB KIRCHNER

Amazing father, grandfather, husband, gardener, fisherman and aeronautical engineer, Jacob Michael Kirchner’s life did not come to an end with his death. J.M. passed away on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at the age of 88 after a short illness, while surrounded by his loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest, as he would have wanted. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Sept. 10, 1934, J.M. served in the United States Navy for four years. J. M. received his aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. After working for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach, he moved to Franklin County and was the site manager for Pratt and Whitney at AEDC for many years. During this time, he met and married his wife of almost 50 years, Jorene Kirchner. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Farris Chapel United Methodist Church. J.M. was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Kirchner, Sr. and Lydia North; sister, Kathryn Craig; and son, Jeff Elliott. J.M. is survived by his wife, Jorene Kirchner; grand-pup, Jax; daughter, Teddi Chrisco (Sam Henley) of Winchester; Christi Howell (John) of Helena, Georgia, and Cindy Cantrell (Seth) of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughter-in-law; Brenda Elliott; grandchildren, John A. Howell, Jr., Phillip Elliott, Cari Louise Cantrell and Lucinda Wan Yi Cantrell; great-grandchildren, Bahley Minor, Schae Ellliott, Logan Collier, Melinda Howell and Shelby Howell; and great-great-granddaughter, Isabella Faith Moore. A graveside service celebrating the life of J. M. Kirchner will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Green Cemetery, 1657-1677 Farris Chapel Road. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Animal Harbor, P.O. Box 187, Winchester, Tennessee 37398, or at animalharbor.org. Watson-North Funeral Home, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com.