JAMES PEPPERS

 PEPPERS, James Russell, age 85, of Estill Springs, Tennessee, departed this life on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Elk River Health & Rehab in Winchester, following a brief illness.  Mr. Peppers was born in Huntland, Tennessee, on March 12, 1938, to the late John Doug Peppers and Beulah Taylor Peppers.  He was employed as a custodian with the Franklin County Board of Education for many years where he retired. Mr. Peppers was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Estill Springs for 42 years.  He enjoyed fishing and watching old westerns on TV in his retirement years. In his younger years he enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He was a loving, caring, kind and gentle man who was called “Papa” by the ones he loved the most. In addition to his parents, Mr. Peppers was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Sandra Darlene.  He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judy Peppers of Estill Springs; daughters, Kim Lendley of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and Becky Cole and husband, Kurt of Manchester, Tennessee; grandchildren, Johnathan Lendley and wife, Kate of Old Salem, Virginia, Adam Lendley and wife, Kayla of Tullahoma, and Kira Cole and (Mal) of Winchester, Tennessee; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptists Church in Estill Springs, with  Bro. Shane Scott officiating.  Interment followed at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Estill Springs with family and friends serving as pallbearers.       

JOYCE CHAPUT

 CHAPUT, Joyce Ann Keough, age 67, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, departed this life on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at her residence while surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Berwyn, Illinois, on March 8, 1956, to the late Josie Medema Keough and William Henry Keough.  She was employed for 40 years as a postal clerk and retired from the post office in Manchester, Tennessee.  She loved going to the beach and especially going to Tybee Island in Georgia, and hunting for crystals in Arkansas.  She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed spending one entire day with one grandchild at a time.  She will be greatly missed by her loving family and all who knew her.  She will be remembered as a mother and grandmother who dearly loved her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Chaput, Jr.; son, Joseph Chaput; brothers, Kenny and Bill Keough; and special daughter, Cindy Broome Yancey.  She is survived by her children, Cindy Womack of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Lawrence Ariel and wife, Penny of Winchester, Tennessee, Donald Chaput of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Michael Chaput and wife, Renee and William Chaput and wife, Stacy, all of Elora, Tennessee; sisters, Judy Hambrick and husband, George of Belvidere, and Carol Ann Keough of Chicago, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Ariel (Jacob Clawson) Womack, Amber (Cory)White, April (Nick) Shepherd, Jared (Christy) Ariel, Hannah (Austin) Miller, Emily Chaput, Nicole (Ben) Gaines and Michelle (Avery) Miller; 12 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and her “partner in crime,” Ms. Betty Merrell. Visitation was held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services were conducted on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Totchie McLain officiating. Interment followed in the Estill Springs Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Don.

 BETTY SYLER

SYLER, Betty Jane, age 80, of Hillsboro, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. She was born on Jan. 19, 1943, in Franklin County, to the late Charlie Layton and Wilma (David) Luttrell.  Betty worked in hospital admissions for Southern Tennessee Medical Center, Unity Medical Center and retired from Harton Hospital in 2007.  She was a member of the Estill Springs Nazarene Church.  Betty enjoyed going to her weekly beauty shop appointment to see friends, working around her house, listening, and watching Bill Gaither Homecoming Friends.  She will be remembered by all who knew her as a generous lady who made sure everyone she loved was taken care of first.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Ray Syler.  Betty is survived by her loving son, Greg (Tressie) Syler; grandchildren, Stephen (Meshell) Syler, Sanoma Boyd, Paige Langford and Elizabeth Boyd; great-grandchildren, Cameron Syler, Kara Syler, Charlotte Syler and Kenzie Stephens; and sister, Patsy (Ray) Brown. Visitation was held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Services were held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Bro. Dan Syler officiating.  Interment followed in Franklin Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.

DAVID LOCKE

 LOCKE, David Malcolm, age 86, of Huntland, passed away on Tuesday, June, 13, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System—Winchester. He was born on Dec. 12, 1936, to the late David Wesley Locke and Mary Irene Kennamer. David worked for TVA as a construction foreman and also operated Locke’s BBQ for 25 years. When he was not working you could find him vegetable gardening, woodworking, fishing and watching the birds at his feeder. He was a member of the Huntland Church of Christ. David will be remembered as loving, powerful man of God and full of wisdom. David was preceded in death by his parents, David Wesley and Mary Irene Locke and brother, Joe Locke. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Rebecca Locke; children, Karen Booton of Estill Springs, Phillip (Ruth Ann) Locke of Tullahoma, Brett (Brenda) Locke of Huntland, and Christopher Locke of Huntland; grandchildren, Jeffrey Stephens, Jennifer Stephens, Savannah Locke, Steven (Amanda) Locke, Bradley (Beth) Locke and Bryan (Kimmi) Locke; 10 great-grandchildren; beloved four-legged Dachshund Tobey; brother, Bobby (Sandra) Locke of Athens, Alabama; sister, Mary Helen Faulk (Doug) of Athens, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Services were held on Saturday June 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Bro. Kyle Macon officiating. Interment followed at Moore Memorial in Huntland. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.

CHRISTINA PAYNE

 PAYNE, Christina Renee Legg “Tina,” age 43, of Winchester, Tennessee, departed this life at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, to go to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, losing her courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Payne was born in Winchester, Tennessee, on Sept. 29, 1979, to the late Morris Legg and Brenda McDonald Legg.  Mrs. Payne was a member of Oaklawn Baptist Church.  She was a 1997 graduate of Huntland High School.  After high school, she graduated from Motlow and then attended UAH in Huntsville, Alabama.  Her field of study was accounting.  She was employed at Jacobs in Tullahoma, in the accounting department as an accounts payable specialist.  Mrs. Payne enjoyed music and played the piano.  She and her husband attended many of the local races.  Her favorite vacation spot was the beach and she went every chance she could.  She loved her family, especially spending time with them and her friends and never met a stranger.  She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and wonderful, sweet personality and will be missed by all who knew her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mary Lee and Skinnie McDonald.  She is survived by her husband, Johnny Payne of Winchester; daughter, Tiffany Payne; brother, Leslee McDonald and wife, Amanda of Winchester; niece, Mollee McDonald; aunt, Jackye Stines and husband, Bruce of Decherd; uncle, Bobby Douglas and wife, Susan of Estill Springs; great-aunt, Betty Denton of Cowan, sisters, Paula Marvel and husband, Thad and Susan Waldroup and husband, Tye, all of Vincennes, Indiana; niece, Holly Dreiman; nephews, Brandon and Jathan McCormick; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Patsy and James Payne and brother-in-law, Jason Payne, all of Cowan.  Visitation was held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services were conducted on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Johnny Mayes officiating. Interment followed in the Cowan Montgomery Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers.  

CHAUNCEY BAIR JR.

BAIR, CHAUNCEY EUGENE “GENE,” JR., age 85, of Estill Springs, Tennessee, departed this life on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at his residence following a brief illness.  Mr. Bair was born in Dundalk, Maryland, on Nov. 11, 1937, to the late Chauncey Eugene Bair, Sr. and Elizabeth Jane Fryer Bair.  After receiving an associate degree in college he enlisted for four years in the U.S. Navy.  After his enlistment, he was employed as an environmental engineer at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, until his retirement.  He then was employed for several years with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.  When moving to Estill Springs, he and his family became members of the Faith Baptist Church where he served faithfully for approximately 40 years.  He was a member of the Winchester Masonic Lodge #158 and Winchester Order of the Eastern Star #196 for over 30 years.  Mr. Bair never met a stranger.  He loved his pets dearly and spoiled them “rotten.”  He will be remembered as a friend to all who knew him and one that was always willing to help anyone who needed it. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bair was preceded in death by his wife, Neva; grandson, Justin Rice; and brother, Jimmy Bair.  He is survived by his children, James Harmon and wife, Theresa of Tullahoma, Debra Borgman and husband, Lee of Springville, Tennessee, Vicki Harmon of Tullahoma, and Elizabeth Rice and husband, Jerry of Estill Springs; brother, Edward Bair and wife, Jean of Pennsylvania; sister, Wanda Bair and Bonnie Kirkland of Delaware; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services will be conducted on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Shane Scott officiating.  Masonic services will be conducted prior to the service. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, with military honors bestowed. He will then be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Neva. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. 

ROLAND STEWART

 STEWART, Roland Fount, age 99, of Winchester, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the NHC facility of McMinnville. He was born in Estill Fork, Alabama, on April 12, 1924, to the late Jerry Monroe Stewart and Ella Mae Sims. Roland was a carpenter, at one time owned his own sawmill, and served his country in World War II. His interests included going to the mountains and traveling nowhere in particular—just loved seeing new places. He enjoyed listening to bluegrass music and watching the Lawrence Welk Show. Roland will be remembered as a strong man, both mentally and physically, who was very devoted to loving his family. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Ella Mae Stewart; wife, Martha Elizabeth Rogers Stewart; sisters, Myrtle Ruth Reynolds, Estill Henshaw and Judith Stewart; and brothers, Osborn Stewart, Archie Stewart, James Stewart and Earl Stewart. Roland is survived by his children, Joe (Elaine) Stewart and Jimmy (Randi) Stewart; grandchildren, Roland (Bobbie) Stewart, Shannon (Brian) Walker, Anthony Stewart, Timber Stewart, Gabrielle Malone, James Lee and Stephanie Lee; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Walker, Kennedy Walker, Jacob Walker, Felix Finch, Freyja Finch, Callan Farris and Ariya Farris; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 3-4 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with services following at 4 p.m. in the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joseph Horton officiating. Internment was at Franklin Memorial Gardens. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.

JOHN RAMPY

RAMPY, John M., age 86, passed away after an extended illness on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at STRHS in Sewanee, Tennessee. He was born on Nov. 1, 1936, in Woodland, Alabama, to the late Lewis and Gurtha (Johnson) Rampy. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1962 from Auburn University, where he was in the ROTC program. After receiving his commission in the United States Air Force, he was assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he tested experimental aircraft for two years. From there he was sent to Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, Tennessee, to pursue his Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute and was in the first graduating class in 1965. In 1970, after eight years of service to the Air Force, he moved back to the southeast and joined the civilian aerospace industry in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1974, he returned to Arnold AFB to work at AEDC and held multiple leadership positions over the years until his retirement in 1999, when he was the executive director. He received many honors and distinguished awards during his career. He received the prestigious Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award, was on the NATO Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development from 1992 to 1994, the 1999 Allen R. Matthews Award from the International Test and Evaluation Association, Distinguished Auburn Engineer Award, Distinguished Alumni from the University of Tennessee Space Institute, and member of the AEDC Fellows program. Along with being a lifelong civil servant, John was a devoted member of Winchester First United Methodist Church where he taught Bible study and served the Lord. He was a devoted husband for 39 years to Marie, 27 years to Marilyn, father, stepfather, grandfather and great- grandfather. He served his community throughout his life and was on the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Planning Commission. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends, especially his Dripping Springs group. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Marie (Yates) Rampy; his sister, Nellie (Rampy) Butler; his son, Michael Rampy; and his daughter-in-law Becky (Fulkerson) Rampy. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn (Carson) Rampy of Winchester; siblings, Josephine (Joe Will) McGuire of Wedowee, Alabama, and Sara (Van) Gunter of Hoover, Alabama ; children, Stephen (Melissa) Rampy and Janet Rampy of Winchester; step-daughter, Tina (James); grandchildren, Lauren (Cameron) Bailey of Winchester, Allyssa (Christian) Kile of Murfreesboro, Cassidy Rampy of Chattanooga, Ryan (Elysia) Rampy of Tullahoma, Savannah Rampy of Murfreesboro, John Michael Rampy of Nashville, Joshua Rampy of Murfreesboro, and Jason Rampy of Winchester; and great-grandchildren, Harper Gelch, Caroline Bailey, Kayden Kile, Rylan Gelch, Beckett Rampy and Avery Kile. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home in Winchester, Tennessee. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Winchester First United Methodist Church with a memorial service following at 2 p.m. Interment will follow immediately after the memorial service at Watson Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will include people important to John: Roy Garner, Van Gunter, Allen Butler, Joe Will McGuire, Ronald Brown and Mike Lyles. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Winchester First United Methodist Church Building Fund, the Franklin County Library, or the Good Samaritan Ministries of Franklin County, Tennessee. Watson Funeral Home, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com.