KEVIN GRANT

 GRANT, Kevin Milton, age 54, of Winchester, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System in Sewanee.  He was born in Nashville, on May 27, 1969.  Kevin had previously worked tinting windows.  An avid sportsman, he enjoyed cheering for the Tennessee Volunteers.  He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Milton Grant and grandparents, Geneva Roberson and Milton and Bernice Grant.  Kevin is survived by his loving mother, Barbara Roberson Grant of Winchester; aunt, Karen Bain of Bardstown, Kentucky; cousins, Callie (Johnny) Hood of Winchester, Richard (Brenda) McFarlane of Murfreesboro, Sharon (Mark) Swafford of Winchester, and Robin (Sharon) Hood of Winchester; and many friends.  Visitation was held on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home with services following at 1 p.m. in the Roy B. Watson Chapel of Watson Funeral Home with Dr. Rev. Michael Clark officiating.  Interment followed at Watson Memorial Park with Jim Penland, Robin Hood, Larry Hite, Richard McFarlane, Keaton Steele and Scotty Huber serving as pallbearers.  Watson Funeral Home, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com.

MARTHA JONES

 JONES, Martha Ann Dishner, age 90, of Estill Springs, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton.  Martha was born on Aug. 2, 1933, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the late Maiden and Kareen (Ledbetter) Dishner.  She retired after 34 years of service at AERO in the accounting department. Martha was a long-time member of the Winchester Church of Christ. In her spare time you could find her reading a good book, playing games like dice, traveling to the beach and watching the great-grandchildren at dance recitals or sport events.  In the evenings you could find her watching Dancing with the Stars, The Voice or the Game Show Network.  She will be remembered as an adventurous, generous, kind and loving lady.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Jones, and several brothers and sisters–in-law.  Martha is survived by her daughter, Rita (David) Wilkerson; grandchildren, Bryan (Alicia) Wilkerson and Amy (Josh) Crossland; great-grandchildren, Nate Wilkerson, Millie Wilkerson and Lucas Wilkerson; sister, Judy Patterson; brother, Robert Dishner; sister-in-law, Bobbie Jones; brother-in-law, Gordon Jones, and several nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters–in–law.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Bro. Alex Courington and Bro. Joseph Horton officiating. Interment followed in Franklin Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franklin County Christian Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Andy Groves or to Winchester Christian Academy. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

JUNE BLISS

BLISS, June Beddes, age 88, of Huntland, Tennessee, departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at her residence, losing her brief battle with cancer.  Mrs. Bliss was born on July 9, 1935, in Lovell, Wyoming, to the late Sara Powell Beddes and Hebber Booth Beddes and was raised in Chowchilla, California. She was a member of the Donaldson Grove Baptist Church in Huntland.  Mrs. Bliss was employed in the cafeteria at Huntland School for approximately 10 years before her retirement.  She loved to crochet and work in her vegetable garden and flowers.  She also played the piano. She loved getting together with her family and cooking meals for them.  She will be remembered for her love for her family and her grandbabies.  She was known as “Grandma” to all of her family’s friends. She was preceded in death by her three husbands, Larry Whiteman, Phillip Moreno and Edward Bliss.  She is survived by her children, Terry Whiteman-Horner of California, Deborah Moreno-Amen of Visalia, California, Michelle Moreno-Sickle of Lakeview, Oregon, Jeannie Moreno of Huntland, Tennessee, Phillip Moreno of Kuna, Idaho, and Eva Moreno-Shaw of Lakeview, Oregon;  11-grandchildren and their spouses, Trish Horner of California, Renee Tyrcha of California, Sara Chamberlain of Utah, Phillip L. Amen of California, Brook Cissell of Oregon, Aaron Brown of Huntland, Tennessee, Heather Rivera of Oregon, Sabrina Moreno of California, Phillip J. Moreno of Idaho, and Elizabeth Moreno and Sophia Moreno, both of Idaho; and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Interment will follow in the Moore Memorial Cemetery in Huntland, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, Edward Bliss.  

BOBBY SHERRILL SR.

 SHERRILL, Bobby Wayne, Sr., age 72, of Hillsboro, passed away on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton.  He was born on March 8, 1951, in Coffee County, Tennessee, to the late J.D. Sherrill and Edna (Floyd) Sherrill Foutch.  Bobby graduated in 1969 from Coffee County Central High School and later joined the Army National Guard where he was stationed in Tullahoma.   He was co-owner and semi-retired from Sherrill Bro. Farm after working for 53 years.  Bobby is survived by his children, Bobby Wayne (Helena) Sherrill, Jr, Christopher “Chris” (Connie) Sherrill and Tiffany Ann (Tyler) Smith; grandchildren, Brittany Jernigan, Tyler Sherrill, Billy Hoskins, Dalton Sherrill and Savannah Sherrill; great-grandchildren, Jaleigh, Hadley, Sophie, River, Remi, Braylee, Baylor and Bryanna; sister, Betty Jo (Buford) Buckner; brother, Jackie (Freida) Sherrill; and mother of daughter, Judy Sherrill.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with funeral services following at 2 p.m. with Bro. Dale Winton and Bro. Jimmy Goodman officiating.  Interment will follow in Rutledge Hill Cemetery with Braden Sherrill, Dalton Sherrill, Jonathan Sherrill, Taylor Sherrill, Tyler Sherrill, Brian Hill, William Henley and John Givins all serving as pallbearers. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

WILLIAM WARD JR.

 WARD, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER, JR., age 18, of Huntland, Tennessee, departed this life suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident on his way home from school in Shelbyville. Christopher was born in Winchester, Tennessee, on Feb. 28, 2005, to William Christopher Ward, Sr. and Lisa Horton. He graduated from Chestnut Ridge Academy, class of 2023.  He was a student at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Shelbyville, specializing in H-Vac. He was a Christian.  Christopher enjoyed “floating the river” on kayaks with his family and friends.  He also liked to fish and camp.  He was a huge fan of Gene Simmons and his band, Kiss.  Chris will be remembered for his mischievous, fun-loving personality his “soft heart” and his love for all animals.  More than anything, he loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jacob Ward; maternal grandfather, Greg Horton, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Homer and Mary Ward; and special grandfather, Dennis Towry. He is survived by his mother, Lisa Horton of Huntland; father and step-mother, Chris Ward, Sr. and wife, Stefanie of Huntland; sisters, Chasity Ward of Huntland and Kayci Hubbard and husband, Rory of Ft. Riley, Kansas; brother, Aiden Mantooth; maternal grandmother, Shirley Horton; special grandmother, “Granny Jean” Towry; step-grandparents, Bobby and Sandy Bruce, all of Huntland; two nieces,  Mabry and Murphy Hubbard; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Visitation was held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Pastor Quentin Horton officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Huntland.

DAVID STOCKTON

 STOCKTON, Dr. David Lynn, age 73, of Winchester, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 at his residence while surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born on Feb. 10, 1950, in Manchester, Tennessee, to the late Paul Stockton and Helen Stockton, who survives. David was a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and practiced in Tullahoma and Winchester for 30 years. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville and received his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1976. David finished his internship and residency at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, where he received several honors in his field of practice. David loved his specialty, especially delivering babies, delivering thousands over his career. He also performed many gynecological surgeries. In his many years of practice, David always managed to attend his children’s activities. Traveling was his favorite hobby and he also loved his dogs. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and loving heart. He was also a long-time member of Harris Chapel United Methodist Church. David is survived by his mother, Helen Stockton of Tullahoma; his wife of 46 years, Joan (Montoye) Stockton; his daughter, Lori Lynn (Zachery) Mills of Brentwood, Tennessee; his son, David Bradley (Dr. Kathryn) Stockton of Rome, Georgia; grandchildren, Vivianne Claire Mills, Stockton Mills, Ford Stockton and Wills Stockton; sister, Diane (Tony) Pierce; brother, Dale Stockton; brother-in-law, Mark (Mona) Montoye; and many nieces, nephews and close friends. David was preceded in death by his father, Paul Stockton and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oscar and Ruby Montoye. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, from 1:30-3 p.m. at Kilgore Funeral Home with a celebration of life to immediately follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Philip McAbee and Rev. Darrell Day officiating. Entombment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be: Mark Montoye, Dr. John Schull, Nick Roth, Lalisa Gammada, Zach Mills and Cole Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Kinard, Dr. George Echles, Dr. Ephraim Gammada and Major Montoye. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either The Heart Foundation of any animal rescue center. Kilgore Funeral Home, 215 Mitchell Blvd., Tullahoma, TN 37388, 931-455-0677, kilgorefh@lighttube.net.

LARRY MATLOCK

 MATLOCK, Larry Vanzant, age 76, of Estill Springs, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Vanderbilt-Harton Hospital in Tullahoma.  He was born in Lincoln County on Aug. 3, 1947, to the late Charles Roy and Ruby (Vanzant) Matlock.  Larry was the owner and operator for 52 years of Matlock’s Body Shop, where his slogan was, “You wreck them, we fix them!”  He was very passionate about his work and spent most of his time at the body shop as well as the family farm.  In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, going to car shows and flea markets and fixing things—he could fix anything!  Most of all, he enjoyed family get-togethers, where he would fix his wonderful smoked barbeque.  Larry was a member of the Church of Christ at Grundy Street in Tullahoma.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Matlock (Charles) Pierce, Jack (Frances) Matlock and Charles Matlock and several brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.  Larry is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Diane Matlock; children, Robin (Lee) Baker, Dusty (Misty) Matlock and Jay Matlock; grandchildren, Gunner Matlock, and Jaicee Matlock; sister-in-law, Pat Matlock; sister-in-law, Cornelia (Ronald) Spencer; blessed friend like a son, John Catron; and other brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, employees and friends.  Visitation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, from 5-9 p.m. at Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Lynchburg.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Lynchburg Cemetery.  Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 181 Majors Boulevard, Lynchburg, TN 37352, (931)-759-4552, www.jenningsmoorecortner.com.

DENNIS RIDDLE SR.

RIDDLE, Dennis Ray Riddle, Sr., age 52, of Cowan, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at St. Thomas Rutherford Medical Center in Murfreesboro.  A native of Franklin County, he was born in Winchester, on April 23, 1971.  Dennis was a dairy farmer all of his life.  An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and also enjoyed collecting.  His family will remember him as a “gentle giant” with a kind and soft-spoken nature.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Ruth Sons and father-in-law, Tim O’Dear.  Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Julie Riddle; children, Timothy Riddle (Rita Baker) and Dennis Ray Riddle Jr. (Katie Key); grandchildren, Zayden, Remington, Miraina, Trydin, and Trinity; father, James (Brenda) Riddle; brother, Bruce (Angela) Riddle; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Linda Benson (Gary Gass); and brother-in-law, Shane (Tammy) O’Dear.  No formal services are planned at this time. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. 

JANIS EARLE

EARLE, Janis (Lightfoot), was born in 1943, in Winchester, to Lela Mae and William Edward Lightfoot. She was the eighth of 10 children who grew up in a house not too far from the Little Red Mill on Boiling Fork Creek. Upon creation of Tim’s Ford Lake, the Lightfoot house was moved. Thus ended a Winchester landmark about which more than one young man has commented that he “always liked riding past that house because there was a good chance there would be a pretty girl in the yard.” Janis graduated from Franklin County High School in 1962, and began work at the Winchester Hat Factory. In 1963, she was diagnosed with cancer, necessitating the removal of her left leg and a portion of her hip. While recovering at Vanderbilt Hospital, she began receiving visits from Don Earle, a young man she claimed to have had a crush on since her freshman year but never had the courage to ask to a dance. Don was smart enough to ask her to marry him. Janis and Don married in 1964. They had two sons who, judging from their activity levels, were unaware of their mother’s physical limitations. They were acutely aware, however, of the three-foot reach advantage their mother’s crutches gave her when she wanted to “get their attention.” Janis was the best mother anyone child could hope for. While raising her boys, Janis’ favorite pastime was crocheting. Janis was prolific in regard to her crochet work. She produced hundreds of intricate crochet items for friends and family members that will be cherished for generations. She was a “fiber artist” before the term existed. She was quick to pass along her knowledge to anyone else who showed an interest in the subject. After raising her two sons she enjoyed riding motorcycles with Don and traveling anywhere near a beach. Janis was a loving wife, mother and grandmother whom everyone described as a “sweetheart.” She was always the one person in the room that everyone wanted to talk to before they left. The 60 years of chronic pain stemming from her leg amputation would definitely put her in the category of someone who had “been dealt a bad hand” in regard to her health, but you would never know it by listening to her. Her positive attitude was infectious and made her the best wife/mother/grandmother anyone could ask for. She will be missed by all who crossed her path. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don; brother, Julius Lightfoot; and sisters, Edna Conway, Margaret Norman, Eleanor Dew and Leona Ashby. She is survived by her sons, Sean Earle (Michelle) and Darren Earle (Tiernan); grandchildren, Ashton Kelly, Reilly Earle, Cian Earle and Silas Earle; brother, Jerry Lightfoot; and sisters, Glenda Raulston, Virginia (Jennie) Powell and Gail Lightfoot. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.  A private graveside service will be held at Franklin Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests making a donation to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at www.vicc.org/giving. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com