GARNER, Mary Lou Baker, age 88, of Cowan, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Bailey Manor in Winchester, while surrounded by her loving family. She was born at the home of her grandmother, Mary Jane Crownover Baker of the Oak Grove Community in Decherd, Tennessee, on Feb. 21, 1934, to the late Harold Osborne and Reba Lou Baker Garner. She was their only child. Mrs. Mary Lou was a 1951 graduate of Franklin County High School. She then married her late husband, Willard, on Sept. 22, 1951. Mary Lou and Willard were members of the Cowan Church of Christ where they both served in their church for many years, providing the family’s spiritual growth. She then began her career in the radio industry that spanned over 50 years, beginning as a secretary, then office manager and finally as the co-owner of WZYX Radio Station. Mary Lou liked cooking for her family and friends and listening to country music. She was also active in school, community service and civic clubs. Her happy place was at home with her grandchildren and her beloved pets. She will be remembered as a loving and caring mother and mother-in-law, wife and grandmother. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willard Ervin Garner and her two grandchildren, Chad Wayne Glasner and Derek Wesley Pavatte. She is survived by her two daughters, Beverly Pavatte and husband, Dale and Beckye Glasner and husband, Duwane, all of Winchester; grandchildren, Justin Daniel Pavatte of Winchester, Cortney Jardet and husband, James and Carigan Glasner, all of Knoxville. Visitation was held on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services followed by services at 2 p.m. with Bro. Alan Adams officiating. Interment followed in Franklin Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ms. Garner's Memory to (WCA) Winchester Christian Academy, P.O. Box 715, Winchester, TN 37398.
LENDLEY, Edd Herman, age 64, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at his residence while surrounded by his loving family, losing his battle with cancer. Mr. Lendley was born on Sept. 14, 1958, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, to the late George Clark Lendley and Mattie Lo Rendi Riddle Lendley. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Estill Springs. Mr. Lendley was employed for 32 years with the City of Tullahoma before his retirement. He was also a 32-year veteran and retiree of the U.S. Army National Guard and served several years on the Military Funeral Honor Guard detail. He was a very dedicated soldier who loved the military and served his country during the Iraq War. He enjoyed camping, fishing, kayaking, wood and leather working and shooting guns. His favorite vacation destination was the Smokey Mountains. He will be remembered with a smile on his face and as a loving and caring husband, father, brother and friend who loved the Lord and never met a stranger. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lendley was preceded in death by a brother, Marshall Lendley and sister, Brenda Blankenship. He is survived by his wife of 39-1/2 years, Kim Lendley of Tullahoma; sons, Jonathan Lendley and wife, Kate of Salem, Virginia, and Adam Lendley and wife, Kayla of Tullahoma; grandchildren, Marli, Karli, Benaiah and Joanna; brothers, Joe Lendley and wife, Joyce, Jerry Lendley and wife, Ann, all of Tullahoma, Billy Lendley and wife, Cathy of Lynchburg, and Ted Lendley and wife, Sara of Shelbyville; and sister, Audrey Farris of Tullahoma. Visitation was held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services followed by the service at 2 p.m. with Bro. Shane Scott officiating. Interment followed in the Maplewood Cemetery in Tullahoma with full military honors bestowed. Serving as pallbearers were: Allen, Joseph and Matthew Lendley, Phillip King, Kurt Cole and Robbie Ferguson.
STEELE, John Noah, age 76, of Belvidere, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System. John was born on April 17, 1946, in Winchester to the late J.C and Marylou Vinie Steele. He was a self-employed logger who also enjoyed working with his hands by making beautiful, handcrafted wood items. In his spare time, you could find him sitting by the lake fishing, in the woods hunting, working in his garden, at a local tractor pull or the Huntland fish fry listening to gospel music. John will be remembered by all as the person who would give the shirt off his back and walk a mile to give it to you. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his children, John Steele, II and Nora Ervin; mother of children, Shirley Toppins Steele; and siblings, Jim, Mary, Jack and Polly. He is survived by his son, Jerry Steele; grandchildren, Drew Steele, Brandon Bailey, Alex Bailey and Shaun Thompson; sister, Sara Steele; and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at 1 p.m. from the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Bro. David Pinion officiating. Interment followed in the Steele Family Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
MILLER, Melinda Ann, age 69, of Winchester, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, while surrounded by her family. A native of Franklin County, she was born on Oct. 19, 1953 to the late Raymond and Lillian (Hinshaw) Barnes. Melinda was a member of the Apostolic Church of Restoration in Cowan. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, cooking for her family and always making sure that everyone was taken care of. Melinda will be remembered for loving and caring nature. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Layton Hill and nieces, Dana Gulley and Renee Gulley. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Larry Miller; children, Adam (Tonya) Miller, Brandy (Sam) Penny and Delilah (Brandon) Creamer; grandchildren, Blake Miller, Tianna Miller, Samuel (Rebecca) Penny, Allie Miller and Kamber Penny; great-grandchildren, Neeley and Ridley Penny and Stella Stewart; sisters, Ginger (Aubrey) Gulley and Cynthia (Alan) Curtis; aunt, Lola Hood; and nephews, Casey Barnes and Alan Curtis II; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation was held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services immediately followed at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Interment followed at Keith Springs Cemetery. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
STEELE, James "J.E." Edward, age 73, of Winchester, Tennessee, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at his residence. Mr. Steele was born in Winchester on Feb. 11, 1949, to the late Herbert Terrell Steele and Lillie Oplia Clark Steele. He was a 1968 graduate of FCHS. He was soon drafted by the U.S. Marine Corps to serve his country during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he was employed for approximately 15 years with CSX Railroad. He then became a commercial truck driver, an occupation he stayed at for almost 25 years. Mr. Steele enjoyed listening to all types of music. He liked cars and working on cars and boats as well. He was very proud of his service to his country and his entire military career. In addition to his parents, Mr. Steele was preceded in death by brothers, Garland and Robbie Steele. He is survived by his children, Abbie Jane Steele, Brandon Steele and wife, Amber all of Winchester, and Lillie Ann Dakota Ogle of Hillsboro; sisters, Wilma Miller of Belvidere, Betty Partin and husband, Bill of Winchester and Lottie Stines of Decherd; grandchildren, Skylar Dugas, Memphis Steele and Nash Steele; companion, Tina Mason of Lebanon, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with memorial services following at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with eulogist Chuck Stines officiating with military honors bestowed.
MANN, Troy Phillip, age 61, of Estill Springs, died on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 18, 1961, in Winchester, Tennessee to the late Marvin Edward and Odie Lear Mann. After his high school graduation, Troy proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a machinist. For a time, he served as a reserve deputy for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department for many years. He retired as a machinist for Cubic in Tullahoma. Troy was an avid gun collector and had been enjoying driving his new Dodge Charger he had purchased for himself last year. In addition to his parents, Troy was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ann Reid Mann. He is survived by his son, Coty Mann of Estill Springs; grandchildren, London Ezell Mann, Colby Cornelius and Cole Atchison; and a host of friends. Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mann family.
SIMS, Robbie Jean Allen McGee, 92 of Shelbyville, died on Jan. 20, 2023. Survivors: daughter, Kathy McGee (Kevin) Hayes of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Mendy (Chuck) Williams, Hunter (Peyton) Hayes, Matt (Shanda) Hayes; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Rylee, Meredith, Aniston, Keaton. Services were Jan. 23, 2023, at Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Interment was at Lynchburg Cemetery.
HALL, Marvin Lee, age 62, of LaVergne, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Franklin County on Dec. 30, 1960, to the late John A. and Geneva (Master) Hall. Marvin enjoyed listening to music and rocking in his rocking chair and he loved to eat. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several beloved family members and caregivers. Marvin is survived by his loving siblings, Michael (Tammy) Hall of Belvidere, Rickey Hall of Cowan, and Lynette (Roger) Ivey of Lynchburg; nieces and nephews, Tabitha (Michael) Stinnett, Clay (Rachel) Hall, Michael (Misty) Hall, Roger (Brittany) Ivey, Jesse (Lacy) Ivey, Chris (Melissa) Hall, Shelby (Trestin) York and Jessica Hall; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Saede Stinnett, Clark Stinnett, Zacy Hall, Zoey Hall, Easton Hall, Carson Hall, Kerrigan Hall, Jada Ivey, Eli Ivey, Paisley Ivey, Sadie Ivey, Allie Ivey, Penny Ivey, Austin Hall, Iliyah Hall and Cora Meadows; aunts and uncles, Peter (Shirley) Hall and Diana Hall; and several cousins. Visitation was held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, from noon to 1 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home followed by services at 1 p.m. Interment was at Joyce-Epperson Cemetery in Chapel Hill. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
MARTIN, Jamie Eugene “Duke,” age 38, of Decherd, passed away on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. A native of Franklin County, he was born in Winchester on June 29, 1984, to the late James Dennis and Selma (Lynn) Martin. A former truck driver, he enjoyed fishing, cheering for Alabama “Roll Tide” football, and watching NASCAR and PBR (Professional Bull Riding). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charlie Eugene and Lydia Mae Martin, and John J. and Aileen Lynn; uncle, Albert Ray Martin; and aunt, Betty Sue Hill. James is survived by his loving son, James Martin (Emily Brooke); grandson, Brandon Dennis Martin; sister, Kelly (Colin) Loudermilk; half-brother, James “Chipper” Martin; nephews, Henry and Benjamin; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Private family services were held. Watson-North Funeral Home 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com.
STROPE, Polly Ann Sells, age 85, of Huntland, passed away on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at her residence while surrounded by her loving family. A native of Franklin County, she was born in Sherwood, on April 21, 1937, to the late Johnny “John” Andrew and Angeline (Smith) Sells. Before her retirement, Polly had worked at the hat factory and Fred’s before retiring from the Franklin County School system as a cafeteria worker at South Junior High. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, working puzzles and watching hummingbirds as well as collecting bells and angels. Polly will be remembered for her loving and caring nature. She was a member of Maxwell Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lemuel Strope, Jr. and siblings, John Sells, Buddy Sells, Elbert Sells, James Sells, Ernest Sells, Hoyt Sells, Ruth Wallace, Anne Pauline Sells and Beulah Short. Polly is survived by her loving children, Mike (Sheila) Strope and Carl Strope; grandchildren, Travis (Jennifer) Strope and Tyler Strope; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Owen Strope; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Gardner officiating. Interment followed at Maxwell Cemetery. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
GARNER, Paul Ray, age 84, of Decherd, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama on April 25, 1938, to the late Claude Thomas and Gladys Idella (Higginbothom) Garner. Paul was an owner and operator of a trucking business in Indiana and retired to Tennessee where he became a volunteer marshal at Bear Trace. An avid sportsman, in his younger years he enjoyed playing baseball, golf, fishing and duck hunting. He also enjoyed camping with family and riding his side-by-side in the mountains with his friends. A devoted husband, father and grandpa, Paul will be remembered for his outgoing and friendly personality; he never met a stranger. He was a dedicated member of Broadview Baptist Church where he was a deacon since 2009 and played guitar for services. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas Garner, G.W. Garner and J.W. Garner and grandson, Michael Garner. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Karen Garner of Decherd, whom he married in Sept. of 1957; children, Paul Eugene (Pauletta) Garner of La Port, Indiana, Janet (Jeff) Petrunich of Winchester, Charles (Rita) Garner of Hebron, Indiana, Lisa Garner of Decherd, and James (Missy) Garner of Decherd; grandchildren, Brianne Foster, Jason Fox, Ashley Garner, Kent Garner, J.T. Garner and Cody Binkley; and great-grandchildren, Chesney, Isaac, Jace, Alexandria, Zaiden, David, Sophia, Lexi and Dawson. Visitation was held on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. and on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. from 1-2 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Houston officiating. Interment followed at Franklin Memorial Gardens. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
ELDER, Lawrence “Larry” Roger, age 79, of Belvidere, passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at his farmhouse on Vanzant Bend Road. He was with his wife, Kathy, his granddaughter, Katy Mae and his beloved great-nephew and fellow-farmer, Jonathan, when he died. A native of Long Beach, California, he was born on June 14, 1943. Larry spent his childhood and teenage years in Southern California during a tumultuous time of social change and conflict. He had adoring parents, Beverly and Tex, but really had to make his way on his own. As a youngster, he sank a new Thunderbird in the Long Beach Marina; he skipped school and caroused; he and his brother, Jimmy, liked to pull pranks. He liked to live on the wild side. He and his brother were like two peas in a pod, and they remained close their entire lives. His sister, Lynnae, was also a presence in his life. Larry was preceded in death by both his brother and sister. He was a greaser and then a hippy, a compassionate brother, a committed father, an important uncle to many of his nephews, nieces and great-nephew (especially Judie Lee and Randy Vinke and David, Joey, Jonathan, Michael, and Matthew Dunphy), a good friend (especially to the trivia crew) and finally and most successfully, a committed farmer who created an oasis for his family at the bottom of Vanzant Bend Road in Belvidere, Tennessee. On a Sunday afternoon in 1971, he married Kathryn Lee Ferguson. The two had a lot in common; they liked the ocean and riding in fast boats, they had mutual friends, they were kind and beautiful people, and they understood the critical role of family in the equation of happiness. Both Larry and Kathy lost their dads suddenly during their first year of marriage, and their children never knew what it was like to have a grandfather. Larry made sure that his five grandchildren knew what it was like to have a present and supportive grandfather: scissor locks and eye-rips during summer wrestling matches, omni-present bowls of carefully cut up fruit at breakfast time, tea parties with a “Chip, chip, cheerio!” and a farm where his grandchildren could nurture their connection to the natural world and each other practicing archery, gathering eggs, driving tractors, riding motorcycles, and learning about life and death. Although Larry and Kathy were married in 1971 in Long Beach, California, the social upheaval in Southern California and sudden deaths of their father’s propelled them to make a decision that would alter the course of their family tree forever. In 1977, after the births of their two children, they moved to Tennessee after a brief and powerful visit with Kathy’s Aunt Bu in Estill Springs. They saw in Tennessee all the things that California lacked: wide-open spaces, opportunity and optimism. They moved their young family of four to middle Tennessee and, after settling originally in Winchester Springs, found themselves owners of an 86-acre farm in Belvidere. As the father of two young children, Larry jumped right into the new community he and Kathy had joined. He was a member of Winchester First Baptist Church, he coached basketball and soccer at Broadview Elementary, helped build sets for theater performances, and made sure that Kathy could get her degree from MTSU. Larry drove to Nashville or even further to find work as a brick and stone mason. His work was impeccable and folks all over Winchester eventually knew to ask for Larry if they wanted high-quality masonry work done. His children carried innumerable loads of bricks and mud throughout their childhood and will always remember the pencils he sharpened with his pocket knife, the basketball courts and planters they built with him, and the smell of concrete. When his children moved onto St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (SAS) in 1984, he learned how to be an important part of that community as well. Both Brian and P.J. played soccer and basketball and P.J. did theater and Brian played football. Larry and Kathy went to every single game they ever played and every theater performance. He became a surrogate parent for many of the young people with whom Brian and P.J. were friends and whose parents could not make it to the games or performances. He loved being witness to young people being their best selves. His work was valued by the student body at SAS and he was honored by being asked to build a grill on campus in celebration of the class of 1996, P.J.’s graduating class. Eventually P.J. and Brian moved away from the farm and had families of their own. After a well-deserved retirement from the back-breaking work of masonry, Larry retired just in time for what the next role life had in store for him. Larry was filled with glee at the birth of his first grandchild, Kathyrn Mae, and began his career of being “World’s Best Papa” at her birth in 2002. The same devotion he had shown his children now turned to his grandchildren. Since his retirement he has had the opportunity to see Katy Mae’s marching band and theater performances, her vocal recitals at Sewanee, Noel’s soccer games all over the southeast, Margo’s soccer games and theater performances in Santa Barbara, Alton’s guitar concerts, and Jessup’s love of the farm. Each summer his children and grandchildren have found their ways back to the farm on Vanzant Bend Road where Larry would ski them behind his 1964 race boat or pull them on the tube or let them sit in his lap and drive the boat. He showed his children and his grandchildren how to live a full and rich and meaningful life. He sent them packages stuffed with candy and letters and quarters and his California grandchildren, in particular, will really miss the constant stream of mail from their Papa. Larry loved music. He loved listening to music and was fortunate to see lots of live music throughout his life. He especially loved the Grateful Dead, KebMo, and Los Hombres Calientes. The house was always full of music: Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull, Creedence Clearwater, Steely Dan and then Ice Cube and Sublime, The Beastie Boys. His children were always surrounded by music and valued this way of seeing and understanding the world. In the 1980s when the Violent Femmes were popular in Southern Middle Tennessee, P.J. and Brian used to get in trouble for fishing the Violent Femmes cassette out of the trash after Kathy threw it away. But it was Larry, not the kids. Larry never went to college, but what he knew is not something he could have learned there. He knew how to make people feel cared for. He helped people see the best versions of themselves and he lived a life of service. It is fitting that he died on the MLK, Jr. federal holiday. He never took his good fortune for granted and always tried to pass on his good fortune in some way. Some people who knew him have used the word legend to describe Larry—a man whose actions and life conjure up an ideal of what is good and just. And that is appropriate and he will be remembered for his authenticity and goodness. His children are so thankful that Larry is a part of their wider social fabric. Larry’s death has rippled through the networks of friends his children and grandchildren have built and our loss is being felt far and wide. His family will also always remember how he sliced through the waves when he bodysurfed, his tattoos, his fires, his recycling and oil changing systems, his raceboat and how it feels to be in the boat or skiing behind the boat, his scratchy beard, his love of the Minnesota Vikings, his hatred of air travel, his t-shirt that said, “Don’t taze me, bro,” rides on the tractor, early mornings stripping tobacco, finding him perched solo at the top of four jacks of scaffolds, the drive across the country in the RV, the trips down the river, and the weekend and day he died. A legend to many, and to his family: a soul mate, an amazing dad, and the world’s best Papa. Larry is survived by his wife and partner of nearly 52 years, Kathy Elder; his sons, Michael Smith (Mylinh) of Killeen, Texas and Brian Thomas Elder (Angela), of Locust Grove, Georgia; his daughter, P..J Carmean (Doug), of Santa Barbara, California; grandchildren, Kathryn Mae and Noel Thomas Elder and Margo Ross, Alton Ward and Jessup Branch Carmean. We hope you will be able to join us for a going away party on the farm in Tennessee on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. More details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make contributions to the organizations Larry supported and cared about during his life, you can make contributions in memory of Larry to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. If you have stories about Larry that you want his family to remember, please send an email to P.J. (pjcarmean@gmail.com) and she will make sure the family receives the message. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
ACKLEN, Steven Edward, age 67, of Winchester, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System. He was born on Jan. 10, 1956 to the late Clarence Edward and Wilma Irene (Brazelton) Acklen. Before his retirement, he was employed as a welder at Tec-Tank. In his spare time, Steven enjoyed fishing and hunting. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his partner, Dedra Patton Willis and son, Jonathan Acklen. Steven is survived by his loving children, Jeremy (April) Acklen and Penny Patterson; grandchildren, Bayla and Gus Acklen and Wyatt Patterson; sister, Janice (Skipper) Marks; and step-son, Derick Willis. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, from noon to 1 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with graveside services following at 1:15 p.m. at Franklin Memorial Gardens with Rev. Todd Coutta officiating. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
