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May 2009 Obituaries

Mr. Phillip Ray Wright, age 58, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, May 02, 2009, after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel, with Tim Calloway officiating. Burial, with full military honors will follow in Willow Mount Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Sunday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

He was born October 28, 1950, in Bedford County, to the late Raymond and Sarah Casteel Wright. He was an auto mechanic, veteran of the United States Army, and member of the Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann Wright in 2006, and a brother, Richard Perry.

He is survived by five sisters, Willa Dean Wright, and her husband Charl D., of Shelbyville, Hope Gipson, and her husband David, of Canton, Georgia, Susan Leftwich, of Easley, South Carolina, Valerie Buck, of Shelbyville, and Ginger Brissey, and her husband Joe, of Gainesville, South Carolina; a brother, Howard Perry, and his wife Debra, of Gainesville, South Carolina; a son, Phillip Ray Wright, Jr., of Shelbyville; two daughters, Amy Sue Teague, and her husband Brian, of Greensville, South Carolina, and Tracy Lyday, of Shelbyville; nieces and nephews, Connie Beech, and her husband Joey, Charles Wright and Steven Wright; nine grandchildren, Heather Lee Ann Lyday, Samantha Mae Marie Lyday, Casey Lynn Lyday, Timmy Lee Taylor, Jr., Ashley Ann Wright, Katie Lee Wright, Brittany Nicole Teague, Brian B. Teague, and Phillip Ray Wight, III.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the local arrangements

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Mr. Phillip Ray Wright, age 58, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, May 02, 2009, after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel, with Tim Calloway officiating. Burial, with full military honors will follow in Willow Mount Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Sunday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

He was born October 28, 1950, in Bedford County, to the late Raymond and Sarah Casteel Wright. He was an auto mechanic, veteran of the United States Army, and member of the Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann Wright in 2006, and a brother, Richard Perry.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the local arrangements

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Mrs. Lorene E. Fox, age 85, of Bell Buckle, died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Heritage Medical Center.

Graveside services will be 1 PM Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Hazel Cemetery in Bell Buckle, with Bob Young officiating.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was born May 19, 1923, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Herbert and Rosie Lee Lovvorn Modrall. She was retired after 34 years of service from American Can Company (CEBAL). Mrs. Fox also worked with the hosiery mill in Bell Buckle for many years. She held membership in the Bell Buckle Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl M. Fox, in 1986, and two brothers, John Edward Modrall and Franklin Modrall.

She is survived by a son, Carl Fox, Jr. and his wife Sheila, of Lynchburg; a sister, Jeanette Thompson, and her husband Ewing, of Shelbyville; two grandchildren, Chris Fox, and his wife Chrissie, and Dawn Dye, and her husband Billy, all of Shelbyville; four great grandchildren, Kaleigh Dye, Jason Fox, Josh Fox, and Earon Kincade.

Memorials may be made to the Bell Buckle Church of Christ.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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James White Elkins

1925-2009

James White Elkins was born on January 19, 1925 to Robert Lee Elkins and Lucy Pruitt Elkins in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. He has been a life long resident of Bell Buckle and member of the Bell Buckle United Methodist Church. He attended Bell Buckle Elementary School and graduated from Bell Buckle High School in 1943.

James entered the U.S. Army in October of 1943 and was assigned to the 276^th Combat Engineers Battalion. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped push Hitler’s army out of Belgium and back to the Rhine River. On March 17, 1945, James was injured while repairing the Ludendorff Bridge in Remagen, Germany. The bridge collapsed after repeated attempts by the German troops to destroy it. James was awarded numerous medals and awards, including the Purple Heart, an ETO Ribbon with three battle stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

When James returned to Bell Buckle in 1946, he reunited with his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Powell, and they were married on August 29, 1946. In 1948, James opened the Elkins Garage, which he operated for 25 years. In 1950, he became Bell Buckle’s first Fire Chief, a position he held until 1992. James continued to support the Bell Buckle Fire Department after his retirement, and the new fire hall was named for, and dedicated to, him on October 8, 2006.

James was an active Mason and member of the Al Menah Shrine Temple. He was proud of the work he participated in as a shriner.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Dorothy Powell Elkins, and son, Robert “Bobby” Elkins. He was a loving husband and father, a dear friend to many, and a brave veteran. James truly touched many lives and will be missed and remembered by many.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 5:00-9:00 PM, at Bell Buckle United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be Thursday, May 7, 2009, at 11:00 AM at Bell Buckle United Methodist Church, and a graveside service will follow at Hazel Cemetery in Bell Buckle, TN. Officiants will be the Reverends Elizabeth “Beth” Ezell, Lawrence E. “Buddy” Royston, and John V. “Jack” Carney.

Pallbearers are Bob Beachboard, Jackie Crosslin, Jack Curtis, Clarence Elkins, Ernie Fishlock, Fayne Haynes, John Jarman, Ronnie Lokey, Herby Powell, and David Robinson. Honorary Pallbearers are The Bell Buckle Fire Department, Richard Cobb, Charles Cooke, Buck Davis, Mitchell Elkins, Steve Elkins, Corey Hartbarger, Howard Haynes, Casey Jones, Lyle Mason, David Mingle, James Mingle, Kenny Phillips, Mike Powell, Andy Ratleph, Cliff Rider, Joe Sheetz, Joe “Little Joe” Sheetz, Jr., Dennis Webb, Marvin Whitaker, and Paul Whitaker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bell Buckle United Methodist Church or the Bell Buckle Fire Department.

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Mr. Harley Mathew Speirs, age 50, of Shelbyville, died Sunday, May 10, 2009, at Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg.

Funeral services will be 1 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Mark Ashley. Burial, with full military honors will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Tuesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

He was born December 2, 1958, in Baltimore City, Maryland, to the late Otis Eugene and Beulah McDaniel Speirs. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and owner of Speirs Express.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Hastings Speirs, of Shelbyville; two daughters, Shannon Speirs, of Shelbyville, and Tiffany Spain, and her husband Shannon, of Bell Buckle; four sons, Jared Speirs, and his wife Lindsey, of Shelbyville, Andy Womble, and his wife Angelia and Jay Womble, and his wife Misty, all of Murfreesboro, and Matt Adams, and his wife Erika, of Chapel Hill; a sister, Freda Moore, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Isaiah, Eve, Kade, Erin, Gabrielle, Emma Grace, Joshua, Jonathan, and Maddie Grace.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the local arrangements

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Mrs. Charlotte Rice Threet, age 84, of Shelbyville, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Bedford County Nursing Home.

Graveside services will be 10 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Reverend Jimmy Gray will officiate.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Tuesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was born September 24, 1924, in Shelbyville, to the late Charles Newton and Olivene Reaves Rice. She was a retired Dietician with the Bedford County School System and spent many years at Madison Street and Shelbyville Central High Schools. She loved to play golf and was a seven time Club Champion at Riverbend Country Club. She was an avid reader and thoroughly enjoyed her grandsons. She was a member of First Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Randolph Threet in 1999.

She is survived by a son, Randy Threet, of Lewisville, Texas, two daughters, Ann Turnbow, and her husband Bobby, of Shelbyville, and Becky Russo, and her husband Ray, of Lewisville, Texas; five grandsons, Justin Threet, Whit Turnbow, and his wife Lori, Kyle Turnbow, Alex Russo, and Patrick Russo; a great granddaughter, Reagan Turnbow.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church or Argie Cooper Library Building Fund.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Mrs. Ada Marie York Thompson, age 84, of Shelbyville, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

Graveside services will be 2:30 PM Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Willow Mount Cemetery. Reverend Jimmy Gray will officiate.

Visitation will be 12-2 PM Wednesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was born August 20, 1924, in Bemis, Tennessee, to the late Jesse Floyd and Fannie Gray York. She retired from the original Peoples National Bank in 1984.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, William Austin Thompson in 2008.

She is survived by three daughters, Karen Foldy, and her husband Jim, of Shelbyville, Melissa Cleveland, and her husband David, of Tullahoma, and Melinda Cotten, and her husband David, of Missouri City, Texas; ten grandchildren, Ronnie Reed, Jr., Angie Reed Jackson, Andrew Thompson Reed, Hunter Cleveland, Cody Cleveland, Megan Denson, Courtney Cotten, Amber Cotten, Bryce Foldy, and Ashley Murray; ten great grandchildren, Kelsie Reed, Sydney Reed, Hayden Reed, Jonah Jackson, Gabby Jackson, Noah Jackson, Sophia Reed, Brooklyn Murray, Aden Murray, and Park Dellavalle.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Mr. William “Bill” Palmer, age 85, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Heritage Medical Center.

Memorial services will be 2 PM Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church. Reverend Stephen Cain will officiate. Per his request, his remains were cremated.

The family will receive visitors following the service at the church.

He was born January 9, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late William Jacob and Helen Tischner Palmer. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in World War II 1943 - 1945. He retired from Sverdrup at AEDC. He was a graduate of Duke University’s School of Engineering Class of 1946 and a member of Duke University Varsity Track and Golf Teams. He held membership in the Duke University Alumni Associations and Duke’s “Over The Hill Group”. He was a former member of the Shelbyville Lion’s Club and a Boy Scout Troop Leader. He loved teaching Sunday school classes at First Presbyterian Church where he was a member.

He was a member of the Golden Pond Group, a staunch Republican, and a proud member of Riverbend Country Club and former Riverbend Club Champion. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting his “coffee group” before playing golf at Riverbend County Club. He surveyed the Riverbend Country Club golf course for the golf course architect, and designed hole number 4. He surveyed Riverbend Country Club subdivision property, and was an early member of the Uniroyal Rubber Golf Club.

He proudly cared for his lawn, loved life, and made a special impact on everyone with whom he came in contact.

He was preceded in death by is first wife, Mary Locklin Wilson Palmer.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Harris Palmer, of Shelbyville, and Dalton, Georgia; three sons, William J. Palmer, of Miami, Florida; Lee Madison Palmer, Sr. and his wife Pam, of Franklin, Tennessee, and Charles Locklin Palmer, and his wife Sherri, of Atlanta Georgia; four grandchildren, Madison Palmer, Hunter Palmer, Corinne Palmer, and Hailey Palmer

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Wanda Colcord Obituary

Wanda Pearson Colcord was born on July 26, 1918, in Flat Creek, Tennessee. She passed away peacefully at age 90 on April 29, 2009 at Comfort Care Homes in Wichita, Kansas. Her father was the late William Bibb Pearson and her mother was the late Willie Lee Parker. She is survived by her sister, Mary Laneal Turpin, and her two sons, Marc Colcord of Wichita, Kansas, and Ray Colcord of Los Angeles, California.
She was Salutatorian of her class at Shelbyville Central High School, graduating in 1937, and was voted Outstanding Athlete of the School. Wanda served in the Women’s Army Corp during WWII. First working as an army recruiter, she served on active duty
from September 1943 to December 1945 in the South Pacific, retiring as a captain. In charge of 600 WAC’s, she participated in the campaigns for New Guinea, Luzon, and the South Philippines Liberation. She received the American Theater Ribbon, 3 Overseas Service Bars, and the A-P Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars. She has a brick dedicated to her in the Veterans Memorial Plaza next to the Bedford County Courthouse.
In May, 1945 in the Philippines, she married Captain Richard W. Fuller. They were divorced soon after the war ended. She married Ray Colcord Jr. on September 6, 1949, in New York City, where they both worked for Pan American Airlines. They had two sons, Ray and Marc, and lived primarily in Princeton, New Jersey. Wanda and Ray Jr. were divorced on June 20, 1966. Ray Colcord Jr. died in New York City on July 27,
1971, of heart failure after open-heart surgery.
Wanda was an early supporter of women’s rights, and worked for the Princeton chapter of the National Organization for Women. She also worked as a real estate broker, establishing Colcord Real Estate in Princeton. Wanda moved back to Shelbyville, her home town, in 1975 and bought a house
on Franklin Street, only a few blocks from the high school she graduated from in 1936. After a bout with pneumonia and atrial fibrillation in 2005 she moved into the Carriage House assisted living facility. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, she moved into the Heart Remembers facility at Carriage House, and in 2008 to Comfort Care Homes in Wichita, Kansas, where Marc lives. She was a strong and unique person,
unflagging in her loyalty to her family, a champion of the rights of the underrepresented, and fearless in her opinions. She will be missed.

Memorial service will be 11 AM Thursday, May 21, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

The family will receive visitors following the service.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Mrs. Gladys L. Haskins, age 86, of Shelbyville, died Monday, May 18, 2009, at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Thursday, May 21, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Glenn Forsee will officiate, with burial to follow in Willow Mount Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Wednesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was born January 21, 1923, in Bedford County, to the late William and Mattie Roache Henley. She retired from Sanford Corporation, and was a member of the Assembly of God Church.

Gladys Haskins was devoted mother and grandmother, who left her legacy with all of those who were blessed to know her.

She was preceded in death by a son, Garland E. Haskins, Sr. in 2001. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Bill Henley, Harry Henley, Owen Henley, and Burley Henley and a sister, Dorothy Brown Walters.

She is survived by a sister, Helen L. Pope, of Murfreesboro; four grandchildren, G.E. Haskins, Jr. and his wife Dena, of Murfreesboro, Emily Thomas, and her husband Jason, of Clarksville, Jason Graham, and his wife Lidia, of Murfreesboro, and Julie Lambert, and her husband Mark, of Shelbyville; six great grandchildren, Blair Haskins, Alexys Haskins, Aimee Lambert, Kip Lambert, Kiley Graham, and Palin Graham.

Feldhaus Memorial chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Mr. James Tony Chunn, age 51, of Shelbyville, died Monday, May 18, 2009, at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Friday, May 22, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Timothy Wright will be eulogist, with burial to follow in Houston-Whitworth Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service Friday.

He was born November 12, 1957, in Shelbyville, to Ernest Buchanan and the late Betty Marie Chunn. He was employed with Tyson Foods.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Ussery Chunn, of Shelbyville; two step daughters, Angela Clay and Katherine Ussery, both of Shelbyville; three brothers, Ronnie Chunn, Donnie Chunn, and Lyndale Chunn; two sisters, Connie Chunn and Bernette Chunn, all of Shelbyville; one grandchild, Quantica Ussery.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Mrs. Ann Bryant Yarborough Woodson, age 69, of Bell Buckle, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at her home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Thursday, May 28, 2009, at New Zion Church of Christ. John Houston, Daryl Lewis, and H. A. Beasley will officiate, with burial to follow in Smotherman Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Wednesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was born September 7, 1939, in Rutherford County, to the late W. J. and Annie Irene Wright Bryant. She was owner of Ann’s Drapery in Bell Buckle, and a member of New Zion Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by a step-son, Bobby Woodson, a brother, Charles Bryant, and grandson, James Michael Pope.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Robert L. “Woody” Woodson, of Bell Buckle; a daughter, Patricia Pope, of Smyrna; a son, Thomas Wyman Yarborough, of Shelbyville; three step-sons, Eddie Woodson, Don Woodson, both of Shelbyville, Jerry Woodson, of Minnesota; three step-daughters, Pam Redden and Barbara Mooningham, both of Shelbyville, and Shelia White, of Jackson, Tennessee; two brothers, James Bryant, of Unionville, and C.J. Bryant, of Rockvale; four sisters, Mary Stem, of Smyrna, Dorothy Lufkin, of Murfreesboro, Vicky Dean, of Haleyville, Alabama, and Judy Hooker, of Shelbyville; three grandchildren, ten step grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the New Zion Church of Christ.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Mr. Larry Thomas Dickens, age 67, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Heritage Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Charles Williams will officiate, with burial to follow in Willow Mount Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Wednesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

He was born July 11, 1941, in Bedford County, to Melba Waddy Curtis, of Lascassas, and the late Thomas Newton Dickens. He was retired from Kroger and was a licensed Realtor. He held membership in Fair Haven Baptist.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 48+ years, Pamela Bullion Dickens, of Shelbyville; two sons, Larry Michael Dickens, and his wife Karen F., of Lewisburg and Jeffrey Ross Dickens, and his wife Mary Lynn, of Shelbyville; a daughter, Tanya Faye Snoddy, of Shelbyville; a brother, William Morris Dickens, and his wife Marcie, of Shelbyville, and a sister, Carolyn Dickens Ericksen, and her husband, George, of San Rafael, California; four grandchildren, Brittney Morgan Dickens, Sydney Dawn Snoddy, Daniel Ray Proctor, and Jansen Reed Dickens; a great grandchild, Hunter Ray Proctor.

Memorials may be made to Fair Haven Baptist Church

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the local arrangements

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Mr. Leonard R. Potts, age 74, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 11 Am Friday, May 29, 2009, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Bobby McGee will officiate. Burial, with full military honors will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Thursday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

He was born July 26, 1934, in Bedford County, to the late Charles L. and Amanda Mai Walls Potts. He was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from Sanford Corporation. He was a member of Edgemont Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Potts and his daughter, Regina Potts, both earlier this year. He was also preceded in death by a son, Leonard Keith Potts.

He is survived by a grandson, Ryan Keith Enfinger, of Shelbyville; a brother, Jim Potts, of Wartrace, and a sister, Mary Keys, of Shelbyville.

Memorials may be made to Edgemont Baptist Church, American Cancer Society, or Diabetes Association.

Feldhaus Memorial chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.