Obituaries

Mr. Zebulon F. “Zeb” David, 84, of Knoxville passed away on January 6, 2018.  He was born in Woodbury, TN on October 15, 1933.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Prater “H.P.” David, Sr. and Minnie Brevard David; also by brother, H. P. David, Jr., and sister, Evelyn Brevard Jones.He is survived by sister, Frances Hashbarger of Knoxville; nieces, Jackie Logan of Knoxville and Gail Ross of St. Louis, MO; nephew, David (Carolyn) Jones of Charleston, SC; and close family friend, Carl West of Knoxville.
Graduate of Lake City High School, Lake City, TN where he played football.
Joined the U. S. Navy and served in the Korean War.  Following his Military service, he became a licensed contractor and established D & L Construction and built apartments and duplexes, which he managed and maintained in Lake City and Knoxville, TN.
Member of Lincoln Park Baptist Church and the Kerbela Masonic Lodge of Knoxville, TN.
Mr. David enjoyed all sports especially Tennessee football Volunteers and Titans.
A graveside service will be conducted by Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 11:00 am at Riverside Cemetery.  Tim Gentry will officiate.  The U. S. Navy will present funeral honors.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice by contacting Smith Funeral Home.  Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net  Smith Funeral Home, 615-563-5337

DEATH REPORT FROM WOODBURY FUNERAL HOMEName    Lucille Smithson Mears                              Age: 90Date Died: Saturday, January 6, 2018    Where:  Alive HospiceBirth Place: Cannon Co.Survivors: Children:  Kenneth (Carol) Mears of Crossville and Sue Mears (Bobby) Hale of Liberty4 Grandchildren:  Tammy Mears Jordan of Gruetli Laager, Lori Mears (Bill) Heiser of Maryville,Angela Hale (Dan) Scott of Woodbury and Cindy Hale (Chris) Rogers of LindenSiblings: Mary Grizzle, Gertrude Morris and Willie (Dean) Smithson all of Woodbury
and Rachel (Howard) Johnson of Wichita, KS
Also surviving are 9 Great Grandchildren & 1 Great Greatgrandchildren.Preceded by her parents: Monroe & Angie Prater Smithson, sisters:  Opal Smithson, Christine Beatty and Viola Foster and brother, Ray Smithson.    She was a member of the Sunny Slope Church of Christ, a homemaker and retired from Colonial Corp with over 30 years of service.    Funeral Services: Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home     When:  11 AM Wednesday, January 10, 2018     Interment:  Riverside Gardens     Visitation:  4 to 8 PM Tuesday, January 9    Minister: Bro. Bobby Hale 

Twila “Nanny” Bush Underwood, age 80, of McMinnville passed away Friday, January 5, 2018 at her home.  She was a native of Cannon Co.  
Survivors include her children, Roger Dale (Gayle) Owen of LaVergne, Danny Gale (Sandi) Owen of McMinnville, & Sheryl Denise (Tony) Crouch of Centertown; Stepchildren, David (Zoraida) Underwood of FL, Debra Sarno, & Daryl (Deb) Underwood, both of MI; Grandchildren, Nanna Oan Lee, Josh (Alyssa) Owen, Jason Owen, Jesse Owen, Kenny (Michelle) Owen, Kevin Owen, Brandi (Jason) Evans, Shane (Gina) Crouch, Amanda (Bobby) Dillon, & Lori Beth (Andy) Hollis; Great-Grandchildren, Daniel Lee, Noah, Tessa, & Marlee Owen, Kayla Blair, Adam & Alex Owen, Tia, Alyssa, & Kamia Owen, Damian & Treyton Owen, Kaylee Evans, McKeely & Carter Crouch, and Ashley, Emma Grace, & Jacob Dillon; Great-Great Grandchildren, Devin Blair & Jaden Baker; Siblings, Les (Sharon) Bush of Bradyville, Donna Mae Taylor, Imogene Rogers, & Linda Ann (Bill) Avera, all of Woodbury, Daphne (Howard) Miller of Christiana, and Getta (Buford) Prater of Woodbury; Special Caregivers, Brenda Fults, Lisa Mayo Warren, & Jenni Curtis.  Numerous step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, George & Millie Carter Bush; Brothers, Jesse, J.T., and Bobby Bush; Sisters, Joyce Bush McBride, Thelma Bush Kennedy; and by Twila’s loving husband, Carl Underwood.  When Carl passed, a portion of Twila went with him.  They shared 10 years of love and happiness as husband and wife.  They loved to travel often, eat out at restaurants, and visiting family and friends.
 
Twila & Carl were both very dedicated at Simmons Chapel Free Methodist Church and loved their church family.  She was very active with the church youth until her health failed.  Twila was retired from Oster with over 35 years of service.
 
Funeral Services will be 2 PM Tuesday, January 9, 2018 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Wheeler officiating.  Interment will follow at Gilley Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 9 PM Monday, January 8, 2018 at the funeral home.
 
Pallbearers will include Kenny, Kevin, Josh, Jesse, & Adam Owen, Shane Crouch, Bobby Dillon, & Andy Hollis.
 
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

 Jerry Ray George, age 73, of Liberty passed away Friday, January 5, 2018 at his home.  He was a native of Cannon Co.
 
Survivors include his mother, Anna Mae Snow George of Woodbury; Sons, Timothy (Susie) George of Manchester & Danny George of Gassaway; Grandchildren, Amelia George & Hannah Tetters; and Brother, Curtis (Jeannie) George of Bradyville.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.
 
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Braxton George.
 
Mr. George was a member of the Sycamore Baptist Church and was a factory worker and truck driver.  He also operated the Liberty Dance Hall.
 
Funeral Services will be 11 AM Monday, January 8, 2018 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Martin officiating.  Interment will follow at Sycamore Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 8 PM Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the funeral home.
 
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Shelby Jean Rogers Merriman, age 76, of Woodbury passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at her home.  She was a native of Cannon Co. 
Survivors include her daughter, Annette (Richard) Nicholas of Woodbury; Granddaughters, Jessica (Michael) Gilchrist & Tequilla Miller, both of Woodbury; Five Great-Grandchildren, Nevaeh Miller, Dawson Miller, Tyler, Alexis, & Harley Sissom; Brother, Jerry (Pat) Rogers of Readyville; and Sister, Sue (Avon) Conley of Bradyville.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer White & Elizabeth Smith Rogers; and Husband, Tommy Merriman.
 
Ms. Merriman was a member of the Bethlehem Church of Christ and was a cook at Woodbury Health and Rehabilitation Center.  She enjoyed working in her flowers and spending time with her grandchildren.
 
Funeral Services will be 11 AM Saturday, January 6, 2018 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Cherry Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 9 PM Friday, January 5, 2018 at the funeral home.
 

Carylee Caputo, 74, of Woodbury, Tn. passed away Thurs., November 09, 2017 at St. Thomas Rutherford. 
She is survived by her daughter, Jeannianne (Christopher) Carr of Medina, OH.; 2 grandsons, Caleb & Wesley Carr both of Medina; Siblings, James (Denise) Boex of Hudson, OH. and Kathleen (Judy) Jordan of Louisville, KY.; Several nieces and nephews also survive.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis Boex and Harriet Fremont.
 
Carylee was born in Miami, FL and raised in the small historic town of Schuylerville, NY.  She graduated from the State University at Plattsburg with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education.
 
Ms. Caputo spent most of her adult life in New York City including two years as a dancer with Alvin Alley American Dance Theater. She moved to Tennessee in 1995 and began teaching English and Service Learning at Cannon Co. High School.  An exceptional instructor, Carylee established several community service learning projects for her students to enrich their cultural knowledge. Those projects included military veterans projects and local history projects as in “Old’uns’ Stories Told to Young’uns’”. The stories were published and generated thousands of dollars for scholarships. She was named one of  Tennessee’s most esteemed educators by the Tennessee House of Representatives.
 
Carylee was a superlative educator and was admired by so many for her accomplishments and her dedication as a teacher, mentor and friend.
She retired from Cannon Co. High School and was a member of the Cannon Co. Arts Center. She enjoyed cooking and quilting and was an avid reader and member of a local book club.
 
Memorial services will be held from 1pm to 3pm, Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the Cannon Co. Senior Center.  Donations may be made to S.A.V.E. , Adams Memorial Library or any charity you feel represents Carylee.
 
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or www.woodburyfuneralhome.net
 

Pauline Alexander-Witty, age 85, of Woodbury passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at her home.  She was a native of Cannon Co.  
Survivors include her sister, Jewell (Ted) Cashion of Lewisburg; Loving Caregiver, Gracie Vasquez & her family of Woodbury; Sister-in-law, Gayle Alexander of Murfreesboro; Nieces, Teresa Stoetzel of Woodbury, Sharron (Steve) Prosser & Karen (Jeff) Stewart, both of Cornersville, and Crystal (Beau) Palone of Murfreesboro; Nephews, Steve (Marlena) Scott of Hillsboro, Mark Scott of Woodbury, Mike (Markela) Cashion of Lewisburg, and Guy “Bo” (Shelly) Alexander III of Murfreesboro; Great Nieces, Candice Stoetzel (Bruce) Payne, Britton Stewart, Samantha Prosser, Sarah Beth Prosser, Mackenzie Palone, Emily Palone, Ava Claire Cashion, & Piper Brynne Cashion; and Great Nephews, Dustin (Taylor) Stoetzel, Tracey Stoetzel, Matthew Cashion, Ryan Prosser, Alexander Stewart, & Chase Linley.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy Alexander, Sr. & Mary Elizabeth Davenport Alexander; her husband of 35 years, Jim Gassaway; her husband of 20 years, James L. “Bud” Witty; Brother & Sister-in-law, Guy Jr. & Julie Alexander; Sister and Brother-in-law, Joy & Ray Scott; and Nephew, Bob Stoetzel.
 
Ms. Witty loved to cook and was a member of the Home Demonstration Club.  She was a member of the Church of Christ and was retired from the UT Extension Office after 30 years.
 
Funeral Services will be 2 PM Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Riverside Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 8 PM Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
 
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net