Obituaries

Louie M. Hillis, 91, of Morrison passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at his home following an extended illness.

He is survived by his sons, Tim (Teresa) Hillis of Morrison and Steve (Sharon) Hillis of McMinnville; grandchildren, Amy (Eddie) Fults, Chris Byford (Stacy Turner) and Michael (Tina) Hillis McMinnville, Nathan (Erin) Hillis of Morrison and Andrea (Caleb) Scheidler of Shelbyville.  4 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by is parents, Arzie & Aletha Owen Hillis; his wives, Fay Violet Haley Hillis and Mary Nelle Elkins Hillis and his daughter, Patricia Ann Hillis.

Mr. Hillis was a member of the Baptist church and had pastored several churches includes Blue Wing and Dillion St. Baptist church.  He was a retired factory worker and farmer.

Louie was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Korean War.  While there, he was a Prisoner of War being held captive for over three months.  He received a Purple Heart along with other medals from his time there.  His loyalty to his beloved country led him to be a member of the American Legion and he was the former Ex POW commander with the Alvin C. York chapter.

Graveside services with military honors will be 11 am Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at McMahan Cemetery.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Claudia Lee Lassiter Odom, age 71, entered into God’s kingdom on November 25, 2021, after a short battle with colon cancer. Before falling ill she was the owner and operator of Claudia’s Family Hair Care in Readyville for almost 30 years. While Claudia was great with haircuts, colors, and perms, her true gift was the genuine love and compassion she had for people.

Claudia was the first born child of the late Parmer Carl and Ovie Spradley Lassister. She was born in      Rutherford County on December 14, 1949. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only sibling, James Carl Lassiter.

In 1968, Claudia married the love of her life, the late Ronald “Ronnie” Dale Odom. Claudia & Ronnie went on to have three children: Rhonda Odom of Centertown, Crystal Melton & spouse Caven of Woodbury, and Chad Odom of Readyville. During their 53 year marriage, Claudia and Ronnie were also blessed with 6 grandchildren: Dustin Odom & spouse Kori, Amy Calhoun & spouse Robert, Amber Roy, Angel Roy, Sophia Odom, and Dalton Odom and 12 precious great grandchildren.

In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Claudia is also survived by loving in-laws: Eva and Robert Green, John and Sue Odom, and Brenda Lassiter.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Mr. Dan Jolly officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverside Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 3:00pm – 7:00pm Monday, November 29, 2021. Pallbearers will be Dustin Odom, Caven Melton, Chad Odom, Paul Odom, Caleb Lassiter and Stephen Johnson.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mason Odom and Harley Odom.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Eugene Maas Harris, born April 23, 1934, in Auburntown, TN passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at his home.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Wilma Phillips Harris; two daughters, Beverly Bryan (Jerry) and Martye Harris. He is also survived by two granddaughters; Leah Bryan Wilson (Nick) and Rebekah Bryan Tate (Josh); seven great grandchildren: Maggie Tate, Allie Wilson, Elijah Wilson, Maya Wilson, Levi Tate, Isaiah Wilson, Noah Wilson and “grand dog” Paige Harris.

Mr. Harris was a fixture in the Auburntown community and well known throughout Middle Tennessee due to his 30-year ownership and operation of Harris Auto Parts (1962 to 1992).

He served as a Deacon of the Auburntown Church of Christ.

He was a founding member of the Auburntown Lions club and worked their monthly Fish Frys for over 41 years. He also served for many years on the Auburntown City Council.

Always active in the community and “loafin” at Jimbo’s; he enjoyed most time spend with family.

Visitation with the family will be at the Woodbury Funeral Home Saturday, November 27^th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Funeral services will be 2 pm Sunday November 28, 2021 at the Auburntown Church of Christ with visitation from 1:00 PM until time of the funeral with David Dunn officiating. Interment will follow at the Prosperity Cemetery in Liberty, TN.

Honorary Pallbearers: Marvin Davenport, Perry Robinson, Lynn O’Neal, Dwight Hancock, Jim Brown, Roger Turney, Robert Mee and Jimmy Mingle. Pallbearers: Josh Tate, Nick Wilson, Ed Faille, Jason Brown, Travis Turney and Elijah Wilson.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Ronald Lewis Simpson, 71, passed away  Thursday, November 18, 2021 at his home in LaVergne.  He was a native of Davidson Co., Tn.

He is survived by his sons, Brad (Amy) Simpson and Michael (Wendy) Simpson both of Murfreesboro, Terrance (Barbara) Simpson of LaVergne; grandchildren, Michaela Simpson, Lane Simpson and Brooklyn Simpson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Lewis Simpson and Georgette Graham Simpson and his wife, Stephanie Simpson.

Ronald was a hard worker and a retired supervisor from Good L.  After retirement, he was a homebody who loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren, watching tv, especially Gunsmoke. 

Graveside services will be 1 pm Monday, November 22, 2021 at Riverside Cemetery.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Luther Carl Hale, 90, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Alvin C. York Medical Center.  A native of Sparta, TN., he lived in Woodbury. 

He is survived by his children, Luther Carl Hale, Jr. of Woodbury; David Alan (Rita) Hale of Smithville, Sherry (Tony) Colby of Lenoir City and Tiffany (Sonny) Roach of McMinnville; siblings, Ann Snyder of Apopka, FL., Jean Hardee of Sparta, Jo Cameron of Eastland, Charles Hale of Longwood, FL and Willis Hale of Merritt Island, FL.  Several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren also survive. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nophis and Ova Frasier Hale; his wife, Ruby Hale, 2 sons, Donald and Richard Hale; granddaughter, Stephanie Hale and sister, Mary Spears.

Mr. Hale was a member of the Baptist church and he served in the United States marines.  He was a retired painter. 

Visitation with the family will be from 9 AM until 11 AM Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.  Funeral services will be 11 am in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Nick Pelham officiating.  Interment will follow in the Prater Cemetery with Military honors.

Wallace Ray Barrett, Jr., 41, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center following complications with Covid pneumonia.

He was a native of Warren Co. and lived in McMinnville.

He is survived by his wife, Brie Barrett of McMinnville; children, Cheyanne Grace Money and her husband, Tyler of MO., Dillon Barrett, Zoey Parks, and Addison Barrett all of McMinnville; grandchildren, Neveah Money and Roman Money who is due in March 2022; mother, Evonne Hayes of McMinnville

siblings, Carolyn (Chris) Barton of McMinnville and Liz Austin of McMinnville and father-in-law, Bill Chandler of Spring City.  Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Hayes; his niece, Abigail Hemby and mother-in-law, Lisa Higgins.

A member of the Irving College Baptist church, he was recently saved. He was an Industrial Maintenance worker at Shiroki in Smithville.  Wallace was a hard worker and enjoyed doing anything outside.  He was known for making beef jerky and he loved to fish.  Above everything else, Wallace was a wonderful husband and amazing father that will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Memorial visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm Friday November, 19 with Memorial service to follow at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Bro. Ryan Cripps will officiate.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net  

Jimmy “Hollywood” Haley, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at St. Thomas West.  He was a native of Cannon Co. and lived in the Sycamore community. 

He is survived by his brother, Danny Haley and his wife, Nancy of Gassaway; nieces and nephews, Vicki & Lanny Sandlin of Gassaway, Amy & Derrick Campbell of Brush Creek, Hunter Sandlin of Gassaway, Hudson Campbell and Hayley Reynolds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Lucille Gilley Haley.

A member of the Sycamore Baptist church, Jimmy retired after 31 years with TN Dept. of Transportation.  He enjoyed playing guitar, music, dancing and attending the Cannon Co. Senior Center.

Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Friday November 19 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Richard Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Sycamore cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Thursday, November 18 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net  

Earl St. John, 84, passed away Sunday, November 14, 2021 at this home in Hermitage.  He was born in Cannon Co., son of the late Kirk and Jenny Ruth Barrett St. John. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Morris St. John of Hermitage, children, Earlene St. Lewis (David) of Millersville and Angela Rose (Dennis) of Old Hickory; 4 grandchildren, Molly Rose Lewis, Matthew Armstrong, Christiana Bratchie and Jeb Bratchie; 3 great grandchildren, Alexander and Andrew Armstrong and Charlotte Molina; sister, Sue Robinson (Raymond) of Woodbury.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, James Obie “Tootsie” St. John.

Mr. St. John was a retired diesel mechanic and a member of the church of Christ.

Visitation with his family will be from 11 AM until 1:00 PM Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 at Woodbury Funeral Home with graveside services to follow at 1:30 PM in Riverside Gardens.  Bro. Ray Robinson will officiate. 

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Ronald Dale Odom, 72, died Friday, November 12^th, 2021 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.  He was a native of Cannon County.

Survivors include his wife, Claudia Lee Lassiter Odom, children: Rhonda Odom of Centertown, Crystal Melton of Woodbury and Chad Odom of Readyville.

Siblings:  Eva Green of Murfreesboro and John Odom Jr. of Oklahoma,

Grandchildren: Dustin Odom of Woodbury, Amy Calhoun of Murfreesboro,

Amber Echevrria of Florida, Angel Roy of Murfreesboro, Sophia Odom of Murfreesboro and Dalton Odom of Murfreesboro.  Twelve great grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wiley Odom & Alice Bertie Henderson Odom; siblings, Dorothy Reynolds, Paul Odom, Joseph Odom, Bratten Odom, & Dorris Wayne Odom.

Ron was a disabled salesman, working in the auto & insurance industries and a member of the Baptist faith.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday November 17th at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with burial to follow at Riverside Gardens.  Visitation will be Tuesday November 16 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Odom, Caven Odom, Chad Odom, Paul Odom, Caleb Lassiter, & Dan Jolly.  

Honorary pallbearers will be Mason & Harley Odom.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mabel Hawkins Turney, age 99, of Auburntown passed away Friday, November 12, 2021 at her home.  She was born to her parents, Charlie & Jennie Smith Hawkins on June 19, 1922 in Cannon County.

Survivors include her children, Roger (Shirley) Turney, Denny (Sue) Turney, Jackie (James) Waterfall, & Ken (Scarlett) Turney.  15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, & 7 great great grandchildren also survive.  The family wishes to express their thanks & love to Renee, Stephanie, Emily, and all of the caretakers who took care of their mother & became like a part of the family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Jack “Hop” Turney; Parents, Charlie & Jennie Smith Hawkins; and her 10 siblings.

Mrs. Turney was a member of the Auburntown Church of Christ and was a school cafeteria cook & manager.  She enjoyed cooking & tending to her garden, and took many trips with Mr. Turney traveling cross country.  She mostly enjoyed spending time with her family and having get togethers.

Graveside Services will be at 2 PM Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Prosperity Cemetery with Bro. David Dunn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Auburntown Church of Christ in memory of Mrs. Turney.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net