Obituaries

Myrna Smithson Rogers of Woodbury passed away from this life on September 23, 2021 at St. Thomas Stones River Hospital of complications from an extended illness.  She was born on February 11, 1941, in Cannon County.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Rogers; her parents, Coy and Annie Smithson and a brother, Adron Smithson.  She was known as Lovey, Mama, Memama and Meme by those who loved her the most.

She is survived by one daughter, Jacquelyn (Boyd) Pitts of Woodbury; one son, Greg (Lisa) Rogers of Woodbury; four grandchildren, Wesley Rogers, John (Mandy) Pitts, Erin (Ryan) Emlen, and Alex (Brittney) Pitts; five great grandchildren, Eli Rogers, Brinley & Logan Pitts and Jack & Duke Emlen.  Also surviving is her brother, Arna (Teena) Smithson of Woodbury; seven sisters-in-law, Martha Smithson of Manchester, Ovie Hollis of Woodbury, Jean Mathews of Pensacola, FL., Joyce (Tom) Harris of Gulf Breeze, FL., Linda Strickland of Murfreesboro, Joan (Bill) Bryson of Lebanon and Cathy (Alvin) Brandon of Kittrell; and one brother-in-law, J. Mark (Jean Ann) Rogers of Murfreesboro, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews, who she loved dearly.

Myrna graduated from Woodbury Central High School in 1960 and married her husband of 61 years on March 18 of the same year.  In addition to keeping house and being the best wife and mother, Myrna worked with her father brothers and sisters-in-law in the family grocery business.  She was a s much a part of the Woodbury Market, Woodbury Star Market, Big Star Market and Smithson’s Piggy Wiggly as anyone, serving many capacities, but most important as “work mom” to many young people who began their working careers at “The Store”.

Myrna was a Christian who was a member of the West High Street church of Christ.  God blessed her with an extra helping of love to share with everyone she knew, especially her family.

Funeral services will be 11 am Monday, September 27, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Paul Smithson officiating.  Interment will follow at Riverside Gardens Cemetery.  The family will receive friends for the visitation from 4 PM until 8 PM, Sunday, September 26, 2021.

Pallbearers will be Wesley Rogers, John Pitts, Alex Pitts, Ryan Emlen, Brad Smithson and Brian Hughes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Myrna’s memory to The Woodbury Day School or Cannon Christian Academy or the charity of your choice.

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

Catherine Marie “Katie” Sherrell, 30, of Woodbury, TN passed away on September 18, 2021. She was born in Murfreesboro, TN on October 11, 1990. Preceding her in death were her grandfathers, Willie Ferrell and William “Pooch” Pomeroy.

She is survived by her parents, William Thomas (Debbie) Pomeroy and Martha Sherrell Newingham; daughter, Harmony Chapman; brother, Dustin Weger; sister, Mary Beth (Derek) Brewer; nephews, Derek and Dominic Brewer; grandmothers, Marie Ferrell and Cathy Pomeroy; aunts, Judy (Billy) Schaub, Missy Roach, and Priscilla Sabo; great uncle, Kenneth Hollis; 6 cousins; and several friends.

Katie will always be remembered as a life with so much potential that was cut far too short. She had a lot going for her in school. Her intelligence and athleticism made her stand out in a crowd. Math and history were her favorite subjects, and during her softball and basketball careers, she led her teams as the pitcher and point guard. Her arm could have earned her a college scholarship, especially with her fast balls.

Throughout her life, Katie was known for two things, being kind-hearted and being stubborn. She would go out of her way to help anyone, and her bubbly personality and ability to crack a joke would keep her and everyone else smiling. However, it wasn’t a good idea to tell her not to do something because then she was bound to do it. Ms. Martha remembers Katie climbing up a 6 ft bookshelf to get scissors out of a box so she could cut her own hair. Katie beamed with pride as she walked up to Ms. Martha with beautiful long locks of blond hair in one hand and the scissors in the other.

Her inquisitive nature and status as the oldest child encouraged her to be the first to try something new. She would do her research first and then let her spirit for adventure take hold. Because of who she was, there have been many shared moments with Katie over the years. Whether it was picking at her siblings, working on her relationship with Harmony, or cutting up with friends, she was trying to be more intentional with her time. Her heart cared for everyone, and she tried to have broad enough shoulders to help everyone else carry their burdens. Though she wasn’t always able to express it in the ways she wanted to, she loved her family, especially her precious daughter, Harmony. Katie’s wishes were to be cremated, and the family will hold private memorial services at a later date. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN

Billy Smith, age 63, of Woodbury passed away Monday, September 20, 2021.  He was born to his parents, Harold Maurice Smith & Helen Donoho Smith, on September 1, 1958.

He was survived by his sister & her children, Jerry (Henry) Sharp of MO and Jacob Gillispie of NM Jordan Gillispie of CA; his niece & her children, Leslie Foster Pitcock of NC and Cody Reynolds of CO, Toivo Blaine Pitcock of CO, & Christian Quinn Pitcock of ME; Brother-in-law, Franklin C. Foster of Woodbury; and Life-long Friends, Rex Aclipen of McMinnville, Lisa Goodmaster, & Billy’s nephew, Triston Barber, and his family at the Alvin C. York Medical Center, and Joe & the Iron Pig Antique family & his many friends.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister, Fay Foster; and his nanny, Doshia “Doo Doo” Moore.

Billy loved collecting antiques and had a love for the arts, theater, and the Arts Center of Cannon County.  He loved his animals, the “Doolittle Gang”.  He was an advanced medical support assistant at the Alvin C. York Medical Center.

Graveside Services will be at 2 PM Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Riverside Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 8 PM Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Margaret “Peggy” Ann Ashford, 83, passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021 at St. Thomas River Park.  She was a native of Hammond, IN.

She is survived by her daughters, Vickie (Fred) Mooney of Schererville, IN., Ruth (Larry) Courtright of Arrington, TN. and Tammy (Roy) Freeze of Woodbury; grandchildren, Ruth Pinkerton, Rachel (Jared) Borkowski, Timothy Mooney, Todd (Crystal) Mooney, Jennifer (Steve) Hines, Jessica (Brandon) Carpenter, Justin Courtright, Jacob Courtright, Joey Courtright, Michael (Scarlett) Freeze, Joshua Curtis, Wendy (Charlie) Kilgore and Amanda Curtis and her siblings, Sally (Glen) Hochstetler of Murfreesboro and Gerald Ashton of Maui, Hawaii.  20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild also survives.

Ms. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Lyman William Ashton and Ruth Nadine Beaman Ashton; her husband, James Clyde “Jim” Ashford and brother, William Lyman Ashton.

A member of the Sunny Hills Baptist church and she also played piano, Ms. Ashford was a retired business owner where her and her husband, Jim owned Jim’s Upholstery. She sang with the Glory Road Singers.  Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren.  

Visitation with the family will be from 10 am until her time of services, 2 pm Friday, September 24, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Jimmy Barrett officiating.  Interment will follow in Centertown Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

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

Ms. Rhonda J. Floyd, 36, of Woodbury, TN passed away on September 17, 2021. She was born in Murfreesboro, TN on May 16, 1985. Preceding her in death were her grandfathers, Baker Floyd and George Haynes.

She is survived by her parents, Thomas and Tammi Floyd of Woodbury; brothers, Jartaevis Floyd, Charles, Martinez, and Mateo Hutchings all of Woodbury; sisters, Skie Holt and April (Christopher) Brewington both of Woodbury; grandmothers, Peggy Daniels and Diane Haynes; nephews, John Thomas Brewington and Gabriel Brewington; and several aunt, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Ms. Rhonda believed in using her talents to glorify God. A member of Calvary Chapel in Murfreesboro, she was a devout Christian. She didn’t just strive to be a good person; she wanted to be a godly person. Her big heart and loving nature made her willing to help anyone. It also gave her more patience with children than most, and she found her passion working with the Girl Scouts.

Her journey with the Girl Scouts began in her early childhood when she proudly become a Brownie. She went on to earn the Gold Award and Lifetime Membership. These honors inspired her continued support, and she became very active in the local Troop 2838 as the Service Manager. She didn’t limit herself to just Girl Scouts though. Willing to help wherever she was needed, she also worked with the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. All of her time working with the kids and being a Girl Scout instilled a love for camping and fishing. It didn’t matter where you were going; she wanted to go along too.

Aside from Girl Scouts, Ms. Rhonda had a personal and professional interest in business. She enjoyed managing and instructing people on how to do things, even when she didn’t know how to do them herself, especially if it was her dad working on it. Mr. Thomas remembers her sassy personality in their conversations and her keen ability to start up an argument. She was the queen of debate and not afraid to tell you how it is, but she took a different route in incorporating business into her career.

Ms. Rhonda had a way with numbers and was quite the math whiz. She could do calculations faster on paper than someone else could in their head. While working in the bakery at Wal-Mart, she earned her Bachelors in Accounting. From there, she went on to work for H&R Block and finally Brink’s Company. With her knowledge about finances, she quickly learned how to squeeze everything she could out of a penny. Her wit, humor, love, adventurous nature, and serving spirit will be deeply missed by all of the lives she has touched.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from 4-8 pm. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 1 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Kent Unklesbay will officiate. Interment will be in Gilley Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to assist with expenses. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Ira Dean Hanes, 62, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at St. Thomas Stones River E/R.  He was born in Readyville, TN.

He is survived by his children, Jeremiah (Amy) Miller and Jessica (Kayla) Hanes both of Woodbury; grandchildren, Alex, Alyssa and Austin (Breanna Hatcher) Miller all of Woodbury; great grandchildren, Kashdon & Bohi Miller and brother, Lynn Hanes of Woodbury.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Bob Hanes and Pauline Foust Hanes; his wife, Mitzi Reed Hanes and his granddaughter, Destiny Hanes.

A member of the Church of Christ, Dean was retired from General Mills and was a 1st responder in Cannon Co.

Funeral services will be 3 pm Wednesday, September 22, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Williams officiating.  Interment will follow in Cherry Cemetery. Visitation with the family 12 noon until 8 pm Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
 
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Marshall Williams, age 78 of Cannon County, passed away on Saturday September 11, 2021 with his wife and daughters by his side.

Marshall was born in San Antonio, TX at Fort Sam Houston to Florence and Burl Williams on June 17^th 1943. After losing both parents by age 18, Marshall enrolled in the United States Navy serving four years during the Vietnam War on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. After completing service to his country Marshall enrolled at Tennessee Tech to study engineering.  During his enrollment he began working for the L&N Railroad leading to a prosperous forty-year career across five mergers. At age 55 he retired in 2001 as Director of Environmental Engineering for the Real Estate Division of CSX Transportation. Upon retirement, Donna and Marshall settled on the family farm to assist Donna’s parents, Hershel and Eunice Parton, in the daily operations and maintenance of the farm. He immersed himself in learning about the cow and calf operation with the University of Tennessee extension office as well as local farmers, friends and family.

Marshall was a life-long reader and student of history, specifically WWII. Marshall enjoyed travels both in the US and abroad, most recently completing a trip to the site of his father’s death during the Battle of the Bulge in Libramont, Belgium.  An avid hunter, Marshall organized a pheasant hunt for friends and family annually for the past 28 years.

Marshall is preceded in death by his mother, Florence Evelyn Williams, his father, Burl Claiborne Williams, his brother Albert Marasco and his in-laws Hershel and Eunice Parton. Marshall is survived by his wife of 48 years, Donna Parton Williams of Cannon County; his daughters, Kim MiRan  (Jeff) Newton of Apopka, FL and Ann Brandeis (Shawn) Short of Florence, AL; grandchildren Tyler (Baleigh) Newton of Seattle, WA, Kasey (Chad) Kraft of Orlando, FL, Elsie Ann and Evelyn Avent Short of Florence, AL, sister Delia (Ronnie) Cope of Springfield, TN, brother Frank Marasco of San Antonio, TX, sister Gail (Charles) Markum of Woodbury, TN and sister Cindy (Mark) Barker of Readyville, TN. Also surviving are five nephews, two nieces and numerous beloved great nieces, great nephews and cousins. 

The family is planning a Celebration of Life on Saturday October 9^th. For more information please visit www.marshallwilliamscelebration.com or call 615-663-6295 and leave a message for more information.

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

Cecelia Pearl “Cece” Mears, 57, of Woodbury, TN passed away on September 7, 2021. She was born in McMinnville, TN on October 16, 1963. Preceding her in death were her father, Billy Wayne Mears; mother, Brownie Dean Russell; and half-brother, Manuel Malone.

She is survived by her brother, Waymon Mears of Woodbury; half-brothers, Joel King of Ohio and Luther Bill “Turk” (Tami) Mears of Lexington; half-sisters, Nancy (Norman) Pelham of McMinnville and Sabrina Malone of Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ms. Cecelia was a woman as beautiful as her name inside and out. She had a light-hearted and carefree spirit mixed with an independent and strong-willed personality. Quick-witted, she loved to laugh, joke, and smile, and she made sure that whoever she was talking to was joining in on the fun. Her attractive personality and features earned her the title of Homecoming Queen in her younger years and attracted a lot of attention throughout her life.

When she graduated in the Class of ’82 from Cannon County High School, the economy was on a downward slope, but when the going got tough, Cecelia was someone who rolled up her sleeves. She chased work opportunities to Texas and lived there for 4 years, working at the Radisson. As soon as she had the opportunity, she headed back to Tennessee and began working toward becoming a CNA, hoping to earn the title of LPN one day. Unfortunately, her health got in the way of her dreams, so she centered her life around what was truly important to her, and that was family.

Spending time with family and friends was time well spent to Cecelia, and she enjoyed a career at Bill’s Packaging Store, working for Waymon for 15 years. It offered her the luxury of keeping her friends and family close at all times, and speaking of luxury, Mrs. Cecelia was true to her middle name. Waymon said she was a talented “rock hound” because she loved to hunt down geodes and other unique and beautiful rocks.

The family will hold private services at a later date. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337

Roy Foster Parker, Jr., 67 of Nashville passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at Tristar Centennial.  He was born in Lascassas, TN to his parents, the late Roy Foster Parker and Lizzie Brown Parker.

He is survived by his sisters, Betty J. Moorehead of Nashville and Shirley Dotson of Antioch; nieces and nephews, Mickle Joe (Dawn) Saxon, Roy Alan Saxon, Johnny Wade (Rachel Teasley) Saxon, Joslin Alderidge, Dakota James Alderidge, Ricky O’Brien Sloan, Kimmie Parker and George Manus, Jr.

brother-in-law, Ricky Sloan of Nashville; special great niece, Lillian Saxon and step niece, Beth Henry.

In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his siblings, Peggy Manus, Margie Hendrix, Jackie Parker and Lonnie Wade Parker.

Mr. Parker was a steel worker for most of his life.  He enjoyed collecting model cars, drag racing and fishing.

Funeral services will be 3 pm Friday, September 17, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery. Visitation with the family after 11:00 am Thursday, September 16, 2021.

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

Keely Reene Vassar, 52, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2021 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  She was born in Des Moines, IA. and lived in Lascassas, TN.

She is survived by her husband of 16 years, Andy Vassar of Lascassas; her mother, Sherry Schrader-Braunschweig of WI.; children, Andrew Lewis, Kayla Lewis and William Vassar all of Lascassas, Cassie (Brian) Hawley and Hannah Vassar both of WI.; grandchildren, Madisyn, Natily, Liam and Shelly Lewis, Mac Hawley and another grandbaby due in April and mother-in-law, Martha Ferrell of Woodbury.

A self-proclaimed “daddy’s girl”, Keely was preceded in death by her father, Roger Schrader and her brother, Marc Schrader.

Mrs. Vassar was a medical assistant. She was artistic, enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved her pets.  She was a second mom to everyone she knew.  A beloved daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, her family was the most important thing in her life.  Keely will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

Visitation with her family will be from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held in Newton, IA., where she will be buried beside her dad in the Dunreath Cemetery.

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