Obituaries

Virginia Hope Patterson Briggs, 91, passed away Sunday, Dec. 02, 2019 at her home following an extended illness. She was born in Snake Run, W.V. and moved to Woodbury in 1972.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Prater, Jeffery Briggs and Lisa (Donnie) Thomas all of Woodbury, Brian Briggs of Shelbyville, Kathy Briggs of St. Petersburg, FL., Christine Tenpenny of Gassaway; grandchildren, Crystal Collene, Samantha Briggs, Shane Tenpenny, Michelle Trail, Elizabeth Wilson, Amber Milligan, Marcus Tenpenny, Erica Martin, Austin Trail, Jeremy Tenpenny, Britteny Tenpenny, Tyler Martin, Christopher Thomas; siblings, Margaret Roach of Howell, MI., Hilda Amyx of Hernando, FL., Jay Patterson of Houghton Lake, MI.; 26 Great Grandchildren also survive

Ms. Briggs was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe Rife Patterson and Minnie Pearl Bryant; her husband, Richard Briggs and her son, Gregory Briggs.

Virginia was a member for almost 50 years with Woodbury United Methodist Church.  She accomplished many things in her life, including being the first woman EMT in Woodbury, a model in the ‘50’s, a farmer and raised registered Polled Hereford Cattle.  She enjoyed square dancing, music, sewing and gardening. To her family, she was the best mother and grandmother.  

Visitation with her family will be from 3 pm until 5 pm Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.Funeral services will begin at 5 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  

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

Regenia K. Grissom, age 70, of Murfreesboro, TN, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 29, 2019. A native of Cannon County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Odie Sissom Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sharon Tucker; brothers, Edward Tucker and Milan Tucker; sister-in-law, Dorothy Tucker; father and mother-in-law, Floyd and Mildred Grissom; brother and sister-in-law, David and Kathy Grissom; and nephew, Michael Tucker.

Funeral service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Brother Teb Batey will officiate. Burial will be in Midway Cemetery in Bradyville, TN.

She is survived by her loving husband Richard Grissom; son, Greg Grissom of Nashville; daughter, Tanya Landis and her husband Casey of Murfreesboro; sisters, Pat Fann and her husband Fred Fann Sr. of Woodbury and Faye Elam of Murfreesboro; brothers Kenneth Tucker and Avery Tucker both of Woodbury; sisters-in-law, Darlene Tucker and Mickie Tucker of Woodbury; great nephew, Selvin Stephenson of Murfreesboro whom she shared a very close bond with; and other numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, close friends; and her Salem Creek Church of Christ family where she was a member.

Mrs. Grissom was a 1968 graduate of Cannon County High School. She worked at State Farm Insurance in Murfreesboro for over 40 years and earned her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriting designation in 2001. Besides her family and her church, her interest included MTSU Blue Raider basketball and the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration. She was an avid volunteer for Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), A Soldier’s Child and the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.

Glenn Fann, Fred Fann Jr., Doug Grissom, Ken Tucker, Keith Stephenson, and Robert Ward will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials in memory of Mrs. Grissom can be made to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund, the Building Fund for Salem Creek Church of Christ; or to the American Cancer Society Memorial Foundation – Hope Lodge.

Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

An online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com

615-893-5151

William “Billy” Ray Bogle, 73, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at his home.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elaine Byars Bogle of Bradyville; children, Billy Wayne (Jamie) Bogle of Bradyville; Carolyn (John) Constantine of Manchester; Kim (Josh) Schuster of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Ashley (Robert) Prater, Allison Bogle, Chrissy (Ben) Davis, Emily Garrison, Randall Jennings (Allison), Alana Jennings (Cody), Alisha Jennings (Aaron), John Constantine, Wyatt Constantine, Emily Schuster, AJ Schuster and great grandchildren, Aubree, Harley, Rosslynn, Jesse, Raylyn  and Hazley.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Mackie Watson Bogle.

Billy was a mechanic, a farmer and he was a veteran serving in the Army.  He loved playing with his grand babies.

Funeral Services will be 1 pm Monday, December 2, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Pete Grayum officiating. Interment will follow in the Ivy Bluff Cemetery. Pallbearers include Clark Mathis, Henry Smith, Gary Smith, Michael Smith, Justin Parker, Donald Escue, Cody Lawrence, Ben Davis and Brian Partridge and honorary pallbearers, Tommy Trammel, David Parker and Mark Parker. Visitation will be from 3 pm – 8 pm Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Woodbury Funeral Home and from 11 am until 1 pm on Monday, December 2, 2019. 

James Sanford Vance, 91, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019 at his home. 

He is survived by his sons Russell (Glena) Vance of Woodbury, Roger (Lana) Vance of Manchester; grandchildren, James Carrick and Abi-Gail Jernigan; great grand children; sister in law Mamie Vance; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Callie Duggin Vance and Enzo Vance; his wife Eleanor Jean Vance; and brother Hoyte Vance.

He was a former preacher at Coopers Chapel in Smithville TN, he worked over 40 years at Colonial Shirt Factory. James loved to fish, watch birds and building bird houses.

Funeral Services will be 2 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Plainview Baptist Church with Bro. Jonathon Womack and Bro. Charley Heath officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 3 pm – 8 pm Monday, November 25, 2019 at Woodbury Funeral Home and 12 pm until time of service Tuesday at Plainview Baptist Church..  

In lieu of flowers make donations to Plainview Baptist Church Operation Christmas Child.

Jerry Lee Bell, 82, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019 Vanderbilt Hospital.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

He is survived by his cousins, Sandy Blankenship of Chattanooga and Billy Tenpenny of Murfreesboro; best friends, George and In Pae Buttrey of Murfressboro, Johnny Sain of Morrison and Donnie Vickers of Woodbury.

Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Annie Tenpenny Bell and most recently his wife, Yung Ja “Jo Ann” Bell who passed away on October 31, 2019.

He was a member of the Woodbury First Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Army serving in Korea.  Jerry loved to fish, hunt and was retired from Bridgestone where he worked in Maintenance.  

Graveside Services will be 2 pm Monday, November 25, 2019 at Riverside Cemetery with Bro. Dean Anderson officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 10 am until 1:45 pm Monday at Woodbury Funeral Home 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net  

Ruslan Scott Davis, 28, passed away Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 at his home in Auburntown.  He was 28 and was born in Pskov, Russia. 

He is survived by his father, Scott Davis of Auburntown; sisters, Christina Davis of Gassaway and Shandry Davis Williams of Chandler, AZ.; nieces and nephews, Zoie Mingle, Riley Williams and Ethan Williams.

A graduate of Watertown High School, Class of 2010, Ruslan was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Ivanyisky Davis.  He enjoyed watching all sports but he especially loved Tennessee Titans football.  Ruslan was able to attend the Super Bowl in 2009 at Tampa, FL. made possible by the Make A Wish Foundation.  

Memorial service will be 2 pm Sunday, November 24, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Make A Wish Foundation.

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

Ms. Annie Roberta Rogers Hill, age 89, passed away Saturday November 16, 2019 at the home of her niece.  She was a native of Cannon County and the daughter of the late Jake and Annie Bell Dabbs Rogers.  She also was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Hill and siblings, J.C. Rogers and Claudean Coffman.  She was a member of the Church of Christ, a retired factory worker and enjoyed collecting glassware and antiques.

Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Monday, November 18, 2019 at Riverside Gardens with Bro. Al Bugg officiating.  Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 AM until 12:30 at Woodbury Funeral Home.

Ms. Hill is survived by siblings, Jerry Rogers of Clearwater, FL and Peggy Jacobs of Coffee County and her niece, Pat and Mark Elkins of Woodbury.   

William H. “Bill” Little passed away on November 6, 2019 at the age of 75 after an extended battle with cancer.  He was a native of Jasper, GA and has lived in Murfreesboro for the past 41 years.

He is survived by his wife Ruby McKenzie Little; Daughter Michelle Ayers, husband Jim and daughter Hannah; Son, Sean Little, wife Taunya and daughter Brittany; Daughter Christy Little and her daughter Victoria Moulton; Daughter April Westbrooks, husband Sam and their children Grace, Walker, and Ruby; Great Grand Daughter Aubrey Spradlin; Sisters Mary Bigham and Patricia Champion; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Georgia Tech University with an Industrial Engineering degree.  In 1965 he took a position as an engineer with Imperial Redding Corporation in Anniston, Alabama.  After working there for a year and a half he took a position at Colonial Corporation with locations in Woodbury, TN, and New York City.  Here he spent 26 years rising to the position of President and CEO.  After retiring from Colonial in 1994, Bill took a job as a consultant with MAST Industries out of Andover, MA. and was later promoted to Executive Vice President of Sourcing for the Western Hemisphere and was also a member of the Executive Committee.  While at MAST Bill focused on opening offices and establishing businesses in many places all over the world.  During his career he helped many poverty-stricken countries gain businesses and improve their incomes.  Bill was a world traveler and the last business he established was in Capetown, South Africa which in turn became his favorite place he visited.

Bill was a longtime member of North Boulevard Church of Christ. He was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and friend and his generosity and kind spirit will be greatly missed by those who knew him. 

Visitation with the family will be held at Woodfin Memorial Chapel on Saturday, November 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Jim Chilton and David Young.  Jim Ayers, Bryan Hardwick, Sean Little, Dennis Rockwell, Scott Taylor, and Sam Westbrooks will serve as pallbearers.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Murfreesboro Inner City Ministries, or the charity of your choice in memory of Mr. William H. Little.

Charles Alvin Gentry, 84, of Petersburg passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Harton Hospital, Tullahoma.  He was born in Davidson Co.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elvena Todd Gentry of Petersburg; children, Pam Goodson, Ricky Gentry and Tricia (Bryce) Poteete all of LaVergne, Donna (Tim) Hill of Petersburg, Sam (Sydnee) Gentry of Lebanon and Clay Gentry of Smyrna; siblings, Sonny Gentry and Tom Gentry both of KY, Bob Gentry of LA., Arvil Gentry of Columbia, Glenn Gentry of Prattfield, AL, Bee Doster of Sharon and Judy Powell of Martin; 21 Grandchildren, 20 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren also survive.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William McKinley Gentry and Lena Bell Faulk Gentry; his sons, Allen Wade “Bubba” Gentry and Barry Ray “Dean” Gentry; grandson, Charles David Gentry and siblings, David Gentry and Violet Wade. 

A retired Pressman from Baird Ward Printing Co., Charles was a member of the Berryville Baptist Church in Old Hickory and the Masonic Lodge #686, Nashville.  Charles loved to deer hunt and fish and just enjoyed getting in the car and riding around.  He also loved spending time with his family but most of all he was never serious and would play jokes on anyone he knew.

Funeral Services will be 1 pm Sat., November 16, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Nichols officiating.  Interment will follow in the Centerhill Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 4 pm – 8 pm Friday, November 15, 2019.  

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

A.J. Neal, 76, passed away Sun., Nov. 10, 2019 at his home following an extended illness.  He was a native of Cannon Co.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Brenda Preston Neal of Cannon Co.; children, Tony (Tracy) Neal, Randy (Gail) Neal and Kim (Brad) Hall all of Cannon Co.; grandchildren, Lacy (Jimmy) Wheeler, Zach Martin and A.J. Hall and great grandchildren, Maddison and Jamie Wheeler.

He is preceded in death by his parents, H.C. & Reba Gunter Neal.

A.J. was a member of the North Warren Church of Christ.  He was a farmer, retired from Nissan and worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator at Cannon Co. Hwy. Dept.  A.J. always loved working in anything that was in the dirt including farming and gardening.  He was a hard worker who loved to tell stories about old times, he loved God and his family but most of all his grandchildren were his favorite.  

Funeral Services will be 1 pm Wed., November 13, 209 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Mark Parkhurst and Bro. Jamison Crouch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Gunter – Grizzle Cemetery.  Pallbearers include Wayne Hancock, Abby Dobson, Russell Burks, Daniel Kelley, Kevin Wrisner and James Dillard and honorary pallbearers, Jimmy Hale, Billy Young, Jared Kirby and Billy Nichols. Visitation with the family will be after 2 pm Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am until time of his service.  

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