Bro. Aaron Lee Ward

    Bro. Aaron Lee Ward, 66, of Martin, died Monday, July 14, 2008, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin. Funeral services for Bro. Ward were held Friday, July 18, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home Chapel in Martin. Burial followed in East Side Cemetery in Martin. Bro. Vernon Alexander and Bro. Clayton Mahan officiated the services.
    Bro. Ward was a minister for the Church of God of Prophecy. He was born January 15, 1942 in Lake County to the late Ulis Ward and Lula Lemonds Ward. In addition to his parents, Bro. Ward was also preceded in death by a daughter, Tracy Louise Thompson; and a brother, Roy Ward.
    Bro. Ward is survived by his wife, Mrs. Joyce Bell Ward of Martin; two sons, Mark A. Ward of Louisville, Tennessee, and Vance Edward Ward of Huntingdon; two daughters, Karen Lee of Dresden, and Aaronda Joyce Ward of Dyersburg; six sisters, Brenda Prince of Newbern, Joyce Floyd of Ridgley, Peggy Watson of Ridgley, JoRuth Smith of Ridgley, Dorothy Nell Dean of Ridgley, and Barbara Heidel of Wartburg, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Christine Voss Hall

    Christine Voss Hall, 88, of Newbern, died Monday, July 21, 2008, at Obion County Nursing Home in Union City. Graveside services for Mrs. Hall were held Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern. Rev. Bob Conley officiated the services.
    Mrs. Hall was a retired employee of Arthur Winner Manufacturing Company in Indiana and a member of Fairview Baptist Church. She was born February 13, 1920 in Dyer to the late Earl Hall and Irene (Mealer) Hall. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hall was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Hall; two brothers, Algie Voss and Charles Voss; and a niece, Jo Smith.
    Mrs. Hall is survived by five nieces, Martha Clemmons of Hornbeak, Katie Buckelew of Fulton, Kentucky, Gail Godsey of Dresden, Shirley Hubble of Greenfield, and Janie Duncan of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, one of which is Jackie Campbell of Troy, who cared for her; and several great-great-nieces and nephews.

Debra Woodard Baker

    Debra Woodard Baker, 50, died July 15, 2008, at her home in Southaven, Mississippi. Funeral services for Mrs. Baker were held Friday, July 18, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Bowlin Funeral Home Chapel in Dresden. Burial followed in Olive Branch Cemetery in Como. Bro. Jim Gatlin and Bro. Chris Estep officiated the services.
    Mrs. Baker was a housewife and a mother. She was a member of Goodman Road Baptist Church in Horn Lake, Mississippi. Mrs. Baker was born in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Athol Foster Woodard and Margie Sue Woodard Williams.
    Mrs. Baker is survived by her husband, Mr. Alton Dean Baker of Southaven, Mississippi; a daughter, Brooke Erin Baker of Southaven, Mississippi; two stepdaughters, Dana Sadler of Horn Lake, Mississippi, and Diana Abbott of Horn Lake, Mississippi; a sister, Wanda (Terry) Hankins of Martin; a brother, Raburn (Cindy) Woodard of Dresden; eight step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.

J.B. Hardin

    J.B. Hardin, 92, of Dresden, died July 15, 2008, at his home. Funeral services for Mr. Hardin were held Friday, July 18, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Bowlin Funeral Home Chapel in Dresden. Burial followed in Sunset Cemetery in Dresden. Bro. Bob Conley and Bro. Tony Terrell officiated the services.
    Mr. Hardin was a former maintenance foreman for Bay Bee Shoe Company in Dresden. He had been a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church since 1930 and he was also a deacon. Mr. Hardin was born in Selmer to the late James Henry and Florence Jones Hardin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hardin was also preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Genie B. Ellis Hardin.
    Mr. Hardin is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Sue (Billy) Lemons of Dresden, and Brenda Joan (Ron) Ross of Brentwood; three sisters, Lavernia McCormick of Mayfield, Kentucky, Lola Wright of Lansing, Michigan, and Lyda Greer of Dresden; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Mr. Hardin to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.

Jimmie E. Bivens

    Jimmie E. Bivens, 69, of Wingo, Kentucky, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Western Baptist Hospital. Funeral services for Mr. Bivens were held Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Pilot Oak Baptist Church in Pilot Oak, Kentucky. Burial followed in Pilot Oak Baptist Cemetery. Rev. Charles Simmons and Rev. Jimmy Brown officiated the services.
    Mr. Bivens was a longtime farmer and business owner. He was a member of the Pilot Oak Baptist Church. Mr. Bivens was born August 21, 1938 in Graves County, Kentucky to the late Lela Irene (Crittendon) Bivens and Rutherford Preston "R.P." Bivens. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bivens was also preceded in death by a sister, Robbie Sue Bivens.
    Mr. Bivens is survived by his wife, Donna (Cruse) Bivens of Wingo; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kent E. and Jennifer Bivens of Dukedom, and Phil and Tracey Bivens of South Fulton; six grandchildren, Jamie Bivens, Erin Bivens, Katie Bivens, Abbi Bivens, Jayd Bivens, and Aalia Bivens; three step-grandchildren, Kristin Morgan, Amber Paitsel and Morgan Paitsel; and three sisters, Anna Cooper of Lynn Grove, Kentucky, June Coltharp of Vienna, Illinois, and Bobbie Mae Williams of Sedalia, Kentucky.

Jo Linda Goolsby

    Jo Linda Goolsby, 75, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Funeral services for Ms. Goolsby were held Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Gallimore Funeral Home in Gleason. Burial was in Hopewell Cemetery in Gleason.
    Ms. Goolsby was born August 8, 1932 in Gleason to the late Garrett and Blanche (Haley) Goolsby. She graduated from MSU in 1960 and retired from Oldsmobile's Payroll Department in 1978. In addition to her parents, Ms. Goolsby was also preceded in death by two sisters, Kathleen Sawyers and Kate Coats.
    Ms. Goolsby is survived by a brother-in-law, Luke Coats; nephews, Mark (Becky) Sawyers and Steve (Diane) Sawyers; nieces, Jan (Shane) Johnson and Sheryl Simmons.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter,1050 Wilshire Drive, Ste. 302, Troy, MI 48084 in honor of Jo Linda Goolsby.

Joyce Lee High Walker

    Joyce Lee High Walker, 86, of Martin, died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at her home. Funeral services for Mrs. Walker were held Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Burial followed in East Side Cemetery in Martin. Dr. Jerry Phillips officiated the services.
    Mrs. Walker formerly worked for City State Bank and was retired from United American Bank. She presently worked with Northwest Tennessee Human Resources Agency as an administrative assistant with the Senior AIDS Program. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a graduate of Martin High School. Mrs. Walker was born January 28, 1922 in Martin to the late Lloyd High and Lozettie Gardner High. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Walker was also preceded in death by a son, John Gregory Walker; a daughter, Jennifer Lee Walker; and a brother, John Robert High.
    Mrs. Walker is survived by a son, Jeffrey L. (Cindy) Walker of Martin; a sister, Janette Jones of Martin; and two grandchildren, Jennifer Leigh Walker of Martin, and Gregory Landan Walker of Martin.

Minnie Alice Barber Mansfield

    Minnie Alice Barber Mansfield, 100, of Dresden, died Friday, July 18, 2008, at Weakley County Rehab and Nursing Center in Dresden. Funeral services for Mrs. Mansfield were held Monday, July 21, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Bowlin Funeral Home Chapel in Dresden. Burial followed in New Hope Cemetery in Latham. Bro. Kenneth Williams officiated the services.
    Mrs. Mansfield was a file clerk with Teletype Corporation and a member of Ruthville Baptist Church. She was born in Dresden to the late James M. and Nola Alice King Barber. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Mansfield was also preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James Lewis Mansfield; a daughter, Vera Estelle Watson; five sisters; seven brothers; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
    Mrs. Mansfield is survived by a daughter, Relma (Earl) Allen of Dresden; eight grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and seventeen great-great-grandchildren.

Robert Westbrooks, Jr.

    Robert Westbrooks, Jr., 80, of Dyer, formerly of McKenzie, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008. Graveside services were held Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Dyer with Bro. Tom Bullock and Bro. Jim Robinson officiating.
    Mr. Westbrooks was born June 8, 1928 in Gibson County to the late Robert and Lola Roberts Westbrooks. He retired from Brown Shoe Company in 1978 after 35 years of service. He was the owner of S&W Service Center in McKenzie until his final retirement in 1988. He was a member of Dyer First United Methodist Church. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Charles Westbrooks.
    Survivors include: his wife of 62 years, Mogie Workman Westbrooks; three children, Phyllis (Neal) Scott of Lexington, Larry (Brenda) Westbrooks of Three Way, and Randy (Carol) Westbrooks of Fruitland; two sisters, Sara Dilday of Memphis, and Fairy (Rick) Lyons of Dresden; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruby Elizabeth Smith

    Ruby Elizabeth Smith, 80, of Huntingdon, formerly of Greenfield, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at the Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Huntingdon. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Bro. Fred Ward will officiate the services.
    Mrs. Smith was born August 31, 1927 in Gibson County to the late Thomas E. Mount and Derindia Caroline (Blankenship) Mount. She was a homemaker and a member of the Huntingdon First Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Smith was also preceded in death by her husband, Clay L. Smith; and one brother, Irvy Mount.
    Mrs. Smith is survived by two daughters, Betsy Beauchamp of Huntingdon, and Angie Stines (husband, Tom) of Salisbury, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Jeremy Stines (wife, Donna) of Jackson, Jennifer Allen (husband, Blake), of Franklin, Cari Beauchamp, and Allison Beauchamp; and two great-grandchildren, Drew Stines and Hailey Stines.

Stewart Ray "Stewman" Byars

    Stewart Ray "Stewman" Byars, 48, of Union City, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City. Memorial services for Mr. Byars were held Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at White-Ranson Funeral Home in Union City. Chris Brinkley, Traci Sharp, Jackie Morgan, Jason Dowland, Stephanie Sturgis, and Trudy Henderson officiated the services.
    Mr. Byars was born April 26, 1960 in Ypsilanti, Michigan to the late Ralph Byars and Ginger Yvonne (Godwin) Byars. In addition to his parents, Mr. Byars was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Edward and Rick Byars; and a sister, Janice Elizabeth Byars.
    Mr. Byars is survived by his wife, whom he married April 3, 2004, Ginger Byars of Union City; a son, Michal Ray Byars of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; two stepsons, James Jason Dowland of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Stuart Clint Dowland of Union City; two grandchildren, Alexander Duncan of Hickman, Kentucky, and Sonora Ascencio of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brother, David Lee Byars of Union City; twin brother, Steve Byars of Union City; two sisters, Beverly Molands of Union City, and Cathy Reynolds of Union City; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Thomas Eugene Freeman

    Thomas Eugene Freeman, 60, of Gleason, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at his home.
    Mr. Freeman formerly worked for US Food in Memphis. He was born November 25, 1947 in Paris to the late Clyde Freeman and Nora Proffitt Freeman.
    Mr. Freeman is survived by a sister, Geraldine (Frank) Gaulding of Gleason; and a niece, Patricia (Joey) McDaniel of Henry.

Wilburn Leevan Robertson

    Wilburn Leevan Robertson, 75, of Dresden, died Sunday, July 13, 2008, at his home. Funeral services for Mr. Robertson were held Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Bowlin Funeral Home Chapel in Dresden. Burial followed in Eastside Cemetery in Martin. Dr. Don McCulley officiated the services.
    Mr. Robertson was a retired system electrician for the Weakley County Municipal Electric System after 44 years of service. He was also retired from the National Guard. Mr. Robertson was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dresden. He was born in Weakley County to the late Archie Vanburen and Ida Lee Callison Robertson.
    Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, whom he married May 2, 1953, Mrs. Mary Nell House Robertson of Dresden; a daughter, Lynette Robertson of Nashville; two sons, Keith (Melody) Robertson of Castro Valley, California, and Scott (Rozanna) Robertson of Dresden; a brother, Charles (Paula) Robertson of Dresden; two grandchildren, Justin Keith and Daniel Bryant Robertson; and two step-grandchildren, Robert and T.J. Grooms.

Woodrow W. Brundige

    Woodrow W. Brundige, 95, of Martin, died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin. Funeral services for Mr. Brundige were held Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Burial followed in East Side Cemetery in Martin. Dr. Jere Phillips officiated the services.
    Mr. Brundige was the former owner of Brundige Sausage Company with locations in Portageville, Missouri, Martin, and Fulton, Kentucky. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Brundige was born November 16, 1912 in Weakley County to the late Homer C. Brundige and Gertie Smith Brundige. In addition to his parents, Mr. Brundige was also preceded in death by a son, Jerry Dean Brundige; a daughter, Shirley Philbrick; five brothers, E.J. Brundige, H.C. (Ham) Brundige, Ruben Brundige, Harold Brundige, and Carnel Brundige; and a sister, Zula McWherter.
    Mr. Brundige is survived by his wife, Mrs. Allie Burpo Brundige of Martin; two sons, Joe W. (Jo Alice) Brundige of South Fulton, and Woody L. (Faye) Brundige of South Fulton; a daughter, Shelby (Jim) Denison of Lexington; and ten grandchildren.