FAMILY OBITUARIES
Lillian Venisa Barker Evans

The funeral for Lillian Venisa Barker Evans, 85, of Athens, AL, was at 2:00 PM, Saturday at Limestone Chapel with Greg Patrick and John Norman officiating. Burial was at Roselawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Evans died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at her residence.
She was born April 29, 1918, in Limestone County. She was a member of Blackburn Road Baptist Church and had worked as a nurse's assistant at the health department.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn Evans, and two sisters, Alma Hagood and Odessa Butner.
She is survived by three daughters, Mary Lillian Tanner of Winter Haven, FL and Marie Swanner and Wilma Cannon, both of Athens; one son, Royce "Tweety Bird" Evans of Elkmont; one sister, Naomi Kemp of Athens; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Travis McElyea, Bert Branch, Scott Addison, Neil Tanner, Roger Swanner, Jonathan Gordon, Johnny McMahan, and Marty Nicholson.
Mrs. Evans died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at her residence.
She was born April 29, 1918, in Limestone County. She was a member of Blackburn Road Baptist Church and had worked as a nurse's assistant at the health department.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn Evans, and two sisters, Alma Hagood and Odessa Butner.
She is survived by three daughters, Mary Lillian Tanner of Winter Haven, FL and Marie Swanner and Wilma Cannon, both of Athens; one son, Royce "Tweety Bird" Evans of Elkmont; one sister, Naomi Kemp of Athens; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Travis McElyea, Bert Branch, Scott Addison, Neil Tanner, Roger Swanner, Jonathan Gordon, Johnny McMahan, and Marty Nicholson.
Irma Vareen Matthews Plott

Irma Matthews Plott, 93, Rogersville, died Tuesday, July 25 at Parkview Nursing Center, Huntsville, AL
Funeral services were Thursday, July 27, at Elkins East Chapel with Daniel Ridinger and Pat Gibbons officiating. Burial was at Civitan Cemetery.
Mrs. Plot was a lifelong resident of Lauderdale County and was a member of Olive Church of Christ. She owned and operated the drugstore in Rogersville for many years.
Survivors include three grandsons; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be bade to Oliver church of Christ, Highway 72, Rogersville, AL or Mars Hill Bible School of Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, AL.
Funeral services were Thursday, July 27, at Elkins East Chapel with Daniel Ridinger and Pat Gibbons officiating. Burial was at Civitan Cemetery.
Mrs. Plot was a lifelong resident of Lauderdale County and was a member of Olive Church of Christ. She owned and operated the drugstore in Rogersville for many years.
Survivors include three grandsons; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be bade to Oliver church of Christ, Highway 72, Rogersville, AL or Mars Hill Bible School of Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, AL.
Vicki J. McCormack Yates

Vicki and oldest daughter, Jennifer, at her college graduation in 1996
Vicki J. Yates, 41, Parkville, MO, passed away January 16, 1997 at home. Funeral services were scheduled at 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 18, at the McGilley Antioch Chapel. Friends may call one hour prior to the services Saturday at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Mrs. Yates was born January 18, 1995 in Carbondale, IL. She was an employee of the Ford Motor Company before her diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon D. McCormack of Salem, IL. Survivors include her husband Michael N. Yates, of the home; daughters, Jennifer Jackson and Angela Foreman; sons, Michael and Matthew Yates; her mother, Jan McCormack; brothers, Gordon Dean, Scott, Mike and Doug McCormack; and one grandson, Joshua Foreman. Arrangements by the McGilley Antioch Chapel.
Mrs. Yates was born January 18, 1995 in Carbondale, IL. She was an employee of the Ford Motor Company before her diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon D. McCormack of Salem, IL. Survivors include her husband Michael N. Yates, of the home; daughters, Jennifer Jackson and Angela Foreman; sons, Michael and Matthew Yates; her mother, Jan McCormack; brothers, Gordon Dean, Scott, Mike and Doug McCormack; and one grandson, Joshua Foreman. Arrangements by the McGilley Antioch Chapel.
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Floyd Matthews - Passed at 105 years old

Floyd Huston Matthews, better known to family and friends as Uncle Floyd or Skipper, lived a long and active life. His stories and adventures are told here in the SJ Matthews pull down menu and also in the Other pull down menu under Family Poetry and News. Follow this link for his obituary:
State's oldest veteran dies at 105 By Michelle Rupe Eubanks
Staff Writer, Times Daily
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.
Florence - Floyd Matthews, Alabama's oldest veteran and a Florence resident, died Sunday at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was 105.
Matthews served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, having enlisted in the months after the end of World War I. He later went on to serve in the Pacific during World War II, having come up through the ranks to the level of lieutenant commander.
Bob Horton, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, said Matthews was among the oldest of the World War II veterans. He was also one of the few remaining World War I-era veterans.
"We owe a lot to our World War II veterans," Horton said, adding that between 1,000 and 1,600 World War II veterans die each day. "With that happening, it brings to the public's attention the significant contribution that these veterans made to defend our country, but it shouldn't take a death to do that. We should honor and be thankful for their service every day."
The average age of World War II veterans is 84.
For Bill and John Matthews, however, Floyd Matthews was their dad. Even with the stories of military derring-do, they saw their father as their personal hero.
A book of memories compiled for Matthews on his 100th birthday tells the story of how he got son, John, back up and walking after a bout with polio at age 13.
"In two years, he took me from lying flat on my back with braces on my legs, to sitting on the edge of the bed, to a wheelchair to walking with braces, then crutches and then on my own," John Matthews said. "I've been walking that way for the past 50 years."
It was only later in life that Matthews spoke of his military career with his sons, but, "when we were younger, we wouldn't have appreciated them," John Matthews said. "As we got older, his stories came to life, especially after we met his shipmates."
A memorial service for Matthews will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Elkins Funeral Home in Florence.
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Short Notice - Floyd Matthews, 105, USN, The Nations Oldest Submariner, WWI & WWII Veteran, Florence, AL - 27 FEB 2008
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to stand in Honor and Respect of Alabama's Oldest Veteran and the Nation's Oldest Submariner, U.S. Navy Veteran Floyd Matthews of Florence, AL, as he embarks on his final voyage.
This is a 2 Part Mission:
Part 1: Funeral services in Florence, AL
Ride Captain: HDrider1Dave & Marco
Date: 27 Feb 2008
Staging Time: 1000
Location: Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL
Part 2: Interment
Date: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, FL at the National Cemetery
This portion of the mission will be a flag line only.
Staging Location:
Wal-Mart
501 N Navy Blvd,
Pensacola, FL
Staging begins: 12:30 PM
Briefing: 1:15 PM
KSU: 1:15 PM
Flag line: 1:20 PM
Riders, please bring a helmet and a valid drivers license. These are required to enter the base.
Ride Captain for this part of the mission is Sam Wimberly, 850-449-3152.
State's oldest veteran dies at 105 By Michelle Rupe Eubanks
Staff Writer, Times Daily
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.
Florence - Floyd Matthews, Alabama's oldest veteran and a Florence resident, died Sunday at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was 105.
Matthews served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, having enlisted in the months after the end of World War I. He later went on to serve in the Pacific during World War II, having come up through the ranks to the level of lieutenant commander.
Bob Horton, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, said Matthews was among the oldest of the World War II veterans. He was also one of the few remaining World War I-era veterans.
"We owe a lot to our World War II veterans," Horton said, adding that between 1,000 and 1,600 World War II veterans die each day. "With that happening, it brings to the public's attention the significant contribution that these veterans made to defend our country, but it shouldn't take a death to do that. We should honor and be thankful for their service every day."
The average age of World War II veterans is 84.
For Bill and John Matthews, however, Floyd Matthews was their dad. Even with the stories of military derring-do, they saw their father as their personal hero.
A book of memories compiled for Matthews on his 100th birthday tells the story of how he got son, John, back up and walking after a bout with polio at age 13.
"In two years, he took me from lying flat on my back with braces on my legs, to sitting on the edge of the bed, to a wheelchair to walking with braces, then crutches and then on my own," John Matthews said. "I've been walking that way for the past 50 years."
It was only later in life that Matthews spoke of his military career with his sons, but, "when we were younger, we wouldn't have appreciated them," John Matthews said. "As we got older, his stories came to life, especially after we met his shipmates."
A memorial service for Matthews will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Elkins Funeral Home in Florence.
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Short Notice - Floyd Matthews, 105, USN, The Nations Oldest Submariner, WWI & WWII Veteran, Florence, AL - 27 FEB 2008
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to stand in Honor and Respect of Alabama's Oldest Veteran and the Nation's Oldest Submariner, U.S. Navy Veteran Floyd Matthews of Florence, AL, as he embarks on his final voyage.
This is a 2 Part Mission:
Part 1: Funeral services in Florence, AL
Ride Captain: HDrider1Dave & Marco
Date: 27 Feb 2008
Staging Time: 1000
Location: Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL
Part 2: Interment
Date: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, FL at the National Cemetery
This portion of the mission will be a flag line only.
Staging Location:
Wal-Mart
501 N Navy Blvd,
Pensacola, FL
Staging begins: 12:30 PM
Briefing: 1:15 PM
KSU: 1:15 PM
Flag line: 1:20 PM
Riders, please bring a helmet and a valid drivers license. These are required to enter the base.
Ride Captain for this part of the mission is Sam Wimberly, 850-449-3152.
Floyd Huston Matthews
Floyd Huston Matthews, Lieutenant Commander, USN (Ret.), age 105, of Lawrence County died Feb 24, 2008 after a brief illness.
LCDR (Ret.) Matthews was the nation’s oldest surviving submarine sailor, Alabama’s oldest veteran and one of the few remaining WW I era veterans. In 1919, at age 16, he walked from West Point, TN to Florence, AL and joined the Navy. He raised rom a seaman recruit to lieutenant commander during his 30-year naval career.
He was born in West point, TN, and was a member of Florence First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Floyd William Matthews; his wife, Vena Yocom Matthews; and parents, John Huston Matthews and Nannie Farris Matthews.
He is survived by sons, Bill Matthews, of Killen, AL and John Matthews, Of Montgomery, AL; daughters, Sondra Bishop, Bebanan, TN and Priscilla Smith, Pensacola, FL; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 11: am Wednesday, Feb 27 at Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, AL. A military honors funeral will be3 held at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to US Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation, PO Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383.
Floyd Huston Matthews, Lieutenant Commander, USN (Ret.), age 105, of Lawrence County died Feb 24, 2008 after a brief illness.
LCDR (Ret.) Matthews was the nation’s oldest surviving submarine sailor, Alabama’s oldest veteran and one of the few remaining WW I era veterans. In 1919, at age 16, he walked from West Point, TN to Florence, AL and joined the Navy. He raised rom a seaman recruit to lieutenant commander during his 30-year naval career.
He was born in West point, TN, and was a member of Florence First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Floyd William Matthews; his wife, Vena Yocom Matthews; and parents, John Huston Matthews and Nannie Farris Matthews.
He is survived by sons, Bill Matthews, of Killen, AL and John Matthews, Of Montgomery, AL; daughters, Sondra Bishop, Bebanan, TN and Priscilla Smith, Pensacola, FL; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 11: am Wednesday, Feb 27 at Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, AL. A military honors funeral will be3 held at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to US Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation, PO Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383.
State's oldest veteran dies at 105
By Michelle Rupe Eubanks
Staff Writer, Times Daily
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Florence - Floyd Matthews, Alabama's oldest veteran and a Florence resident, died Sunday at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was 105.
Matthews served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, having enlisted in the months after the end of World War I. He later went on to serve in the Pacific during World War II, having come up through the ranks to the level of lieutenant commander.
Bob Horton, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, said Matthews was among the oldest of the World War II veterans. He was also one of the few remaining World War I-era veterans.
"We owe a lot to our World War II veterans," Horton said, adding that between 1,000 and 1,600 World War II veterans die each day. "With that happening, it brings to the public's attention the significant contribution that these veterans made to defend our country, but it shouldn't take a death to do that. We should honor and be thankful for their service every day."
The average age of World War II veterans is 84.
For Bill and John Matthews, however, Floyd Matthews was their dad. Even with the stories of military derring-do, they saw their father as their personal hero.
A book of memories compiled for Matthews on his 100th birthday tells the story of how he got son, John, back up and walking after a bout with polio at age 13.
"In two years, he took me from lying flat on my back with braces on my legs, to sitting on the edge of the bed, to a wheelchair to walking with braces, then crutches and then on my own," John Matthews said. "I've been walking that way for the past 50 years."
It was only later in life that Matthews spoke of his military career with his sons, but, "when we were younger, we wouldn't have appreciated them," John Matthews said. "As we got older, his stories came to life, especially after we met his shipmates."
A memorial service for Matthews will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Elkins Funeral Home in Florence.
By Michelle Rupe Eubanks
Staff Writer, Times Daily
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Florence - Floyd Matthews, Alabama's oldest veteran and a Florence resident, died Sunday at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was 105.
Matthews served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, having enlisted in the months after the end of World War I. He later went on to serve in the Pacific during World War II, having come up through the ranks to the level of lieutenant commander.
Bob Horton, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, said Matthews was among the oldest of the World War II veterans. He was also one of the few remaining World War I-era veterans.
"We owe a lot to our World War II veterans," Horton said, adding that between 1,000 and 1,600 World War II veterans die each day. "With that happening, it brings to the public's attention the significant contribution that these veterans made to defend our country, but it shouldn't take a death to do that. We should honor and be thankful for their service every day."
The average age of World War II veterans is 84.
For Bill and John Matthews, however, Floyd Matthews was their dad. Even with the stories of military derring-do, they saw their father as their personal hero.
A book of memories compiled for Matthews on his 100th birthday tells the story of how he got son, John, back up and walking after a bout with polio at age 13.
"In two years, he took me from lying flat on my back with braces on my legs, to sitting on the edge of the bed, to a wheelchair to walking with braces, then crutches and then on my own," John Matthews said. "I've been walking that way for the past 50 years."
It was only later in life that Matthews spoke of his military career with his sons, but, "when we were younger, we wouldn't have appreciated them," John Matthews said. "As we got older, his stories came to life, especially after we met his shipmates."
A memorial service for Matthews will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Elkins Funeral Home in Florence.
Jane Matthews

John D. and Jane Matthews
Mrs. Jane MATTHEWS, who lives in the Crewstown
Community of Lawrence County succumbed Friday of last week after suffering a
heart attack as she returned from town. She was visiting at the A. G. Beckman
home.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 1:00pm at Mount Zion Church by Reverend E. J. Osborne, pastor of the local Nazarene Church. Burial was at Mount Zion Cemetery.
Mrs. MATTHEWS is survived by husband John D. Matthews, one brother John Walters of this county and one sister Mrs. Ethel Blackwell of West Point TN.
Freemon & Company were in charge of funeral arrangements.
The following appeared in the local Lawrence County TN newspaper, The Democrat Union, on March 1, 1946.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 1:00pm at Mount Zion Church by Reverend E. J. Osborne, pastor of the local Nazarene Church. Burial was at Mount Zion Cemetery.
Mrs. MATTHEWS is survived by husband John D. Matthews, one brother John Walters of this county and one sister Mrs. Ethel Blackwell of West Point TN.
Freemon & Company were in charge of funeral arrangements.
The following appeared in the local Lawrence County TN newspaper, The Democrat Union, on March 1, 1946.
RENEE M. COATS
Obituary from the Kankakee, IL Daily Journal
Services for Renee M. Coats 33, of Bourbonnias IL
were held Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler
Funeral Home. The Rev. Larry Schreffler
officiated. Mrs. Coats died June 25,
2009. Burial was in All Saints Cemetery,
Bourbonnais, IL.
Pallbearers were Josh and Brian Schneider, Kevin Corum, Jerry Joynt, Matthew Bernico and Tom Staubus.
Pallbearers were Josh and Brian Schneider, Kevin Corum, Jerry Joynt, Matthew Bernico and Tom Staubus.
DEXTER HAROLD (DOC) MATTHEWS
Dexter Harold (Doc) Matthews was born April 13, 1941 in Wayne County, TN. The son of the late William Price and Gladys Odell Hughes Matthews. Mr. Matthews died Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Wayne Care Nursing Home in Waynesboro at the age of 72 years, 8 months and 12 Days. Mr. Matthews, a U. S. Army veteran, was a member of First Baptist Church and a retired businessman.
He is survived by three grandchildren; Mick Killen and Candy Killen, both of Loretto TN; and Tasha McIntyre of Hamilton, AL; 6 great grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Hughes of Bessemer, AL; Edna Lockard of Hazel Park MI; and Barbara Reed of Waynesboro; two brothers, Gary Paul Matthews and Larry Ray Matthews both of Waynesboro. In addition to his parents, Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by a son, James Timmy Matthews and a daughter, Angela Killen; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services we at Ralph Cole Cemetery near Waynesboro. Interment followed with Shackelford Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Donnie Staggs, James Staggs, Gavin Sesler, Sloan Matthews, Larry Ray Matthers and Gary Paul Matthews.
He is survived by three grandchildren; Mick Killen and Candy Killen, both of Loretto TN; and Tasha McIntyre of Hamilton, AL; 6 great grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Hughes of Bessemer, AL; Edna Lockard of Hazel Park MI; and Barbara Reed of Waynesboro; two brothers, Gary Paul Matthews and Larry Ray Matthews both of Waynesboro. In addition to his parents, Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by a son, James Timmy Matthews and a daughter, Angela Killen; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services we at Ralph Cole Cemetery near Waynesboro. Interment followed with Shackelford Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Donnie Staggs, James Staggs, Gavin Sesler, Sloan Matthews, Larry Ray Matthers and Gary Paul Matthews.
W. L PERRY, SR.
March 22, 1937 - May 17, 2015
Mr. Perry was a native of Lawrence Co, TN, a salesman, a member of the Elks Lodge, Sons of The American Legion and a was Baptist. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Loretto Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Loretto Memorial Chapel with Marcus Wilson officiating. Burial to follow in the Old Loretto Cemetary .
He is survived by his wife, Pat Perry of Loretto, TN. three sons, Peanut (Patsy) of Loretto, Dean Perry (Jan) of Loretto, and Robbie "Hog" Perry of Loretto TN./ 2 Daughters - Tina Davis (Wayne) of Loretto, and Kim Davis (Terry) of Loretto, TN. Four brothers, Tom Perry of Loretto, Steve Perry of Loretto, Dickie Perry of Loretto and Tim Perry, of Loretto. There are 10 Grandchildren, 4 great Great Grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Woodrow and Mary Perry and 1 brother, Donald Perry.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Perry of Loretto, TN. three sons, Peanut (Patsy) of Loretto, Dean Perry (Jan) of Loretto, and Robbie "Hog" Perry of Loretto TN./ 2 Daughters - Tina Davis (Wayne) of Loretto, and Kim Davis (Terry) of Loretto, TN. Four brothers, Tom Perry of Loretto, Steve Perry of Loretto, Dickie Perry of Loretto and Tim Perry, of Loretto. There are 10 Grandchildren, 4 great Great Grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Woodrow and Mary Perry and 1 brother, Donald Perry.
DONALD HOUSTON PERRY, SR
MAY 17, 2015
Donald Houston Perry, Sr., age 67 of Leoma, TN passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. He was a native of Lawrenceburg, TN, retired from Hurray Ohio, was an Army Veteran and of the Methodist Faith. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Crorawayde McGee Perry and one brother, W.L. Perry
He is survived by:
Wife: Roberta Perry, Leoma, TN
Son: Donald Houston Perry, Jr. and Tina; Lawrenceburg, TN
Three Daughters: Shannon Carlton, Lawrenceburg, TN - Amanda Price, Leoma, TN - Milissa Womble (Scott), Lawrenceburg TN
Three Brothers; Thom Perry - Dickey Perry, Lawrenceburg, TN - Steve Perry, Leoma, TN - Tim Perry, Lawrenceburg, TN
Twelve Grandchildren ; Heather Michuad - Hailey Compton - Lauren Perry - Devon Henson - Austin Perry - Kinsleigh Perry - Alexus Womble - Hope Compton - Peyton Womble - Kadence Fuqua - Allie Carlton - Wyatt Price
Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 19, 2015 with Mike Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow at Houser Cemetery in Lawrence County, TN
He is survived by:
Wife: Roberta Perry, Leoma, TN
Son: Donald Houston Perry, Jr. and Tina; Lawrenceburg, TN
Three Daughters: Shannon Carlton, Lawrenceburg, TN - Amanda Price, Leoma, TN - Milissa Womble (Scott), Lawrenceburg TN
Three Brothers; Thom Perry - Dickey Perry, Lawrenceburg, TN - Steve Perry, Leoma, TN - Tim Perry, Lawrenceburg, TN
Twelve Grandchildren ; Heather Michuad - Hailey Compton - Lauren Perry - Devon Henson - Austin Perry - Kinsleigh Perry - Alexus Womble - Hope Compton - Peyton Womble - Kadence Fuqua - Allie Carlton - Wyatt Price
Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 19, 2015 with Mike Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow at Houser Cemetery in Lawrence County, TN