OBITUARIES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016
Bobby Wayne Ervin, Jr. Bobby Wayne (Bear) Ervin, Jr. of Bethel Springs, Tenn. was born September 10, 1969 in Chicago Heights, Ill., the son of Bobby Wayne and Edna Faye Griffin Ervin. He was united in marriage to Jennifer Reinke on April 26, 2003. Bear did construction, plumbing, and various repair work. He departed this life on December 6, 2016 in Jackson, Tenn. at the age of 47 years, 2 months, 26 days. Bear loved children and doing fun things with them. He enjoyed hunting and taking others hunting. He is survived by his wife Jennifer Ervin of Bethel Springs, Tenn.; five children, Kierstin Reinke, Brianna Loggins, Cole Wilson, Tristin Ervin, and Ace McGee, all of Bethel Springs; his parents, Bobby and Faye Ervin of Selmer, Tenn.; two sisters, Angela Inman of Ramer, Tenn., Wendy Bearden of Adamsville, Tenn.; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Funeral services were held on December 10, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tenn. with Michael Price officiating. Burial followed in the Gateway Holiness Chapel Cemetery at Bethel Springs. Serving as pallbearers were Tom Reinke, Sr., Tom Reinke, Jr., Matt Moore, Jonathan Ervin, James Griswell, Mario Inman, Michael Goodrum, Chris Goodrum. Honorary pallbearers were Cole Wilson, Tristin Ervin.
Lewis Michael Layton Lewis Michael (Yankee) Layton of Michie, Tenn. was born February 8, 1957 in Absecon, NJ, the son of the late Lewis William and Louise M. Jannatte Layton. He was united in marriage to Cynthia Vestri on January 24, 1981. They settled in Clearwater, Fla. He was an Offshore Oilfield Consultant having worked on oil rigs his entire life. Yankee departed this life on December 5, 2016 while enjoying duck hunting at the age of 59 years, 9 months, 27 days. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Counce, TN. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Layton of Michie, Tenn.; a daughter, Sherri Marie Layton of Ramer, Tenn.; two sons, Lewis William Layton III of Millington, Tenn., Michael James Layton of Clearwater, Fla.; two grandchildren, Lewis W. Layton IV, Elizabeth (Ellie) Layton; a sister, Teresa Smuz of Seaville, NJ; his father-in-law, Salvatore Vestri of Clearwater, Fla.; three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. In addition to his parents, Mr. Layton was preceded in death by his mother-in-law. A funeral mass was held on December 12, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Counce, Tenn. with Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer in charge. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Robert Charles Claburn Robert Charles “Charlie” Claburn, 55, of Michie, Tenn., passed away on Friday, December 2, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Chicago, Ill. on October 17, 1961 and moved to Corinth as a toddler. Charlie graduated from Biggersville High School in 1979, received an associate’s degree from Northeast Junior College and moved to Michie, Tenn. in his twenties. He retired after 32 1/2 years as a tool & die makermachinist with CaterpillarCorinth in the Salvage Development Department. He served with the Mississippi Army Guard and Reserves for 23 1/2 years. Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family, shooting sports, reading, history and his Sunday School class. He was a Christian man by faith and deed and a member of a loving, praying family at First Baptist Church - Counce, TN. Visitation was held Wednesday, December 7, 2016 from 5 until 9 p.m. and 12 noon till service time Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Magnolia Funeral Home. A celebration of Charlie’s life was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories officiated by Jim Blaylock and Bro. Jimmie McChristial. Interment followed in Forrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Sammie Carmichael, T.C. Parnell, Fred Sorrell, Danny Rowsey, Brandon Nash and Jessie Wilkins. Honorary pallbearers were Chuck Jones and the Men’s Sunday School Class First Baptist Church - Counce. Magnolia Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Those left to honor Charlie’s memory include his wife of 15 1/2 years: Melanie Wray Claburn of Michie, Tenn.; his son: Chase Claburn of Knoxville, Tenn.; his daughter: Reilly Claburn of Michie, Tenn.; his stepson: Allen Millican and future daughter-in-love: Erin Wade of Austin, TX; his mother: Donna McClintock of Michie, Tenn.; his brother: David Claburn and wife Minda of Maryland; his sister: Liz Taketani of Nashville, Tenn.; his father and mother-in-law: Walker & Sue Wray of Eastview, Tenn.; his sister-in-laws: Dina Wray and Kristie Renfro of Eastview, Tenn.; his nieces: Leiah Claburn and Sarah Taketani; his nephews: Grayson Taketani and Walker Renfro; his special friends/brothers: Danny Rowsey, Chuck Jones, T.C. Parnell and Sammie Carmichael; many, many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and his large family at Caterpillar Reman and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his dad and close friend: Ronald Claburn and two children prior to their birth. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Gideon’s International PO Box 1603 Corinth, MS 38835 or Our Daily Bread Ministries, 85 Belmont St. Savannah, TN 38372. Online condolences may be expressed at magnoliafuneralhome.net.
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Rita Rae Frey
Charles Robert Young
Rita Rae Frey was born January 11, 1937 in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of the late Raymond and Elsie Burandt Spangler. She was united in marriage to Robert Frey on December 26, 2010. Mrs. Frey was an accountant and bookkeeper for several years. She also worked for Fisher Oil and as a substitute teacher at Selmer Elementary and Middle Schools. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Selmer, Tenn. She was a loving and caring lady whom enjoyed singing in the church choir, taking care of her many animals, and volunteering at Jesus Cares in Selmer. Mrs. Frey departed this life on December 6, 2016 in Jackson, Tenn. at the age of 79 years, 10 months, 25 days. She is survived by her husband Robert Frey of Selmer, Tenn.; three daughters, Billie Davis of Virginia Beach, VA, Terrissa Spears and husband Andy of Collierville, Tenn., Jennifer Kempf and husband Charles of Collierville, Tenn.; daughter-inlaw, Teri Mertell of Independence, MO; step daughter, Lori Seaton and husband Brian of Henderson, Tenn.; two sons, Scott Mertell and wife Jennifer of Lakeland, Tenn., Wayne Robert Mertell and wife Amy of Elk Grove, CA; step son, John Frey of Henderson, Tenn.; a sister, Judy Jones of Grand Valley, MO; nine grandchildren, Josh Davis, Brianna and Alexandra Spears, Miriah Smith and husband Brandon, Megan and Hannah Mertell, Sean, Michael, and Ashleigh Kempf; two step grandchildren, Felecia Young and husband Tyler, and Cody Plunk; step great grand daughter, Skye Young; and a host of extended family and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Frey was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Daniel Mertell. Services were held on December 12, 2016 at 3 p.m. at First Christian Church in Selmer, Tenn., with Gregg Worthey officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Selmer, Tenn.
Charles Robert Young age 83 of Bartlett, Tenn., was born August 24, 1933 in McNairy, Tenn., the son of the late Robert Edward and Lessie Stout Young. He was united in marriage to Linda Lou McCoy on March 15, 1959. He was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Memphis, Tenn. Charles got his bachelor’s from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tenn. and his master’s from Memphis State University. He went on to teach at Ramer School before moving to Memphis in August of 1963, where he worked for the State of TN Department of Education as a guidance counselor and later retired as a supervisor in the fall of 1999. Charles enjoyed fishing and hunting in his spare time. He loved his family. Mr. Young departed this life on December 11, 2016 in Memphis, Tenn. at the age of 83 years, 3 months, 17 days. He is survived by his wife Linda Lou Young of Bartlett, Tenn.; two brothers-in-laws, Willie Joe McCoy and wife Mary Kathrine of Corinth, Miss., James Tillman McCoy of Ramer, Tenn.; a sister-in-law, Mary Gaylon McCoy of Ramer, Tenn.; nieces, Kay Chandler and husband Tommy of Tupelo, Miss., Lisa Jo Wilson and husband Donald of Dumas, Miss., Talana Dillard of Corinth, Miss. and Leslie Anne Jones and husband Eric of Adamsville, Tenn. Visitation was held on December 13, 2016 from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. all held at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tenn., with Eric Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Gravel Hill Cemetery at Eastview, Tenn.
Winford E. Harris Winford E. Harris of Savannah, Tenn., was born on September 5, 1935 in McNairy County, Tenn., the son of the late Raymond Garland and Iva Droke Harris. On August 2, 1956 he was united in marriage to Sue McCasland, who survives. Mr. Harris lived in McNairy County, Tenn. in his early years prior to moving to Savannah, Tenn. in 1956. He was an avid woodworker and a member of the Savannah Church of Christ. Winford previously worked for the City of Savannah Utilities before working for approximately 35 years as a Funeral Director for Shackelford Funeral Directors of Savannah, Tenn. Winford Harris departed this life on December 9, 2016 at the age of 81 years, 3 months, 4 days. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Harris of Savannah, Tenn.; 2 sons, Stan Harris and his wife Linda of Savannah, Tenn. and John Harris and his wife Lori of Savannah, Tenn.; and five grandchildren, Calista, Kelsey, Chandler, Delaney, and Cooper Harris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Harris and Weldon Harris. Services were held on December 12, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah, Tenn., with Barry Binion, Howard Rogers and Robert Shackelford officiating. Burial followed in the Memory Gardens at Savannah, Tenn.
Edna B. Thompson Simpson
Virginia Lou Petty Mrs. Virginia Lou Petty, age 68, of Selmer, Tenn. passed away Saturday, December 10, 2016 at her home. She was born February 12, 1948 in Waverly, Tenn. Visitation was held from 4 until 8 p.m. Sunday, December 11 and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday, December 12 at Humphreys County Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Monday, December 12 at 11 a.m. in the Humphreys County Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed in the Collier Cemetery. Mrs. Petty is survived by a son: Jeff Gwin (Wynona) of Waverly, Tenn.; a daughter, Farrah Buss (Jeremy) of Selmer, Tenn.; two brothers: Doyle Story of Waverly, Tenn. and Prentice Story (Donna) of Waverly; three sisters: Ann Hart of Finger, Tenn., June Wanamaker of McEwen, Tenn. and Nancy Turner (Dennis) of Waverly, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Brianna Gwin, Dylan Gwin, Madison Gwin, Mikayla Gwin, Emma Buss; five step-grandchildren: Courtney Osterman, AnnaMarie Roby, Wesley Buss, Emily Buss, Mackenzie Wilkerson; 4 step great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: William C. and Dorothy V. Collier Story; her husband, Billy O’Dell Petty.
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Edna B. Thompson Simpson was born May 11, 1939 in Somerville, Tenn., the daughter of the late Elzie and Johnnie Scott Thompson. She was united in marriage to Alfred Simpson on March 22, 1967. Mrs. Simpson departed this life on December 3, 2016 in Selmer, Tenn. at the age of 77 years, 6 months, 22 days. She is survived by her husband Alfred Simpson of Henderson, Tenn.; two daughters, Gail Smith and husband Gerald of Millington, Tenn., Kathy Hill of Texas; nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; two sisters, Frances Kimbery of Moscow, Tenn., and Faye Jones of Ashland , Miss. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Simpson was preceded in death by a son, Thomas (Tommy) Murphy; three brothers, William Thompson, Roy Thompson, JR Thompson; a sister, Dorothy Pankey. Memorial services will be private.
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