Tennessee, U.S., Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909
Mary Louise Alexander Diggs
1919-2003
McKENZIE - Mrs. Mary Louise Alexander Diggs, 85, died on Monday, December 29 at McKenzie Rehab Center in McKenzie. Funeral services were Friday, January 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Home. Burial followed in Mt. Olivet cemetery in McKenzie with the Reverend A. Taylor officiating.
Mrs. Diggs was born November 29, 1919 in McKenzie to the late George Alexander and Lucy Tharpe Porter. She was the widow of James Diggs, who died in 2000.
Survivors include a caregiver, Roberta Taylor of McKenzie, a sister-in-law Viola Breedlove of McKenzie, a daughter-in-law, Bobbie Vincent of Detroit, Michigan and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
John Wesley Ellis, M.D.
1917-2004
DYER: John Wesley Ellis, M.D. passed away on New Year's Day at his home. Funeral services were held at the Dyer Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 4 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Keith Harwell and Reverend Walter Lockhart officiating. Military honors were held at the interment
at Oakwood cemetery in Dyer and were conducted by Reverend Paul Featherstone Douglass.
Doctor Ellis was born July 26, 1917 in McKenzie to the late Robert Clinton and Brinnie Cantrell Ellis. He served as a staff sergeant in the 9th MRU of the 5th Army Headquarters under General Mark Clark during World War II, serving in England, Scotland, Algeria, Morocco and Italy.
Following the war, he returned to Tennessee and married
Georgia McIlwain Ellis who preceded him in death in 1983. He attended Bethel College, Memphis State University and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in 1954. He practiced medicine in both Dyer and served as Chief of Staff at the Gibson County Hospital in Trenton. He was also President of the West Tennessee Consolidate Medical Assembly and a member of the Tennessee Medical Society, American Academy of Family Practice and in 1970, he became a charter Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion, Masons, University of Tennessee National Alumni Association and Lions Club. He was an Elder of the Dyer Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bettye Jean Loggins McCaffrey Ellis; his children George Robert Ellis of Dyer, Julie Ellis of Charlotte, North Carolina, Gwen McCaffrey and Gene McReynolds, both of Jackson and John Robert McCaffrey of Rutherford; one brother, Robert Garland Ellis of McKenzie and four grandchildren. One brother, Melvin Leon Ellis of McKenzie, preceded him in death.
Alice Rebecca Yancey Griffith
1919-2003
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Alice Rebecca Yancey Griffith, 84, passed away on Wednesday, December 31. Formerly of Trezevant, she was a World War II veteran.
Survivors include her children, Doni Johnson and Vickie and Joe Griffith and three grandsons. Arrangements were incomplete at press time.
Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Pompano Beach, Florida was in charge of the arrangements.
Gertrude Ozier Kee
1918-2003
BRUCETON - Services for Gertrude Ozier Kee, 85, were at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 31 at the Bruceton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Bradshaw officiating. Burial was in McAuley cemetery near Buena Vista.
Mrs. Kee, a retired sales clerk for H.I.S. Outlet Store, died on Monday, December 29 at her home.
She was born November 11, 1918 in Buena Vista to the late Edwin Edd Ozier and Leona Kee Ozier. She was a member of the Bruceton First Baptist Church and Bruceton Order of Eastern Star Adah Chapter #314.
Survivors include five daughters, Betty Sue Ringold of Robinsonville, Mississippi, Martha Miller of Huntingdon, Patsy Reynolds of Bartlett, Patricia Bishop of Bruceton and Lida Webb of Camden; two brothers, Levi Ozier of Buena Vista and W.G. Ozier of Bruceton; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, William Issac Kee.
Bruceton Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Brittany LeAnn Payne
2003
McKENZIE - Services for Brittany LeAnn Payne, infant daughter of Stephanie Parker and Timmy Payne were at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 2 at Brummitt Funeral Home. Burial was in Everett's Chapel cemetery.
The infant died Monday, December 29 at Motts Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was born November 4, 2003 in Ann Arbor.
Other survivors include paternal grandparents Mildred Payne and Kenneth "Red" Payne, and James Harrison, all of McKenzie and the late Dorothy Harrison; maternal grandparents, JoAnn Parker and Scott Hughs, both of McKenzie and the late Charlie Parker; uncles Kenny Payne and Jonathan Hughs and aunts Linda Staggs and Janice McKenzie.
Hurtis Tharpe
1912-2003
MANSFIELD - Hurtis Tharpe, 91, died Sunday, December 28 at the Baptist Hospital in Huntingdon. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 3 at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope United Methodist Church in Mansfield with Reverend Clarence Gene Fowler officiating. Interment
followed in the New Hope cemetery.
Mr. Tharpe was born October 13, 1912 in Mansfield to the late Lonzo Tharpe and Easter Boyd Tharpe. He was a farmer and a member of the New Hope Methodist Church. He was married
to Mary Ann Fowler Tharpe who died February 2, 1992. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Tharpe, and four sisters Ethel Porter, Oneada Tharpe, Cornelus Hudson and Burnice Boyd.
Survivors include a daughter, Mamie Cystrunk of Nashville, three sons, Larry Tharpe of Mansfield, Robert Tharpe of Paris and Hurtis Ray Tharpe of Chicago, Illinois; a brother, Kermit Tharpe of Chicago, Illinois, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Trinity Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Jack Thompson
1918-2004
McKENZIE - Services for Jack Thompson, 85, were at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 6 at Brummitt Funeral Home with Bro. B.J. Ferguson and Bro. Dennis Trull officiating. Burial was in Eastside cemetery in Martin.
Mr. Thompson, Bodyworks for Mack Trucks, died Sunday, January 4 at McKenzie Healthcare Center.
He was born February 17, 1918 in Martin to the late Annie May Highfill and J.W.M. Thompson. His wife, Virginia Lorene Reeder Thompson also preceded him in death. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in McKenzie.
He leaves a brother, Burnett Thompson of Dresden.
Warren K. Scott
1926-2003
TREZEVANT - Services for Warren K. Scott, 77, were at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 1 at First Baptist Church in Trezevant with Bro. Malcolm Norton officiating. Burial was in the Trezevant cemetery.
Mr. Scott, a retired painter, died on Tuesday, December 30 at McKenzie Regional Hospital.
He was born on April 11, 1926 in McLemoresville to the late Onie Johnson Scott and Charles O. Scott. He was a member of the Trezevant First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Betty M. Scott; a daughter, Sherrye (Dennis) Walker of Trezevant; two brothers, Lester Scott of Cedar Grove and Bobby Scott of Bartlett; two sisters, Mary Newsom of Bartlett and Aultie Walker of Gann; two grandchildren, Jamie Walker and Josh Walker and one great-grandchild, Macy Walker.
Robert G. Thompson
1938-2003
PURYEAR: Funeral services for Robert Gene Thompson were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3 at McEvoy Funeral Home in Paris with Dr. Gary S. Collier officiating. Cremation followed the service.
Mr. Thompson, 65, died on Wednesday, December 31 at his home. His wife, the former Rosemary Dufour, survives. They were married
July 1, 1972.
Thompson retired as a truck driver with Cole Trucking Company in Camden. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division during peacetime.
Additional survivors include one daughter, Diana Carol Samonek of Romulus, Michigan; seven sons, Gary E., Thomas R. and Austin P. Thompson, all of Puryear, Christopher P. Thompson of Paris, Robert G. Thompson, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina, Bradley S. Thompson of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Eric S. Thompson of Rock, Michigan; four brothers, Paul G. Hankins of Ripley, Herman S. Carter, Jr. of McKenzie, Richard H. Buckley of Memphis and Walton T. Buckley of Greenfield; 22 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
A daughter, Rebecca Lynn Thompson preceded him in death on August 28, 1992 and a sister, Virginia Carol Carter.
Wayne Douglas Watson
1932-2004
McKENZIE - Graveside services for Wayne Douglas Watson, 72, will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 8 at Sunset cemetery in Dresden.
Mr. Watson, a retired bricklayer, died Monday, January 5 at Hillview Community Living Center.
He was born in Weakley County to the late Roma T. and Sally Hopper Watson. He was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church in Dresden and a member of the McKenzie VFW.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen Jean Stephens Watson; three daughters, Cathey W. Bright of McKenzie, Pat Watson of Gadsden, Alabama and Pamela Skeltis of Paris; three sons, Thomas Watson and Kenneth Watson, both of McKenzie and Timothy Watson of Jackson, Michigan; three sisters, Betty Presson of Michigan, Nell Davis of McKenzie and Joye Summers of Gleason; a brother, John Watson of Wyandot, Michigan; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
U.L. Townes
1936-2004
McKENZIE - Former Milan Arsenal employee U.L. Townes, 68, died on Tuesday June 1 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. His funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 at Greater Enon Baptist Church in McKenzie with the Rev. J.W. Stewart officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet cemetery in McKenzie.
His wife, Marshalene Townes survives. They were married
September 8, 1959.
He was born February 25, 1936 in McKenzie, a son of I.J. and Hattie King Townes of McKenzie.
Survivors also include two daughters, Anita Newbill and Carol Townes of McKenzie; four sons, Jessie Townes, Carl Townes, and Jimmy Townes, all of McKenzie and Ewell Townes of Oakdale, Louisiana; two sisters, Sadie Smith and Kay Townes, both of McKenzie; one brother, Russell Townes of Chicago; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Elizabeth Townes and Espanolia Williams; two brothers, Robert and James Townes and three great-grandchildren.
HULON EDWARD WALLACE
1943-2006
McKENZIE - Hulon Edward Wallace, 63, died Monday, January 1, at his residence. Funeral services were Thursday, January 4, at 11 a.m. at Brummitt Funeral Home in McKenzie with burial in New Bethel cemetery in Henry.
Mr. Wallace was born October 27, 1943 in Martin to the late L.C. and Stella A. Hall Wallace. He was a retired florist from Bill's Flowers in Huntingdon.
Survivors include: two nephews, Stacy Wallace of Gleason and J.H. Wallace of Henry; and three nieces, Angela Savage of McKenzie, Jackie Wallace of McKenzie, and Lisa Odle of Dresden.
