Obituary Report for April 5, 2002

Ray Wallace Christian, 87
McMinnville resident and Warren County native Ray Wallace Christian, 87, died April 3 at Raintree Manor after a lingering illness.

A farmer and a member of the Church of Christ, he was the son of Jess and Nettie Ray Christian.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Curtis Christian; daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and Joe Bell, Wanda and Ralph Brock, all of McMinnville; grandchildren, Tim and Trina Fariss, Tyson and Angela Brock, and Trey Bell, all of McMinnville, Tiffany and Brent Keaton of Knoxville; great-grandchildren, Brock and Brayden Fariss, Allison and Hunter Brock, all of McMinnville; brothers, I.G. Christian of Dunlap and J.C. Christian of Pikeville; and special caregiver, Shannon Williams.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at High’s Chapel with Ernest Laws and Johnny Clayton officiating. Burial will follow at Center Hill Cemetery at Hills Creek.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 5, 2002

John William (Bill) Craven, 85
McMinnville resident and Warren County native John William (Bill) Craven, 85, died April 2 at River Park Hospital after a brief illness.

A retired self-employed brick mason and a life-long member of the VFW, he served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The son of Charles Floyd and Leanna Belle Allison Craven, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Mae Melton Craven; daughter, Sarah Frances Bell; brothers, Monroe, Gene and George Craven; and sisters, Lesta Dutton and Octa Magnolia Craven.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Stephanie Craven of McMinnville; brother, Charles Everette Craven of Union, S.C.; grandchildren, Rhonda and Coleman Barnes, Christy and Chuck Carlson, Latisha, Calisha, Thomas and Toree Craven and Jeff Bell, all of McMinnville; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at High’s Chapel with James Waddell officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory with military graveside rites administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 5, 2002

Wallace Lee Flood, 85
Cedar Hill resident and Springfield native Wallace Lee Flood, 85, died April 4 at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.

Retired from the U.S. Air Force, he was with the civil service at Ft. Campbell and a commissioner of corrections. He was also a member of the Methodist Church.

The son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Tommie Ola Apple Flood, he is survived by his wife, Sara Louise Gordon Flood; son, John Lee Flood of Wichita Falls, Texas; daughters, Rebecca Majo Jones of McMinnville and Patricia Louise Short of Cedar Hill; sisters, Lucille Ewing of Norfolk, Va., and Floy Ann Hale of Camdon, Mo.; grandchildren, Becky Short of Murfreesboro, Connan Jones of McMinnville, Lee and Sara Flood, both of Wichita Falls; and great-grandchildren, Garrett and Alex Jones, both of McMinnville.

Services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Woodfin Funeral Home Chapel in Murfreesboro with burial following at Evergren Cemetery.

Information courtesy of High Funeral Home.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 5, 2002

Jerry Allen Patton Sr., 46
Spencer resident and Fayettville, N.C., native Jerry Allen Patton Sr., 46, died April 2 at White County Community Hospital after an extended illness.

A disabled U.S. Army veteran and a member of Spencer First Baptist Church, he was the son of the late James H. and Nellie Ruth Wilson Patton Jr.; and was preceded in death by sister, Janice McCormick.

He is survived by his wife, Tina Humphrey Patton; daughter, Christine Michelle Patton; son, Jerry Allen Patton Jr. of Sparta; grandchildren, LaTinha Louise and Jazzmine Lashee Patton, both of Sparta; brother, James A. Patton III of Smithville; sisters, Joan Cope and Wenda Hawthorne, both of Florida and Joyce Steltefter of Virginia; several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home Spencer Chapel with Lofton Graves and Tom Farmer officiating. Burial will follow at Town Cemetery with military graveside rites administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 8 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the Spencer Chapel.

Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home Spencer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 5, 2002

Violet Marie Wood, 72
Highland community resident and Colver, Pa., native Violet Marie Wood, 72, died April 3 at her home after an extended illness.

A retired registered nurse with Warren County General Hospital and River Park Hospital, she was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Star.

The daughter of the late Fred C. and Hazel Erhardt Malone, she is survived by her husband, Norman Wood; daughters, Norma Jean Myers of McMinnville and Susan Marie Swope of Dickson; sons, Thomas F. and David W. Wood, both of McMinnville; brother, James O. Malone of Ebensburg, Pa; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Private funeral services will be held.

McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 5, 2002