Obituary Report for December 20, 2002
Thurman Travis Haston, 93
McMinnville resident and Warren County native Thurman Travis Haston, 93, died Dec. 18 at NHC Healthcare.
The retired owner/operator of Haston’s Book Store, he was a member of First Baptist Church for more than 73 years and served as a deacon for 65 years before becoming deacon emeritus in 1999. He worked as radio sound technician when First Baptist, then known as Magness Memorial, first began its radio ministry and continued the position in the crow’s nest for 38 years. He also acted as church clerk for 20 years and filled in as substitute Sunday school teacher. He was also active in both the Central Baptist Association and Tennessee Baptist Convention where he served for three years on the executive board.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the 63rd Infantry Division in the U.S. Army where he received the Bronze Star as a forward observer in the European Theater during the Rhineland Campaign. Following the war, he was a member of American Legion Post 173 for 50 years and was a past commander and a post chaplain for over 25 years. Prior to the war, he was manager of Rocky River Coal and Lumber Company Commissary in Campaign.
Upon returning from the war, he operated a radio and TV repair shop on Main Street. He then opened Haston’s Book Store where he sold books, Bibles and religious supplies. He sold the business in Sept. 1994 and retired
He was well known for his volunteer work with Warren County Food Bank, serving as chairman, treasurer, purchasing agent and distributor since it was founded in 1983. He also acted as advisor to the current treasurer and purchasing agent up until three weeks before his death.
His years of service brought him the Book of Golden Deeds Award from McMinnville Exchange.
The son of Rector L. and Violet Hitchcock Haston, he was preceded in death by his wife, Velma G. Grissom in 1997; and sister, Kathleen McGiboney in 1987.
He is survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean and Bill Gilley, and Josephine Powers, all of McMinnville; 11 nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at McMinnville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Bueto and Dr. H. Curtis Erwin officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery with military graveside rites administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Library.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 2002
Cleta Estell Ray, 96
Rock Island resident and DeKalb County native Cleta Estell Ray, 96, died Dec. 17 at Raintree Manor after an extended illness.
A homemaker and a member of Rock Island Church of Christ, she was the daughter of Dabner Marshall and Ethel Kidwell Chisam and was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Graden Ray in 1952.
She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Edwin and Claudene Ray of Rock Island; granddaughter and her spouse, Jan and Terry Kendell of Cookeville; grandson, Keith Ray of Rock Island; great-granddaughter, Macie Bette Kendell of Cookeville; brother, Alton Chisam of McMinnville; and sisters, Ruby Warren of McMinnville and Pauline Jones of Missouri.
Services were held Thursday at High’s Chapel with Ed Wilhite officiating. Burial followed at Mt. View Cemetery.
High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 2002
Laura Cordilla Templeton, 96
Columbia resident and Warren County native Laura Cordilla Templeton, 96, died Dec. 18 at Heritage Manor in Columbia.
A retired seamstress with Sandra Hosiery Mill in Cleveland and a member of Smartt Station Assembly of God, she was the daughter of the late Thomas L. and Lula Swindell Templeton.
She is survived by daughter-in-law, Bobbie Templeton of Cleveland; sister, Marjorie Rednour of Hardinsburg, Ky.; grandchild and her spouse, Suzy and Terry Pruitt of Columbia; and great-grandchild, Jordan Pruitt.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Lasting Hope Cemetery with Kevin Green officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service today at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Heritage Manor.
Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5239 Main Street in Spring Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 2002
William Chester Womack Jr., 70
Former McMinnville resident and Warren County native William Chester Womack Jr., 70, died unexpectedly Sept. 19 at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.
A prolific graphic designer, typographer, calligrapher and professor at Memphis College of Art, he was the son of the late William Chester and Leila Earle Womack Sr.; and was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Womack. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War.
He is survived by son, William Frank Womack of Portland, Ore.; stepdaughter, Perry Janssen of Edmonds, Wash.; stepson, Robert Hallman of Miseotia, Mont.; brother, Charles Womack of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and grandson, Barrett Franklin Womack of Oregon.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Cemetery with Fred Bueto officiating. Military graveside rites will be administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. There will be no visitation at High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 20. 2002
Timothy Theo Kelsey, 37
McMinnville resident and Warren County native Timothy Theo Kelsey, 37, died Dec. 18 at Life Care Center of Tullahoma.
A master barber at Details Hair Salon, he was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Kelsey; paternal grandmother, Christine Kelsey; and maternal grandparents, Sammie and Lucille Greene.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Nancy Louise and David Bouldin of McMinnville; brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Janice Kelsey of Maryville; nephews, Eric and Bryan Kelsey of Maryville; grandfather and step-grandfather, Vestor and Roberta Kelsey of Smartt; special aunt, Phyllis Barnes of McMinnville; stepsisters, Tammy Bouldin and Sandra Adcock of McMinnville; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel with Ronnie Powell and John Ryan Tubb officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service today at McMinnville Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Aid and Research through the ladies’ VFW Auxiliary Post 5064.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 2002