Obituary Report for January 12, 2003

Josie Nell Crawley, 83
Manchester resident and Coffee County native Josie Nell Crawley, 83, died Jan. 10 at Manchester Medical Center after an extended illness.

A member of New Union Church of Christ, she was preceded in death by her parents, John Greenville and Mary Rildia Taylor Rogalle; her husband, Howard Crawley; and brothers, John and King Rogalle.

She is survived by son, John L. Crawley of Manchester; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Charle Morris of Manchester; granddaughters and their spouses, Monica and Chris Fritch of Mercer, Pa., Amber and Kraig Harris of Manchester; great-granddaughter, Keyleigh Harris; and sisters, Alta Taylor and Virginia Bridges of Manchester.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Coffee County Funeral Home Chapel with Charles Williams and Foy Rigney officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Coffee County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 12, 2003

Wilma Ruth Dunlap, 81
Sparta resident and Dunlap native Wilma Ruth Dunlap, 81, died Jan. 9 at NHC Healthcare after an extended illness.

A retired custodian at Dibrell School and a member of the Church of Christ, she was the daughter of late Dewey and Dixie Lockridge Hillis; and was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Lee Dunlap; son, Dewey Barton Dunlap; and sister, Faye Dillard.

She is survived by her son, Miles (Bub) Dunlap of Rock Island; daughters, Donna McBride of Sparta and Judy Smartt of Rock Island; grandchildren, Ricky Smartt of Norfolk, Va., Brandon Smartt of Cookeville, Abbie Barnes of the Green Hill community, Dana and Bronson McBride, both of Sparta, Dale and Crystal Dunlap, both of McMinnville; five great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Knight of Murfreesboro; brothers, Jack Hillis of Campaign and Carl Hillis of Dibrell; special friend, Ruth Warren; several nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at High’s Chapel with Titus Ward officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be held following services at Campaign Community Center.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 12, 2003

Jimmy Ricky Melson, 46
McMinnville resident and Warren County native Jimmy Ricky Melson, 46, died Jan. 11 at River Park Hospital after a sudden illness.

A self-employed operator of a tree removal company, he was a member of the Baptist Church.

The son of Ralph Melson and Pearlie King Melson Harper, he is survived by daughters, Tina Melson and Elizabeth Melson of McMinnville; sons, Eric Melson of McMinnville and Jimmy Melson of Smithville; father, Ralph Melson of McMinnville; mother and step-father, Pearlie and Earl Harper; brothers, David Melson, Junior Melson, and George Melson of McMinnville; sisters, Ruby Nelson, Edna King, Carolyn Manus and Patricia Ferrell of McMinnville; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 p.m Tuesday at High’s Chapel with George Roberts and Wayne Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and from 8 a.m. Tuesday until service at High’s.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan 12, 2003

Joe Lee Watson, Sr., 86
McMinnville resident and Warren County native Joe Lee Watson, Sr., 86, died Jan. 11 at River Park Hospital after a brief illness.

He was a retired school bus driver for the Warren County School System.

The son of James Ernest and Elizabeth Belle Brady Watson, he is survived by his wife, Jessie King Watson of McMinnville; son, Joe Watson, Jr. of Lebanon; daughter, Genia Bathe of Knoxville; sisters, Martha Coppinger of Indiana, and Jean Northcutt of Ohio; brother, Lanis Watson of Grundy County; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sons, Robert and Jerry Watson and granddaughter, Becky Watson.

Services will be held at 12 p.m. Monday at High’s Chapel with Randall Geren officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory. Visitation will be held after 10 a.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service Monday at High’s.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 12, 2003

Grady Roscoe Morris, 91
McMinnville resident and Wheeler County, Ga. native Grady Roscoe Morris, 91, died Jan. 9 at Raintree Manor after a brief illness.

A sales manager for Meadow Brook Ice Cream and a member of the Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Eddie Lou Maddux Morris of McMinnville; sons, Rodney Morris of Centerville, Tenn. and Louis Morris of Vidalia, Ga.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Patricia Rose Hamilton.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at High’s Chapel. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory with military graveside rites by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until service today at High’s.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 12, 2003