Johnnie Wesley Shirrell, 88

Sparta resident and White County native Johnnie Wesley Shirrell, 88, died March 19 at his home.

A farmer and employee of Sparta Spoke Factory, he served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The son of the late John Nelson and Emma Lou Baker Shirrell, he was preceded in death by sisters, Elizabeth and Martha Ann Shirrell.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Lou Flatt Shirrell; sister, Lena Mae Sherrill of Sparta; brother, Charlie Lee Shirrell of Sparta; son, James Wesley Shirrell of McMinnville; daughters and sons-in-law, Velma Sue and James Merle Jackson, Rosie Lee and Charles Levon Maynard, all of Sparta; six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Thurman Funeral Home Chapel in Sparta with David Lee England and Ed Todd officiating. Burial will follow at Old Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Thurman.

Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 21, 2004