Madison County TN Obituaries


LINDA DIANE RAMAGOES , 57, died Dec. 21, 2010 at Jackson Hospital. She was born in Memphis the daughter of the late Travis M. and Anna Frances Anglin Moore. She was an Associate at the Walmart Storer in Jackson. She leaves a son, Jarrett Damon Ramagoes of Medina; a daughter Kelly Hoover and two brothers, Richard M. Moore and wife Karen of Huron TN and Troy D. Moore and wife Charla of Haslett TX
Lexington Progress 19 Jan 2011


NATALIE MURPHY (ROBINSON) REHER , 90, passed away September 7, 2005 at her home in Jackson, TN. Graveside services will be held at 1 PM Saturday, September 10, at the Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson. She was born in Dyer, TN in 1915 to the late Nathanial and Lula Robinson. She was married to John S. (Jack) Murphy from 1938 until his death in 1968. She was married to James R. Reher from 1971 until his death in 1998. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy R. Phillips and a nephew, Jimmy Phillips. Survivors include a daughter, Natalie Murphy Groves, and husband , Henry Groves; a son, Brian S. (Merf) Murphy; stepdaughter, Julie Wurglitsh (Wally); nephews, Billy (Sue) Phillips, and Alan (Becky) Phillips, and grandsons, Johnny Murphy and D. J. Wurglitsh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
Jackson Sun - 10 September 20


MARY ANN (GLISSON) RENEE , 72, a lifelong resident of Jackson died Thursday, November 29, 2007 at her residence. She was retired from the Madison County Health Department as an Administrative Secretary. She was well loved by her family and friends and enjoyed get-togethers. Funeral services for Mrs. Renee' will be held at 2:00 P. M. Monday, December 3, 2007 at the George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel with Bruce Pigue officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Renee' leaves two sons, Joseph Leon King II and Richard Baker King both of Jackson; two grandchildren, Ashley Blair King and Justin Clifford King; two Great Grandchildren, Lauren and Sonia Wakefield; a sister, Nancy Hogan of Gadsden and her children David Hogan and Mike (Becky) Hogan; two brothers, Johnny C. Glisson (Hazel) of Jackson and their children, Dickey, Carol, Jay, Tony, and Brandon, and also Paul Glisson of Memphis. Mary Ann was preceded in death by a brother, Howard B. Glisson, Jr. who left her two nieces, Linda Glisson and Lisa (Brooks) Bradley of Memphis. Pallbearers to serve are John Bass, Brooks Bradley, Steve Fowler, Mike Hogan, Rusty Schrivner, and Tom Voegeli. Honorary Pallbearers are Johnny Barber, Joe Gaffney, David Hogan, Dr. Tony Emison, Dr. A. Georgio, and Dr. A.J. Mueller.


DAVID F. RICE SR - Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon a 4 p.m. from the First Methodist Church Chapel with Dr. Adolphus Gilliam and Rev. bill Nace officiating. Burial will be in H ollywood Cemetery. Mr. Rice was born and reared in North Port, Ala. in 1874 and was athe son of the late James rice and Winnie Hyche Rice. He had lived here for the past 35 years. He retired from the GM&O Railroad February 1, 1945 after 50 years of service as a superintendent of the tTransportation Department. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Mens Bible Class, Elks, the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. He was married in 1898 to the former, Miss Elizabeth Brown of Lockhart, Miss., who survives him. Other survivors include three sons, Charles p. Rice of Nashville, Tom N. Rice and Russell Rice ofJackson; a daughter Mrs. Thomas O. Foster of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; a sister Mrs. Kate Boothe of Bayou La Batre Ala.; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His body will be at Smith Funeral Home until the funeral hour. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of the GM*O Railroad and Dr. R.E. Womack.
Contributed by Paul Foster Rice -


ELIZABETH (BROWN) RICE - Funeral services for Mrs. D.F. Rice, 94, will be 4:30 p.m. Friday from the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl Rhodes and the Rev. James Moore officiating. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery with George A. Smith and Sons in charge. Mrs. Rice, who lived at 44 Laurel Lane, died today at 10:40 a.m. following an extended illness. She was born and reared in Lockhart Miss., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Floyd Brown. She came to Jackson in 1921 with heer husband, who was division superintendent of the G.M. * O. Railroad. Mr. Rice preceded her in death in 1957. Mrs. Rice was a member of the First united Methodist Church for 50 years and belonged to the Mother's Sunday School Class and the Woman's Society of Christian Service. She was active in the War Mothers, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Surviving are three sons, Charles P. Rice, Thomas N. Rice and Russell Rice, all of Jackson, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. A son and four daughters preceded her in death. Pallbearers to serve will be Hunter Taylor, Boyd Fleming, Ben Langford, Jack Foust, Loyd Duke and Charlie May.


WILLIAM RUSSELL RICE SR , Jackson's former city attorney Russell Rice Sr., a man then Mayor Bob Conger once said knew more about municipal government than anyone he ever met, died Sunday in North Carolina. He was 74. Rice was Jackson's city attorney from 1947 to 1951, from 1955 to 1959 and from 1963 until 1987. His first stint as city attorney ended when he served in the state Senate from 1951 to 1952. When he retired the last time he was replaced by his long-time assistant, Harold F. Johnson. But he retained the title of city attorney ameritus because of his knowledge of city goveernment, at the request of Mayor Conger. At the time, Rice quipped, "Take all your gripes to Harold Johnson and anything you like tell me." This morning Johnson mourned the loss of his friend and colleague, praising his "quick wit and irrepressible sense of humor." Rice had won widespread respect as a professional, Johnson said. He was a man of great intellectual capacity, known and respected by municipal attorneys throughout the land as an authority in his field," Johnson said "He was a man of great ........................................... Jackson city schools, attended George Tech for two years and took his law degree from Cumberland University. He was licensed to practice law in Tennessee in 1939. World War II interrupted his law practice and he spent the next four and one-half years serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific. A commanding officeer of a heavy artillery battery, he was discharged with the rank of captain. He entered the active Army Reserve following WWII and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Church life was important to Rice, too. He was a member and trustee of First United Methodist Church in Jackson, serving for a time as chairman of the board of stewards. He also successfully mixed his love of music with his church commitments, serving for 30 years as a tenor soloist at the church. Rice was a former president of the Community Concert Association in Jackson. Among other honors and associations; he was a regional vice president of the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers; a past president of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association; a member of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association; a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association; a former chairman of the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority; a president of the Young Business Men's Club; and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was married in 1943 to the former Edna Earle Curdts. They had four children, William Russell Rice Jr., Janet Craig Rice, George David Rice, and Paul Foster Rice".
Contributed by Paul Foster Rice - The Jackson Sun 21 October 1991


THOMAS ANDREW RIMMER - Memorial services for Thomas A. Rimmer, Age 71 were Tuesday February 10, 2009 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Jackson TN. He died at his home Feb. 7, 2009. Mr. Rimmer is survived by his wife Glenda, daughters Susan Michael and Annie Haygood (Royce). He was preceded by one son, Guy L. Goodman; three brothers Kenneth Rimmer (Ann), Harvey Rimmer (Mary) and Charles Rimmer (Janet); two sisters, Bonnie Morgan and Nancy White (Joe); and two grandchildren.
Lexington Progress 11 Feb 2009


BRUCE A. ROARK - Funeral services for Dr. Bruce A. Roark, 86 will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2006, in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Dr. Roark died on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at the Regional Hospital of Jackson. Dr. Roark was born in New York City, NY on January 19, 1920, the son of the late Robert B. and Elizabeth Koch Roark. He was married to Laura Acton Roark who preceded him in death in 1977. Dr. Roark grew up in Cabin John, MD and graduated from the University of Maryland and received his doctorate degree from the University of Adelaide in Australia. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Philippians aboard the USS Narwhal with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was an assistant professor with the University of California Riverside for a short time before beginning his career with the United States Department of Agriculture as a research scientist, a position he held for thirty years before his retirement. The majority of his employment was spent with the Stoneville Experiment Station in Stoneville, MS before moving to Lubbock, TX. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Roark of Jackson; two sons, Michael Allen Roark of Monteagle, TN and Roderic Bruce Roark of Fairfield, CA; two daughters, Elizabeth Ellen Stepankiw of Houston, TX and Dr. Alice Roark McKee of Jackson; three step-children, Lynn Moss of Memphis, TN, Bob Simmons of Dayton, OH and Bill Simmons of Denver, CO; nine grandchildren, Michelle, Laura, Wendy, Marika, Savannah, Frank, Nicholas, Doy and Acton. Members of the military honor guard will serve as pallbearers.


BOBBY JOE ROBERTSON - Services for Bobby Joe Robertson, 65, will be held at 1:00 P. M. Thursday, October 11, 2007 in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors with Dr. Jerry Welch and Dr. Ronnie Wilburn officiating. Jason Robertson will provide the Eulogy for the service. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Bobby died peacefully at his residence on Monday, October 8, 2007. A native of Jackson and Madison County, he was born on May 24, 1942, the son of Mazell Morton Robertson and the late Coy Robertson. Bobby was an avid outdoors and sportsman as well as a NASCAR fan. Bobby attended Hillcrest Baptist Church. He was loved by all and will be missed greatly. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Robertson of Jackson; two sons, Bobby (Jody) Robertson and his wife Lisa and Bobby Darrell Singleton and his wife Michelle all of Jackson; seven brothers, Dennis Robertson of Henderson, Cecil Robertson of Jackson, Donnie Robertson of Henderson, David Robertson of Jackson, Jap Robertson of Jackson, Ralph Robertson of Henderson and Robert Robertson of Jackson; six sisters, Joanne Smith of Jackson, Phyllis Bridges of Jackson, Rita Vinson of Jackson, Jean Sides of Cedartown, GA, Joyce Ross of Jackson and Betty Marchbanks of Lexington, TN; and two grandchildren, Morgan and Rachael Singleton of Jackson.


MELVIN FLOYD ROBERTSON - Funeral services for Melvin Floyd Robertson, 76, will be Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 2 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Stan Holmes officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens with Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home in charge. Mr. Robertson died Tuesday at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Washington, D.C., son of the late Clarence W. and Anna Marie Saul Robertson and grew up in Arlington, Virginia. He joined the U. S. Army in 1948 and spent 8 years there, serving one year in Korea. Mr. Robertson was a retired employee of Conalco. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints having served on many committees, and was the first Bishop of the Jackson Ward of the church. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Eveleine Staples Robertson, their vows being sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves two sons, Dale Robertson and wife Renate of Las Vegas and Dana Robertson of California; two daughters, Gloria Ozment and husband Billy of Jackson and Belinda House of Memphis; a brother, Elmer Robertson of Arlington, Virginia; nine grandchildren and one great grandson. Pallbearers for the service will be Bennie Denton, Kevin Denton, Phillip House, Chad House, Keith Bafford and Jason Price.


ORRIN EATON ROBINSON - 73, one of this county's most prominent citizens, for many years a member of the Madison county court, highly respected throughout this section, passed away Sunday morning at 6:35 o'clock at his home on the old Bolivar road. Squire Robinson had been in failing health for some time and his passing was not unexpected. Born and reared in Jackson, Mr. Robinson had spent his entire life in Jackson and Madison county. He was first elected to the court in 1900 where he served a short term and retired to farming. He was re-elected 10 years ago and served until his illness a few weeks ago. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Anderson Presbyterian Church. He leaves three sons, J. C. A. G. and Will Jobe Robinson, all of Madison county: two daughters Mrs. Roy Williams and: Miss Rebecca Robinson of Madison county; a sister, Mrs F. E. Bond of Bemis. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Chapel of the Griffin Funeral Home by the Rev. Samuel Stanworth. Burial followed in Riverside cemetery. Members of the Madison county court served as pallbearers. Active pallbearers were J. J., D. H. and W. J. Boone, I. H. Lassiter, John R. McKinnie and E. R. Price.
The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, January 4, 1940: - The Madison County Court had passed a resolution for O. E. Robinson, "Whereas due to illness one of the oldest magistrates in point of service in this court is unable to attend court at this regular January session. Be it resolved by this honorable County Court, meeting in regular session on this, the third day of January, 1940, that the Clerk of the court, acting for and in behalf of this court, to express to Esquire O. E. Robinson our sincere regret that his physical condition is such that he could not be present and wishing Squire Robinson a speedy recovery." Madison County Court Minute Book 37, page 554. April 1, 1940.
On January 14, 1940 Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called from our midst and all earthly cares one of our highly esteemed members, O. E. Robinson. Whereas in the passing of O. E. Robinson this county court has lost a member who was just to his fellowmen, charitable to all mankind and practiced the principles of friendship in his daily life, a man of honesty and integrity and a faithful member of the court. Be it resolved that we extend to the bereaved relatives our deepest sympathy. Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be spread up; on the minutes of this honorable court and copy be sent to the relatives. Motion was made by Esquire R. G. Grove, seconded by Esquire Crawford Long, that above resolution be adopted. Motion unanimously carried.
Contributed by Rita Morgan from the Jackson Sun 15 January 1940


RUTH ROBINSON - The young lady Ruth Robinson was buried today. She was shot by a fellow 6 or 8 weeks ago because she would not marry him…. He also shot her brother 8 or 9 years old. died that night. seems as if he wanted to kill the entire family. Then shot himself, but got well &c.)
Contributed by Rita Morgan from the Cartmell Diaries Vol 21-30 Pg 14. June 15, 1912
(Notes from Rita) I'm trying to find out more about this shooting so if anyone has any information about please let us know. I would love to know who the man was. Apparently Ruth lived about 2 1/2 months after the shooting. Ruth and her brother are buried in Plot 160 which was owned by George Robinson. There are other graves in the same plot but only one more marked and it's almost unreadable. We do know it says Martha. Ham Sr. had a sister named Martha who we know is buried there but he also had a daughter named Martha so we aren't sure who that headstone belongs to.


HAROLD WAYNE ROGERS Visitation for Harold Wayne Rogers, Sr. will be at Arrington Funeral Home in Jackson until time of service. Services will be Thursday, January 13, 2005 at Inglewood Baptist Church at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens , Jackson , TN. Mr. Rogers, 66, died Monday, January 10, 2005 at his home on Jackson. He was preceded in death by one sister, Rublelene Kelly Singleton of Scotts Hill. He is survived by his wife, Alma Dean Rogers; two sons, Harold Wayne Rogers, Jr. and Malcolm Rogers; three brothers, Bill Snider and Tony Rogers of Scotts Hill, and Jack Rogers of Milledgeville; three sisters, Maxine Tomblin, Janie Graves, and Diane Montgomery all of Scotts Hill; and one grandson.
Contributed by Becky Keen from The Lexington Progress, 1-12-2005


J.R. ROGERS - Graveside services for J.R. Rogers, age 18, will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, August 28, 2006 at Highland Memorial Gardens. Philip Nicholas will officiate the service. J.R. was killed in an accident with a driver accused of drunk driving early Saturday Morning in Jackson. He was born in Jackson, Tennessee on October 16, 1987. He was a 2006 graduate of North Side High School and would have entered Jackson State Community College as a freshman. J.R. will be greatly missed by his Mom and Dad, Mary and Van Holmes of Jackson; his father, Jimmy Rogers; sisters, Heather Marie Rogers and Morgan Holmes; grandparents, Gene and Flossie Allbert of Jackson; great-grandmother, Reba Allbert Baker of Alabama; Aunt Kim and Craig Latham and children, Brock and Tucker Latham; Uncle Gene Jr. and Tammy Allbert and children, Dillon and Rachel Allbert; Uncle Bubba and Lisa Rogers and children, Ryan and Tyler Rogers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Buddy and Doris Rogers. Pallbearers to serve are Nick Melton, Ryan Whirley, Will Drury, Jamie Green, Jay Perkins and Ryan Rogers. Honorary pallbearers to serve are Day Miller, Brock Latham, Tucker Latham, Dillon Allbert and Tyler Rogers. As reported in The Jackson Sun: 08/27/2006

Story reported By TYRONE TONY REED JR. ttreed@jacksonsun.com
If he had been traveling in the left lane, Greg Bradham believes he would have died on Oil Well Road in the place of automobile accident victim James "J.R." Rogers Jr. Rogers was killed when his car was hit by a truck driven by an alleged drunken driver in the early morning hours of Aug. 26. Bradham, 36, of Jackson, told Rogers' family Thursday morning at City Court that his vehicle was behind the car driven by Rogers, 18, of Jackson, when the accident claimed Rogers' life. It occurred on U.S. 45 Bypass at Oil Well Road. I heard someone going really fast; the man had to be doing at least 60 (miles per hour), and he never hit brakes," Bradham said. "I saw headlights and a red truck heading toward (Rogers). I hollered at (Rogers), but with his radio on, he must not have heard me." Bradham attended the court appearance of Luis Oscar Garcia, who is facing charges of vehicular homicide and DUI in connection with the accident, to offer his condolences to Rogers' family. There wasn't a whole lot I could do," Bradham said about the accident. "I just told his family that I don't think he (Rogers) saw it coming." Rogers was laid to rest on Aug. 28. A candlelight vigil will be held by the Tennessee Minutemen in Rogers' honor from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Highland Memorial Gardens, his family said Thursday. They declined to comment on the case.

Garcia waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday morning in City Court, and the case was bound over to the Madison County grand jury. Garcia, a 24-year-old native of Mexico, was shackled and wearing a dark blue inmate uniform when he entered the courtroom with his interpreter, Jane Arrington. Through Arrington, Garcia told Judge Blake Anderson that he understood he had the right to a preliminary hearing and that he was waiving his right to it. As this was said, Rogers' family quietly sobbed and held each other. Garcia's bond was set at $200,000. The U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement also has placed an administrative hold (retainer) on Garcia, that will prevent him from bonding out of jail, according to court records. Temple Black, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman, said that Garcia is in the United States illegally and that as soon as court proceedings are over and he has served his time, he will be sent back to Mexico. "If he is found guilty on those charges, he has to serve his term in that jurisdiction," Black said. "When he finishes that term, he will be bound over to the Department of Immigration and Enforcement and deported."

According to a police report, Garcia was driving a 1995 Chevy S-10 pickup that ran a red light while traveling north on the U.S. 45 Bypass at Oil Well Road about 2 a.m. Aug. 26. The truck slammed into the '95 Honda Civic that Rogers was driving westbound on Oil Well Road. A police report on the incident stated Garcia had a strong odor of alcohol on his person and that his pants were soaked with a liquid that indicated the presence of alcohol. There also were two beer bottles, one partially filled, in the truck at the time of the accident, police said. Garcia also is facing charges of driving without a license, registration or proof of insurance. When police did a check on his license plate, it did not come back under his name, the report said. Lt. J.D. Hale said Thursday night that police are still trying to track down whom the vehicle belongs to because it was improperly registered.


JOHN WESLEY ROSS - Retired Baptist minister John Wesley Ross, 88, of Paris died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at Henry County Healthcare Center. Locally, he leaves a son: Billy (Patty) Ross of Paris. His funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel in Jackson. Bob Watson will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, with military honors observed. A family member said "Bro. Ross made his calling in the ministry in 1967, serving his Lord until health reasons forced him to retire in 2003." During that time in the ministry, he was pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Jackson for 35 years. "He proudly served his country in the United States Navy in both World War II and the Korean War," the family member said. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Ross; one sister: Mildred Bixler; and three brothers: W.G., Chester and Ben Ross. In addition to his son, he leaves a daughter: Mary Carolyn (Buddy) Tomlinson of Atlanta; five grandchildren, including Amy (Shane) Morgan, Daniel (Shannon) Ross and Stephen Ross, who are Henry County High School graduates; and seven great-grandchildren.


JESSE RUSSELL Jr. , an old and respected citizen, fell dead at the grave of his wife at Riverside Cemetery this afternoon. He had a basket of flowers and had been decorating her grave. Heart failure caused his death. Jesse Russell was the son of Jesse Russell Sr. and Nacy Sevier.
From Laurel Baty in The Nashville American, Wednesday Morning, May 11, 1898


ROBERT EARL RUSSELL - Funeral services for Robert Earl Russell, 79, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 30, 2006 at Bodkin Funeral Home with Rev. Mary Mitchell and Rev. Don McCurley officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, TN. Mr. Russell, a retired funeral director at Bodkin Funeral Home, died Thursday, July 27, 2006 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran, and a member of Lessenberry United Methodist Church in Milan, TN. He is survived by his wife, Aubie S. Russell of Milan, TN; a son, Tom Russell and wife Madeleine of Knoxville, TN; two brothers, Jerry Russell and wife Patty of Huron, TN and Joe Russell and wife Bobbie of Como, MS; and two grandchildren, Russ Russell of Franklin, TN and Beth Gladden and husband Michael of Knoxville, TN.
From the Jackson Sun 07/29/2006