OBITUARIES - Tipton County, TN

Radford, F. T.
Rainey, "Child"
Ralph, Elizabeth Faye
Ralph, Lillian
Ralph, Mrs. Lee
Ralph, Walter G.
Ramsey, Oscar E.
Randolph, "Child"
Rast, "Child"
Ray, Joe Lindsey
Ray, Robert "Bob" L.
Ray, Ruth Douglass
Rayner, Mrs.
Rice, Dan
Rice, James N.
Rice, Peter Rev.
Richardson, "Infant"
Richardson, Ura
Richardson, William Lebbeus
Ringstaff, H. L.
Roach, Bryson Earl Jr.
Roach, Dan
Roane, James W.

Roberts, Dolly
Robertson, Humphrey Mrs.
Robinson, Pearlie Mae
Rodgers, "Child"
Roe, John D. Jr.
Roe, Kate Lee Street
Rogers, "Child"
Rogers, "Infant"
Rogers, Mahala
Rose, James
Rose, Louise
Rose, S. M.
Ruffin, Gus-Elia Garth
Ruffin, William F. Jr.

RADFORD, F. T. - This community was shocked this morning by the announcement of the death of Mr. F. T. Radford, which occurred at the home of Mr. W. S. Mayes on East Liberty avenue at 8:15 o'clock. Mr. Radford's death was caused from acute indigestion and he was taken suddenly ill at the home of Mr. J. Elmore Miller, three miles south of the city, last Sunday afternoon. A doctor was hastily summoned and after a few hours he was able to be brought back to his home. He never rallied from the attack and his death was hourly expected from the first.

Mr. Radford was born in Graniteville, S. C., January 13, 1853, and had been a citizen of Covington for eight years, moving here from Meridian, Miss., when he took charge of the Tipton Cotton Mills as manager, retiring from that position in June, 1915. He was afterward associated with Mr. J. H. Cothran in the jewelry business for 18 months.

The deceased leaves surviving him his wife and two daughters, Mrs. W. M. Gressett, of Meridian, Miss., and Mrs. O. C. Wainwright, of Stonewall, Miss., and two granddaughters. These have the most sincere sympathy of a host of friends in this community in their great grief.

Mr. Radford had been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church for many years, was a high-toned Christian gentleman and excellent citizen and his passing away is universally regretted in this community.

The funeral will be held at Mr. Mayes' home at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. P. Walker, after which the body will be shipped at 10:10 o'clock tonight to Meridian, where the burial will take place tomorrow.

RAINEY, "Child" - The two-year-old son of Mr. F. I. Rainey, two miles north of this place, died Tuesday night of congestion, after a week's illness, and was buried Wednesday afternoon at Leigh Chapel. (The Covington Leader, September 13, 1901)

RALPH, ELIZABETH FAYE SMITH - Mrs. Elizabeth Faye Smith Ralph, 51, of Eads, formerly of Covington, died Wednesday at Methodist Hospital in Memphis after a long illness. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Maley-Yarbrough Funeral Home with burial in Munford Cemetery. She was a member of the Sycamore View Church of Christ. Mrs. Ralph, the wife of Allen Ralph, also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leno Smith of Bartlett. (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Sunday, July 29, 1990)

RALPH, LILLIAN - Mrs. Lillian Ralph, wife of Mr. Irwin Ralph, of the Gilt Edge neighborhood, died Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, after a short illness. She was buried Monday afternoon in the Macedonia graveyard in Shelby county. The deceased was 17 years old and leaves a husband and an infant baby girl.

RALPH, MRS. LEE - Mrs. Ralph, wife of Mr. Lee Ralph, died at her home in the vicinity of Atoka Sunday morning, after an illness of two weeks. She is survived by her husband and three children.

RALPH, WALTER G. - Mrs. Walter G. Ralph died of tuberculosis at the home of his mother, Mrs. Annie Lockert, two miles west of the city, at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning. Mr. Ralph had been in failing health for quite a long time, and had been confined to his room constantly for two months prior to the end. The funeral services were held at his home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock the services being conducted by Rev. R. A. Clark, of the Methodist church, of which church the deceased was a member and the interment was in Munford cemetery.

Mr. Ralph was a son of the late Henry Ralph, and was 30 years of age at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, who was miss Lula Dalton, and a son six years old. Mr. Ralph was a carpenter by trade, was for many years in the employ of Contractor R. B. Shelton, and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him.

RAMSEY, OSCAR E. - The remains of Mr. Oscar E. Ramsey, who died at his home in Memphis Wednesday, were buried at Salem cemetery in the 7th district of the county Thursday last. Mr. Ramsey married Miss Maggie Mills, of the Salem community, who survives him. Mr. Ramsey was 37 years old, an engineer in the service of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad. He had been ill for ten days with typhoid fever.

The Commercial Appeal says of him: Mr. Ramsey spent practically his entire life in railroad work, having begun at the age of 17 years. His first job was on a coal chute in Alabama. He rose to the baggage service, then to the post of flagman on passenger trains, finally coming to Memphis to become a fireman on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley in 1901. In 1904 he was promoted to engineer and was in the freight service of the Y. & M. V. until he was obliged to leave his run 10 days ago by illness. During his entire career as a railroad man not a mark had been placed against his record.

Conceded by his superiors on the Y & M. V. to have been one of the most popular engineers on the road, many kind things were said of Ramsey.

"The death of Oscar Ramsey lost to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers one of its best members, for he was a man you would like to meet every day," said C. J. Barnett, a well-known engineer of the Illinois Central.

"He was fair and just, always had a smile on his handsome face and a ray of sunshine always followed him," Barnett continued. "He had a grip in his hand that told you his heart was as big as that of an ox. I wish we had more men like him, for he loved his fellow man," the engineer concluded..

RANDOLPH, "Child" - The little son of Mr. Will Randolph, of Randolph, aged 9 years, died of tetanus Sunday night.

RAST, "Child" - The three-year-old child of Mr. Frank Rast, of the 5th district, died Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock of congestion, after an illness of about six hours, and was buried Sunday morning at West Union church.

RAY, JOE LINDSEY - Joe Lindsey Ray, 55, retired employee of the state of Tennessee, died Friday morning at his home after a short illness. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Maley-Yarbrough Funeral Home in Covington with burial in Covington Memorial Gardens. A member of Leigh's Chapel Methodist Church and Woodlawn Masonic Lodge No. 211, he was a Shriner and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite. Ray, the husband of Mary Roark Ray, also leaves a daughter, Mrs. Lynn Puffenbarger of Jacksonville, N.C.; two sons, Kelley Joe Ray and Robert Anthony Ray, both of Covington; a stepdaughter, Kathy Copeland of Memphis; a brother, George Dewey Ray Jr. of Covington and four grandchildren. (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Saturday, September 8, 1990)

RAY, ROBERT "Bob" L. - Mr. R. L. Ray, who made his home on the J. E. Walker place in the neighborhood of Locust Bluff, died of pneumonia at 11 o'clock Thursday night, after an illness of nearly three weeks, and was buried in the Townsend graveyard at 12 o'clock Saturday, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. J. E. Miles. The deceased was about 38 years of age, and is survived by his wife and four children.

The sad privilege devolves upon me this morning to chronicle the death of Robert L. Ray, which occurred at his home near Covington, Tipton county, Tennessee, January 24, 1918. Mr. Ray was born in Lauderdale county, on July 14, 1880. The duration of his sickness was 17 days, the cause of his death being pneumonia. Robert Ray was a quiet, unassuming young man of many sterling qualities which go into the make-up of splendid manhood and upright citizenship. He leaves to mourn his untimely death a faithful wife and four children; also a mother and two sisters. He was a kind and devoted husband, a tender and loving father and a staunch citizen. The loss of such a man as Robert is not only a loss to his family, but a loss to the community in which he lived. Written by Mattie Frederick.

RAY, RUTH DOUGLASS - Ruth Douglass, aged three years and nine months, daughter of Mr. D. D. Ray, of Millington, who was visiting in the home of Mr. P. B. Stafford, died of congestion of the brain Monday night. Her remains were shipped Tuesday morning to Millington and the burial took place at West Union graveyard.

RAYNER, MRS. - Mrs. Rayner, aged 83 years, died of paralysis at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Parker, of the Mt. Carmel vicinity. Monday morning at 1:30 o'clock, after an illness of several months. Her burial took place at Mt. Carmel the same afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

RICE, DAN - Dan Rice, a well-known colored man, died at his home in this city Sunday morning. He had been in feeble health for 12 months previous.

RICE, JAMES N. - Mr. James N. Rice, one of the oldest citizens of the county and a veteran of the Confederacy, died at the home of his son, Mr. D. B. Rice, four miles southwest of this city, at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning. Mr. Rice had been a sufferer from paralysis for nearly three years, and had been constantly confined to his room for six months. He was a native of Virginia, in which state he was born August 16, 1836, but had been a resident of this county since childhood. He had been a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church since childhood, and was a consistent Christian man, a highly respected and useful citizen. Mr. Rice had for many years prior to his illness been engaged in the making of the well known clay pipe bearing his name. He is survived by two sons and three daughters. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Kelly, the burial occurring today at Munford cemetery.

RICE, PETER REV. - Rev. Peter Rice, colored, formerly of the 10th district of this county, died at Batesville, Ark., Saturday, and his remains were brought back to this county and buried at Salem graveyard, Sunday. Rice was a Baptist minister and was 42 years of age.

RICHARDSON, "Infant" - The infant child of Mr. John Richardson, of the Detroit neighborhood, died Monday morning.

RICHARDSON, URA - (Birth abt. 1895 - 10-1-1923) - Mrs. Ura Richardson, beloved wife of John Richardson, died Monday, Oct. 1, 1923, aged 29 years. She was a good Christian woman a member of the M. E. Church at Elmer Grove. She told her husband she was ready to go but was praying to stay with him and the children if it was the Lord’s will. She leaves her husband, six small children, father, mother, three brothers and five sisters to mourn their loss. Weep not dear ones but get right with God and meet dear Ura at the right hand of God. Pray for the loved ones. Funeral was conducted by Bro. A. G. Melton, of Atoka, Tenn. Written by a friend. (Josie Rogers)

(Newspaper Unknown - Submitted by Leslie Roane and Susan Krall)

RICHARDSON, WILLIAM LEBBEUS - Hon. William Lebbeus Richardson died at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. John J. Crowder, four miles east of Brownsville, at 8:30 o'clock, Saturday evening. Mr. Richardson's death was due to a paralytic stroke from which he had been a sufferer at intervals for five years. The burial took place at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery six miles east of Brownsville at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, the funeral being conducted by Rev. B. J. Russell, of Brownsville, assisted by Rev. W. A. Freeman, of Paris, Tenn. The deceased was born in Haywood county and his long and useful life of 78 years, was spent not a great distance from where he breathed his last. He is survived by two sons, Mr. J. L. Richardson, of this city, Dr. J. A. Richardson of Seymour, Tex., and by two daughters, Mrs. J. J. Crowder and Mrs. C. L. Curlin, both of Haywood county. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Capt. Hamilton Cotter's company and was afterwards lieutenant and commissary man in the 38th Tennessee infantry, provost marshal in Wright's brigade and commander of infirmary corps. He was wounded in the battle of Perryville, Ky., on October 8, 1862, was captured, kept in prison in Louisville, Ky., two months, but was exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 23, 1862. Upon his discharge on May 28, 1864, he returned to his home. Mr. Richardson professed religion and joined the Methodist church at Zion on the Brownsville circuit in August, 1852, but afterwards moved his membership to Chestnut Grove and had been a member of that congregation continuously since. He had served his church in every capacity, had conducted more funeral services than many preachers and was one of its most prominent laymen. He was often called upon by ministers beyond his home limits to assist in revival meetings and was a leader in revival songs. Mr. Richardson served two terms acceptably in the state legislature. He was county tax assessor of his county at one time also was a teacher for many years. His wife, who was Miss Amanda Jane McMurray, preceded him to the grave 12 years.

RINGSTAFF, H. L. - Mr. H. L. Ringstaff, a well-known and prominent citizen of the 3rd district, died of cancer at his home in the vicinity of Detroit on Wednesday of last week at noon, after a long illness and his burial occurred in Elm Grove graveyard the day following at 1 o'clock. Mr. Ringstaff was a member of the Methodist Church, was 56 years of age at the time of his death and is survived by his wife, one son and four daughters. He was a useful citizen and a good man and his death is much deplored in his community.

ROACH, BRYSON EARL JR. - MUNFORD - Bryson Earl Roach Jr., 72, retired farmer, died Friday at Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton in Covington after a short illness. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Munford Funeral Home with burial in Helen Crigger Cemetery. He was a member of Wright's Assembly of God Church. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Jean Salmon of Brighton and Mrs. Bonnie Needham of Drummonds; a son, Robert Roach of Munford; two sisters, Mrs. Lois Cothran of Burlison and Mrs. Sue Rice of Covington; three brothers, Conway Roach of Covington, Dupree Roach of Burlison and Norris Roach of Wisconsin, four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

ROACH, DAN - Mr. Dan Roach died at his home in the 3rd district Monday morning of pneumonia, after an illness of about eight days, and was buried the day following at Elm Grove.

ROANE, JAMES W. - It is our sad duty to record the death of Dr. James W. Roane, formerly of this county, but for the past several years a citizen of Wilmar, Ark. Dr. Roane died Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary Roane, in the vicinity of Mountcarmel. He came to his old home on the 13th from Memphis, where he had been under the care of some eminent physicians of that city since the 4th of the present month, but failed to receive any relief. He had Bright's disease, from which he had been suffering about eighteen months, and for the past three months his health had failed rapidly and his suffering was most intense since his arrival at his old home. The funeral took place yesterday morning and the remains were buried at Clopton. Dr. Roane's wife was sent for when the family realized that death was approaching, but she did not arrive until Wednesday evening. Dr. Roane was the eldest son of the late Dr. T. W. Roane and was thirty-three years old last June. He was educated at the Mountcarmel academy and after completing his literary course studied medicine. After graduating at the Memphis Medical College he practiced for a year or more in this county. Dr. Roane moved five years or more ago to Wilmar, Ark., where he afterward married. He had succeeded in building up a good practice and a useful and prosperous life seemed to be before him. It had been decreed otherwise and he was cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness. Dr. Roane was a genial, sociable man and easily made friends who were drawn to him by his open hearted generous nature. He joined the Presbyterian church at Mountcarmel about ten years ago, but when he moved to Arkansas connected himself with the Methodist church, in which he was an active worker and was president of the local Epworth League of his church at the time of his death. His wife, child and relatives will receive the sympathy of many friends in their sad bereavement.

ROBERTS, DOLLY - The sad death of Dolly, aged seven years, the bright and promising daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Roberts, of this city, occurred at their home Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Congestion was the cause of her death and she had only been sick since the Friday morning preceding. The burial occurred in Munford cemetery Monday morning at 10 o'clock, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. Robert A. Clark, assisted by Rev. M. R. Gibson. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of all who knew them in their sad bereavement.

ROBERTSON, HUMPHREY MRS. - The wife of Humphrey Robertson, colored, who lives in the Pres Harmon place near Atoka, died suddenly from heart trouble Sunday afternoon.

ROBINSON, PEARLIE MAE - COVINGTON - Mrs. Pearlie Mae Robinson, 63, died Sunday at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Covington, where she was a member, with burial in Townsend Cemetery. Mason (Tenn.) Funeral Home has charge. Mrs. Robinson, the widow of W. C. Robinson, leaves a daughter, Ms. Eva Doris Robinson of Covington; two sons, John Robinson of Brighton and W. C. Robinson Jr. of Covington; two sisters, Ms. Annie Ruth Adams and Mrs. Dorothy Adams Barr, both of Covington; seven brothers, James Adams, Jimmy Adams, Lawrence Adams, M. V. Adams and Melvin Adams, all of Covington, George Adams of Boston and Floyd Adams of Moscow, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

RODGERS, "Child" - A deplorable accident happened a few miles east of Mason Saturday afternoon. The nine-year-old son of Jesse Rodgers, a prosperous farmer of Mason, was instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of his brother, aged 12. The boys were out hunting rabbits, alone, when the accident occurred, and on account of the grief and fright of the elder brother the details are very meager. The Rodgers family is very highly connected in Memphis and throughout West Tennessee, R. E. (Uncle Bob) Rodgers being one of the pioneer settlers and a farmer of the old school, who has made money with progressive farming methods.

ROE, JOHN D. Jr. - Born 2/5/1881 - Died 8/6/1965 - Burlison - John D. Roe Jr., 66, retired security guard at Fort Pillow Prison, died Thursday at Tipton County Memorial Hospital in Covington. Services at 2:30 p.m. today at Walnut Grove Baptist Church near Covington; burial in Munford Cemetery there. Maley Funeral Home of Covington. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Susie B. (Boswell) Roe; a daughter Mrs. Darrel Black of Covington; his mother, Mrs. Kate Lee Roe of Burlison, and seven sisters, Mrs. Lois Erwin, Mrs. (Irene) Floyd Dotson Butler, Mrs. (Virginia) Everette Wilson, Mrs. (Sarah) Fallon Bradshaw, and Mrs. (Ruth) Billy Kelley, all of Burlison, and Mrs. (Murna) Ashley Roberts and Mrs. (Mary Kate) Garner Wilson, both of Covington.

(The Commercial Appeal, Memphis - Submitted by Susan Krall and Leslie Roane)

ROE, KATE LEE STREET - May 24, 1884 - Aug. 27, 1975 - BURLISON - Mrs. Kate Lee Street Roe, 91, widow of John D. Roe, died Wednesday at Tipton County Memorial Hospital in Covington, Services at 3 p.m. today at Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Covington; burial in Shiloh Cemetery near Garland. Maley Funeral Home of Covington. She leaves seven daughters, Mrs. Ashley Roberts and Mrs. Garner Wilson, both of Covington, and Mrs. Louise Erwin, Mrs. Dotson Butler, Mrs. Everett Wilson, Mrs. Fallon Bradshaw and Mrs. Billy Kelley, all of Burlison, and two sisters, Mrs. Joe Sims of Memphis and Mrs. Lucy Wilson of Covington.

(Newspaper Unknown - Submitted by Susan Krall and Leslie Roane)

ROGERS, "Child" - The little son of Mr. W. M. Rogers, of the Detroit neighborhood, died Monday. The child's death resulted from a serious burn about two weeks before. The little boy was sitting at the table and in some way turned a cup of boiling coffee over, the coffee running down its neck and body, frightfully burning it. His burial took place at Smyrna Tuesday.

ROGERS, "Infant" - Pleasant Union Notes - A very sad misfortune happened at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Rogers Friday afternoon when their little daughter, aged 11 months and 28 days, burned to death. Mrs. Rogers was out in the yard washing when the accident occurred. It lived only a short while.

2nd article appearing in same paper: The little year-old child of Mrs. Vivian Rogers, of the Barretville vicinity, was burned to death Friday afternoon about 4 o'clock. The child's parents had stepped out of the house for a moment, we are told, when it crawled too close up to the fire place, its clothes were ignited and before either parent could reach its side the baby was burned almost into a crisp and died in a short time afterward. The burial occurred at Mudville church Saturday afternoon.

ROGERS, MAHALIA - Mrs. Mahalia Rogers died at her home in the vicinity of Rosemark, Tuesday, and was buried at Pleasant Union Cemetery the same day. Rev. W. H. Millen conducting the funeral service. Mrs. Rogers was a member of Richland Associate Reformed Presbyterian church and was an excellent Christian woman. She was about seventy-two years old.

ROSE, JAMES - Mr. James Rose died at his home at Gilt Edge Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock of malarial hematuria, after an illness of only a few days, and his burial occurred at Ravenscroft burial ground at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. S. R. Forbess. The large concourse of people attending the funeral and the universal sorrow expressed over his passing away attest the high esteem in which he was held by the people of his vicinity. He was 23 years of age and a member of the Methodist church. The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. D. Baker, of the 4th district, and a brother, Mr. Talley Rose, of this city.

ROSE, LOUISE - Louise, two-year-old daughter of Mr. Walter Rose, of the Holly Grove neighborhood, died of pneumonia at 7 o'clock Friday morning and was buried in the Indian Creek graveyard Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. G. W. Geans conducting the funeral services. (The Covington Leader, Thursday, February 1, 1917)

ROSE, S. M. - Mr. S. M. Rose, of the 2nd district, who underwent an operation in one of the Memphis hospitals, died there Sunday and his remains were brought to Brighton the same night and then were carried to Indian Creek burial ground, where the burial occurred at 11 o'clock Monday morning, Rev. T. Riley Davis conducting the funeral services. Mr. Rose was a consistent member of the Baptist church, was a good Christian man and and excellent citizen and his death is deeply regretted by all who know him. He is survived by his wife and a large family of children.

RUFFIN, GUS-ELIA GARTH - Mr. J. S. Ruffin received a message from Memphis Friday night informing him of the death of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Gus-Elia Garth Ruffin, aged 35 years, wife of Mr. Robert Ruffin, which occurred in that city that evening at 6:10 o'clock. Mrs. Ruffin survived by her husband and two children, also by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Garth of Courtland, Ala. Mrs. Ruffin had spent practically all of her life in Memphis, residing prior to her marriage, some 15 years ago, with Dr. and Mrs. Gus Thornton.

Mr. J. S. Ruffin and wife and son, Mr. Will Ruffin, Capt. D. W. Ruffin and Mr. Thomas Ruffin attended the funeral Mrs. Robert Ruffin in Memphis Sunday.

RUFFIN, WILLIAM F. Jr., - William F. Ruffin Jr., 73, owner of a theater and a vending service, died Sunday of complications from cancer at Tennessee Veterans Home in Murfreesboro. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church of Covington, where he was a deacon, with burial in Munford Cemetery. Maley-Yarbrough Funeral Home has charge. He was president of Ruffin Amusement Co. and Major Vending Co. of Covington and was president and a board member of Theater Owners of America. He was past district commander of American Legion and 40 & 8, past president of Covington Lions Club and Exchange Club and a life member of the Shriners and Scottish Rite. He served on the Community Development Board and Board of Zoning Appeals and was instrumental in industrial recruiting and development in the Covington vicinity. He was a major in the Tennessee Defense Force. Mr. Ruffin, the husband of Barbara Mitchell Ruffin, also leaves three daughters, Barbara R. Pate of Savannah, and Karen Calloway and Rebecca Woodruff, both of Shelbyville, three grandchildren and a step grandchild. The family requests any memorials be sent to American Cancer Society.