Obituaries

Oct 24, 2023

Lawrence Bennett “Ben” Varnell, age 85, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at his farm in Decatur, TN.

He was a lifelong resident of Decatur, TN, where he touched many lives through his selfless love and generosity to others. His dedication to his faith and family will leave an...

Oct 19, 2023

Doris Ann Wydler Rittershaus, age 83, of Ten Mile, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

She was a daughter of the late Ralph and Ethel Cooper Wydler. She enjoyed canning and collecting antiques. She was a die-hard Boston Red Soxs and New England Patriots fan.

She is preceded in death by her husband: William...

Oct 11, 2023

Dorotha Elberta Broadway, 86, of Ten Mile, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Elberta was born to the late Elbert Monroe Trew and Edna Mae Enix, in Ten Mile, Tennessee on February 16, 1937. Elberta’s mother, being a widow, remarried in 1942 to William Sam Edgemon, and the family moved...

Oct 7, 2023

Carl Richard Mason, age 92, born in Sweetwater, TN, resident of Meigs County for over 80 years, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

He was a son of the late Claude and Ethel Crowder Mason. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175, Chattanooga, TN, a 1949...

Oct 3, 2023

Roy Cowan Ashley, III, age 83, of Smyrna, TN and formerly of Decatur, passed away on Tuesday, October 03, 2023 in Brentwood, TN.

He was a son of the late Roy C. Ashley, Sr and Willie Mae Mckenzie Ashley. Roy was of the Baptist faith. Roy worked for the State of Tennessee in the division of Forestry...

Sep 28, 2023

Margaret T. Shoemake Rigsby, age 77, of Spring City, TN, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023. She is preceded by her parents: Charlie and Thula Bush Shoemake; children: Kenneth Wayne Rigsby, Larry Carrol Rigsby; siblings: Melba Faye Brown, Charles Larry Shoemake. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)...

Sep 23, 2023

Christopher Shane Allen, age 52, of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Shane was of the Baptist faith and a 1989 graduate of Meigs County High School. He enjoyed collecting antiques, especially family heirlooms, and woodworking. He had many friends who were there for him, especially during his time of need. He valued all the...

Sep 19, 2023

Nathan Hughes, age 74, of Decatur, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

He was a son of the late Claude and Mildred McElhaney Hughes. He attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He enjoyed working on and driving corvettes and going to the dragstrip.

He was preceded in death by the mother of his child: Gladys...

Sep 17, 2023

Joan Evelyn Bowie Menard, age 80, of Ten Mile, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. Joan was born on June 21, 1943 in Lewiston, Maine to the late Clifford and Evelyn Bowie. She graduated from Lisbon High School in 1961. She began her nursing career, graduating from Central Maine School...

Sep 13, 2023

Robert Henry Swift, age 65, of Dayton, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

If you knew him, you knew just how much he loved his girls, his grand babies, and all of his family so much. He was hardworking and lived to help others. He could fix anything and loved doing yard work. He loved rock...

Sep 9, 2023

Joyce Sue Wamble Sistrunk, age 85, of Ten Mile, TN, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was a daughter of the late Rubin Bryant and Frankie Viola Tunnell Wamble. She will be greatly missed for her loving and playful sense of humor. She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years: Frank...

Sep 7, 2023

Wilma Jean Powell Bandy, age 81, of Decatur, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

She was a daughter of the late Richard and Nora Hale Powell. She was a member of Five Point Baptist Church and loved her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years: Bill Bandy; great-grandson: Jaxon Babbino; siblings: Mildred, Floyd, Lloyd, Harold, Lorene,...

Sep 7, 2023

James Doyle Womac, Sr., age 82, of Decatur, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

James was the son of the late Tommie and Burley Helton Womack. He enjoyed mowing lawns, working on small engines, and watching his farm animals.

He is preceded by his parents; Wife: Wanda Womac; Son: James Doyle Womac, Jr.; Sister:...

Sep 5, 2023

Charles Ray Rowland, age 81, of Calhoun, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. He was a son of the late C.L. and Lula Henry Rowland. Ray attended East View Chapel Church. He was preceded in death by his wife: Connie Rowland; his son: Darren Rowland. Survivors include his sons: Barry (Shelia) Rowland of Decatur, Monty (Connye) Rowland of Decatur;...

Aug 29, 2023

William Thomas “Tommy” Webb, age 72, of Decatur, TN, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

He loved to cook, fish, plant flowers, and loved his children most of all.

He is preceded by his parents: John Nelse and Della May Harris Webb; Brothers: Hubert, Charles, Nelse Jr., Robert, Albert, and J.W.; Sisters: Brenda Hester,...

Aug 22, 2023

William “Ross” Broadway, age 93, of Ten Mile, TN, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Ross was born to the late Charles “Hubert” and Ruby Broadway in Chattanooga, Tennessee on December 5, 1929. He graduated from Central High School and went on to serve our country in the U.S. Navy from September 20, 1948...

Aug 16, 2023

Jason Edward Masterton, age 52, of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. He is preceded in death by his father: Thomas Masterton He is survived by his mother: Susan Masterton, wife of 29 years: Karen Gardner Masterton; children: Jeffrey (Cierra) Cole, Robert (Rachel) Cole, Courtney Monaghan, Brittany Cathcart; siblings: Stephen Masterton, Tracey Masterton; several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other...

Aug 14, 2023

Ivan Richard Bassett, age 71, of Decatur, formally a resident of Sacramento, CA, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023. He loved spending time with his friends and family, fishing, farming, gardening, and lending a helping hand. He was a hard worker and lived his life for his children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father: Franklin...

Aug 8, 2023

Phyllis Hutsell Jarvis, age 84, a resident of Chattanooga and a native of Meigs County, passed away on August 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

Phyllis was a daughter of the late Fred H. and Bonnie Norton Hutsell. She was a member of the Brainerd Baptist Church for 62 years, she retired from Huffaker...

Aug 5, 2023

John Gates Sterchi, age 69, of Ten Mile, TN, passed away due to a tragic accident at his home on August 5, 2023. He was born in Knoxville on February 24, 1954, and attended Chilhowee Elementary School, Holston High School (Class of 1972), and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in...