Granny's Obituaries

REID, NEWMAN [18 Dec 1949] Newman Reid Dies At Home Saturday Services were held Monday, December 19th, at Sand Hill Baptist Church near Gleason for Newman Reid, 63, who died Sunday at his home near Gleason. Rev. Cayce Pentecost and Rev. Porter officiated with burial in the church cemetery. Mr. Reid was a farmer and had lived most of his life in Weakley County. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Claude Bowers of Gleason and four sons, Billy, Johnnie and Arzie of Lansing and Duane of Dresden. 

ROACH, TENNIE ROSALIE Former Carroll County Resident Dies At Home in Oklahoma Mrs. Tennie Rosalia Roach, who was born in Atwood, died Sunday, March 4th, at city hospital in her home town of Okmulgee, Okla., which has been her home since ‘02. Her husband, R. P. Roach, died there 20 years ago. Mrs. Walker was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William R. Walker of Trezevant and sister of J. R. and W. T. Walker who still live at Trezevant. Other survivors are a daughter, Miss Bertie Roach and a son, Chas. Roach, both of Oakmulgee; another son, Thomas Roach, also of Oklahoma, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Chapel of the funeral home there, and burial was in Okmulgee cemetery. 

ROBERTSON, CHESTER W. Brother of Mrs. Buford Dinkins Dies at Bruceton Chester W. Robertson, 54, of Bruceton, died Tuesday, July 20, at the St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, after a few hours’ illness. He was a car repairer for the N. C. & St. L. R. R. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jewel Robertson; three sons, Tech. Sgt. Harold Robertson, of Tampa, Fla., Tech. Sgt. Bob Robertson of Dow Air Force Base, Bangor, Maine; Douglass Ribertson, 2 C-3, stationed at sea with the navy; his mother, Mrs. T. J. Robertson of Martin; six sisters, Mrs. Bessie Dinkins of McKenzie; Mrs. Bertie Cox of Detroit; Mrs. Anne Gibbons of St. Louis; Mrs. Ruby Whitehorn of Martin; Mrs. Gertie Bennett of Martin; Mrs. Imogene Holladay of Bruceton. 

ROBERTSON, LUCY Mrs. Robertson Dies After Long Illness Services for Mrs. Lucy Robertson, 80, who died after a long illness at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Olin Albin on Greenfield Rd., were held Thurs. at 10:30 a. m. at the Methodist Church in McKenzie. The Rev. E. A. Phillips officiated and burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Mrs. Robertson had made her home with her daughter here for a number of years, her husband having preceded her in death 20 years ago. Survivors include three sons, Barney and Charlie Robertson, and Gordon Jones, a son by a former marriage, all of Detroit, Michigan; three daughters, Mrs. Olin Albin, McKenzie; Mrs. Grady Pate, Henry, Tenn.; Mrs. Earl Veavins, Waterville, Minn.; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

RODGERS, PHILLIP S. P. S. Rodgers Dead One of McKenzie’s Oldest Citizens Passed Away. "Uncle" Phillip S. Rodgers died at the home of his son, J. C. Rodgers, in McKenzie, last Friday morning at two o’clock. The death was caused principally from old age and ills incident thereto. However, he had suffered a slight stroke of paralysis. He would have been 86 years old at his next birthday, January 22. The deceased was born in North Carolina, but came to this state when twelve years old, and spent his entire life here, his home being in the Third district of this county, near Concord church. When a young man he married Miss Rebecca Dudley who survives him. To them were born quite an interesting family of children. Besides his wife he is survived by four sons, J. C., J. D., R. L., and P. A. Rodgers and three daughters, Mrs. J. D. Redick, Mrs. A. C. H. McCollum and Mrs. Will E. Cox. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Martha Payne, who is 84 years old and Mrs. Margaret McCracken, who is in her 81st year. "Uncle" Phillip Rodgers was a true, noble man. We have known him ever since we can remember, and we never heard an unkind word spoken against him. He was a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, loyal to his Christ and true to his fellow man. He was a fine citizen, a good neighbor and a true friend. He lived a useful life and was ready to go. The burial occurred Saturday at Pilgrims Rest after funeral services conducted by Rev. Wm. Thorne and Rev. O. C. Cude. The services were under the auspices of the Masonic order. 

RODGERS, PORTER S. Porter S. Rodgers Died at Jackson February 20 Porter S. Rogers died very suddenly at his home in Jackson on his 72st birthday, Feb. 20. The funeral service was held at 10 o’clock Thursday at the Griffin Funeral Home in Jackson. Mr. Rodgers is survived by his wife, Mary Mitchell Rodgers, one son, Phillip S. Rodgers, of Jackson, two sisters, Mrs. Callie McCollum, Jackson and Mrs. Will Cox, near McKenzie, a number of nieces and nephews, some of whom live in McKenzie and Carroll County. Mrs. Rodgers’ sisters living in McKenzie are Mrs. Carrie M. Baker, Mrs. Maggie E. Donnell and Mrs. Elizabeth Reddick. 

RODGERS, REBECCA Mrs. Rebecca Rodgers Aged Woman Died Suddenly Tuesday at McKenzie. The Democrat last week contained an account of the death of "Uncle" Phillip Rodgers of McKenzie which occurred Friday November 10. Last Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock Mrs. Rebecca Rodgers, his faithful wife, died very suddenly. Only eleven days had elapsed since her devoted husband had passed into the great beyond, her despondency and enfeebled condition of health no doubt caused heart trouble the immediate cause of her death. The deceased was 72 years old, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and a [torn] devoted wife and mother. She is survived by four sons and [torn] daughters. The burial occurred Wednesday at Pilgrims Rest after appropriate funeral and burial services. 

RODGERS, VIOLA In commemoration of the character and achievement of one of our former number, known in McKenzie as Viola Rodgers, who on Sunday, February 24, 1946, at 5:30 p.m., at the age of 35 years and 24 days, in the Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., submitted with characteristic courage and fortitude to the inevitable law of nature, the common lot of man, had passed to that "borne from which no traveler returns." It is but human to mourn the dead when the messenger of inscrutable providence unerringly summons one both near and dear to fulfill eternal destiny, hearts that remain are bowed down with sorrow and emotion. In her blood ran the essence of humanitarianism blended with love and patience. As a woman she lived simply but richly. She thought clearly and without prejudice. She was modest and unassuming. She served justice and spoke no evil. She filled to an extraordinary degree those ideals and traditions that are engendered by the sacred institution of the school room. Her life was a life of sacrifice, being more interested in her people and friends than herself. She was interested in all who were seeking an education without any means to pursue their way. When she had finished her premedical course at Vanderbilt University, she felt that she could meet her expenses and she gave up her scholarship in order that others might receive that chance that she had enjoyed. Saying that others needed it worse than she did, feeling that it wasn’t right to ask it further. She knew how vain it is to try to gild a grief with words, and yet she wished to take from every grave its sorrow. Here in this world where life and death are equal kings, all should be brave enough to meet what all have met. From the wonderous tree of life the buds and blossoms fall with the ripened fruit and in the common bed of earth patriarchs and babies sleep side by side. Why should we grieve about that which will come to all? That is, we can not tell, we do not know which is the greater blessing, life or death. We can not say that death is not good. We know that death is the end of this life and the door through which we pass to begin another. We know that the night here is somewhere else a dawn. She often wondered which is the more fortunate, the child dying in its mother’s arms before its lips have learned to form a word or he who journey all the length of life’s uneven road, painfully taking the last slow steps with staff and crutch. She had not passed on life’s highway, the stone that marked the highest point, but being weary for the moment she lay down by the wayside and using her burden for a pillow, she fell into that dreamless sleep that kissed down her eyelids still. While yet glowing sweetly in love with life and ruptured with the world, she passed to silent and pathetic dust. Yet after all, it may be the best, just in the happiest, sunniest hour of all the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash against the unseen rock, and in an instant hear the billows roar a sunken ship. For whether in mid seas or among the breakers of the further shore, a wreck must mark at last the end of each and all. And every life, no matter if its very hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with a joy, will become as sad as can be woven of the warp and woof of mystery and death. Viola was a brave and tender woman, in in every storm of life, she was rock and oak, but in sunshine, she was love and flower. It may be that death gives all that is of worth to life. If those who pass and strain against our hearts could never die, perhaps that love would wither from the earth. Another life would be 

RORIE, HELEN NANCY [D. 14 Dec 1948-Brummitt Funeral Home] Mrs. Helen Nancy Rorie Mrs. Helen Nancy Rorie, age 85 years, died on Tuesday morning, December 14th at her home here in McKenzie. She was the mother of Mrs. R. E. Spivy of McKenzie, Mrs. W. F. Nall of McKenzie, Mrs. C. L. Pemberton of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and Mrs. Joe C. Tharp of Paris, Tennessee. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Will Stephenson of Van Vart, Arkansas. Services were at 10:30 on Wednesday morning at the Brummitt Funeral Home. Rev. Paul Lyles officiated. The burial was at the Henry Cemetery. Mrs. Rorie was a member of the McKenzie Methodist Church and of the Eastern Star.

RORIE, JANE [D. 04 Aug 1943-Brummitt Funeral Home] Five Generations Buried Side By Side at Old Union Mrs. Jane Rorie, 82 Died August 4th at Home Of Brother Mrs. Jane Rorie, 82, well-known and beloved citizen of McKenzie, died at the home of her brother, J. L. Thomason on Magnolia street last Wednesday afternoon August 4, 1943. She was the widow of the late Dr. Arn Rorie who died several years ago. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Rorie has been making her home for the most of the time with her brothers, Mr. R. F. Thomason of near Verdell Store and Mr. J. L. Thomason of McKenzie. Mrs. Rorie came of the good, substantial pioneer stock who were the early settlers of this section, and was a woman of many fine traits of character. She had an overflow of sympathy for the suffering and needy about her and spent much time in ministering to them in kindly deeds. She also was a great lover of birds and domes tic animals, showing kindness to them whenever opportunity presented itself. Funeral services were held in Old Union Church near her old home last Friday with the Rev. Geo. L. Johnson of McKenzie conducting the service, using for his text "This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." (Acts 9:36.) Her body was laid to rest in the family lot of Old Union cemetery by the side of her great grandfather, Joseph Thomason; her grandfather, Richard Thomason; her father, Richman Thomason and her child that died in infancy. Five generation side by side is exceedingly unusual, but it symbolizes a family trait of unity and affection quite notice able among her people a beautiful thing that all of us might well imitate. Surviving her are three brothers, R. L. Thomason who lives at the old home, J. L. Thomason of McKenzie, and J. S. Thomason of Cairo, Illinois; also the following nephews and one niece; Joe and Fred Thomason of Knoxville, Tenn., Lane and Richman Thomason of McKenzie and Mrs. Thomason of Cairo; Edwin Cladue Edgar of Nashville. 

ROSS, DEE [HARDER] [D. 01 Aug 1949-Brummitt Funeral Home] Obituary of Dee H. Ross Dee Harder Ross was born in Chapel Hill community September 6, 1878. He was the second son and the third child of the late Charlie Melvin and Lucy Harder Ross. Mr. Ross attended grade school at Chapel Hill and upon completion of studies there, attended Macedonia School. For his college work he enrolled at the Southern Normal University at Huntingdon, Tennessee, receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1900 in the commercial department. He received his Bachelor of Science from this institution in 1904. He then did more work at Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tennessee, where he secured his Bachelor of Science in the scientific courses. After the completion of his college work he accepted a position with the James C. Bailey Studio of Chicago for several years. His territory included all of the section of Northern, Mississippi. He later taught school for a number of years in Water Valley, Miss. He returned to Tennessee and purchased his farm in the Liberty church community. He taught school at Fields school for a few years, beginning in 1912. He devoted his time and energy to farming, his orchards, terracing his soil, church work, politics and following baseball. In the late thirties he worked for the A. A. A. Farm Program and for a couple of years duethe war he worked at the Wolf Creek Ordinance Plant. He was married to Miss Betty T. Aainer of Pickins, Miss., August 17, 1917. To this union four daughters were born; Gertrude, Alice, Georgia and Betty Lou. He is survived by all with the exception of Gertrude. She died in 1928 at the age of nine. He is survived by four sisters. He has one brother, P. A. Ross, deceased, and also one sister, Mrs. J. C. McGay. He leaves a great number of nieces and nephews and two grandchildren. He was an active member of Liberty Methodist church where he was a Sunday School teacher for 25 years. He was active in the Farm Bureau and also as a magistrate in the Carroll county court during his several terms. Mr. Ross was accidentally killed August 1, 1949 at the age of 71. His pallbearers were: Mr. Edd Williams, Mr. Jim Bevil, Mr. Blake Milam, Dr. Ross Mi lam, Mr. Cleve Reynolds and Mr. D. C. Toombs. The officiating ministers were Rev. Paul Lyles, Rev. E. A. Phillips and Rev. H. C. Cooper. Out-of-town attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. R. G. McCollum, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Clint Williams and son, Whiting, Indiana; Mrs. Hugh Hunter, Ashland City, Tennessee; Mrs. Lucille Forner, Moon Lake, Mississippi; Mr. W. B. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John Emery Aylor, Mrs. Betty Lou Allison, Mrs. T. P. Hughes, Miss Nellie Benil and Mr. Charles Lankford of Memphis; Mr. C. A. Johnson, Mr. James Rainer, Greenville, Miss.; Mr. Otho Rainer, Rubinille, Miss.; Mr. And Mrs. Bailey Harder, Little Rock, Arkansas; Dr. Ross Mi lam, Henderson, Tenn.; Mr. Blake Milam, Mr. and Mrs. George Hobbs, Mr. William Barbam, Huntingdon and Mrs. A. O. Milam, Henry, Tennessee. Brummitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

ROSS, DEE HARDER [D. 01 Aug 1949-Brummitt Funeral Home] Run-a-way Team Causes Death of McKenzie Farmer Dee H. Ross, well-known McKenzie farmer, lost his life Monday when he fell from a wagon with hay. On descending a hill with the load of hay, Mr. Ross was thrown from the top of the load and caught for a second on the brake standard. At this the team became frightened and ran down the hill and Mr. Ross was thrown under the wagon wheels. Born in Carroll County, Mr. Ross had lived there all his life except for a number of years when he taught school in Miss. He was one of the first farmers in his community to specialize in raising pecans, Japanese plums, raspberries and cultivated blackberries. He was a member of the Car roll County Farm Bureau and at the time of his death had served 10 years as magistrate of Carroll County Court. He was 68. Mr. Ross leaves his wife, Mrs. Betty Ross of McKenzie; three daughters, Mrs. John E. Aylor, Mrs. Betty Allison of Memphis and Mrs. E. E. Law son of Van Nuys, California; four sisters and two grand children. Services were held at 3 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at Shilo Church, with the Rev. E. A. Phillips and the Rev. Paul Lyles officiating. Burial was in Shilo cemetery with Brummitt’s in charge of arrangements. 

ROSSER, JEFF T. [D 27 Dec 1915] Jeff T. Rosser, aged 55 years, died Monday evening, Dec. 27, at 8:30 o’clock of pneumonia at his home in Wildersville. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters, the children all grown. The three Rosser brothers Jeff, Jim and Paley married three sisters, the Misses Blount, [torn] was a member of the [torn] church and one of the best [torn] The remains are interred at the Jones graveyard one and a half miles from Wildersville. 

RUMMAGE, SALLIE [Carroll County Democrat, Friday, January 7, 1916] Mrs. Sallie Rummage Mrs. Sallie Rummage, wife of George W. Rummage, died at her home in Trezevant early Monday morning of last week, after a brief illness of la grippe, aged about 58 years. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church and much beloved by a large circle of friends. She is survived by her husband, one son, J. Norman Rum mage, a merchant of Trezevant, and two sisters, Mrs. Henderson Glover and Miss Lou Quinn, and a brother, Joseph Quinn, of Texas. Elder E. F. Adams, her pastor, conducted funeral services from the Baptist church, and the interment took place in the city cemetery. Mrs. Rummage was an excellent, Christian woman and held in high esteem by every body who knew her.