The Commercial Appeal Memorials and Obituaries

All Memorials and Obituaries (6115)

West Memphis, Arkansas Noah Sylvester "Ness" Sechrest 1933 — 2024 Noah Sylvester Sechrest, a beloved father, grandfather, and respected community member, passed away peacefully on August 25th at the age of 90. Born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on September 17, 1933, Ness lived a life of dedication, service, and unwavering commitment to his family and community. Ness was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. His passion for sports led him to the University of Missouri and Arkansas State University where he played football. A natural leader, Ness served as president of his high school senior class and president of the ASU Student Government Association. He was also a distinguished member of the ROTC. After...

Memphis, Tennessee Bettye M. Howles 1934 — 2024 Bettye Miles Howles, 89, passed away on August 12, 2024, at her home in Cordova, TN. Born on September 24, 1934, in Cotton Plant, AR, Bettye was the beloved daughter of G. W. Miles and Carlvena Sapp. Bettye grew up in Memphis, TN, where she graduated from East High School and furthered her education at Memphis State University. On June 29, 1953, she married the love of her life, Joe Warde Howles Sr. Together they built a loving family and shared many joyous years until Joe's passing in 2007. Bettye devoted many years of service to the IRS where she was a leader in her department and made many close friends. Beyond her professional life, she was a devoted member of Bellevue Baptist Church....

Memphis, Tennessee Cordell Walker 1951 — 2024 Cordell Walker Loving Father, Friend, Advocate, and Public Figure January 7, 1951 - August 4, 2024 A Life Dedicated to Service. After more than 10 years of gallantly battling prostate cancer, Cordell peacefully transitioned from this life on a Sunday morning, August 4, 2024, with family members at his side. Cordell was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Priscilla Walker, who passed away in 2014. Cordell was born in Chicago, IL on January 7, 1951, the son of Blanche Walker of Chicago, IL. Cordell's journey began in Seattle, Washington, where he worked with the Vietnam relief program, helping expatriates assimilate to American life. It was during this time that he met the...

Memphis, Tennessee Ann Pridgen Bailey 1926 — 2024 Ann Elizabeth Pridgen Bailey, 97, went to be with the Lord July 24, 2024 in Memphis. Ann was born September 26, 1926 at 10:26 am in Memphis to the late Newton Allen Pridgen and Louise Roby Pridgen. She attended Normal Training School, Central High School, and Southwestern (Rhodes) College, graduating in 1947. In 1948 she married Edgar Hull Bailey, a marriage that lasted 64 years until Edgar passed away in 2012. Together they had three children, Scott Hull Bailey born in 1952, Kirk Pridgen Bailey born in 1955 and Elizabeth Paige Bailey (Phillips) born in 1959. Ann enjoyed a busy adult life raising children and supporting her husband in his business career but found time to serve as a member...

Olive Branch, Mississippi Mary Joceil Maness Pryor 1936 — 2024 Mary Joceil Maness Pryor, 88, of Memphis, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday July 24, 2024. She was born in Henderson County, Sardis, Tennessee, the daughter of Ervin and Zula Maness. Known by all as Joceil, she moved to Memphis with her late husband, Kenneth, where they worked and raised their family of three children. Joceil worked for Equitable life, retiring in 1998. She then went on to work for The Barnett Group, where she would remain until her final retirement in 2018. Joceil was a long time member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church where she leaves many friends and cherished memories. She was also a member of the Disciples Sunday School Class. In her free time,...

Memphis, Tennessee James Sturla Werkhoven 1923 — 2024 James Sturla (Jim, Jimmy) Werkhoven, better known to his family as Papa Jim, was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 20, 1923. He departed his earthly life peacefully on July 22, 2024, at age 101. Jimmy's educational journey led him to Immaculate Conception, formerly Catholic High School, and then to Christian Brothers High school, graduating in 1940 as the last class at the Adams Avenue facility. From there, for the next two years, he attended the new Christian Brothers College on Parkway, as we know it today. Next, it was on to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, prior to enlisting in the United States Naval Air Corps. Upon entering the Naval Air Corps, he became an instrument and...

Bartlett, Tennessee Winfred Douglas Nash, Sr. 1942 — 2024 Winfred Douglas Nash, Sr., age 81, of Bartlett, Tennessee went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 19, 2024. Doug was born in West Ridge, Arkansas on August 27, 1942 to the late Windfred and Lula Mae Nash. He graduated from White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee and later attended Draughon's Business College and the University of Memphis. After completing his education, he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and was self-employed in sales doing jewelry retail tradeshows and exhibits nationwide. He enjoyed playing golf and going to the movies. In his later years, he loved shooting pool with his friends at the Bartlett Recreation Center, but his main passion was spreading the...

Pawleys Island, South Carolina Mary Jo Karre 1951 — 2024 Mary Jo Karre, wife of Paul J. Karre and formerly of Memphis, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Born in Staten Island, NY, and daughter of the late George and Zion (Jospeh) Amann, Mary Jo leaves behind a legacy of strength, passion, and unwavering love for her family. For a complete obituary, please visit www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Memphis, Tennessee Ralph L. McDaniel 1946 — 2024 Ralph L. McDaniel, a beloved father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital, Germantown, Tennessee, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 77 years old. Ralph was born on September 11, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Deborah Metcalf McDaniel and Andrew McDaniel. He graduated from the State Technical Institute at Memphis (Southwest TN Community College) with an Electrical and Electronics Engineering associate degree. Ralph was married for eighteen years, and to that union, one daughter was born, Kristina Renee McDaniel, the love of his life. He was known for his generosity and willingness to help others. Ralph worked many double shifts at the Kellogg...

Memphis, Tennessee Ralph L. McDaniel 2024 Ralph L. McDaniel, a beloved father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital, Germantown, Tennessee, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 77 years old. Arrangements will be announced at a later time by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.

Germantown, Tennessee Jan Carol Schoemaker 1950 — 2024 Jan Carol Schoemaker, or Mimi as her grandchildren affectionately called her, passed away on July 1, 2024 at the age of 73. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Born on December 24, 1950 in Jackson, Tennessee, Jan had a lifelong love of the arts, which started at an early age. At Jackson High School she was the youngest student ever to win best actress of the year. She spent a year at The Washington School of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and performed in The Nutcracker with The Washington Ballet. She went on to graduate from National Cathedral School, also in Washington. She later earned her undergraduate degree from University of Oregon and her Master of...

Memphis, Tennessee Sophie Makris Sousoulas 1930 — 2024 Sophie Sousoulas of Memphis, TN. passed away on July 1, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. Sophie was born in Memphis on May 17, 1930 to Michael and Mary Makris. She graduated from the University of Memphis with degrees in Chemistry and Biology. At a time when the field of medical sciences was largely dominated by men, she was one of the few women in Tennessee to pursue a medical degree. She later became a lab assistant in Parasitology at the University of Tennessee department of Preventive Medicine. Sophie's consistent pursuit of knowledge and reverence for academia were character traits she carried with her throughout her life and were a defining part of her personality. In 1954, Sophie...

Sevierville, Tennessee Jack Nabors 2024 Jack Nabors, age 70 of Sevierville, TN (formerly of Memphis), died June 30, 2024. He previously worked in masonry and was a taxidermist. Online condolences at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com

Jonesboro, Arkansas Elizabeth H. Faulkner 1929 — 2024 Elizabeth "Freddie" Hersperger Faulkner Born September 3, 1928, passed on June 28, 2024 at St. Bernard Hospice, Jonesboro, AR. She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Hersperger, mother, Elizabeth Hersperger, and her husband, Roy Aaron Faulkner. She lived in Marion, AR for many years before moving to St. Bernard Village in Jonesboro, AR. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. After retiring, she traveled extensively. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She is survived by her niece, Linda Faulkner and Godchild, Paula Brown. Services are private.

Jackson, Tennessee Joseph Phillip Ruff 1947 — 2024 Joseph (Joe) Phillip Ruff, 77, of Jackson, TN formerly Memphis, TN passed away June 23, 2024. Joe was born March 17, 1947 in Houston, MS to Mr. and Mrs. James Paulk Ruff. He graduated from Whitehaven High School and Memphis State University. He joined the Memphis Police Department where he devoted his life to the service of others. After retiring as Captain from MPD he continued his career of service with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department where he retired as Chief Inspector. While in full time service to law enforcement he also served honorably in the Navy Reserve as well as serving in the Tennessee State Guard where he retired as a Colonel. His many hobbies included competitive...

Memphis, Tennessee James "Jim" Franklin Watkins 1938 — 2024 James "Jim" Franklin Watkins, 85, passed away shortly after midnight on June 10, 2024 surrounded by family in Memphis, Tennessee. He was born on December 4, 1938 in Bogalusa, Louisiana to the late Ernest Clansworth Watkins and Laverne Berryhill Watkins. His sister, Ann Worth Eggerton, resided in Corvallis, Oregon until her death on May 19, 2024. Jim graduated from Louisiana College in 1960 with a B.A. in Advertising Art. In the early '60s, he pursued a brief career as a commercial illustrator working for Baptist Publishing House in Nashville but quickly realized he felt most at home on a college campus. From there, he went on to earn a Master's in Painting from the University of Alabama in...

Memphis, Tennessee Caroline Morris Simpson 1938 — 2024 Caroline Morris Simpson peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House where she has been a patient for the last 10 months. Born on February 10, 1938, the daughter of Raymond and Mary Morris of Fort Gaines, GA. Upon graduating in 1956 from Clay County High School with a class of 12, she received her Associate in Arts degree from Stevens College in Columbia, MO, attended Florida State University, and graduated from the School of Medical Technology at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. She accepted a job with Linden Labs in Atlanta. She met her soulmate, Jon Simpson, on a blind date. He was stationed at Fort Benning, serving as a captain in the Army Dental...

La Grange, Tennessee Nora Ragland Witmer 1941 — 2024 Nora Ragland Witmer, 83, passed away on June 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Nora was born in Littleton, North Carolina to George William Ragland and Helen Browning Ragland. Nora attended Holton Arms in Washington, DC. She was an accomplished ballerina, and performed with the famous Rudolph Nureyev. From there she attended Finch college where she met the love of her life, Wallace VanMetre Witmer, in New York City. They married and moved to Memphis in 1961. In Memphis, Nora participated in many esteemed organizations. She was a Silver Bell member of The Little Garden Club and was awarded many ribbons. She also was a member of the Junior League, The Noel Club, The Little Club, the...

Germantown, Tennessee James C. Johnson 1939 — 2024 James C Johnson, 84, of Germantown, TN passed away at Methodist Hospital-Germantown, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Born October 10, 1939, in Pemiscot County, Missouri, he was the son of Cletus and Nellie Pierce Johnson. James is survived by his wife Linda Bishop Johnson who is a Baldwyn, MS native. James and Linda have been residents of Germantown since 1989, where they have been members of Germantown Baptist Church. He volunteered every Sunday morning for a number of years in the foyer of GBC. James enjoyed playing golf at Windyke Country Club with friends. After retiring from Helena Agri-Enterprises, having coffee every morning with a group of his 'Panera Pals' was a must! Honorary...

Memphis, Tennessee Kenneth Thomason 2024 Kenneth Thomason, 97 passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024. Online condolences can be made at familyfuneralmemphis.com

The Commercial Appeal Memorials and Obituaries | We Remember (2024)

All Memorials and Obituaries (6115)

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