Inez Neal Keen Perdue was born in Macon County on Saturday, September 20, 1924, the only child born to the late James W. and Rachel Willis Keen. She departed this life on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 1 day. Funeral services for Inez Perdue were conducted from the Rocky Mound Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 24th with Elder Jeff Likens and Elder Don Watts officiating. Pallbearers were Steve Herbert, Charles Wilkerson, Elder Bobby Hale, Myron Perdue, Jerry Yates and Johnny Smith. Interment followed in the Rocky Mound Cemetery. Inez was only 8 years old when her mother passed away. Even though Rachel had to leave her young daughter at an early age, she greatly influenced Inez’s life as long as she lived. After the death of her mother, Inez and her dad lived with her grandparents. Many loving aunts and uncles assisted in the upbringing of this young lady. They supplied much of her material needs and lots of love. At the age of 17, Inez married Ordis W. “Tom” Perdue on September 27, 1941 in Franklin, KY. To this union was born one daughter, Virginia, in 1943. Inez was saved by the grace of God at the age of 19 during revival at Rocky Mound in August of 1944. However, she did not tell anyone until 1949 during which time she and Tom were working in the tobacco patch together. They began talking about God’s goodness; she got to rejoicing, and told of being saved back in 1944. She later joined Rocky Mound Church in 1954. She was baptized on July 25, 1954 along with several others, including her husband, Tom, and their daughter, Virginia. Inez was most definitely acquainted with hard work. She was a homemaker, helped Tom with the farming, and worked in a sewing factory for many years. In later years, they cared for the cemetery at Rocky Mound, which was a labor of love for both of them. After losing Tom in 2007, Inez lived alone. She spent many lonely hours without complaint. Inez was not perfect because none are, but she set a wonderful example for her family and friends. To say that she was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is certainly an understatement. She truly loved her church and attended as long as her health permitted. She leaves to mourn her passing, a daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Kenneth Meador of Lafayette; granddaughter and her husband, Tammye and Tim Hewitt of Lafayette; grandson and his wife, Chad and Jenna Meador of Murfreesboro; great-granddaughter and her husband, Jessica and Casey Cole of the Rocky Mound Community; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Bullington of Lafayette; and a step-sister, Loretta Pedigo of the Rocky Mound Community. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Anna Mae Ragland was born on December 11, 1918 in Macon County, Tennessee to the late Cecil Smith Ragland, and Fleeta Krantz Ragland.  She was one of ten siblings born to this family.
Anna Mae was married as a young woman to Alvin Buck.  Later, on June 6, 1959 she was married to Donald Alvis Haddock sharing forty-two years together, he preceded her in death on September 10, 2001. Besides her husbands and parents; son, Dean Buck, brothers, Henry Ragland, Charles Ragland, and Ed Ragland, sisters, Olean Butler, Frances Ragland, Irene Leach, Zelma Wheeler, and Gloria Duran also preceded her in death. Anna Mae was kept very busy raising six children.  She also worked as a seamstress for Form-fit Rogers, retiring around 1964.
Family was top priority to Anna Mae. She always loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Anna Mae was known for her good cooking, and always had plenty on the table.  She also enjoyed piecing quilts in her spare time. She was saved as a girl and baptized in 1934 at Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church. On Wednesday, August 15th, the Lord called Anna Mae home. She was a loving and caring lady, that will be greatly missed by her loved ones and many friends. Anna Mae is survived by; Sons, Robert (Peggy) Buck of Gallatin, Danny (Vicki) Buck of the Leonard Community, Larry Sexton of Lebanon, Daughters, Janice (Dale) Gregory, and Judy (Lynn) Newberry both of Lafayette, Daughter-in-law, Suzi Buck of Venice, FL, Brother, Jerry (Wanda) Ragland of Murfreesboro, Six grandchildren and Three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 2 pm from the Chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Elder Kyle Gammons officiating.  Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens.

John Thomas Spencer was born on February 16, 1943 in Cattaraugus, New York to the late Robert Thomas Spencer and Margaret Jane Taylor Spencer. John was one of three sons born to this union. Besides his parents; brother, Ronald Robert Spencer also preceded him in death. John was raised in New York and went to college at Alfred University. He went to work for American Greetings Corporation after graduating college. The company opened a plant here in Lafayette, Tennessee and John later moved here to become plant manager, in 1982. John stayed with the company for thirty-five years, before retiring in 2000. Everyone that knew John appreciated what he stood for. He was a strong man, but with a caring and giving heart. John put in a lot of hours, trying to help Macon County prosper. He was a member of the Lafayette Rotary Club and served as president in 1992 and 1993. In 1992, John was also president of the Chamber of Commerce. John also supported Macon County’s, “Relay for Life Teams” and helped his employees each year to raise money. He has three children, Shane, Garth, and Coffee, who could always count on him as a father and a friend. Family was top priority to John. He never missed going to a grandchild’s ball game and most of the time you heard him yelling from the bleachers. John was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed watching all types. He was the owner of walking horses for a time and enjoyed showing them. He had won several ribbons and trophies during this time. John also enjoyed teeing off at the golf course with his friends, and playing cards; on his days off. On Saturday, August 18, 2012 at the age of 69, John departed this world. Macon County lost a man of great magnitude, and John’s family loss a loving father and dear friend. John is survived by; Daughters and Son-in-law, Shane Elizabeth (Scottie Lane) Sliger, and Daughter, Coffee Middaugh, Son, Garth Middaugh, Granddaughter, Dani Deshai Tirjan and Jonathan Whittemore, Grandson, Jeffrey Robert Thomas Sliger, Great Grandsons, Tallon Bryce Whittemore and Leevi Lane Sliger, Brother, Terrance James (Patricia)Spencer. A Memorial Service was conducted Tuesday, August 21 from the Chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Mike Rogers officiating.  Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were; Mike McClard, Wayne King, Demps Breeding, Connie “P-Nut” Wilburn, Jerry Driver, Jimmy Henson, Ronnie Wilburn, Steve Barnard, Randall Polston, and David Junker. Family requests memorials in the form of donations be made to the Macon County Relay for Life, these can be made at the funeral home office.

Robert Wilson, age 88, of Drapers Cross Roads Community in Macon County, TN passed away, Thursday evening, August 16, 2011 at the Monroe County Medical Center in Tompkinsville, KY. Funeral Services for Robert Wilson were conducted Sunday afternoon, August 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of the Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Red Boiling Springs with Elder Richard Wilson officiating. Interment followed in the Anderson & Son Memorial Park in Lafayette, TN. Honorary Pallbearers were Randy Wilson, Carlos Newberry, Jack Osgathorpe, Richard Miller, Larry Wilson and Rob Bean. Active Pallbearers were A.J. Wilson, Wayne Newberry, Wayne Anderson, Eric Copas, Jesse T. Gregory, Carl Carnahan, Ronnie Hudson and Randall Wilson. Robert was born September 1, 1923 in Jackson County, TN, one of nine siblings of the late Johnathon and Georgia Minchey Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Dean White, Bradley Brandon, Betty Lou Wilson, brother, Elder Jesse Wilson, and sisters-in-law, Vida Wilson and Betty Wilson. On December 28, 1953, he married the former Josephine “Jo” Frazier, who survives. Robert was a farmer and livestock dealer. He was also a member of the Drapers Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors besides his wife, Jo of 58 years include: son & daughter-in-law, Wayne (Tina) Wilson, grandsons, Maxie Wilson, A.J. (Ashley) Wilson, granddaughter, Kayla (Rob) Bean all of Red Boiling Springs, brothers, Clifton Wilson, Sherman (Sue) Wilson, Vester “Vic” (Patsy) Wilson all of Lafayette,  Draper (Helen) Wilson of Hendersonville, sister-in-law, Ann Wilson of Lafayette.

Shirley Willis Evett McCorkle, 72, died at home in Huntsville, AL. July 1, 2012. Shirley was born March 27, 1940 in Lafayette, TN. She graduated from Macon County High School in 1958. After graduating Shirley joined the United States Marines. After two years of service she moved to Nashville, TN, where she worked at General Hospital until she married a career service man. They were sent to Japan for four years then later to Florida where she attended college at the University of Florida where she majored in journalism. They later settled in Huntsville, AL, where she worked at the United States Postal Service and retired in 2005. She was a member of the United States Postal Union Axillary, Senior Citizens in Huntsville, AL, Macon County Historical Society in Lafayette, Tn. and she liked to read, travel and watch her grandson play ball.  Proceeded in death by her mother, Cordelia Willis; brother, Charles Wane Willis. Survived by daughter, Katrina Evett Norris; grandson, Joshua Norris of Madison, AL.; sister, Frances Willis Jones Bradford of Nashville, TN.; one aunt, Nettie Willis of Lafayette, TN, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.  Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Porter Heights Baptist Church – 2329 Carter Ave. – Nashville, TN, 37206. By: Bro. Fred Donaldson.