Gary Wayne Kirby, age 60, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away following a long battle with cancer on Saturday morning, May 12, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services for Gary Kirby are scheduled to be conducted on Monday, May 14, at 3 p.m. from the Chapel of the Alexander Funeral Home with Jerry Mercer officiating.  Rusty Kirby, Jeff Gerkin, Kevin Kirby, Kent Carter, Corey Kirby, Josh Swindle, Keith Kirby, Daniel Cook, Chad Wheat, and Steve Walker served as Pallbearers. Interment will follow in the Macon County Memorial Gardens. Gary was born on February 3, 1952 in Lafayette, Tennessee to the late Bee Bernal Kirby and Pauline Frances Russell Kirby. There was one daughter and five sons born to this union. He married the former Laura Lee Morgan on November 28, 1974, sharing thirty-seven years together. They raised a son, Kobee and a daughter, Katie.  Their marriage was built on companionship and a great love for each other. He was a very caring and devoted father. Transporting was Gary’s main occupation for over twenty-six years.  Having his own truck enabled him to pace his time and travels on the road.  Farming was his second occupation.  Gary worked on his farm weekends and in his spare time. Gary loved riding horses, especially quarter horses and barrel horses. He had acquired a herd of horses and cattle over the years. He was a member of the Lafayette Church of Christ.
Gary was a jokester and a prankster, who enjoyed socializing and being around people. Everyone loved to be around Gary and knew him as a great friend. The family would like to express their deepest thanks to special friend and caregiver Ms. Tammy Wilmore, for without her help it would not have been possible to take care of Gary at his home.  Gary will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him. Gary is survived by; Wife, Laura Morgan Kirby, Son, Kobee Kirby, Daughter, Katie Kirby, Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Paul and Linda Kirby, Donnie and Jo Linda Kirby, Charlie and Carol Kirby, and Barry Kirby, Sister and Brother-in-law, Janie and Walter Buckingham all of Lafayette, TN, Special friend and caregiver, Tammie Wilmore, and several nieces and nephews also survive.   

Mrs. Vida Wilson – age 74, of Lafayette, passed away on Friday May 11, 2012 at the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.  Funeral Services for Mrs. Vida Wilson are scheduled to be conducted on Sunday May 13, 2012 at 4pm from the Chapel of the Alexander Funeral Home with Brother Barry Miller officiating.  Serving as Pallbearers were Jeremy Wilson, Phillip Church, Joe Parsons, Andy Graves, Ricky Wilson, and Nicky Wilson. Interment will follow in the Drury Cemetery. Vida Willene Smith was born on September 20, 1937 in Lafayette, Tennessee to the late Emmitt Cecil Smith and Bonnie Lois White Smith.  She was one of five siblings born to this union. Besides her parents; one brother, Ferrell Smith, and one sister, Hilda Smith also preceded her in death. She was married to the love of her life Clifton Wilson on September 27, 1957. They shared a journey of fifty-four years together and raised two sons.  Vida’s family was what her life revolved around.  The love and care Vida had for her husband and sons were unconditional. Family gatherings and being with her grandchildren gave Vida great joy. Early in life, Vida worked for several years at local garment factories.  Later, she went to work for Carter’s Automotive where she worked as an assembly line worker, until retiring. Vida had a personality that everyone loved to be around.  She had a smile that would light up the world and always had a kind word to say. In 1950, something wonderful happened to Vida that made her life complete, she was saved.  She joined Brattontown Missionary Baptist Church, where she remains a member. For the last few years, Vida had dedicated her life to caring for husband, Clifton.
Clifton and the family will greatly miss her, but our loss is Heaven’s Gain.  Vida is survived by; Husband, Clifton Wilson, Sons and Daughters-in-law, Elder Ricky (Teresa) Wilson, and Nicky (Teresa) Wilson, Sisters, Iona Key, and Glennis Wheeley all of Lafayette, TN, 4 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.     

Southlake, TX -- A. B. Harper, 96, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012 in Southlake, TX. Service: 11 am Saturday, May 19, Fairfield Glade Community Church, 924 Snead Dr., Crossville, TN. A. B. was born on July 15, 1915 in Clarksville, TN to Burr and Nettie Harper. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Marie Harper and his daughter, Gwenn McKinzey. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cared deeply for his family. A.B. began his career as a schoolteacher in a one-room school in Lafayette, Tennessee. During World War II he worked in secret on the atomic bomb project in Oak Ridge, TN. A.B. later became a design engineer working on solid rocket motors in Huntsville, AL and nuclear vessels in Chattanooga, TN. He was a passionate fisherman, bridge player and golfer. Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials may be given to the Lion's World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fair Park Boulevard Little Rock, Arkansas 72204. Survivors: Son, James Harper and wife Zo, Westlake, TX; grandchildren, Sherry McKinzey, League City, TX; Barry McKinzey, Tuscaloosa, AL; Lesley Bartley and husband David, Brentwood, TN; and Jay Harper and wife Lindsay, Carmel, IN; great-grandchildren, Vincent McKinzey, Hadley Harper, Cole Harper and Harrison Bartley.

Margaret Ann Marsh-Weathers, 71, went to be with the Lord on April 26, 2012. Preceded in death by husband Glen Weathers, parents Earl and Francis Ghettings, brother Joseph Ghettings, son David C. Marsh, grandchildren Donnie Marsh, Heavenly Marsh. Survived by two sons Donald (Margaret) Marsh of Upton, KY, Rick (Tanya) Marsh of Lafayette, TN. Sisters Betty Cunningham of Indiana, Maxine Lipes of Idaho. Grandchildren Justin Marsh, Ethan Marsh, Seth Marsh, Zachary Marsh, Erica Turner, Jessica Turner. 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 3-5 p.m., at the Mission Church, New Harmony Rd., Lafayette, TN 37083.We will be remembering the happy moments of Margaret’s life allowing friends and family to share.

Willie C. Knight, age 83, of the Fairview Community in Macon County, TN, passed away Thursday afternoon, April 26, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Funeral services for Willie C. Knight were conducted Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN with his daughter, Debbie Garvin officiating. Interment followed in the Anderson & Son Memorial Park. Andy Knight, Doyle Parker, Bill Hall, Wayne Knight, Bill Carr, Jake Jones, Glenn Sullivan and Tyler Knight  served as pallbearers.
Willie C. was born July 11, 1928 in Macon County, TN, one of thirteen siblings of the late Noel and Maggie Sloan Knight. On July 31, 1948, he married the former Jean Templeton, who preceded him in death on November 19, 1997. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Lula Belle Parker, Mabel Burton, Myrtle Brawner, Lucille Cox, Ellen Hall, Earlene Farley and brothers, Franklin, Elmer and Junior Knight. Willie C. was baptist in belief and a carpenter.
He is survived by: Daughter and Son-in-law, Debbie and Terry Garvin, of Murfreesboro, Son and Daughter-in-law, Donald and Susie Knight, of Athens, TN, Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Elder G.W. and Sandra Knight, of Lafayette, Kenneth and Mildred Knight, of Westmoreland, Sister and Brother-in-law, Kat and Ray Troutt of Sterling Heights, MI, Sisters-in-law, Dovie Knight, of the Fairview Community, Lois Dee Gregory, of Lafayette, Granddaughters, Greta (Ken) Caughron, Amanda Garvin, Great-Grandchildren, Cade and Caroline Caughron, all of Murfreesboro.