Clyde Smith Coley, 95
Clyde Smith Coley was born on September 16, 1916 in Macon County, Tennessee to the late Van Harrison Coley and Maggie Smith Coley. He was one of three siblings born to this family. On May 16, 1941, Clyde joined the United States Army. He served his country during WWII and was stationed overseas for two and a half years. Clyde ranked as Sergeant and after four years of service was Honorably Discharge on August 22, 1945. After returning home, Clyde met the former Winona Evelyn Ragland and on October 29, 1950, they were married. They shared 50 wonderful years together and raised two sons and one daughter. Winona passed away on December 30, 2000. Besides Clyde’s wife and parents; brothers, Claude Coley and Dee Wilbur Coley also preceded him in death. Clyde was a dedicated farmer, working hard in the fields from daylight to dark. Early in life he raised and sold registered Duroc Hogs. His greatest accomplishment was when Clyde started in the cattle business, raising Hereford Cattle was his pride and joy. Coley’s Hereford Farm was a well-known establishment. Clyde and his family would have big sales, and farmers came from everywhere to buy cattle. The Clyde Hereford Farm had their last sale on October 7, 1978. Everyone enjoyed being around Clyde, he was a cut-up and prankster. Clyde enjoyed going out to eat, and he would always say, “I only like two kinds of pie – hot and cold”. Clyde was a past member of the VFW and the Cattleman’s Association. Family meant everything to him and you could see that, just by being around him. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On Tuesday morning, August 28, 2012, at the age of 95 the lord called this farmer home. Clyde will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him. Clyde is survived by; Sons, Tommy (Kim) Coley of Sewanee, Johnny (Brenda) Coley of Lafayette, Daughter, Martha (Kart) Gross of Knoxville, Grandsons, Matt Coley of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Will Earlywine of Orion, Illinois, Jonathon (Amber) Coley of Rocky Mound Community, Dustin ( Natalie) Gross of Knoxville, Michael (Stephana) Johnson of Lafayette, Derrick Deering of Tampa, FL, David (Becky) Johnson of Washington, IN, Granddaughters, Connie (David) Presley of Gallatin, Kristi (Blane) Olson of Lincoln, IL, Shea Earlywine of Bloomfield, Iowa, Erin (Tim) Lockhart of Caldwell, TX, Several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services for Clyde were conducted Thursday, August 30th at10 am from the Chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Elder Jeff Blackwell. Bob Coley, Jim Coley, Matt Coley, Jonathon Coley, Joe Coley, Glyn Coley, and Mike Johnson served as Pallbearers. Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens.
