Rulene Louise Brockette was born in Macon County, Tennessee on June 5, 1937 to the late Cless Doss and Pauline Driver Doss. She was one of four siblings. On July 20, 1963, she was united in marriage to James Ebon Brockette sharing twenty-eight years together. Rulene has three children, Darren, Lisa, and Cheryl. She worked for Form-Fit Rogers for several years, but Rulene’s heart wanted to be home caring for her family. After quiting work, family was what her life revolved around, caring for the grandkids and watching them play sports made her happy. She was truly a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Rulene liked reading a good book, working crossword puzzles, and selling Avon to the public. She had a very caring heart and enjoyed helping others. Rulene loved going to church and was a member of Willette Church of Christ, where she was a faithful member. On September 15, 2013 at the age of 76, the Lord called Rulene to her new home. Rulene will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Funeral services for Rulene Brockette are scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 11AM from the Chapel of the Alexander Funeral Home, with Jack Honeycutt and Rob Whitacre officiating. Interment will follow in the Patterson Cemetery.
Rulene is survived by, Son and Daughter-in-law, Darren (Jenny) Brockette of Hermitage Springs, TN, Daughters and Son-in-law, Lisa (Keith) Sircy, and Cheryl Brockette all of Lafayette, TN, Brother, Warren Doss of Lafayette, TN, Sister and Brother-in-law, Clara (Darrell) Arnold of ILL, Grandchildren, Bryan Sircy, Aaron Sircy, and Megan Sircy, Step-Grandchildren, Ashley York and Karlee York, and Step-Great-Grandchildren, Maddox Barnes.     

Stella Rice Mclerran, age 70 of the Winklers Community in Macon county passed away Thursday morning, September 19, 2013 at Macon County General Hospital in Lafayette, TN. Funeral Services for Stella Rice Mclerran were conducted Saturday afternoon, September 21, 2013, at 1 pm from the Anderson & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Red Boiling Springs with Jack Honeycutt officiating. Interment followed in the Whitley Cemetery. Her family and friends served as pallbearers. Stella was born Wednesday, October 21, 1942 in Macon County, TN, one of eleven siblings born to the late Cleo and Lassie Wheat Rice. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Etta “Sister” Atkins, Hazel and Kathy York, brothers, William, Freddie, Cordell and Helman Rice. One October 14, 1978, she married Kenneth Mclerran, who survives. Stella was a garment factory worker and a member of the Hermitage Springs Church of Christ. Survivors besides her husband Kenneth of 34 years include: daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jeff  Lynn,  grandson, and his wife, Jason and April Lynn, great-granddaughter, Makenzie Lynn all of Gainesboro,TN, sister, Susie Randolph, brothers and sister-in-law, Roy and Charlene Rice and Tommy Rice all of Red Boiling Springs, TN.  

Donnie S. Barnes, age 67, of Lafayette, passed away on Sunday, September 22nd at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services for Donnie S. Barnes will be conducted on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from the chapel of Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette with Roger Comstock and Jerry Cherry officiating. Burial will be on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bridgeport, AL. Visitation with the family will be at the Anderson & Son Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. He is survived by: Wife, Elizabeth Smith Barnes of Lafayette; Son and Daughter-in-law, Jason and Leticia Barnes of Chattanooga; Daughters and Sons-in-law, Susan and Spencer Porter, Mary Ann and Edgar Corley, all of Nashville; Sister and Brother-in-law, Barbara and Richard Jones of Bridgeport, AL; 10 grandchildren. The family requests memorials in the form of donations to the Red Boiling Springs Church of Christ for the Israel work.  You may do this by calling or coming by the funeral home.

Lowell T. Smith, age 80, a promiant Car Dealer of Red Boiling Springs, TN passed away Friday afternoon, September 13, 2013 at his residence. Funeral Services for Lowell T. Smith were conducted Sunday afternoon, September 15, 2013, at 2 pm from the Anderson & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Red Boiling Springs with Elder Terry Austin and Brother Greg West officiating. Interment followed in the Anderson & Son Memorial Park. Honorary Pallbearers were Chuck Jordan, William "Bill" Meador, Bill & Joyce Green, Billy & Betty Wheeler, Odell & Carolyn Langford, Elder Billy Joe Shoulders, Jimmy Cook, Charles Jordan, Charles Langford, Michael Atkins, Jack & Shirley Shoulders and Richard Freeman. Active Pallbearers were John Smith, Johnathan West, Brylee Smith, Jason Sallee, Steve Herron, Randel Gregory, Mike Craig and Phil Hewitt. Lowell was born Monday, June 12, 1933 in Smith County, Tennessee, one of two siblings born to the late Eslie and Annie Brooks Smith. On October 18, 1952 he married the love of his life the former Betty Jean Carver, who he shared 60 wonderful years together. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Maxie Steven Smith. Lowell was saved and joined the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church and he attended Bethany Missionary Baptist Church for many years. In 1955, Lowell bought the former Red Boiling Springs Gulf Station then from 1968 he was the owned & operator of the Smith-Browning Motors which became the Smith Chrysler-Plymouth Dealership. In 1988 he opened the Smith Motor Sales in Red Boiling Springs and later opened a dealership in Lafayette along with his son, Timothy Lowell Smith. Survivors besides his wife, Betty of 60 years include: son & daughter-in-law, Timothy Lowell & Diana Smith, Red Boiling Springs, daughter & son-in-law, Melinda & Neil Ferguson, Lafayette, brother & sister-in-law, Ronald & Shirley Smith, Pleasant Shade, granddaughters and their husbands, Kastonia & Steve Herron, Krystal & Jason Sallee, Brittni & Johnathan West all of Lafayette, grandson & his finance, Brylee Smith & Cheyenne Austin, Rome Community, great-grandchildren, Haleigh & Hunter Herron, Adalyn & Corbin Sallee, and Kaybri West. Arrangements by the Anderson  & Son Funeral Home.

When we are told ahead of time what some of our questions will be at judgment, we are foolish indeed if we are not prepared.  The twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew states that Christians will be judged in part on their ministering to the sick.  The manner with which early Christians delt with the admonition was probably different from the way in which it is handled today, but a broad principal runs throughout all cultures and times.  To “visit” implies caring for the needs of others who are sick just as “visiting” the fatherless and widows in their affliction denotes meeting their needs (James I:27).  Women often function better than men in this area of service because of their caring, nurturing natures, and their ability to notice things that should be done.  Perhaps the following suggestions will enable the reader to find more avenues of service.

•Praying is the most valuable thing a Christian can do.

•Cards are a wonderful way to let those who are ill know that you are thinking of them, especially when it is best not to have visitors.

•Visits can be useful if they are kept short and cheerful.  Five or ten minutes is long enough.

•Sincerely offer to run errands.

•Keep children.

•Sincerely offer to stay with the patient to give the family a rest when the sick person may need someone by his/her side constantly.

•Prepare food for family members who are left at home.

•Leave a basket of fruit and snack foods for those who are waiting by the bedside of a loved one.

•Prepare sandwiches, chips, and etc., for those who wait by a bedside.

•Prepare a decorated “Sunshine Box” for those who are facing a lengthy recovery.

•Don’t forget those who are sick at home.

•Remember sick children.

The above was written by Jane McWhorter, she is a writer and the wife of a gospel preacher, and they live in Fayette, Alabama, U.S.A.

The above article should be of value to those ladies who visit the sick.  I wanted to share this with you hoping you will consider these suggestions.