SERVICES FOR JOE D. PRATT Funeral services for Pvt. Joseph D. Pratt were held at the Parsons Cumberland Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon following arrival of the body from the Memphis depot on Tuesday morning. Services were held by Reverends J.J. and E.J. Douglas. Pvt. Pratt lost his life when struck by a sniper's bullet on August 5, 1944, following the invasion of France. He had been in the Armed Forces almost two yeats and was a member of Co. B, 39th Infantry.He was 25 years and 9 months of age. He was married to Byrda Marchbanks on October 24, 1941, and is survived by his wife; two young daughters, Kathlene and Joy Lou; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Pratt; four sisters, Mrs. Millie Harris, Mrs. Mae Boyd, Mrs. Naomi Hutson, and Miss Shirley Pratt; and by four brothers, Lloyd, Eddie, John Henry and Rayon Pratt. Re-burial was in the cemetery at Jeannette with Military Rites conducted by squads from the local VFW and American Legion Posts. Joe Pratt was held in the highest esteem by his many friends and was a splendid Christian young man. Joy Lou, the younger daughter, was born after the father had met death on the field of battle. ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at decaturcountytn.org

http://www.tngenweb.org/madison/smith/deathc2-1.htm I have uploaded Jonathan Smith's obituary abstracts for 1921-1924. T. H. HARRELL (colored) May 10, 1856, Tn.-Oct. 8, 1921, Jackson. Henry Harrell. Amanda Harrell. Parsons, Tennessee. Tom Harrell is buried in the black cemetery in the Jeanette community north of Parsons. BENJAMIN PITTS (w) May 23, 1859, Tn.-Feb. 26, 1922, Jackson. Benj. Pitts, Tn. Parson, Tennessee. He is not listed in the UDC cemetery book. Most common burial place for Pitts is the Hartley Cemetery in northeastern Deactur County. MARTHA PATE (colored) Died June 3, 1923, abt 70. Born Tn. Parsons, Tennessee. She probably is one of hundreds of unmarked burials at Clay Cemetery on Pentecost Street in Parsons. David

LEON HAYS KILLED FRIDAY BY TRACTOR SERVICES HELD SATURDAY FOR PARSONS RESIDENT Funeral services for Milford Leon Hays were held at the home of his mother Mrs. D.M. Hays and at the Bear Creek Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon and burial was in the Bear Creek Cemetery. He was 28 years of age. Leon died instantly Friday morning as the result of an accident in which he was thrown from the drivers seat of a bulldozer and his body terribly mangled when the machine passed over him. The addicent occurred near Paris where he was working for Ayers and Hays in stripping dirt from clay mine. Leon was the youngest son of the 12 children of the late Mr. D.M. Hays and Mrs. Hays. He is survived by his mother; his wife, who was Miss Mary Lee Gray; by two young children; six brothers and four sisters. He was a member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church and was a splendid young man. He was a veteran of World War II and escaped uninjured from many engagements of that war. Funeral services were conduced by Reverends G.G. Joyner, Wade Carver and W.A. Moody; and rites of the Masonic Lodge were conducted by the members of the Parsons Lodge. Parsons Mortuary had charge of arrangements. BUD TAYLOR DIES OF GUNSHOT WOUND Mr. Bud Taylor, aged about 60 years and a resident of the Poplar Springs community, near Prospect, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday. He was buried at Prospect on Tuesday. Mr. Taylor, the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Taylor, had not been mentally well for a number of years but it was not realized that his condition was such as would cause action such as brought about his death. He had walked about half a mile from home and a short distant from the road for the act. His body was not discovered for several hours. His wife, their only two children, andseveral more distant relatives survive. MRS. BELLE STAGGS BURIED AT MT. CARMEL Mrs. Belle Staggs was buried in the Mt. Carmel cemetery on Sunday following her death at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lilly Sisk, in Jackson on Saturday. She was 69 years of age and had suffered a stroke. Mrs. Staggs was a splendid woman and highly regarded by her neighbors and friends. She was a member of the Little Waxie Pentecostal Church and funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.A. Moody of Parsons. Surviving relatives include the above named daughter; four sons, Coy Smothers of Lenox, Jake Smother of Finly, Ernest Day of Decaturville and J.F. Day of Lenox and a brother, A.M. Norman of Decaturville. Parsons Mortuary had charge of all arrangements. SERVICES LAST FRIDAY FOR JOHN H. NORMAN Funeral services for Mr. John H. Norman were held at the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church on Friday of last week and cunducted by his pastory, the Rev. S.T. Parham. He was 76. Burial was in the nearby cemetery. Mr. Norman was a farmer, a local preacher in the Methodist Church and for several years was Superintendent of the Sunday School at the Mt. Carmel Church. He was highly respected and a man of good influence in his community. He was a brother of Mrs. Belle Staggs whose death is reported elsewhere in this issue and is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Bob Wilson of Dyersburg and Mrs. Ben Williams of Decaturville; 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at decaturcountytn.org

FINAL SERVICES FOR BEN MORRIS JR., TO BE HELD TUESDAY The body of Ben Morris, Jr., who died in the Pacific during the war will be returned home for burial next week. The Memphis Depot has advised his parents that the body will arrive in Parsons Monday afternoon. Ben Jr., was a first class seaman in the Navy and lost his life when Jap forces made a sneak attack in the harbor at Guam Island on November 30, 1944. Ben, Jr., was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Morris and went into service before he graduated from high school. He was just past 19 years of age when he lost his life. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Tabour Tuesday afternoon with rev. W.A. Moody officiating. The American Legion Post will conduct military rites at the funeral. JAMES M. HAWKES BURIED ON TUESDAY Funeral services for James Marion Hawkes were held at the Bible Hill Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon with services conducted by Rev. A.U. Nunnery and Rev. G.G. Joyner. He was 84. Mr. Hawkes was a life-long resident of the Bible Hill community and a faithful member of the Baptist Church at that place. Burial was in the Hawkes Graveyard, the land for which was donated by Mr. Hawkes several years ago. His wife, who was the former Miss Susan Ada Bowman, died about one year ago. Six of his children have died and the three surviving children ar Mrs. Herbert (Lucy) Arnold of Clairfield, Tenn, Mrs. Sula Wilkins and Achalee Hawkes of Parsons. Eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren also survive. Haney & Wylie Funeral Home had charge of arrangements. SERVICES HELD SATURDAY FOR MRS. ELLA FRITH Mrs. Ella Pearson Frith was buried in the Parsons Cemetery Saturday morning following her sudden death on Friday. She was 66 years of age. Surviving relatives include one daughter and two sons; Miss Carrie Renfroe of Parsons, G.W. Renfroe and Ellsworth Frith both of whom live in Missouri; and brothers John and E.J. Pearson and sister, Mrs. Chester Mays. Services were conducted at the home by Rev. E.J. Douglas, assisted by Mr. Reeder Graqves. ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at decaturcountytn.org

Mrs. Hobart Hays died Wednesday Rev. E.J. Douglas conducted the funeral of Mrs. Hobart Hays of Beacon at Decaturville last Thursday afternoon. She was a cancer victim and a few months ago underwent an operation in which a limb was removed in an effort to __ __ __ __ cancer but of no avail. She was a daughter of the late Mr. Jim Young and Mrs. Young of Decaturville and a splendid woman. The papers then skip to 1948. ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at decaturcountytn.org

I have found one obituary listed in the 1893 newspaper. The print is very bad. I will replicate it as best I can and leave spaces where I cannot read the words. GONE HOME Rev. L.M. Steed departed this life July 24th 1893. He was born in _____ county, Georgia Oct. 2_th, 18__. Aged 88 years, 8 months and 29 days. He was converted in 183_ ___ ____ ___ the Baptist church and led a consistent Christian life ___ ___ ___. He was ordained to preach by God in 1845. He departed __ __ the truth of a living faith and __ __ that __ approved. The rest is unreadable. The date is not on this paper. It is either 1893 or 1894 for the following obituary. GONE TO REST Died--At his home three miles southwest of Parsons on Wednesday February 27th, ____. Aged __ years, 11 months and 5 days. Uncle Johnny was truly a good man for during his entire life which was principally spent in this county he was never known to be guilty of an act which would cast a reflection upon his character. He joined the Baptist church more than forty years ago and __ a consistent member until the day of his death. The Wave extends heartfelt sympathy to the surviving children and would say to them, prepare to meet father in heaven. He was laid to rest at Bear Creek graveyard where a large crowd of friends were present to take the last long look at the dear old man. Rev. N.C. Duke was requested by Mr. Rosson several months previous to his death to preach his funeral, and requested a text that he desired him to preach from which we quote "If a man dies, shall he live again" which he ably discussed for quite a while, and after paying a touching tribute to the dead, directed friends to take charge of the corpse. Rev. Morgan was requested to offer a few remarks, which he did in a very touching manner. "Peace be to his ashes" is our prayer. After these two it skips to 1942 which I will continue in another e-mail. Athalia ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at decaturcountytn.org

http://www.tngenweb.org/madison/smith/deathc2-4.htm I uploaded Jonathan Smith's 1920 death certificate abstracts for Madison County. Two people are/may be from Decatur County. GENOIA F. FRAZER (female, w) Apr. 13, 1857, Tn.-Feb. 21, 1920, Jackson. Genoia Welch, Tn. Winnie Blont, Tn. Decaturville, Tennessee. This is Genora Welch, daughter of Isaiah Welch and Winnie Blount. I did not previously know Isaac's wife Winnie was a Blount, though I already had Winnie Blount in my database. Genora Welch married G. W. Frazier. All four are buried at Campground Cemetery. MARY JANE RUSHING (w) Dec. 18, 1826, Tn.-Dec. 18, 1920, Jackson. Bemis Cemetery. I cannot place her exactly in Rushing lines either from Benton Co. or from Decatur Co. And wouldn't you know that no parents are listed. Was she a Rushing by birth or marriage? If Rushing is her birth name, the closest match actually is to the family of a Sarah Rushing in Decatur Co. in the 1850 census. Mary Jane would be the aunt of Sarah Dicy McNatt (also buried at Bemis) and sister-in-law of Amanda Jane Kelley Rushing. David

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Young, Harrington, Hensley, West,Thompson Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JeB.2ACE/560.2 Message Board Post: I am researching the family lineage of the Harrington family of Decatur Co., TN. Please contact me at my address and I will exchange material with you.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JeB.2ACE/551.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1 Message Board Post: Heard many years ago from a granddaughter of David W. KELLEY that J.R. was born in 1838, had a brother Riley, was married to Susanna RUSHING (born 1834), and they were married 22 June 1856. David was J.R. and Susanna's oldest child. Susanna was listed as Susan in the Atchison Co, MO 1860 census. Also found Amanda and Thomas RUSHING in the same census. Was told that J.R. & Susanna caught the measles while on their way west (in Nebraska). J.R. wrote the grandfather to come get the children; this was during the Civil War. I found Amanda & Thomas first and wondered if perhaps they were going west with J.R. and his family. I would love to discover Susanna's parents and family - were Susannah and Thomas brother & sister? Do you know anything about Asa RUSHING?

I don't know if is helpful, but my Ggrandmother's name is Sarah A. H. Kelley (b.August 25, 1830 Al, d.Sept. 3, 1898, TN). Her husband was John Anderson (b.Feb 13, 1840, TN, d.April 25, 1906, OK). Tom Lunsford Magnolia, TX

From column, Reed On... by MIKE REED The Lexington Progress, Lexington, TN, Wed., March 31, 2004 ABSTRACT "The local newspaper that few remember" A portion of "The Lexington Dispatch", DECEMBER 6, 1860 was dropped off. It was between two window panes. It was found in Nov. 1960 by Dalton Cox. Corner of front page indicated it was 1st yr. of publication. A. C. HENRY was publisher. Office was located on Northeast side of Square. Advertisements for 5 lawyers. END For further details contact: MIKE REED, The Lexington Progress, (731) 968-2363 Email: Lexprogressnews@bellsouth.net

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JeB.2ACE/560.1.1 Message Board Post: Thanks again, David! I'll check it out. Pam

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Rushing, Kelley Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JeB.2ACE/551.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2 Message Board Post: The Amanda Rushing line is one of the most obscure and difficult of the Rushing lines in Decatur Co., and for the second time in a week I have seen something on this family. Amanda was a Kelley by birth according to the death certificate of her daughter. Sarah Dicy McNatt. You mention James R. (J.R.) KELLEY was married to Susannah RUSHING. Do you have real or estimated dates for Susannah? Some sort of birth date information would be helpful in trying to match her. with parents if that is what you are trying to do.

Upper Right is the Smith Hotel. It probably had other names earlier. It stood where Decatur County bank now stands. Lower left is the old Decatur County Bank Building. Upper left is Decatur County high school. Lower right most likely is Decaturville United Methodist Church. David

http://www.netease.net/members/ddonahue/fisher.doc A couple of weeks ago I generated a Fisher printout . I uploaded it to the address above. The file is a 1 meg Word97 document which you can download, 220 pages including index. I have three Fisher lines connected to a Dummy Record because I do not know and cannot guess a connection. Jacob F. (Jake) Fisher (1851-1907) who married Sophia Yarbro Charles Fisher (died before 1850) who married Nancy Hughes Abraham Fisher (Born, circa 1795, in VA; resided: circa 1830, in Perry Co., TN; moved to Hardin County in 1844) who married Thankful Rice You should treat everything as unproven and verify any information before submitting it to LDS, DAR, WorldFamilyTree, etc. David

I think your idea of posting obits to the list are great. I've been trying to get the obit of William J Taylor. I tried the Parsons funeral home and they advised me to try you William J TAYLOR died Nov. 5, 1932 and was buried in Parsons cemetery. I can't find a record of his burial there except for the death certificate showing burial in Parsons. Burial was Nov. 6 1932. Gene Taylor 3214 Pea Ridge Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601

More guessing information: The top left bldg in the picture is the Decatur County school. The top right picture probably is the hotel on the south side of the square, owned by the Duncan family. Cheek Duncan played football for Decaturville during the early 1930s and went on to play @ UT. Tom Goodman

Hi, Linda. I would make an educated guess that the middle building with the columns was the court house that burned about 1927. And the church building, I would guess was on the west side of the courthouse square and was Methodist. The flat-face, western-movie, looking building on the left might be the Sykes store on the north corner of the square, by the road leading to Parsons. Tom Goodman

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JeB.2ACE/551.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Did not find thos names in my database, but I have tons of notes and info that has been mailed to me over the years that is not in my computer database. I do remember the names James Riley Kelleyand Joseph Riley Kelley in that mess I of notes I have. It will take me a while to go through it all. I did find in my database Joseph Kelley and Dicie. All I have is dates and no children. Whoever passed that onto me had Joseph linked to Elijah Kelley. Here is what I have: remember.......this is second hand info on my part. Maybe you can use it help your research. Joseph Kelley b.29 Mar 1802 d. 30 Sept 1878 wife Dice b 1802 No locations are noted. Joseph Father: Elijah Kelley b abt 1755 d. after 1802 wife Margaret b abt 1759 Also in Decatur Co. History and families book: Entry about Christopher Columbus Kelley states he was the son of Riley and Susan Kelley who owned the Kelley hotel in Scotts Hill also know as The Welcome Hotel. Christopher Columbus b 1 jan 1844 d. 13 March 1928 Do you think this may be your James R and Susan? email me direct: youngk4424@yahoo.com

If you own any of the below books by Lillye Younger, would you mind checking the index for HENRY BARRY or might be DR. HENRY BARRY? People of Action Vol 1 & 2 The History of Decatur County Henry Barry, b about 1862 in TN, was the brother of W.V. Barry. W. V. Barry was the owner of "The Lexington Progress". Henry Barry died in Decaturville. I am particularly interested in Henry Barry's wife Hettie. Hettie later married MILLER. I am trying to find out if the former wife of Henry Barry was MRS. HETTIE MILLER, who published The Decaturville Herald newspaper. Additionally, HENRY BARRY was the son of Daniel Barry and Eliza Jane MOORE of McNairy Co. TN, who were on 1880 census in Purdy, McNairy Co. TN, pg 101D, on Mormon FHL website. Thank you. Linda