Humphreys County Genealogy and History Obituaries W. H. BATES, SR. W H. Bales Sr., 66 died suddenly at his home In Lobelville Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services were held Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at Lobelville High School. The Rev. Earnest Blessing officiated and burial was In the Leeper cemetery. Mr. Bates was a member of the Perry County Court and a retired construction foreman of the State Highway Department. He was a member of the Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge of Lobelville. He was a native of Perry County and was the son of the late Sam and Rebecca Harris Bates. Survivors include his wife. Hollie Jo, four daughters., Mrs. Arthur Clark and Mrs. Miles Adams of Detroit. Mrs. Forrest Waters and Mrs. Davis Holbrook of Nashville; three sons, Wallis Bates of Cold Water, Mississippi W. H. Bates,Jr. and Rodnerd Bates of Lobelville; two sisters. Mrs. John Vaughn of Linden and Mrs. J. W. Harbison of Florence. Alabama; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Luff-Bowen was incharge of funeral arrangements. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 11, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy VIRGIL CHAPPELL Funeral services for Virgil Chappell, 90, of Nashville formerly of Humphreys County were held Tuesday morning February 1 at Cosmopolitan Funeral Home in Nashville Grave side services and burial were in the Dickson cemetery in Dickson. The Rev. Cecil Ewell, pastor of First Nazarene Church in Nashville, officiated. Mr. Chappell died Sunday in Mid-State Baptist Hospital after falling at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Lettie Dale and breaking his hipe (sic) on Saturday. He had been in very good health until a few weeks before his death. He had made his home with his children since the death of his wife, Mary Booker Chappel in 1942. He was born in Hickman County in 1865, the oldest of seven children of Jim and Nancy Chappell. He was engaged In farming and timber work most of his entire life in Humphreys and Dickson Mr. Chappell was a member of the Methodist Church. He is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Flossie Larkins. Mrs. Gertie Wills, Mrs. Clara Jennings and Mrs. Lettie Dale of Nashville; and Mrs. Nell Massey of Goodlettsville: two sons, Herbert Chappell of Kingsport. and Jim Chappell of McEwen, 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild His grandsons were pallbearers. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 11, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy MINNIE H. COWEN Mrs, Minnie Harris Cowen, mother of D. D. Cowen, vice-president of Commerce Union Bank, Nashville, died of a heart attack Thursday, February 3 at her home in San Bernardino. California. Funeral services and burial were Monday, February 1 in San Bernardino. Mrs. Cowen was a native of Waverly and the widow of C. W. Waverly merchant for a of years prior to his death in California 16 years ago. She had lived in California for the last 25 years. Mrs Cowen was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church. Survivors, in addition to the son, D. D. Cowen. or 6231 Bresslyn Road, include three other sons, O. L.. J. L.. and W. D Cowen and two daughters, Mrs. Marguerite Gilbert and Mrs. J. R. Henderson, all of California; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 11, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy THOMAS H. JONES Thomas H. Jones 70. of Chattanooga died on January 27 following a two year illness Funeral services were conducted Saturday. January 29. at the Luff Bowen Funeral Home here in Waverly with the Rev Virgil Tipps. pasted of the Methodist church, officiating. Burial was at the Wyly Cemetery Mr. Jones was never married and had moved from Humphreys county some 30 years age to Chattanooga. He was the son of the late S. G. and Josephine Webb Jones of Humphreys County. Surviving is one sister. Mrs. Clint Fowlkes of Memphis and distant relatives here In Humphreys County. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 4, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy HARRY P. MCCOWN - Died December 28, 1954 The passing of Mr. McCown for more than 26 years an employee of the State Highway Department, and for a number of years a Division Engineer Supervisor, took from the ranks of the Highway Department, a highly valued man. Although residing in Dickson with his wife and two teen-age daughters. Harry McCown was well known in Waverly and this area, where he was highly respected as a man of the highest character and his passing left an aching void among his many associates and friends. Well qualified to handle men, he had an even temperament with a combination of pleasant approach, that made him truly the gentleman he was. Mr. McCown was a Mason and a Methodist. He was the son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Freeman of Dickson. Mr. Freeman was for many years editor of the Dickson Herald until he retired several years ago. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), January 28, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy JOHN SHANNON MURPHY John Shannon Murphy. 36, assistant protestor of English at the University of Tennessee Martin branch, was found shot to death in the bathroom of his parents home. Mr. and Mrs. H B. Murphy in Fulton. Kentucky on Sunday morning, January 23 He had arrived home from Martin where his parents were attending church. apparently locked himself in the bathroom and fired a .45 bullet into his brain The shocked and grief-stricken aged parents found his body sprawled on the bathroom floor after prying the lock off the door Friends, who held him in high esteem and family alike had no idea why he had taken his life. He left no note. His mother is the former Miss Lillian Shannon of Waverly, who is a double cousin to Mrs. Dymple S Simpson, Humphreys County Clerk and Master He was the namesake of Mrs. Simpson's father, the late John F Shannon, Sr. Mr. Murphy had been a member of the Martin branch facility for about six years He was well known as a civic club speaker and an active church worker having formerly served as superintendent of the First Christian Church of Fulton, where he had been a member since the age of 14 He was educated at Peabody and Murray State Colleges. University of Texas. University of Florida and Harvard During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. Last summer he enjoyed an extensive trip abroad. Funeral services were held Tuesday of last week in Fulton. His parents are his only immediate survivors. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 4, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy WILLARD PAGE, 39 Willard Page, 39 of 594 Poplar Street, Memphis a native of Humphreys County, died Thursday January 27 at 3:46 p.m of a heart attack at John Gaston Hospital, Memphis. The body was brought by train to Waverly and remained at the home of his brother, Egbert Page of Hurricane Mills until funeral services were held there Saturday afternoon, January 29, at 2 p.m. Rev. C. B Jackson, pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church officiated. Burial was in the Taylor Cemetery near Hurricane Mills. A native of Humphreys County, he was the son of Will Page of Hurricane Mills and the late Mrs.Willie Portner Page At the age of 17 he left here, moving to West Tennessee. Later he worked in Chicago, Illinois and Buffalo, New York. Since 1943 he had lived in Memphis, At the time of his death he was employed as a cook to Electric Kitchen West Memphis. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Surviving other than his father, Will Page and brother Egbert are two sons. J. C Page of Knoxville and Jerry Page of Union City; two daughters, Miss Joyce Page of Union City and Miss Patricia Ann Page of Memphis and two sisters, Mrs. Belle Pruett of Hurricane Mills and Mrs. Vergie Ragsdale of Waverly. Garland-Hensley funeral directors were in charge of local arrangement. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 4, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy DOROTHY (NEELY) SMITH Mrs. Dorothy Neely Smith, wife of George B. Smith, died Tuesday February 8 at her home in New Johnsonville after a long illness. Funeral services were held Thursday at 2 p. m. at the Trace Creek Baptist Church. Burial was in Camden City cemetery. Rev. Robert E. Brown officiated. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Baptist church. Survivors other than her husband are a daughter, Charolette Ann and a son. Brym. her parents. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Neely Sr. of Daytona. Florida, two sisters, Mrs. A. J. Regan and Mrs. A. G. Hodgins of Daytona, Florida two brothers, J. L. Neely of Panama City Florida.J. H. Neely Jr., of Orlando. Florida. Luff-Bowen Company was in charge of funeral arrangements. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 11, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy PEARL SUGG Mrs. Pearl Sugg. 76, died at her home at McEwen Monday night after a long illness. Funeral services were held at McEwen Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. Luke Fuqua. Burial was in McEwen Cemetery, with Luff-Bowen Company in charge. Mrs. Sugg was a daughter of the late Isaac P. Young. She was the widow of Dr. J. Y. Sugg, who died 10 years ago. Mrs. Sugg was born In Bold Springs community and had resided in McEwen 46 years. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, George Sugg. McEwen. Dr. John R. Sugg. New York City, and James A. Sugg, Nashville; three grandchildren: a brother. W. H. Young, St. Louis; n sister, Mrs. H. M. May, Nashville. The News Democrat (Waverly, Tennessee), February 11, 1955 - submitted by A Friend of Free Genealogy