JOHN FLEMING
John Fleming, 86, of Atoka, passed away on January 8, 2022 at his residence. There was a walk through visitation for Mr. Fleming on Jan. 15 with a memorial service at Jefferson Mortuary, Inc. Chapel, in Millington. Interment will take place at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Jefferson Mortuary, Inc., had charge.
EDITH CLYDE HUFFMAN HANKS
Edith Clyde Huffman Hanks, 99,was born in Brighton, to the late Neverette Lafayette Huffman, Sr., and Annie Mae Marshall Huffman. She graduated from Brighton High School and worked at Fisher Aircraft during WWII as one of the famous Rosie Riveters, supporting the U.S. war effort. Later she worked at various institutions in the accounting field. Being the eldest of eleven children, she is remembered for her love for her church, the Brighton ARP Church, where she was a lifelong member. Her family was very important to her and she cherished each one as a gift. She enjoyed gardening and was known for her southern cuisine and hospitality. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Marvin Hanks, and two sons, George Maurice Hanks (Thelma Ann) and William Richard Hanks (Linda). She is survived by her four children, Marvin Lynn Hanks (Kimberly) of Madison, Ala., James Malcolm Hanks of Sanford, Fla., Shelia Hanks Brubaker of Brighton, and Faye Hanks Griffin (Freddie) of Arlington. Left to grieve her absence are her twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by five sisters, Mary Pannell, Nora Dickey, Carolyn Sides, Margarette Huffman, and JoeAnne Alsbrook, all of Brighton. Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel had charge.
CHARLES RICHARD ‘CHIC’ NUTE
Charles Richard (Chic) Nute, 78, went to be with our precious Lord on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with loved ones by his side. Chic was a retired assistant principal from Brighton High School. He was acting athletic director for Tipton County Schools. Chic was a former teacher, coach and/or administrator at Munford High School, Munford Middle School, Oakhaven Baptist Academy, Kingsbury High School, Bartlett High School, Whitehaven High School, and Manor Georgia. He was a commissioner for WTAC Conference and a 2014 TSSAA Hall of Fame Inductee. Chic was a member of Crossway Cowboy Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon. Chic was preceded in death by his father Lewis Sinclair Nute, mother Juanita Baird Nute Crockett (Hubert), brother, Arthur (Artie) Eugene Nute, and his loving wife of 47 years, Bonnie Dean Norris Nute. Chic is survived by his wife Brenda Renae Starling Strickland Nute (7 years), two children Nita Harris (Rick), and Rick Nute (Erica). He has three step-children Kimberly Rodgers (Kevin), Robert Louis Strickland Jr. (Angela), and Samuel Lawrence (Laney) Strickland. He has a sister Barbara Ellen Crockett Springer and sister -in-law Nancy Earnheart Nute. He has four grandchildren; Christian Harris, Connor Nute, Parker Nute, and Avery Nute. There are five step grandchildren: Rinzi Strickland, Siara Strickland, Allison Alford, Seth Strickland (Madison), and Halee Jayne Strickland. Visitation took place Jan. 14 at the Covington Funeral Home. The funeral was held Jan. 15 in the Covington Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at the Memorial Park Cemetery, in Memphis. Services was conducted by Pastor Terry Hilliard (Crossway Cowboy Church). Pallbearers include Brian Crowson, Steve Douglas, Christian Harris, Earl LeFlore, Jim Oliver, and Don Wilson.
JAMES ALPHONSE PAYANT
James Alphonse Payant, Sr., 87, of Munford, passed away January 6, 2022. The family received friends Jan. 9 at the Munford Chapel. A memorial service followed immediately. Mr. Payant will be remembered as quite the character. He loved his wife, kids, people and always had a silly song or joke at the ready. He was a retired store owner and keeper of J.A. Payant & Co. Grocery on Beaver Road for many years as well as Assistant Manager at Fred’s in Munford, worked for RCA when the first satellite was launched, served in Tucson Air National Guard, a technician at Warwick Electronics and other varied occupations. He was a scoutmaster for Munford pack 66 in Munford in the late 60’s and loved working with those boys. He met and married the love of his life while stationed in Memphis as a marine after dating only two weeks. He and his wife, Vina Ann, passed within 42 hours of each other and only three weeks before their 67th wedding anniversary. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vina Ann Payant.; his father, Stanley Aaron Payant; his mother, Dora Marie Dennison. He is survived by two daughters, Joan Annette Estes (Sam) and Jeanine Allison Adkison (Keith); four sons, Joseph Aaron Payant (Barbara), James Alphonse Payant, Jr. (Kathy), John Anthony Payant (Lynn), and Jeremy Andrew Payant; three sisters, Cecelia Reed-Hubbard of Lake Michigan, Patricia Mcdonald of Phoenix, Ariz., and Kathleen Dennison Kirby of Spokane, Wash.; two brothers, Kenneth McDonald of Spokane, Wash., and Scott Dennison of Spokane, Wash.; eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made to PBS-Channel 10 Memphis. Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel had charge.
KENNETH EARL RACHAL
Kenneth Earl Rachal, 52, of Millington, passed away January 6, 2022. The family received friends Jan. 14 with a service Jan. 15 all at the Millington Chapel. Interment followed in Northridge Woodhaven Cemetery. Any memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (StJude.org). Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel had charge.
EVELYN RAMAGE
Evelyn Ramage, 82, went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2022. The family received friends Jan. 10 at the Munford Funeral Home-Munford Chapel. A service followed immediately. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice. Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel.
GERALDINE RAWLS
Geraldine Rawls, 101, passed away January 12, 2022. The family will receive friends Jan. 22 from 1 until the service at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Millington. Interment will be Jan. 24 at 11:00am at Northridge Woodhaven Cemetery. Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel had charge.
JAMES MICHAEL SESTINA
James Michael Sestina, 76, of Atoka, it is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Jim Sestina announces his passing January 5, 2022. Jim was born in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania on New Year’s Day, 1946. He attended school in the Mattoon School District and graduated from Mattoon High School in 1964. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1966 to 1974 in Naval Communications. Upon leaving the Navy, he returned to Mattoon with his young family to join the Mattoon Police Department as a uniformed patrolman. He served on the police force from 1974 to 1979, ultimately achieving the rank of plain clothes Lieutenant pursing criminal investigations. During this time, he also completed an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Lake Land Community College in 1977. In 1979, ready to take the next step in serving his community and country, Jim had an unplanned meeting with his original Navy recruiter who convinced Jim the Navy really needed him and his newly acquired skills in law enforcement. Later that year, after interviews at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Jim accepted the Navy’s offer to re-enlist with full rank in Naval Security. He completed his 20-year Naval career retiring in 1991. By this time Jim and his wife, Fran, had a family of five, and they settled in Atoka, Tennessee near one of the Naval bases at which he had served. But he still wasn’t done serving his community. He achieved his Private Investigator license, started a bail bonds business, and supported local Tennessee law enforcement as an expert trial witness. Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Fran (Morrow), his mother, Ida Marcelynn Fuller, and his father Earnest E. Sestina. Jim leaves his three children: Angie Ruddy (Don) of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Jamie John (Wendell) of Cordova, Tennessee, and Michael Sestina of Atoka, Tennessee, a brother Stephen (Lisbeth) of Buckeye, Arizona, a sister, Kristie Ann Thomas (Ron) of Villa Grove, Illinois; 14 grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Jim also leaves many long-time friends in both Tennessee and Illinois, and will be greatly missed by them all. Funeral services were held Jan. 12. Arrangements by Munford Funeral Home.
HARRY A. SIMMONS
Harry A. Simmons, 91, passed away Friday, January 7, 2022. He was a retired captain with the United States Marine Corps. He later retired from MWR with the Memphis Naval Air Station. Mr. Simmons loved playing golf. The family received friends Jan. 17 at Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel. Funeral services was held Monday at Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel with interment following in Northridge Woodhaven Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Velta Marie Simmons, daughter, Lorraine Griffin, son-in-law, Kenneth Griffin, great granddaughter, Angelene Lee Simmons, sister, Margaret Mayo, brothers, John Simmons, Thomas Simmons, Linwood Simmons, Paul Simmons, and Fred Simmons. Survivors include his sons, Richard A. Simmons (Lisa) of Mason, Harry A. Simmons, Jr. (Michele) of Millington, brother, Joseph Simmons (Jacqueline) of Disputana, VA, grandchildren, Chris Barratt (Jessica), Rachel Simmons, Rich Simmons (Danielle), Tripp Simmons (Becky), Kate Pemberton (Charles), Emily Robison (Kenneth) and K.C. Griffin as well as numerous great-grandchildren.
MARTHA JEAN TIPTON
Martha Jean Tipton passed away January 4, 2022. Funeral service was held Jan. 15 at the Millington Funeral Home Chapel with interment at St. John Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Atoka. Millington Funeral Home had charge.
LOUISE HALL WATERS
Louise Hall Waters, 96, passed peacefully in her sleep January 8, 2022. The family received Jan. 11 with a service Jan. 12 at the Millington Chapel. Interment followed in Forest Hill Midtown. Any memorials may be made to United Methodist Women at First United Methodist Church Millington or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (StJude.org) Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel had charge.
