Mrs. Beulah Frances Hale, age 97, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully Friday, January 9, 2026 with her family by her side. She was born in Smith County, TN to the late William Turner and Laura Ellen Barrett Enoch. While Mrs. Hale was a homemaker to her family, she also owned and operated Hale’s Mobile Home Park and numerous other properties. She was known for making the best chicken and dumplings and banana pudding. Mrs. Hale attended Middle Tennessee Baptist Church.

Mrs. Hale is survived by her children, Linda White, James Hale and his wife Pamela, Carolyn Ann Yost, and Johnny Hale and his wife Debbie; grandchildren, Donnie White, Lichelle Leonard, Dwayne White, Daniel White, Lisa Kermode, Lizabeth Cruz, Lydia Nobles, Jerika Lloyd, Jamyson Hale, Jack Yost III, Jason Yost, Joey Yost, Jaime Blaylock, Jennifer Rogerson, and Joshua Hale; great grandchildren, Dyllan White, Haley Griffin, Hayden White, Cameron Leonard, Lauren Goad, Peyton White, Ethan White, Zachary Cruz, Nicholas Cruz, J.J. Cruz, Calum Nobles, Ollie Nobles, Jentzen Lloyd, Janae Lloyd, Canaan Blaylock, Connor Blaylock, Charlotte Blaylock, Caroline Blaylock, Emery Yost, Gentry Yost, Deacon Yost, Braxton Yost, Keira Yost, Jacob Rogerson, Lucas Rogerson, Jordan Hale, and Parker Jane Hale; and great great grandchildren, Mia White, Haven Griffin, and Luke Griffin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Walter Hale.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 12:00noon until 1:00pm at Middle Tennessee Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00pm at Middle Tennessee Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Ronald Walter Edwards, age 79, passed from this life to the next on December 22, 2025, after an extended illness. Ron was a dedicated husband, Dad, Papa, Uncle Ronnie, and friend to all. He lived his life with adventure and fun and pulled those around him into his orbit.

Ron is survived by his wife, Linda, and children, Regan Edwards (Roger) Smith and Kyle (Lara) Edwards. He has 7 grandchildren, Ben, Zach, Abbie, and Drew Smith and Ruby, Amon, and Dawson Edwards. He is also survived by cousins Jerry Hayes and Sandra (Rich) Huntley, a host of beloved nieces and nephews, and so many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Renee and Larry Adamson, and cousin Estella Hayes, as well his beloved Golden Retrievers Bob and Andy.

Ron would love for you to celebrate his life by petting a dog, raising a Guiness, or drinking a glass of good wine – always in the company of someone you love.

Visitation will be held at Woodfin Memorial Chapel on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 4 to 7pm concluding with a Rosary at 6:30pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 11:00am on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following Mass.

Mrs. Martha “Mott” Ann McCormick Farrar, age 83, of Lynnville, TN passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. She was born in Lynnville to the late Granville and Edna Shaw McCormick. Mott spent most of her adult life in LaVergne, TN. She enjoyed growing flowers in her flower garden and watching NASCAR. She worked for the City of LaVergne in various roles and retired from the LaVergne Public Library.

Mrs. Farrar is survived by her daughter, Traci Lovell; grandsons, Cole Carbonaro and John Carbonaro; and nephew, Timothy Hamlett and his wife Lorie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard “Bully” Farrar, and sisters, Sue Jennings and Faye Hamlett.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna. Graveside services will take place Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:00am at Lynnwood Cemetery, Lynnville, TN.

Marjorie Louise Smith Sanders, age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Marjorie was born in Piney Flats, Tennessee, but spent her elementary school years in North Carolina. Upon returning to Piney Flats, she met and fell in love with Bobby Sanders, and they eloped on June 11, 1951.

Marjorie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Charmie Godsey Smith Shaver, and her brother Arthur Smith.

She is survived by her son Randy Sanders of Johnson City, Tennessee, and daughter Lisa Fox and her husband John of Smyrna, Tennessee; grandchildren Justin Fox and his wife Nikita, Kara Martin and her husband Seth, and Moss Sanders and Graham; great-grandchildren, Jack Martin, Axel Fox, Ella Martin, and Millie Fox; sister-in-law, Keitha Cross; nephew Kevin Cross and his wife Alix; and niece Kristen Cassidy and her husband Jeff; niece Frances Cash and many extended family and friends.

The family will have a private ceremony at the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee on Thursday, January 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm EST. Marjorie will be laid to rest with her beloved husband. It is very fitting that she is buried at a military cemetery as she was an extremely proud Army wife.

Evelyn Marie Turner Fowler, age 100, of Smyrna, TN, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026. Born in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late Edgar George and Laura Barton Johnson Turner. Mrs. Fowler was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward N. Fowler and a brother, Thomas Turner.

Mrs. Fowler is survived by her loving daughter, Terri Fowler of Smyrna, TN; and a nephew, Mark Turner of Michigan.

A graveside service for Mrs. Fowler will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, TN.

Mrs. Fowler was a 1943 graduate of Gallatin High School and attended Business College in Jackson, TN. She married her husband Ed in 1943. Mrs. Fowler was of the Baptist faith and an administrative assistant with the State of Tennessee.

An online guestbook for the Fowler family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Margaret Ann Ivie, age 87,  passed away on January 11, 2026.  She was a lifelong resident of Rutherford County and attended Open Word Tabernacle.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy Mosley and Sally Brown Pendergrast; husband, Thomas Ivie; and brothers, Howard Mosley, William Murphy Mosley, James Mosley, Gary Pendergrast, Jim Pendergrast, Donnie Mosley. She is survived by daughters, Janice Vaughn of Murfreesboro, Teresa Danford of McMinnville; brother, Roscoe Pendergrast; sisters, Peggy (Terry) Jungwirth, Sandra Woodard, Brenda (Bill) Woodard, Carolyn Johnson, Joyce (Albert) Silcox; grandchildren, Kristen (Josh) McDowell, Jeffery Lewis, Anthony (Wendy) Patterson, Mark Rhyne, Tracy (Danny) Shepherd; and eleven great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 PM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home. Chapel service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Jennings and Ayers with Samuel Darren Kinzer officiating. Burial will follow in Coleman Cemetery with Stephen Massengale, Joshua Massengale, Isacc Massengale, Terry Rose, Roy “Rusty” Simpson, Mark Rhyne, and Zachary Lewis serving as pallbearers.

Please leave online condolences for the family at www.jenningsandayers.com  Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, 820 South Church Street, Murfreesboro, TN. 37130.  615-893-2422.

Elizabeth Lorenza McPhee, the First Lady of Middle Tennessee State University, known for her tireless work as an educator,
volunteer and fundraiser for charitable causes, died January 8, 2026, after a brief illness. She was 72.

Working alongside her husband of 45 years, Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, throughout his 25 years as MTSU’s president starting in 2001,
Mrs. McPhee was an advocate, supporter and mentor to generations of university students, faculty and staff. Known for her love of
stylish hats and fashion sense, Mrs. McPhee was highly visible and strongly engaged on the Murfreesboro campus, often serving as
the patron and planner for activities, fundraisers and events at the University, and with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Visitation services for Mrs. McPhee will be from 3:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Belle Aire Baptist Church, 1307 N. Rutherford Blvd, in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Belle Aire Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

In addition to Dr. McPhee, Mrs. McPhee is survived in her immediate family by their son, Sidney-Anthony McPhee; their daughter, Seneca Ann McPhee; grandchildren, Asiah Ray Menke, Langston Anthony McPhee, Naomi Grace McPhee and Nyla Jade McPhee; along with many other family and dear friends.

Mr. Lewis Carroll “Bill” Williams, age 87, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026. He was born on Monday, December 26, 1938 in Valdosta, GA to the late Lorenzo C. and Tinzie Boyd Williams. Bill Williams was a graduate of Berrien County High School and attended Georgia Tech to study electrical engineering and marketing. Bill worked for Square D, later known as Schneider Electric, for 42 years until his retirement. As marketing manager, he traveled throughout the United States and to many countries during his career.

Bill Williams is survived by his wife of 65 years, Juanita Nations Williams; children, Christopher Williams and his wife Terie; Jonathan A. “Andy” Williams; Wendy Williams Dalaya and her husband Manoj; Mary Williams Toliver and her husband John David; grandchildren, Jillian Berke, Gray Cagle, Kaitlin Gevedon, Jordan Crowe, Jacob Dalaya, Kali Toliver Gray, Krysten Toliver Bratcher, Alexandra Dalaya, Kamryn Toliver Infante, Gilberto Infante, Graycen Williams; great grandchildren, Landry Kate, Memphis, Mason, Adleigh, Kylan, Millie ,Baker, Dawson, Kayson, Raphael. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, J.A. Williams, and sisters, Dorothy Williams Griner and Doris Williams Mathis.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 12:00noon until 2:00pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 2:00pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.