Mr. Eddie “Ed” Lionel Ratley, age 90, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully Monday, September 2, 2024. He was born in Sturgis, KY to the late Straude and Pernie Hazel Ratley. Ed proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He then went to work as a truck driver. Ed was of the Christian faith.

Ed is survived by his children, Carla Marston and Victor Ratley and his wife Dianne; and grandchildren, Josey O’Bryan and her husband Landon and Stephen Marston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Kirk Ratley, and his three brothers.

Burial of Ed’s cremated remains will take place at a later date. Arrangements will be announced once they are available.

An online guestbook is available for the family at www.woodfinchapel.com. Woodfin Memorial Chapel (615) 893-5151

Oraxone Thapasith Chantharath, age 85 of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024. A native of Saphay, Laos, she was the daughter of the late Thap and Pheng Thapasith. She was also preceded in death by her husband Chomsy Chantharath, three sisters, and five brothers.

Mrs. Chantharath is survived by her children, Kinnalone Chantharath, Kinnaly Banouvong, Khamthavy Chantharath, Soukthavy Chamarath, Vilakone Chantharath, Manisone Vixayvong, Vannathone Chantharath, Viengkhone Chantharath, and Viraphonh Chantharath; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren

A visitation will be held from 4:00 Pm to 6:00 Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

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

Woodfin Memorial Chapel. (615) 893-5151.

Mrs. Melinda Lou Knight Samuels, age 77, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away August 28, 2024. She was born on March 7, 1947 in Nashville, TN to the late James and Margaret Knight. She, her sister, and brother were the first set of triplets born at Vanderbilt Hospital. Her educational journey included attending St. Edwards Catholic School, Glencliff High School, Middle Tennessee State University, and Chattanooga State. Melinda's faith was an important aspect of her life, participating in congregations at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Nashville, Trinity Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, TN, and St. Rosa of Lima in Murfreesboro. She married her beloved husband, Gregory E. Samuels, in Basil, Switzerland while supporting his service in the United States Army.

A dedicated and vibrant member of the community, Melinda served as past president of the International Association of Administrative Professionals Tennessee Division and earned her Certified Professional Secretary designation. Her career also included impactful roles at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, where she supported the lower school as an administrative assistant, JV basketball coach, and cheerleading sponsor.

Melinda was an ardent supporter of sports, having been a past president of the Women's Golf Association at Stones River Country Club and a little league baseball president in Middle Valley, TN. Her love for sports extended to watching her sons and grandsons play, spending countless hours at the ballfields, gyms and golf courses, and she particularly enjoyed MTSU athletics, especially the Blue Raider women's basketball team.

An accomplished artist and painter, Melinda also enjoyed knitting, sewing, traveling, reading, playing golf, and spending time with her beloved pet dogs. Her creative spirit and loving nature touched many lives, both human and animal.

Melinda is survived by her husband of 56 years, Gregory E. Samuels; sons, Joey Samuels and his wife Lorrie and Michael Samuels and his wife Molly; grandsons, Dreighton and Owen; sister, Mary Knight Blanchard; brother, James W. Knight; and beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Steve Knight.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Blue Raider Athletic Association (BRAA) or a charity of your choice in Melinda's memory.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 10:00am until 12:00noon at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 12:00noon at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

An online guestbook is available for the family at www.woodfinchapel.com. Woodfin Memorial Chapel (615) 893-5151

Mr. Daniel James Johnson, age 86, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and patriot, Daniel’s life was marked by service, dedication, and love for his family, faith, community, and country.

Daniel was born on April 21, 1938 in Youngstown, OH. While at Austintown Fitch High School, he was a member of the Naval Air Reserve Guard. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served with distinction as a Radio Telephone Operator. Daniel’s time in the military shaped his strong sense of duty and honor, values he carried with him throughout his life.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Daniel moved into the workforce with positions in Northeast Ohio at A&P Grocers followed by office administration work with Herr-Voss. During this time, he was attending Youngstown State University to successfully obtain his undergraduate degree in Business Administration.

At this point, wanting to better provide for his family and move into greater roles of leadership, he began a long and successful career with State Farm Insurance. Throughout those 30 years, he consistently demonstrated excellent performance and was moved into higher leadership roles, eventually leading divisions in Accounting, Finance, and Management Planning. Concurrently, he put in the extra effort and obtained his Master’s in Business Administration from Dayton University. These opportunities took Daniel and his family through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and eventually Murfreesboro. 

His passion for helping others was evident in the many nights he taught accounting courses at two universities in central Texas, to leading young men in the Boy Scouts of America. After retirement, he enjoyed serving in volunteer positions with Habitat for Humanity and deepening his engagement with God by being an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro. Daniel loved to travel, play a spirited round of golf with good friends, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Daniel was a devoted family man. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Martha Johnson; two sons, Daniel K. Johnson and wife Pam and David T. Johnson and wife Holly; three cherished grandchildren, Camden Espinoza and husband Jeremy, Spenser Stone and husband Cameron, and Christopher Johnson; and sister-in-law, Janet Johnson. In addition to his parents, Lydia Maggianetti Johnson and Carl Johnson, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gayle Molnar, and brother, Carl Johnson.

Daniel’s life was a testament to the values of hard work, loyalty, and kindness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Habitat for Humanity and the Legacy Capital Fund at First Presbyterian Church in Daniel’s memory.

Daniel’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staffs of both Harmony at Victory Station – Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice Care of Murfreesboro for their compassionate care during his illness.

A celebration of Daniel’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 14, 2024 following the celebration of life at First Presbyterian Church.

An online guestbook is available for the family at www.woodfinchapel.com. Woodfin Memorial Chapel (615) 893-5151

Janice Elaine Lewis (Puckett) passed away suddenly on July 16th, 2024.

Janice was born August 12, 1953 in Aurora, Colorado. She grew up with her loving parents and siblings all over the country while her father served in the U.S. Air Force finally settling in Middle Tennessee in her teenage years. She graduated from Community High School in Unionville, TN in 1972.

She had a busy career from which she retired after 15 years at Middle Tennessee State University in the Office of the Provost in 2020. 

Janice had a zest for life, all things flamingos and loved any time spent with family and friends. She loved adventure, travel, crafting, sewing, playing games and just having fun. Her passion for others and creativeness were best evidenced in one of her biggest passions - quilting and volunteering for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. She spent innumerable hours of her time sharing her talent with others through sewing days, quilt kit assembly, her own quilting as well as serving as a volunteer coordinator. One of her greatest joys was presenting a quilt to a deserving veteran.

She loved traveling and was always ready to go whether it be weeks in Florida with her mother, Mexico or lake with friends or her numerous mission trips to a Guatemalan orphanage. 

She loved her family fiercely and is survived by her husband of 18 years, Glenn, her two daughters Sylvia McLaughlin (Bill) and Rhiannon Huffman, stepdaughters Jamie Lewis-Stewart (Amber) and Samantha Haun, two granddaughters Emma and Leah McLaughlin, her mother, Genevieve Helen Puckett, siblings Gerald Puckett (Regina), Rebecca Snow (Dennis), Cassie Davenport (Michael) and Kathy Reeves, step granddaughters Addison and Mason, nieces, nephews, great nieces/nephews, cousins and extended family as well as so many friends that she considered family. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Nathaniel Puckett and stepson, Justin Arnold. 

Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 PM, Sunday, July 21, 2024 at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home.

Chapel service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, July 22, 2024 at Jennings and Ayers with Michael Davenport officiating. Burial will follow in Cothran Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Quilts of Valor Foundation - www.qovf.org/donate or to Safe Homes for Children - Casa de Sion Orphanage Orphanage Paypal

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.