Taney Emery Sims, 77, of Murfreesboro, TN, went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2026.

Ms. Sims was born on December 4, 1948 to the late W. Lloyd and Christina Emery at their homestead in Crossville, TN.  In the 70s, Ms. Sims moved to Murfreesboro, where she married and had two beautiful children.  She, also, was a successful businesswoman from co-owner of Antique Mall, auction company owner, working at Peach Tree to her very start of a flight attendant at American Airlines, where she met Elvis Presely!

Ms. Sims proudest accomplishment was being a mother and “granny” but most of all, serving the Lord.  She prayed multiple times a day, read her Bible daily, quoted scripture and would hit her knees in prayer when the Lord placed something on her heart or to lift others up.  She, often, told us she prayed every day to give each of us wisdom, strength and courage; and that Jesus had an enthusiastic sense of humor as she would laugh at something that she told him or he placed upon her heart.

A special bible verse of Ms. Sims: Esphesians 3:16-17 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

Ms. Sims is preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Christina Emery, and son-in-law, Roger Haley.

Ms. Sims is survived by her daughter, Holly Haley, son, Robert Sims, granddaughters, Riley and Emery Sims and her brother, Lloyd Emery and his wife, Norma.  She was blessed to have a lifelong friend, Karen Hayes, and her husband, Rodney.

Isaiah 40:31

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

A celebration of life will be held at a later time for Ms. Sims.

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.

Mr. Donald “Duck” Cunningham, age 83, of Nunnelly, TN died on January 28, 2026 at his home in Nunnelly, TN. Mr. Cunningham was a native of Rutherford County, TN and was a son of the late Clarence Eugene Cunningham and Annie Pauline Smith Cunningham.  He was retired as the owner and operator of Pal’s Transmission Repair Shop for over 40 years.  He was a member of Midland Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.

Mr. Duck loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting.  He had a good collection of knives, cigarette lighters, and guns.  He was a super fan of NASCAR racing.  Most of all he loved his family and spending time with them.

Mr. Cunningham is survived by his sister, Georgia Wisdom of LaVergne, TN; brothers, Paul Eugene Cunningham of Shelbyville, TN, Calvin Cunningham of Murfreesboro, TN, Dorris Wayne “Kinky” Cunningham of Shelbyville, TN, Kenneth Cunningham of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Bonnie Cunningham of the Rover Community; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 11 AM until 1 PM at Lawrence Funeral home.  The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 1 PM from the Chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Curt Wageron officiating.  Interment will follow at Cothran Cemetery in the Rover Community of Bedford County, TN.

Kelly Cunningham, Chauncey Cunningham, Eddie Wisdom, Paul Widsom, Tommy Yarbrough, and Bill Lee will serve as pallbearers.

Peggy Jo Caldwell Smith, age 82, of Murfreesboro, TN, was born on March 20, 1943 and went to be
with her Lord and Savior on January 25, 2026. A native of Union City, TN, she was the daughter of
the late Norman and Louise Taylor Caldwell.

On January 20, 1963, Peggy married the love of her life, Lee J. Smith. Together they raised their
family in Martin, TN, where Peggy spent many years as a secretary for the UT Martin Agriculture
Department. In 1985 they moved to Murfreesboro, with Peggy retiring from the Rutherford County
District Attorney’s Office in 2010.

Peggy was a Christian and a member of Highland Heights Church of Christ. She loved her family, her
backyard flower garden, and socializing with her friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Lee of 59 years, and her sister Judy LaFont. She is
survived by two daughters, Karen Smith Tolbert (Lonnie) and Belinda Smith Pate (Mark), and a son,
Bradley Stephen Smith (Kaylei), all of Murfreesboro; five grandchildren, Mandi Tolbert, Eric Moore
(Colleen), Amory Pate Godley (Ben), Olivia Pate Blackmon (Mark), and Susanna Tolbert Gentry
(Caleb); three great grandchildren, Judah, Ellie, and Baylor Godley, and two more on the way, both
due in a few weeks.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with
Brother Wayne Cornwell officiating. The family will begin receiving visitors at 12Noon and will
continue until the service at 2pm. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Highland Heights Church of Christ (Smyrna, TN)
Vision Campaign in memory of Peggy and an online guestbook is available at
www.woodfinchapel.com.

Aaron David Frost, age 35, passed from this life to the next on the morning of January 21, 2026, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Aaron was born in Murfreesboro, TN and was a resident in Apison, TN. He was a telecommunicator trainee with Hamilton Co. 911 Emergency Communications District and loved every bit of it. He was a 2009 graduate of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, TN. Aaron attended Silverdale Baptist Church-Apison with his family every Sunday that he wasn’t working or at a volleyball tournament cheering on his girls. He was a talented musician and was constantly tapping his fingers to a tune in his head. He also loved several sports, including baseball and football. Aaron was a devoted husband and father and thoroughly enjoyed watching his daughters learn and grow.

Aaron is preceded in death by his father, Jack D. Frost; paternal grandmother, Rebecca Frost; and brother-in-law, Joshua D. Cates. He is survived by his wife, Desarée Frost and their daughters, Ainsley and Ember Frost of Apison, TN; mother, Cheryl Frost of Knoxville, TN; maternal grandmother, Barbara (James) Price of Hueytown, AL; brother; in-laws, Dave and Bonnie Cates, Jon Cates and Jessica (Erik) Henson; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 10:00am CST until time of chapel service at 2:00pm CST, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home in Murfreesboro, TN. Aaron will be laid to rest at Christiana Miller Cemetery, route 269 East, Christiana, TN with Pastor Ben Shoening officiating.

Pallbearers: Dave Cates, Jon Cates, Erik Henson, Eric de Leon, Ben Huber, and Blake Waters. Honorary Pallbearers: Joshua Cates, Scott Shimak, and Kyle Brewer.

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.

Norvell Dean Bowen, age 87 of Clarksville, TN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Brookdale. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Woodfin Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held before the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm.   

Norvell was born on October 31, 1938, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to the late Robert and Maggie Bell Bowen.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Nancy Bowen and Norma Bowen, stepbrother Randy Brown, and a special friend Shirley Corker. 

He is survived by his son John (Kim) Bowen, his daughter Alicia (Michael) Gloss, brother Nicky (Dianne) Bowen, his sisters Nina Sissom, and Linda (Dion) Longo, step-siblings Barbara Moefield, Kenneth (Donna) Brown ; and his grandchildren Rushton (Frangelica) Bowen, Eden Bowen(fiancé Ben Everest), Micah Gloss, and extended family grandchildren Joshua (Rebecca) Gloss, Kayla Gloss; and many nephews, nieces, family, friends to include a special loved one Christian Robbins. 

Norvell attended Central High School, where he graduated in 1957.  During his high school years, he played cornet in the school band and participated in clubs.  He proudly served as a National Guardsman and was honorably discharged in 1962.   

In 1964, Norvell began a long and successful career with the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean.  He served as manager of the Clarksville substation before he was promoted to regional manager, overseeing much of Middle Tennessee.  He helped launch USA Today all over the country.  After he retired from the newspaper business, his creativity emerged and he discovered a passion for painting gourds.  This hobby brought him great joy, and he loved sharing his work and the stories behind each piece.  Even after moving into memory care, he taught a class for his fellow residents on how to prepare and paint gourds while sharing what inspired his favorite designs. 

Norvell was an avid sports fan.  On Tuesday and Friday nights, he could often be found attending local high school sporting events.  He was a devoted supporter of Austin Peay State University athletics and was a proud member of the Governor’s Club, attending basketball, football and baseball games.  He also enjoyed cheering on the Tennessee Titans.  When he wasn’t watching sports, he loved cooking, baking, canning, and traveling with his family and friends.  

Those who knew Norvell often described him as caring, kind, creative, giving, hardworking, intelligent, friendly and dependable.  He was a devoted protector and provider for his family and appreciative of his friends.  Norvell loved wholeheartedly and would do anything for those he cared for and loved.  He was always there when someone needed him, and his life touched countless people in meaningful ways.

Arrangements are entrusted to Woodfin Funeral Chapel, 1488 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37130; 615-893-5151.  He will be laid to rest at Coleman Cemetery with the family serving as pallbearers.

An online guest book for the Bowen family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Larry Pugh, age 73, passed away January 26, 2026 at his residence. He was a native of Murfreesboro and a resident of Nashville. He was a well known florist designer who won numerous awards in the Nashville area.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Raymond Pugh and Emma Elizabeth Davenport Pugh; partner, Ron Weingrart; and brother, Kenneth Pugh. He is survived by brothers, Terry Pugh, Dennis Pugh; sister, Marilyn Horn; and niece, Jamie Martin.

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 PM, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Evergreen Cemetery with family and friends 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.