Gary Lee Holden, 60, of Pulaski, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at his residence.
Gary was born Feb. 14, 1963, in Ludington, Michigan, and was the son of the late Harold Holden and the late Shirley Coones Holden. He was a self-employed carpenter who enjoyed working with wood. Gary was an outdoorsman who liked gardening, camping, and going to the river. He was known for his kindness and generosity to others, always willing to sacrifice his own needs for the benefit of others. Most of all, Gary loved to spend time with his family and had a heart of gold.
He is survived by his son, Zacheriah Lee Holden of Pulaski; sisters, Carol Clancy of Fountain, Michigan, Cathy Bakham of Manistee, Michigan, Nancy (Chuck) Davis of Fountain, Michigan, and Sandra Larr of Fountain, Michigan; brother, Harold T. Holden Jr. of Fayetteville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Hunter, Austin, and Brianna Holden; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brother, David Holden.
Katherine Kelso was born Feb.2, 1936, in Fayetteville, Tennessee. She was the seventh child born from the union of Tom Davis Kelso and Ethel Cordelia Short. Kitty, as she was called by family, friends, and loved ones, was educated in the Fayetteville, Lincoln County School System. She attended kindergarten through 8th grade at Market Street School and then onto West End High School, where she served as secretary of her class all four years, and was a 1955 graduate. Kitty professed a hope in Christ at a young age and was baptized by the late Rev. Simmie Sanders and became a lifelong member of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she was active in all church activities, past choir member, and past Head of Kitchen/Hospitality Committee.
It was in 1955 when Kitty met Saxophonist Daniel Carmichael Sr. and from their union were born eight children. Kitty was loving and very supportive to Daniel Sr. and an extraordinary mother to their children. She was the definition of “A Virtuous Woman” Proverbs 31:10. In her early years, she was employed by the Motlow Family and as time went on, she was employed 17 years with Serbin Fashions, several years with Eagle Snacks, and retired from Del-Met Corporation in 2001.
Kitty was exceptional at everything she did, from cooking, cleaning, sewing, just to name a few. She is best known for her fried chicken, chess squares, sweet tea and lemon icebox pies. She learned her cooking techniques and skills from her loving aunt, Mrs. Mary Short McKinney “Nadie.” She was the neighborhood cook, hair presser/curler, confidant, and true friend. She was a second mother to many people who grew up in the Womack Heights community, as well as other communities within Fayetteville. She was the very best!
Kitty and her husband, Robert Roy “Dean” Neese raised her oldest grandchild, Brantalon Tyrell Carmichael from birth. Together they raised him as their very own and spoiled him wholeheartedly. They were inseparable.
Kitty will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by parents Tom Davis Kelso and Ethel Cordelia Short; her loving husband Robert, her loving son Daniel Carmichael Jr, and her siblings, Neal Kelso, William Thomas Kelso, Kathleen Kelso, Nancy Mae Raddler, E.B. McKinney, Harold McKinney, Freddie McKinney, and Carol Cordelia Conley.
Those left to honor and cherish the memories of “Miss Kitty” are her children: Ricky Renea (Glenda), Thomas Cortez, Barbara Danetta, Nancy Delphine (Willie), Craig (Jacqueline), Djuana, and Frederick Sr. (Sonia). Eighteen grandchildren: Tyrell, Cortney (Valentine), Brandi (Jermaine), Ricky (Andrea), Candise (Jamie), William (Lashaun), Ashley, Chanelle, Rico (LaToya), Willie, Rikisha, Bianca, Amber, Tenieka, Frederick Jr., Craig (Sara), Kiana, and Alyssa. Thirty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Sisters: Bobbie Whitaker and Martha Fuller. Four stepchildren: Robbie Neese, Earl McMullen, Vanessa Jumper, and Gwen Knott. Nineteen nieces and nephews, many great- and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins: the Kelso’s-Short’s-Edmiston’s-Jones’ and Keith’s. Very special friends: Doris McLier, Beverly Vance, Geraldine Blackmon, John and Peggy Dance and family.
Also left to cherish Kitty’s memory are her extended children and grandchildren: Angela Glover, Ronette Thompson, Melissa Coonrod, The McDonald – Tate’s, Sherry and Benita Hampton, Veronica (Wayne) King, Charles Ray Palmer, Stacie and Tracie Vance, Debbie and Nicole Wiley, Zarte (Jecenia) Fowler, and Saphana (Terence) Graves.
Grace Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Katherine Kelso Neese.
William Joyce Spray, 96, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at his residence.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March, 1, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home, with Dr. Jon Hathcock and Bro. Ray Gardner officiating. Private interment took place in Kirkland Cemetery.
Joyce was born on July 17, 1926, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, to the late James Henry Spray and Nora Lee Towry Spray. He retired from the Fayetteville Electric System after 40 years of service. Mr. Spray was a faithful member of the Fayetteville First Baptist Church and very active and an integral part of the YY’s. He was also former longtime member of the Fayetteville Lions Club. Ever the optimist, Joyce was a compassionate man who went through life with a smile on his face. He shared years of friendship and experiences with a devoted, close-knit group of friends throughout their lives.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Willene Spray; son, Donald Lee Spray; grandchildren, Brandon Spray, and Whitney (James) Cargo; great-grandchildren, Sutton Cargo, and Londyn Cargo; and a sister-in-law, Earlene (Kenneth) Pickett. In addition to his parents, Joyce was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Spray, Clifford Spray, and Edward Doris Spray; daughter-in-law, Jane Spray; and stepdaughters, Brenda Jo Sullivan, and Pamela Jean Sullivan.
Memorials may be made to Lincoln Medical Home Health and Hospice, 106 Medical Center Blvd., Attn: Donna, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of William Joyce Spray.
William Thomas Fox Jr., 51, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
He was born Sept. 7, 1971, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, son of William Thomas Fox Sr. and the late Charlene Howard. He worked for many years at Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home, and enjoyed time with family and friends, and playing video games. He mostly enjoyed watching football every Friday night on Tiger Hill.
In addition to his mother, he is preceded in death by his sons: Marcus Fox and Alex Fox; sister, Tammy Fox; and grandson Liam.
William is survived by his longtime girlfriend, Tammy Fowler; sons, Justin Fox, William Fox III, and Fredrick Fox, all of Columbia, Tennessee, Zachary Fox of Florida, Javon Fox of Fayetteville, Tennessee, and William Black of Nashville, Tennessee; daughters, Justice Fox of Fayetteville, Tennessee, and Raven Fox and Latasha Black, both of Nashville, Tennessee; father, William Thomas (Bridget) Fox Sr.; siblings, Sarah (Larry) Kirby of Athens, Alabama, Kathlene (Byron) Fox and Jessica Fox, both of Fayetteville, Tennessee; step-brother, Isaiah Whitaker of Ft. Worth, Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and many friends; and longtime friend, Sonya Canaday Fox.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 4, 2023, in the chapel of Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home. Burial followed in Pleasant View Cemetery.
Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Thomas Fox Jr.
