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Obituaries for August 5
Virginia Jo Flack, 82, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Maple Ridge Manor in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
Born Saturday, April 5, 1941, in Newbern, Tennessee, she was a lifelong resident of Newbern, Tennessee and the daughter of the late Finis Flack and the late Irene Caldwell Flack. Ms. Flack was a loving daughter and sister. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Newbern, Tennessee.
She leaves to cherish her memory, one niece, Patti Lynn Matson (Nick) of Huntsville, Texas. A great nephew, Nicholas Matson (Elizabeth) of Spring, Texas, and a great niece, Lauren Davis (Jacob) of Katy, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Finis Lynn Flack and two sisters, Patsy Tidwell, and Debbie Flack.
A visitation will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Graveside services for Ms. Flack will follow at 10:00 AM on August 7, 2023, at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Officiating this service will be Rev. Tyler Neeley.
Honoring Ms. Flack as pallbearers will be David Caldwell, John Berry, Jerry Maupin, Nick Matson, Nicholas Matson, and Tracy Walker.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers and food that memorial contributions be directed to the Newbern Methodist Church, 103 West Main Street, Newbern, Tennessee 38059.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Virginia Jo Flack.
Patricia "Patsy" Peterson Lawson, age 84 years, a deeply loved and admired mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted wife, passed away on August 3, 2023 in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Patsy was born on Valentines Day, February 14th, 1939 in Camden, Arkansas and raised by her mother and father, Nell Poland Peterson and James Denman Peterson, Jr. in Marks, Mississippi. She graduated from Marks High School with honors and participated as a debutante in the Mississippi Delta debutante program that year. Patsy went on to study at Holton- Arms Junior College in Washington, DC her freshman year, following which she enrolled at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) her sophomore year, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated with a BA Degree in English. After graduation, she became an English teacher in Memphis, Tennessee.
In 1962, Patsy wed attorney Ralph Ivy Lawson at Marks, Mississippi Baptist Church, going on to have two children, Nell Ivy Prince of Lakewood Ranch, Florida and Rush Denman Lawson of Fort Pierce, Florida. Ralph and Patsy's loving marriage endured for over 62 years at their home in Dyersburg, Tennessee and later in Fort Pierce, Florida. Many loving friendships were maintained over the years in Dyersburg.
Patsy is survived by her husband Ralph Lawson and her children Nell Ivy Prince and Rush Lawson. She also leaves six adoring grandchildren, Ivy Prince Watt, Alison Prince, George Lawson Prince, and Colin Prince, all of New York, New York, Kathryn Prince of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Alexander Lawson of Austin, Texas, and a great-granddaughter, Lily Watt of New York, New York. Patsy is also survived by her brother Denny Peterson of Lewisville, Arkansas and sisters Harriet Rooks of Starkville, Mississippi and Keturah Williams of Madison, Mississippi.
When Patsy had her children, she dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Patsy excelled at raising her children and supporting them through their lives. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others, and participated in many charitable organizations in Dyersburg, Tennessee including the American Cancer Society where she served as local chapter president and state volunteer of the year. She also served many years on the First Presbyterian Church Women's Committee as it's chairman. She was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Patsy was a passionate horticulturalist and cook, and when she wasn't filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found in her garden tending to her beloved colorful English roses or in the kitchen preparing meals for her family or others in need. She would continually share her fresh rose arrangements and delicious meals with those in need, including cancer patients, churches and friends. She was also a first-rate bridge player and recently enjoyed her time playing cards with friends at the Pelican Yacht Club on Hutchinson Island.
Patsy spent a lifetime serving others as hospitality was her gift. She was a beautiful quintessential Southern lady, and we will miss her greatly.
The family requests that memorials be sent St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. There will be a memorial/celebration of life at a later date followed by burial at the Marks, Mississippi Cemetery.
Vicky Lynn McDivitt
Until we meet again
On August 2, 2023, we said our final goodbyes to Vicky Lynn McDivitt, daughter of the late Jimmy Darrell and Martha Delores McDivitt (Dunn). She was our steadfast matriarch and the source of countless laughs, wild stories, and misadventures. She kept us on the tips of our toes and made sure there was never a dull moment. With her departure from this world, she takes with her a piece of all our hearts, leaving a hole that can never be filled.
Always the nostalgic old soul, she shared loads of stories about her childhood, from backyard camping trips and concerts to fond memories of living in Covington and the Crossgate community. She loved long car rides to nowhere, cold milkshakes, bad jokes, and big hugs.
She was a devout Christian, loving mother, sister, daughter, friend, and grandparent. She held onto her family with all her strength, always reminding us that we were the beat of her heart. The words don’t exist to properly convey just how much she will be missed, but we are thankful she is no longer in pain.
Vicky Lynn worked at Dyersburg Fabrics for nearly two decades alongside her mother and numerous other family members before retiring with disabilities. A dialysis patient for nearly a decade, she had the spirit of a warrior and fought a long, hard battle with her health. During her years on dialysis, she made many friends, some who are no longer with us. She valued these friendships and the comfort they gave her through the years. She was ever thankful for Jenny Campbell, Alan Cole, and the late Darlene Pounders for their companionship, care, and love.
Vicky Lynn was born at the Millington Naval Base in Millington, TN. She was raised by two of the most amazing and precious people, and our family is put at ease knowing she will now be with them again. She was the oldest child of the McDivitt clan in Dyersburg, followed in birth by Richard McDivitt, the late Mitch McDivitt (Donna), and John Thomas McDivitt (the late Lynn McDivitt). She was the mother of Micheal Justin Townsend (Natalie) and Rachel Elizabeth Townsend (Josh), and the grandmother of Parker Joshua Townsend, Nikki Elizabeth Curtis, River Maddox Townsend, Oakley Aurora Townsend, and Beaux Scarlet Townsend.
She was loved immensely by her entire family.
Vicky Lynn always reserved a special place in her heart for the McDivitts and Dunns. Her earliest memories in life were spent tethered to the hips of her grandmothers, the late Alsie Gray McDivitt, a.k.a. “Big Mama” and the late Laura Mae Dunn, a.k.a. “Granny Mae”.
Vicky Lynn would move mountains for her family. Her love knew no limits and we are thankful for every second we were able to spend with her. Though life’s hardships dealt a fair share of blows, she kept pushing forward. Her sheer will and resiliency made her one of the strongest forces in life we have ever seen. We will cling to all the laughs, smiles, and memories we shared. Her spirit will never die. Some of her favorite things in life were nature, music, animals, and southern cooking. In every Fleetwood Mac song, in every flower garden, and every batch of fresh cornbread, I know we will find her there.
Until we meet again in the next life.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, August 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Curry’s Funeral Home.
Eddie David Rainey, 68, of Memphis, died peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday,
July 20, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 5 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Memphis, with a reception to follow. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Eddie David Rainey.
Lula Wallace, 90, of Dyersburg, died Thursday, July 27, 2023 at ABC-Dyersburg.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Faith Deliverance Apostolic Church in Dyersburg. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dyersburg.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 5 from 12:00 P.M. till 2:00 P.M. at the church. Thompson's Mortuary in Ripley is in charge of arrangements.