Stories from Thursday, July 5, 2007

Dorothy F. Wilson, 82, of Shelbyville died Wednesday at Bedford County Medical Center. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Tommy Dye officiating. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys Ozell Raby Orr, 98, of West Point, Miss., and Harriman, a former Shelbyville resident, died Monday at Roane Medical Center in Harriman. Funeral services were Thursday at Gowen-Smith Chapel with the Rev. Billy Ray Panter officiating. Burial followed at Willow Mount Cemetery.

Six-day-old Levi Christian Murrill of Rover died June 26 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater Grace Church in Christiana with Drew Wileczek officiating. A private burial was held at Miller Cemetery in Christiana. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Velma Towe "Jonesie" Jones, 81, of Shelbyville died Tuesday at Bedford County Nursing Home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Jonathan Sims, the Rev. Ronald Manley and the Rev. Bethea Fielding officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. today.

Funeral services for Jerrell Warren Boyce, 62, of Rich Valley, who died suddenly Tuesday morning while traveling in Arkansas on vacation, will be 2 p.m. Friday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Raymond Ragsdale, Reedus Baugher and Phillip Crawley officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hermon Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. Thursday.

Nancy Raney Beech, 66, of Shelbyville died Wednesday at her home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Larry Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. today.

The Bedford County Fair is just around the corner and preparations are underway in full force. From the stages of Harris Middle and the pageantry events for the newborns to over 18 age group to the Seniors Day, the fair promises something for everyone. Pat Finney is the director of the Senior Citizens Day-portion of the Fair. Along with Sarah Hill and Gene and Sandra Smith, the committee has taken a step back in time, spotlighting the day with an Ole Timers Storytelling Hour. "We are so excited about this event," said Finney. "This is an opportunity for the Senior Citizens of Bedford County to tell their stories. Childhood stories, holiday stories -- whatever they have to tell -- this is the time to do it." "As we celebrate the county's bicentennial, the story telling hour is a way to capture the history that might otherwise be lost. I am really glad we could offer this entertainment and let them dress the part as well." Finney refers to the invitation for the Senior Citizens to dress in Bicentennial-period clothing for the day. The admission price will even be free for those participating in the dress mode. Those not wishing to dress-up in period fashion of Bedford County's founding heyday will be charged a reduced entrance fee to the Fair for Senior Citizens Day at $2. "This is a day dedicated to and in honor of our Senior Citizens 55 and older," said Finney. "This is their special day, complete with a fried chicken lunch sponsored by MidState Finance. Because this is a day set aside for the Seniors, the activities are reserved for them alone." The luncheon will be served from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is for senior participants only. "The bingo games begin at 10:45 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.," said Finney. "This is something they all enjoy and thanks to Lee Adcock Construction, there are prizes available for the games as well." In addition to bingo, bicentennial and story telling, Finney said returning to the day's events were watermelon seed spitting contests and egg catching. "The presentation of the nation's colors will be done by Franklin Smith and Boy Scout troop 370," Finney related. "Valerie McConnell will sing the national anthem and Chancellor J.B. Cox will say the invocation." The events are the Fair begins at 10 a.m. and conclude for Senior day following the final round of bingo at approximately 2:30 p.m. "We are proud to honor our Senior Citizens," said Finney. "This is a day designed for them to enjoy all the activities the Fair offers." The Bedford County Fair begins on July 23 and runs through July 28. Activities for farm animals, farm equipment, singing, beauty and homegrown delights are scheduled. For more information on Senior Day, contact Pat Finney at 684-0262, Sarah Hill at 684-5429, or Gene and Sandra Smith at 857-3204.

Before the new Shelbyville City Council is sworn in next Thursday, the outgoing body will have several items to consider. One resolution that will be before the council is the issue of the city returning to voting for aldermen by wards instead of "at large."...

Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewer is asking the city for approximately $25 million for a new wastewater treatment plant. The request for the bonds was made Tuesday at the city council's study session. David Crowell told the council that the existing facility has served it's purpose...

Bedford Countians will have their fireworks display after all, but must wait until the fall to see it. The Shelbyville city council agreed to reschedule the event to coordinate with the county's Veterans Day parade, tentatively set for the weekend of Nov.10-11. The display, normally held each July 4, was canceled this year due to the extreme dry weather the area has endured. The city and the county equally split the $7,500 contracted cost for the annual display...

Funeral services for Mary Catherine Adams, 92, of Franklin, formerly of Shelbyville, will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Mike Prosser officiating. Burial will follow at Round Hill Cemetery in Belfast. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday.

I took off my dress shoes, tie and suit on Tuesday afternoon, threw them in the closet and cussed at how I didn't want to see them again. With the exception of church, a wedding or a job interview with ESPN, I want no part of trying to look fancy. These funerals are really starting to make me angry...