Warren County Tennessee, Obituaries from the Southern Standard

Amos C. Biles, retired carpenter and well known McMinnville citizen, died in a Nashville hospital Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock. He had been in ill health for four years. He was 75 years of age. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at West Riverside Church of Christ. The minister, J.R. Bailey, officiated and burial was in the Mt. View cemetery. Mr. Biles was a native of Warren county, born July 28, 1876. His parents were Thomas Biles and Syrelda Medley Biles and on October 31, 1900 he was married to Miss Lucinda Lynn. She died June 7, 1947. Mr. Biles was a member of the Church of Christ. He is survived by one son, Marcus Biles, McMinnville; three brothers, Ebb Biles, Statford, Okla, Thomas Biles, Hazel Green, Ala., and James Biles, Viola; one sister, Mrs. Mary Marrow, Hazel Green, Ala. High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. C. A. Biles Dies Of Illness; Rites Wednesday
Mrs. Blanche Christian Biles, 79, wife of Charles A. Biles, well known and respected citizen of Warren county, died at Lively Heights Rest Home Tuesday morning at 7:45 o’clock, after being in declining health for the past few years. Mrs. Biles was the mother of Fred Biles, McMinnville business man and for a number of years she served as the Southern Standard’s valued correspondent at Rockliff community. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the chapel of High Funeral Home. Joe Gray, Minister of Bybee’s Branch Church of Christ, officiated and burial was in Mt. Zion cemetery. pallbearers were Leslie Wood, John Grove, Forest Grove, A. J. Winton, Jr., Scott Nelson and W. H. Deakins.
A native and life long resident of Warren County, Mrs. Biles was born in St. Mary’s community of the 6th district December 7, 1874. She was a daughter of O. Bradley Christian and Mary Christian and both her father and grandfather served in the Confederate Army, enlisting together on September 6, 1861 when her father was 15 years old. Mrs. Biles was educated in the public school at St Mary’s and at Irving College private school and for a time taught in the schools of Warren and Grundy Counties. She was married to Mr. Biles December 23, 1896 and for several years the couple resided with Mr. Biles mother at Mt. Zion, later purchasing a farm on Viola Road where they lived until both retired. For a number of years Mrs. Biles was active in the religious and social life of Mt. Zion and White Hall communities and she was noted for her helpfulness in the care of the sick and assistance to the needy. After a short residence in Viola, the Biles family moved to their home in Rockliff community where both were active members of the Church of Christ and where Mrs. Biles often remarked she hoped she could spend the remaining days of her life amid the best friends and neighbors in the world. Mrs. Biles was stricken by facial palsy in August 1950 and she never entirely recovered from the stroke. Upon leaving the hospital she and Mr. Biles who inexplicably lost his sight in 1947, went to live at the Lively Heights home. They made their home there since. Mrs. Biles is survived by her husband; two sons, Fred C. Biles, McMinnville, and Ronald Biles, Chattanooga; a sister, Mrs. Ode Nicodemus, Oklahoma City, Okla. and one brother, Hervey Christian, Irving College. Also six grandchildren. High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. Thursday, Nov 12 , 1953, p. 1.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, Bethany, OK, 2000]

Eural Roy Biles, 70-year-old retired resident of 212 Oriole St., was taken suddenly ill Saturday and pronounced dead at the Warren County General Hospital emergency room at 9 a.m. The Warren County native was a member of the Church of Christ and a son of the late Jim and Bessie Brown. His wife, the former Leola Ramsey, preceded him in death Jan. 2, 1968. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Biles of McMinnville and Sarah Joyner, three grandsons and four great grandchildren, and aunt and an uncle. James Smith and George King will conduct last rites in High's Chapel at 3 p.m. Thursday, interment following in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Biles' Rites Held At Riverside
Prayer services for Mrs. Fanny Ransom Biles, widow of Joe R. Biles, McMinnville businessman for a number of years, were held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the graveside in Riverside cemetery. Rev. Marquis J. Triplett, minister of First Methodist Church of Murfreesboro, officiated. Mrs. Biles, 88, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Albert King, Sr., in Murfreesboro, Thursday night. She had made her home with her
sister since the death of Mr. Biles eight years ago. A daughter of Joe and Virginia Williams Ransom, Mrs. Biles was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. King is her only immediate survivor.

Funeral Friday For H. E. Biles
Harrison Eugene Biles, Sr., 52 year old East End Drive resident, died at 5 a.m. Wednesday at Medical Clinic, following a lingering illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at East End Drive Church of Christ. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery. A native of Warren county, Mr. Biles was born Nov. 24, 1909, and was the son of Harrison Biles and Josie Locke Biles. He was married in 1921 to the former Katherine Spurlock, who survives. He was employed as a garage attendant. Survivors,
in addition to his wife, include three sons, Harris Eugene, Jr., Bobby Biles, and George Edward Biles; and five daughers, Josephine Biles, Marjorie Ruth Biles, Mrs. Frankie Mae Dalton, Sally Jane Biles, and Barbara Ann Biles. All survivors are of McMinnville. High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The numerous relatives and friends in Tennessee of the former Ida Belcher,
wife of R.P. Biles, will be saddened to learn of her death, which occurred at their home inn Maysville, Oklahoma on July 1. Funeral services were conducted by the Methodist minister and the body was laid to rest in Maysville cemetery, amidst the tears and floral tributes of her devoted family and steadfast friends. Among former Tennesseans at the funeral were Mrs. Clara Willis Page, Mrs. Oda Christian Nicodemus, sister of Mrs. C.A. Biles of McMinnville, and Mr. and Mrs. Horace Bryan, all of Chickasha, Oklahoma. She leaves, besides her husband, three sons and several grandchildren in Oklahoma and Texas, and a number of relatives and friends in Tennessee. Three years ago she was stricken with facial palsy from which she never recovered. Although perfectly rational in mind until her death, she was bedridden from the first and her case baffled medical skill.
Ida Belle Blecher was born March 22, 1875, the daughter of Robert and Nancy
Elizabeth (Bettie) Bryan Belcher, of Warren county. Her paternal grandfather, with whom her father was engaged in Large-scale farming operations in the Viola community, was the well-known Richard Belcher, familiarly referred to in his life-time as "Uncle Dick". Her maternal grandfather was John M. Bryan, a solid citizen of Coffee county. She was
a sister of Ada and Frank Belcher, and a cousin of Fannie Belcher, now married and residing at Oakland, and of Bob and Tom Belcher, neither of whom is now living.
On June 6, 1901, in a simply but impressive ceremony performed by the Rev. B.T. Smotherman, P.C. of the Vervilla Circuit (as it was then), she married Robert Porter Biles, son of Asbury and Elizabeth Matthews Biles, and a brother of C.A.Biles of McMinnville. For a time the young couple resided with his mother at the Biles homestead at Mt.Zion, but having decided upon the west for their future home they
arrived in Oklahoma in January 1906. Here, through their own unaided efforts, they purchased a blackland farm in the valley of the Washita River in McLain County, in the south-central part of the state, near Pauls Valley, Chickasha, and Oklahoma City. It was an excellent location and with hard work, superior management, and perfect teamwork between husband and wife they added from time to time to their holdings, developing one of the finest farms in that section. Meantime three sons were growing up whom they sent through high school. Afterwards Howard went to A. and M. College and later into a position with an oil company in which he has remained. Ray, the youngest, went to Chicago to study electricity and upon his return became electrician for the same
company. Guy, the second son, preferred to remain on the land and continue farming operations and the production of livestock. When his parents decided to retire, he purchased the family homestead and added it to his own. Their sons being launched in life, "Porter and Ida," as they were familiarly known to their friends, felt they had earned a rest. In selecting their future home they made a happy choice purchasing a bungalow
and twenty acres near Maysville they settled down to enjoy their declining years with all the advantages of a farm but without Its responsibilities. Their children with their families were not far away-Guy, a near neighbor; Howard at Sunray , in the Texas Panhandle; Ray, a superintendent of Public Utilities, in the same town; their oldest
grandson, Edward, in the Texas A and M. College, which he had entered at the age of fifteen (now stationed at St. Louis as Lieutenant and instructor oft he U. S. Army). For several years they enjoyed this care-free life together. There were numerous visits to and from their children, and from other relatives and friends living in other states. They them- selves made several visits to their native Warren county and renewed old friendships. Then came the Grim Reaper and claimed its own. Ever careful of the training of her children, Ida Belcher Biles watched with pardonable pride their development into stalwart, steady, industrious citizens, true representatives of their ancestors who were among the solid citizens who founded and developed the U.S.A. Early in their married life husband and wife became active in the little rural church near their home where their children attended Sunday school, and their interest in religious life continued with ever growing comfort to both of them. It will be a source of strength to the bereaved husband whose life is rudely shattered by the loss of his beloved companion of fifty-one years. A woman of sterling character, far-sighted, and practical, Ida Belcher Biles was indeed a true helpmate to the man she married. Husband and sons give due credit to her business judgment of wife and mother, as well as her many other fine qualities. Truly it may be said of her who so lately passed from among us that she successfully fulfilled her duties as wife, mother, friend and neighbor, lovingly, cheerfully, and efficiently. She faced death with even greater courage than she had faced the problems of life, being sustained by her faith. Having given careful instructions regarding the details of her burial, she quietly went to sleep. "I have no fear of the great beyond, Nor or of the yet to be; I know that God will keep his own through all eternity." One who knew and appreciated her worth.

BILES, James McFerrin (1867-1953)

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN, Thursday, January 15, 1953.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, 2000]

Retired longtime McMinnville Police Department radio dispatcher Marcus Marvin Biles, 79-year-old resident of 101 Highrise Apartments here, died of an extended illness in Cookeville General Hospital at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The Warren County native was a member of the Central Church of Christ and was married to the former Leta Chambers who survives. He was a son of the late Amos and Lucinda Lynn Biles. During his many years as dispatcher, Mr. Biles was credited with having a highly retentive memory, familiar with every remote "pig trail" in the county and the residence of virtually every resident of Warren county. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter and grandson, Mrs. Sarah Young and David Young, both of McMinnville. John W. High and Lindell Doty will conduct last rites in High's Chapel at 3 p.m. Thursday. Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery. High's Inc., is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Violet Bishop Dies In Van Buren
    Mrs. Violet Bishop, widow of Monroe Bishop, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Floyd Johnson, in the fourth district of Van Buren county December 20 at 9 a.m. She had been ill five weeks and was 76 years of age. Funeral services were held December 22 at Shockley cemetery at 10 a.m. John W. High officiated and burial took place there.
    Mrs. Bishop, native of Van Buren county, was born September 14, 1875. Her parents were Tol Grissom and Janie Bouldin Grissom and she was first married to James Martin. He died November 8, 1920. In 1924 she was married to Mr. Bishop and he died in 1939. Mrs. Bishop was a member of the Church of Christ.
    Survivors include two sons, Willie Martin and Tommy Martin, Spencer; two daughters, Mrs. Johnson, Laurel burg, and Mrs. Joe Shockley, Spencer; four brothers, Bud Grissom, Spencer, Marion Grissom, New Boston, Mass., Jim B. and Claude Grissom, Texas. High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. Friday, January 4, 1952, p. 4
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, 2000]

Mrs. Blackburn's Rites Set Today
Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Blackburn, who died Wednesday noon at her home, 226 Woodland Drive, will be held this (Friday) afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Morrison Church of Christ. Stanley J.A. McInery, the minister, will officiate and burial will be in Stroud cemetery at Morrison. Mrs. Blackburn died following an illness of seven weeks. She suffered a stroke of Paralysis New Year's day from which she never recovered. She is 61. Born near Morrison, March 2, 1890, Mrs. Blackburn was a daughter of George Norton and Mary Caroline Stroud Norton and she was married November 24, 1909 to James C. Blackburn. He died February 8, 1946. Most of her life was spent near her birthplace, however for the past several years she had resided in McMinnville. Mrs. Blackburn was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include three sons, Brown and Frank Blackburn, McMinnville, and Carl Balckburn, Indianapolis, Ind.; two daughters, Mrs. Ted Jacobs and Mrs. Clyde Talley, Morrison; four brothers, Hervey, Bill, Harry and Oscar Stroud, all of Toledo, Ohio and two sisters, Mrs. R.T. Parker and Mrs. W.I. Brown, Morrison. Arrangements were by High Funeral Home.

Rites Thursday For Mrs. Blair
Mrs. Ida Blair, widow of John Blair, died at her home in the Bratcher's
Cross Roads community of the 11th district Tuesday, January 23, at 9
p.m. Mrs. Blair had been ill for about 3 weeks and was 77 years of
age. Funeral services were held at he Free Methodist Church at Bratcher's
Cross Roads Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. F. A. Wilson officiated
and burial was in the Centertown cemetery. Mrs. Blair was a native of
Cannon County but had resided at her home in this county for a number of
years. She was born August 29, 1873 and was a daughter of Ples Turner and
Sarah Campton Turner. She was married to Mr. Blair November 11, 1892 and he
died January 24, 1914. Mrs. Blair was a member of the Free Methodist
Church. Survivors include three sons, Joe Blair, Bill Blair, and Haskel
Blair, Centertown; one daughter, Mrs. Jasper Boren, McMinnville; three
sisters, Mrs. Pearl Christman, Springfield, Mo., Mrs. Bill Wolf,
Rogersville, Mo., and Mrs. Maude Cassity, Red Top, Mo.; two brothers, Henry
Turner, Pittsburg, Mo., and Charles Turner, Depew, Oklahoma and four
grandchildren.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. Feb. 2, 1951, p. 2.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, 2001]

Rites Wednesday For John Blair
Funeral services for John Wiley Blair, 45, were conducted Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock at Woods Church of Christ. Allen Phy, minister of Central Church of Christ, officiated and burial was in Grizzell cemetery. Mr. Blair, who for several years had made his home in McMinnville with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. D. Melton, died at the home of a brother, Alfred Blair on Morrison Road Monday evening at 9:30 o'clock. He had been
in failing health for several months. Born in Cannon county, April 28, 1906, Mr. Blair was a son of George Washington Blair and Ada Manus Blair. He was unmarried. Mr. Blair was a member of the Church of Christ. In addition to his brother, at whose home he died, he is survived by three other brothers, Floyd Blair, Detroit, Mich., Clyde Blair, Gassaway, and
Hilder Blair, McMinnville; two sisters, Mrs. Grundy Webb, McMinnville, and Mrs. Walter Aschbacher, Tullahoma. Arrangements were by the High Funeral Home.

Mrs. Laura Melinda Blankenship, native of Warren county, died at her home, 617 1/2 Halsey avenue, Huntsville, Ala., Saturday after a year's illness. She was 76. Funeral services were held at the Bluff Springs Church of Christ Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with Rev. Joseph Reynolds officiating. Burial was in the Webb cemetery. Mrs. Blankenship was born May 9, 1873, the daughter of Ezekial Morgan and Malicha Taylor Morgan. She was married to William M. Blankenship, who survives. The deceased had resided in Huntsville for over 20 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by several nieces and nephews, some of whom reside in McMinnville. Chambers Funeral Chapel Huntsville, and High Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. 28 Apr 1950, p. 13.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, 2001]
[Note: Laura was the daughter of Ezekiel and Nancy Ann Taylor Morgan, NOT Malicha Taylor Morgan. 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Censuses, Warren Co., TN confirm this. Wm. Blankenship to Laura Morgan, 8 June 1898, DeKalb Co., TN by C.M. Rankhorn J.P., Don Morgan, McMinnville, TN, 2004]

Blankenship Rites Are Held Sunday; Dies In Service
Funeral services for Monty Gene Blankenship, 21-year-old Army private who died as a result of a blood clot suffered while on duty at Camp Gordon, Ga.,Thursday morning, were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Magness Memorial Baptist Church. Rev. Fred C. Parker and Rev. H. Curtis Erwin officiated and burial was in Mt. View cemetery. the death of Pvt. Blankenship was announced Thursday by Brig. Gen. Charles C. Blanchard, commanding general of Camp Gordon, where the soldier was a student at the Signal Corps Replacement Training Center. He had not been ill prior to his death and relatives said he had been in excellent health when he entered the service in May. The body was returned here and arrived at Tullahoma at 3 a.m. Saturday.
A native of McMinnville, Pvt. Blankenship was born December 2, 1932. He was a son of Joe and Grace Eldridge Blankenship and he was educated in the public schools of McMinnville, graduating from Center High School in the class of 1953. He volunteered for Army service prior to the conclusion of his high school career and entered the service shortly after graduation. Pvt. Blankenship received basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and was assigned to the Signal Corp’s communications school at Camp Gordon at the completion of his basic period. He was a member of Magness Memorial Baptist Church. The 21-year-old soldier was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Blankenship to die while on military duty. Another son, Lt. William D.Blankeship, U.S. Air Force , was killed in action over Europe December 11, 1944. Besides his parents, Monty is survived by two brothers, Jimmy and Dick Blankenship, McMinnville; three sisters, Mrs. Robert Tarr, Misses Betty Jo and Linda Sue Blankenship, McMinnville. Arrangements were by High Funeral Home.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. Thursday, Dec 17, 1953, p. 1.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, Bethany, OK, 2000]

Rites Tuesday For Mrs. Blanks, 61
Mrs. Bethiah Bell Blanks, wife of Robert Blanks, first district farmer, died at her home in West Riverside Monday morning at 5 o'clock. She was 67 years of age, and had been ill for shortly over a week. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian church. Rev. W. H. Craven of Whitwell, officiated with burial in Mt. View cemetery. Mrs. Blanks was a Warren county native, born July 18, 1887. She was a daughter of W. A. Bell and Nannie Gibbs Bell. Besides her husband, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Nannie Lee Thaxton and Mrs. R.D. Pendleton; and four brothers, Frank, Fred, John and Joe Bell all of McMinnville.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. March 25, 1949.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, 2001]

Freeman Blue Dies In Detroit Funeral Services Held Sunday
Freeman Blue, 39, member of a well known McMinnville colored family died at his home in Highland Park, Detroit, Mich., November 10, following an illness of several months. The body was returned here and funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at East End Drive Church of Christ. The minister, Calvin Dowell, officiated and burial was in Vervilla Cemetery. Blue was born in McMinnville February 3, 1914 and he was educated in the public schools here. He was married to Daisy Mopson who survives and he had resided in Michigan for the past several years. He was a son of the late Burr Blue and Eldora Starkey Blue and he was a member of the Church of Christ. Besides his wife and two children, he is survived by four brothers and four sisters. High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard, McMinnville, TN. Thursday, Nov 19, 1953, p. 4.
[Contributor: Maxine Reggio, Bethany, OK, 2000]

Bi

In Alphabetical Order by Surname

BILES, James McFerrin (1867-1953)