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Charles Earl McDaniel, age 73 of Paris, TN, died Friday, March 5, 2021, at AHC of Paris.

He worked in funeral service for over 30 years, last working for Ridgeway Funeral Home in Paris. He formerly worked at Celotex for many years until its closing. Charles was a lifelong farmer who loved his mules, cattle farming, and hard work. He was a member of New Bethel Church of Christ.

Charles was born December 30, 1947, in Paris, TN, to the late William Earl McDaniel and the late Mildred Jeanette Ealey McDaniel.

He was married June 15, 1968, to his wife of 52 years, Sandra Sue Smith McDaniel, who survives, of Paris.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by his son, Jason (Alex) McDaniel of Paris; two grandchildren, William Jason “Will” McDaniel and Silas Charles “Si” McDaniel, one sister, Patsy (Steve) Blount of Paris; and his mother-in-law, Sue Smith (Roger) Asher.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242. Visitation will be Sunday, March 7, 2021, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and continue on Monday, March 8, 2021, from 11:00 am until the service. The funeral service will be Monday, March 8, 2021, at 1:00 pm in LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Charles Cate and Randy Stephens officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Campbell, Brad Robbins, Carroll Griffin, Paul Henry McDaniel, Jason McDaniel, and Will McDaniel.

Honorary pallbearers will be Si McDaniel, Jeff Tucker, Mark Morton, and Dennis McClure.

Burial was in Hansel Cemetery.

obit from Ridgeway Funeral Home, Paris, TN | Charles was a member of the Grove High School class of 1965.

Randal Wimberly, Class of 1964, recently passed away in Houston. His family has provided the following information:

We are sad to announce that Randal “Sawmill” Wimberly, aged 74 years old, born May 3rd, 1946 in Paris, TN to his parents H.S. and Mary Wimberly, passed away Feb. 5th, 2021.  He gave his life to God in 1988. He leaves behind his wife, Wilmetta Wimberly, from Southern Illinois. They met in Paducah, KY and was married November 22, 1976.  To this union one daughter was born, Starr Carr. He is survived by two siblings, Patricia Wimberly and H.S. Wimberly Jr, as well as his nieces and nephews and a host of loving friends.

“Sawmill,” as he was known, graduated from E. W. Grove High School in Paris, TN with an already growing music reputation. He attended college at Murray State University, attaining a Bachelor of Science, and eventually taught for Southern Illinois University. Through all of his academic endeavors, he never gave up on his music. While teaching Recording and Sound Engineering for SIU and working full time at Audio Creations, he was still a mainstay of the Paducah music scene, in Kentucky, with bands like Nitrotech, The Five, The Mill Band, and others.

It was during these recordings and event playing that he was struck with his business idea. Around stage equipment his whole life, he was very familiar with the weight of heavy metal lighting. Inspired by his daughter moving mock stage lights, he engineered and patented his high temperature, lightweight, plastic stage lighting. This opened a whole new world for him and his family. As he continued to study and patent new lighting technology, they toured the world, going to various lighting conventions to share their products. His lights were used by professional musicians, theaters, and major theme parks around the world.

After visiting around the world, and owning homes in Arizona and Kentucky, they built their own little cabin in the picturesque mountains of Southern Illinois, and retired. Even then he played music for small events and worked on his patents and ideas. He had a mind that wouldn’t rest.  Drawn to his home, he and his wife eventually moved back to Paris, TN, surrounded by some of his oldest and closest friends.

The lighting industry will be darker without him. The stage will be quieter. But most of all, the hearts of those he touched, his friends and family most, will be pained. He goes to add his voice to the angel choir, where we know he will be welcome.

John Ray Brewer, Jr., age 75 of Paris, TN, died Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, TN.

Ray was born October 27, 1945, in Paris, to the late John Ray Brewer, Sr., and the late Cordia Thompson Brewer. He was a member of the Grove High School Class of 1963.

He retired after many years as a self-employed mechanic and the owner of Brewers Radiator Service in Paris. Ray loved fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

James L. “Jim” Adams of Paris passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021. Born 84 years ago, Jim was a hardworking man who always placed others before himself. He was a member of the Grove High School Class of 1956 and a member of First United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed working with the food pantry. He also worked tirelessly to help the community grow, and always strived to lend a helping hand where needed. In addition to his being a longtime businessman, he was a hero to his children and grandchildren.

Jim was born in the Osage community to Louie and Evelyn Adams, now deceased. An active member of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, he was also an avid supporter of the 4-H Club Junior Livestock Show and Sale.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat Radford Adams; and daughters, Cindy (Dana) Tillett, Jan (Steve) Odom and Pam (Andy) Richardson. “Papa” also leaves behind his grandchildren, Natalie (Jason) Raines, Chase Tillett, Kristan (Jeremy) Lindsey, Dylan (April) Phillips, Zach Odom, Cassy (Kurt) Mintz, Elizabeth (Matthew) McCrory, Marshall (Rachel) Petty and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Robbins.

Glenda Perry Ray, age 76, of Henry, Tennessee passed away at AHC of Paris (formerly Paris Healthcare) on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Due to pandemic concerns her body will be cremated and a memorial celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

Glenda was born April 22, 1944 in Henry, Tennessee to the late Joseph Elihu “Joe” Perry and the late Robbie Nelle Dillahunty Perry. She married Roy Lee Ray on July 31, 1992 and he survives in Henry. Glenda is also survived by her daughter, Lisa Griffin (Doug) Woods of Collierville, TN; grandchildren, Laura Woods and Roddy Woods, both of Collierville; sister, Janice Story of Paris; brothers, Bob (Janice) Perry of Paris and Ricky (Carolyn) Perry of Jackson, TN; and by several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Mrs. Ray is also preceded in death by her brother, Billy Perry and by her brother-in-law, Damon Story.

Glenda worked 35 years for the BPU Water Department as a lab technician and lab manager. She was a longtime member of Henry Church of Christ. Glenda enjoyed traveling with her husband and going to country music concerts.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue – 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

obit from McEvoy Funeral Home, Paris, TN. Glenda was a member of Grove class of 1962.

Robert Covington, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vanderbilt University and Grove Hight School Class of 1954, died in his home on November 29th at age 84.

Born in Evansville, Indiana, but raised largely in Paris, Tennessee, Professor Covington earned his undergraduate degree at Yale University before earning his law degree at Vanderbilt Law School in 1961.

He joined the Vanderbilt Law faculty immediately after earning his law degree. At that time, Dean John Wade, whose leadership during the 1960s and early 1970s propelled Vanderbilt Law School to national status, customarily hired a top graduate to teach and serve as a research fellow the following year. Covington agreed to put his plans to join the JAG Corps on hold for a year to accept the honor, recalling in an interview that his immediate predecessor in that position was Gilbert S. Merritt Jr. ’60, who later became a federal appellate judge on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals..

Covington accepted an offer to join the Vanderbilt law faculty permanently after his fellowship year ended and taught labor and employment law for 46 years until his retirement in 2007. In addition to his recognized expertise in labor law, he also published books and articles on evidence, insurance, legal method and legal education over the course of his distinguished academic career.

He continued to publish after assuming emeritus status, authoring the third edition of Employment Law in a Nutshell (Thomson West, 2009) and co-authoring the fourth edition of Legal Protection for the Individual Employee (Thomson West, 2010) with Kenneth G. Dau-Schmidt, Clyde W. Summers, Alvin L. Goldman and Matthew W. Finkin.

Covington’s university service including chairing the faculty senate, serving as president of the University Club, and supporting the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. “We are so grateful for Bob’s nearly half-century of teaching, scholarship and service at the law school and university,” Dean Guthrie said.

Faculty colleagues recall Covington’s deep commitment to the law school and university and his dedication to teaching. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university, Covington received Vanderbilt’s Thomas Jefferson Award in 1992. When the law school was expanded and renovated in the early 2000s, the Covington Room was named in his honor.

In the early years at Vanderbilt, Covington organized and led a faculty-student Dixieland band that entertained at law school functions and produced a vinyl record.

An accomplished baritone, Covington also founded Headnotes, an a cappella choir of students and faculty that has performed at law school functions for more than two decades. “Anyone who sang in the Headnotes with Bob remembers his sense of humor and bottomless generosity,” said Nancy King, who holds the Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Chair in Law. “Bob was so cool under pressure. For many years, the Headnotes would sing the anthem at Vandy basketball games. Walking out there to sing into a microphone in front of thousands of people, especially when the game was televised, was so much easier with his calming, relaxed presence.”

Covington is survived by his wife, Paula Anne Covington (MLS’71, MA’94), who is a subject librarian for Latin American and Iberian studies and a senior lecturer in Latin American studies at Vanderbilt University.

Donations in Professor Covington’s memory can be made to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee “Covington Quality of Life Fund,” which supports the Nashville symphony, opera, ballet and the Frist Art Museum; to Vanderbilt Law School; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Mr. Jerald Dean Sykes, age 85, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at Henry County Medical Center. He was born May 12, 1935 to Prentice and Cornell Swor Sykes. He graduated from Grove High School in 1953 and attended college at Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, ma­joring in Math and Bible, while serving as field commander for the band and singing bass with the A Cappella chorus.
An avid trombone player, he married his band friend and sweetheart, Dorothy Owen, on December 11, 1954.

He served 3 years with the Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Fort Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. He was employed by First Trust Bank, Sherwin-Williams, All Jersey Milk Com­pany, Wonder Snack Foods, Life and Casualty Insurance Company, and McEvoy Funeral Home during his years of employment.

A member of the Church of Christ, he served as min­ister, Bible class teacher, and/or song leader at many churches in this area, including Bethlehem, New Bethel, Mount Zion, East Wood, Van Dyke, and Sulphur Well churches in Henry County as well as Glendale Road church in Murray, Kentucky.

During the summer months, he was in frequent de­mand as a guest song leader for multiple revival services in West Tennessee, often leading singing every night of the week.

Mr. Sykes is survived by Dot, his wife of 65 years, daughter Jan Sykes Bertouille (Paul), grandson Michael Bertouille, sister Kay Sykes Cupples (Jim) of Granbury, Texas, brother-in-law Jerry Owen, and nephew Mitchum Owen. Local cousins include Mary Prehm, Joe & Jan Mitchell, David and Teresa Chenoweth, Teresa Che­noweth Ratkowsky, Toni Marshall, Charlotte Jackson, David Alan & Jacque Jackson, Marilyn and David Loo­ney, and Joe & Shirley Casey. Though not officially his own girls, “daughters of the heart” include Faith Bumpus, Debbie Davis Smith, and Susan Casey Brelsford.

The body has been cremated, and the family is plan­ning a remembrance service to be announced at a later date.

A lover of people, Jerald enjoyed laughing, teasing, and clowning with his beloved special friends and family members. He regularly participated in reunions of the National Association of Swor Family Members. His inter­ests and hobbies included playing tennis, bowling, water skiing, singing with Barbershop and Gospel quartets, watching movies, chuckling at slapstick comedy, listen­ing to the Boston Pops orchestra, and hearing beautiful choral music. He is fondly remembered for his ability to set people up with storytelling jokes and pranks and for his willingness to help anyone who needed support or encouragement.

His jovial sense of humor, welcoming love, dedication to serving His Lord, and service to others will be greatly missed.

Obit by The Paris Post-Intelligencer, Paris, TN, Thursday, November 19, 2020

Carolyn White Cheek, age 72 of Paris, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Anna Mae Owen Hospice House of Murray, Kentucky. A private family graveside service will be held with burial at Olive Branch Cemetery and a celebration of life will be planned for a later date for the public to attend.

Carolyn White Cheek was born March 22, 1948 in Dyersburg, Tennessee to the late Nelson White and the late Edith Hogue White. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne (Mark) Wilkerson of Paris; granddaughter, Jessica (Brandon) French of Buchanan; great grandchild, Connor French; niece, Tracy White of Bruceton; and other family members and friends.

Besides her parents, Ms. Cheek was also preceded in death by a nephew, Vic White.

Carolyn Cheek was a longtime member of Fairview Baptist Church. She enjoyed working in her yard and she tried every day to be a blessing to anyone who crossed her path.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 10, Spring Hill, TN 37174 or Anna Mae Owen Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, KY 42071.

obit by McEvoy Funeral Home, Paris, TN. Carolyn was a member of the Grove class of 1966.