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Alton Ray Judkins, 77
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Updated: Jan 24, 2017, 10:46 PM
Published: Jan 24, 2017, 11:46 PM

McMinnville resident and DeKalb County native Alton Ray Judkins, 77, was born Dec. 29, 1939 and died Jan. 22 at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro following an extended illness.
A self-employed nurseryman and a member of Sunny Hills Baptist Church, he was the son of the late Jessie and Wilma Zona Young Judkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dave and Jerry Judkins, and four sisters, Elizabeth Morton, Judy West, Wanda Smith and Geraldine Arnold.
He was married Aug. 21, 1975 to Judy Summers Judkins of McMinnville. In addition to his wife of 42 years, he is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Sharon and Ken Robinson of Spencer and Mary Ferrell of McMinnville; three sons and daughter-in-law, Charles Ray Judkins, Freddie Judkins, and Darren and Dottie Judkins, all of McMinnville; stepson Timothy Judkins of McMinnville; 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers and sister-in-law, Bobby and Connie Judkins of McMinnville and Steve Judkins of McMinnville; and four sisters and brother-in-law, Ola Faye and Kenneth Washer of Smithville, and Edith Melton, Renee Chisam and Kathy Judkins, all of McMinnville.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at High’s Chapel with John Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Blues Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at High’s. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 
Juanita Walker Cantrell, 96
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Published: Apr 9, 2025, 2:16 AM

Rock Island resident Juanita Walker Cantrell, age 96, was born Sept. 1, 1928 at home in Rock Island and died April 4, 2025 at NHC Healthcare of McMinnville following a brief illness.

Mrs. Cantrell was the last living telephone operator for General Telephone Company and worked at Lentz and Cooper and Martin in the butcher shop before opening Rock Island Nursery with her husband, Lewis Cantrell. She was the first ladies club president at Rock Island. Mrs. Cantrell was of the Baptist faith.

She was the daughter of the late Louis and Martha Jane Welch Walker. Mrs. Cantrell was married July 24, 1947 to Lewis Cantrell who preceded her in death on October 3, 2008. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Annie Rose Dickerson and Inez Boren and brothers, L.D. (Ardis), Carl (Frankie Dunn), Leroy and Clifford Walker.

Survivors include son, Danny Lewis (Kathy) Cantrell of Rock Island; daughter, Jo Carolyn (Wayne) Ellis of Seymour; special daughter, Donna Sullivan of Rock Island; grandchildren, Melisa (Jon) Tyus, Angie McCormack, Natasha (Eric) Prater and Kyle (Elizabeth) Cantrell; great-grandchildren, Casey, Cameron and Shelby Sullivan, Niki, Mariah, Micah, Robert and Alana McCormack, Liam Prater, Ander, Rees and Harper Cantrell; great-great grandchildren, Jaxson Sullivan, Odessa and Eleanora Jenkins; sisters-in-law, Virgie Walker and Reba Walker both of McMinnville and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 in High’s Chapel with Melonie Walker Turner to officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in McMinnville. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.