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Audra Mae Bellew Rafter, 86
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Published: Jan 31, 2014, 12:01 AM

McMinnville resident and Louisville, Ky., native Audra Mae Bellew Rafter, 86, was born Feb. 19, 1927 and died Jan. 21 at her residence following an extended illness.
Retired as the department head of American Chemical Society and a member of the Lutheran Church, she was the daughter of the late Raymond H. and Marion Frances Perkins Lightfoot. She was married to Thomas F. Rafter, who preceded her in death. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by brother, Raymond H. Lightfoot Jr.; and sister-in-law, Isabell Lightfoot.
She is survived by sister Betty Edwards of McMinnville; nieces and their spouses, Pam and Randy Youngblood of Morrison, Linda York and Doug Scott of Cookeville, and Rose Marie Ballard of Louisville, Ky.; and nephews and their spouses, Bobby and Leah Edwards of McMinnville and Ronnie and Teri Edwards of Omaha, Neb.
There will be no public service or visitation.
High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 31, 2014
Thomas Norman Theiss, Sr., 77
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Published: Apr 2, 2025, 10:13 PM

Thomas Norman Theiss, Sr. was born May 24, 1947 and went home to be with Jesus on Friday afternoon, March 28, 2025. He was born and lived in Michigan for 45 years and then moved to McMinnville, Tennessee for the last 32 years.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Donald and Caroline Filipowski Theiss; brother, Donald Theiss and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Eula Presley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 51 years, Glenda Marie Presley Theiss; children, Susan (Mark) Long, Brandy Perez, Cindy Hale, Gwendolyn (Richard) Holt, Tammy Norma Theiss, and Tommy Norman Theiss, Jr.; grandchildren, Sean, Gabriel, Jaylen, Gavin, Tommy Ray, Hannah, and Diane; great-granddaughters, Lea and Luci; sisters, Cheryl (Butch) Galyon, Lorry Cantrell, Debra Prokoff; brother, Larry (Carolyn) Theiss; many sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, serving the Lord as well as playing games with the children, cooking and eating wild meat. He really enjoyed his church family at Peoples Pentecostal Church, where he faithfully attended.

Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Peoples Pentecostal Church with his pastor, Michael Hewell and Jay Young officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., Monday 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Tuesday 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. al visitation at Peoples Pentecostal Church.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Theiss family.