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Bryson Lemoine James, PhD, 86
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McMinnville resident and Florence, Ala., native Bryson Lemoine James, PhD, 86, was born Sept. 12, 1930 and died April 29 at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta following an extended illness.
Dr. James was a former professor of horticulture at the University of North Carolina, former director of horticultural research at the University of Florida and after moving to McMinnville, he became a consulting horticulturist with the nursery industry and many other clients. He volunteered as director of horticultural research for the Southern Nursery Association and directed its Annual Research Conference for 37 years. He was the son of the late Edward Newman and Ira Belle Denton James, a member of Christ Family Church and veteran of the United States Air Force. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Marie James and brother, Edward Ira James.
Dr. James was married July 6, 1991 to Frances Pedigo James of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Edward Michael (Miriam) James of Gettysburg, Pa.; three step-daughters, Deborah (Ernest) Frankenberg and Cynthia Preston, both of McMinnville, and Gerlinde (Collier) Rogers of Rock Island; stepgrandson, Michael (Talitha) Oettinger Jr. of Murfreesboro; two step-great-grandchildren, Lucy and Berean Oettinger; three brothers, Dr. Jesse Clopton (Barbara) James of Huntsville, Ala., Malcolm Wallace (Jean) James of Byron, Ga., and Graham Farris (Clara) James of Cypress Inn; sister, Vera James Holt of St. Louis, Mo.; sister-in-law, Pauline James; Byron, Ga., and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Tuesday, May 2, at High’s Chapel with Charlie Parkerson, Danny Summers and Christopher Young officiating. Burial followed at Gardens of Memory Cemetery with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.
High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

Thomas Norman Theiss, Sr., 77
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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.