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James Edward Judkins, 57
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James Edward Judkins, 57, a McMinnville resident and DeKalb County native, died May 30 in St. Thomas River Park Hospital following a sudden illness.
He was the groundskeeper at Bridgestone, member of the Primitive Baptist Church and son of the late Gene Edward Judkins and Emma Bell Redmon Cantrell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by stepfather, Alton Morgan Cantrell.
Mr. Judkins was married Sept. 23, 1977 to Johnnie Carolyn Davenport Judkins, who survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Anna Marie Judkins of McMinnville; special daughter Natalie Anne Judkins of McMinnville; grandmother Sarah Ophalene Judkins of McMinnville; brother and sister-in-law Ricky Lynn and Shelia Judkins of McMinnville; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Brenda and Ronnie Johnson, Jean Ann and Allen Paris and Rita and Pat Ray, all of McMinnville. Several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law also survive.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at High’s Chapel with elder Ricky Arnold to officiate. Interment will follow at New Bildad Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 10 a.m. Thursday until time of service at High’s.
High Funeral Home is 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.