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Jewel Marie Taylor, 94
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Updated: Mar 1, 2016, 11:21 PM
Published: Mar 2, 2016, 12:21 AM

Jewel Marie Taylor, 94, a Smyrna resident and Putnam County native, died Feb. 28 in Diversicare of Smyrna following a brief illness.
She was a self-employed caregiver, member of Living Springs Baptist Church and daughter of the late Jessie Thomas and Vona Ramsey Hudson. Mrs. Taylor was married to Willie Benton Taylor, who preceded her in death in 1992. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by son, Willie Taylor and brothers, H.C. Hudson, Eugene Hudson, Edward Hudson and Jessie Thomas Hudson.
Survivors include daughter Nancy Joyce Simmons of Smyrna; son Don C. Taylor of McMinnville; five grandchildren, Annette Ervin, Kevin Taylor, Vivian Joyce Taylor, Donna Taylor and Don Joseph Taylor; five great-grandchildren; and sisters Irene Deberry and Bobby Sue Powell, both of McMinnville and Helen Fay of Manchester.
Funeral service was held Tuesday in High’s Chapel with Jerry Smith to officiate. Interment followed at Fuston Cemetery.
High Funeral Home was 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.