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Jo Ann Cantrell Elder, 80
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Jo Ann Cantrell Elder died March 7 at her home after a lingering illness.
Updated: Mar 30, 2017, 8:38 PM
Published: Mar 30, 2017, 9:39 PM

Born June 3, 1936, Jo Ann Cantrell Elder, 80, died March 7 at her home after a lingering illness.
She was preceded in death by father James A. Cantrell; mother Hazel Hallum; brothers James E. (Jen) and Glenn A. Cantrell; brother-in-law Chuck Priest; nephews Danny, Brent and Gabriel Cantrell.
She is survived by husband, Rev. William R. Elder; brother Bob Cantrell (Juanita); sisters Jean Priest and Linda Parton (Austin); several nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Morrison High School in 1954 and was employed with AEDC in Tullahoma in 1955. She remained there until 1978 when she retired and married Rev. Elder of Ripley. She then moved to Ripley to help her husband pastor Conner Assembly of God Church. She was no stranger to church work since she was active in church and community beginning at a young age.
She attended Smartt Assembly of God Church where she held many titles such as secretary, organist, Sunday school teacher and others.
She will be remembered for her love for God and all mankind. That love was exemplified, even in her later days, when it was difficult for her to get around on a walker. She would visit the sick and did all she could to help anyone in need. She was truly a Lady of Grace.
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.