Chattanooga resident and Warren County native John Anthony “Tony” Woodlee, 53, was born April 11, 1961 and died unexpectedly March 10 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
A retail manager with Hobby Lobby in Hixson, he was the son of Dorothy Jean Nelms Woodlee of McMinnville and the late Alvin Lierd Woodlee.
He was a 1979 graduate of Warren County High School, where he was a standout in basketball and baseball. This led to a basketball scholarship to The College of Great Falls in Great Falls, Mt., from where he graduated in 1983.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Osmond Cain and Carrie McGregor Woodlee; and maternal grandparents, John Wesley and Hallie Wanamaker Nelms.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by daughter, Olivia Nicole Woodlee of Charlotte, N.C.; two stepchildren, Monica Gunter of Murfreesboro and Adam Hames of Christiana; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy Gaye and Tony Lundry of Franklin; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Timothy Cain and Joan Woodlee of Greer, S.C., and Todd Nelms Woodlee and Dr. Anna Filippo of Clarksville; three nieces, Bethany Womack (Joe Upton), Rachel Woodlee and Laura Woodlee; companion, Mandy Brislin of Chattanooga; and aunt, Lillian Daniel of McMinnville.
A graveside service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Mt. View Cemetery. There will be no visitation at High’s. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 13, 2015