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Melba Barnes Hillis, 94
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Melba Barnes Hillis, 94, a McMinnville resident and Warren County native, was born Nov. 13, 1922 and died June 21 in NHC Healthcare of McMinnville following an extended illness.
She was a homemaker, retired cook from Irving College School, lifelong member of Armstrong Church of Christ and daughter of the late Wince and Ruby Ware Barnes. Mrs. Hillis was married July 1, 1939 to Clinton Pierce Hillis, who preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 1992. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by grandson-in-law, William Brewer.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Jimmy Blocker of McMinnville; two sons and daughter-in-law, Barry Clinton Hillis and Bernie Pierce and Melba Hillis, all of McMinnville; eight grandchildren and spouses, Lisha Cotten, Sherry and Stan Jacobs, Steve and Sharla Hillis, Dana and Monte Mullican, Monica Brewer and Leann Hillis, all of McMinnville, Angie and Tim Basso of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Andrea Bruno of Nashville; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Funeral service was held Thursday, June 22, at High’s Chapel with Steve Hillis officiating. Interment followed at Hebron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Armstrong Church of Christ.
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.