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Randall Greer Bickford, 89
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Updated: Jul 13, 2013, 8:13 PM
Published: Jul 13, 2013, 8:14 PM

McMinnville resident and Bledsoe County native Randall Greer Bickford, 89, was born May 8, 1924 and died July 12 at River Park Hospital following a brief illness.
He was the son of the late James Oscar and Louia Hale Bickford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, J.L. and Eugene Bickford.
He was married Aug. 26, 1984 to Carolyn Byars Bickford of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Gary R. Bickford of Knoxville, and Sharon L. Bickford of Cartersville, Ga.; granddaughter, Lauren Gannon of Knoxville; great-granddaughter, Bailey Watson of Knoxville; stepdaughter, Dawn Carter of McMinnville; stepson, Troy (Emily) Carter of McMinnville; step-grandson, William Dale Carter of McMinnville; sister, Elizabeth (Herb) Sudhoff of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bickford was a member of the Church of Christ at Smyrna. He served as a minister of Finley Church of Christ and Plainview Church of Christ in Sparta for several years. He also served as an elder at Kingwood Heights Church of Christ in Murfreesboro. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps Roosevelt’s Tree Army. He was a Kroger manager for many years and retired as an independent insurance agent. He and Carolyn were members of the Warren County Farmers Market.
Funeral service was held Saturday in High’s Chapel with Jonathan Stubblefield and Wayne Cantrell officiating. Burial followed at Smyrna Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Hearts United or Relay For Life.
High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 14, 2013
Martha Raye Watson, 71
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Published: Apr 7, 2025, 1:49 AM

McMinnville resident and Coffee County native Martha Raye Watson, age 71, was born Jan. 17, 1954 and died April 2, 2025 at Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro following an extended illness.

A retired caregiver and member of the Church of Christ, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Ethel St. John Crouch. Mrs. Watson was married December 29, 1970 to Fred B. Watson, Jr. who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings, Donna McCormick, Richard Crouch and Ruth Rogers.

She is survived by sons, Fred B. Watson, III and David A. Watson (Sydney Brown) both of McMinnville; daughter, Tonia L. (Carlos) Copley of McMinnville; seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; sister, Ann McCormick of the Smartt Station community and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Warren County with Wayne Cantrell to officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.