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Ruth Caroline Southern Rutledge Bonner, 81
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Updated: Apr 22, 2011, 1:18 PM
Published: Apr 22, 2011, 2:20 PM

McMinnville resident and Pelham native Ruth Caroline Southern Rutledge Bonner, 81, was born Sept. 15, 1929 and died April 19 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga following a five-day illness.
A homemaker and member of Hiawassee Church of Christ, she was the daughter of the late Alex and Isabelle Reynolds Southern. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rutledge; one infant child; three brothers, Waymon, Jack and Joe Southern; and five sisters, Cleo Wilkerson, Alberta Taylor, Vira Wilkerson, Lira Southern and Jessie Robertson.
She is survived by six sons and daughters-in-law, James Robert Rutledge, Jerry and Dianne Rutledge, Bill and Phyllis Rutledge, Bobby and Linda Rutledge, Larry and Amanda Rutledge Sr., and Gary and Norna Rutledge, all of McMinnville, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in High’s Chapel with Phillip Smith Jr., and George King Jr., officiating. Burial will follow at Corinth Cemetery in Viola. The family will receive visitors at the wake from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday in High’s Chapel.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) April 22, 2011
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.