Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services

12/16/2025

Wreaths Across America Day honors our fallen military members across the nation with a wreath of remembrance placed on their final resting place. Anyone can participate, and if you’d like to sponsor a wreath, simply go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Today, we remember and express our eternal gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of our honored dead.

12/15/2025

Karita Johnson

Karita Johnson, age 96, of Georgetown, passed away peacefully at her home on December 13th, 2025.

Karita was born on September 4th, 1929, in Lincoln County, TN. While attending Boonshill High School, she met the love of her life, Hilton, and the couple graduated together in 1947. After high school, while attending Nashville Business College, she returned home to care for her father and younger sister after the death of her mother. She married Hilton on December 30, 1949. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Karita also enjoyed a stable 40-year career in banking, eventually retiring as a loan officer from First Tennessee Bank in Chattanooga. In retirement, she excelled as a homemaker while cooking delicious southern comfort meals. Her prowess in the kitchen included baking sweet treats and canning or freezing each season's bounty from the family's garden and fruit trees. Many evenings and weekends were spent watching sports and working crossword puzzles in her free time. She was also a long-time member of Brittsville Baptist Church, where she enjoyed teaching children's Sunday school classes.

Karita was preceded in death by her loving husband of 75 years, Hilton Johnson; parents Harvey Lee and Bessie Coble Smith; as well as all of her siblings: Wilma Brewer, Everett Smith, Elise King, Darleen Guider, Wayne Smith, Joyce Mitchell, and Alice Wells.

Karita is survived by her daughter Diane (Mike) Waldo of El Paso, TX, and son Mark (Tonia) Johnson of Ten Mile, TN. She was also the proud grandmother of four: Kevin (Amy) Brown, Olivia Johnson, Aaron Johnson, and Madylin Johnson, as well as two great-grandchildren: Kendall and Lincoln Brown, along with several nieces and nephews that held a special place in her heart. She is also survived by several special friends, including N.C. and Betty Cartwright, Bill and Elizabeth Leamon, Butch and Debby Edgemon, Bud and Judy Everett, Christy Lawson, and her precious caregiver, Dorenda Blankenship.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 18, 2025, in the chapel of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Johnny Jones and Rev. Ken Purdie officiating. Interment will follow in the Johnston Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Kevin Brown, Butch Edgemon, Daniel Dayton, and William Hogan. Honorary pallbearers will be N.C. Cartwright and Bud Everett.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon - 2 p.m., prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Johnston Cemetery (3639 Lower River Road NW, Georgetown, TN, 37336) or Meigs County Ministries (18364 Hwy-58, Decatur, TN, 37322).

Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Johnson Family.

View Karita Johnson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/15/2025

12/14/2025

Does your family know what to do after your death? If they don’t, then planning your funeral is likely to be more emotionally and financially draining than you might think. But you can ensure their success by creating an easy-to-understand roadmap to your wishes. Simply sit down with us, review your options, and write down your wishes. You will make a difficult day so much easier for your grieving family. Call us at 423.334.3661 to schedule a time to chat.

12/13/2025

Carol Hurn

Carol Gilles Hurn, age 78, of Decatur, went to be home with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Carol was the cherished daughter of the late Clarence Jr. and Rose Gilles. Her generous spirit and unwavering faith led her to serve as a former church clerk at Faith Baptist Church, and she was a dedicated member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, where she found great love in attending her Senior Adult Sunday School Class. Additionally, her commitment to her community was evident through her work with the bus ministries at Salem, where she positively impacted many lives. She found great joy in being a mother, grandmother, and sister.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, David Hurn; siblings: Clarence Nicholas Gilles III "Buddy", James Louis Gilles.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Dawnella) Hurn, Sherry (Marvin) West; grandchildren, Cameron (Kayla) Hurn, Logan (Miranda) Turner, Britney West, Seth (Abby) West, Michael Hurn Jr., David West, and Zane Hurn; great grandchildren; Adria, Nora, Paisley, Amelia, Asher, and Addie Grace, siblings: Rosemary (Paul) Becker; sister-in-laws: Nancy Gilles, Donna Gilles; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Walnut Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Josh Cornelius, Rev. Marvin West, and Bro. Paul Becker officiating. Interment will follow in the Meigs County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will include grandsons, Cameron, Seth, Mikey, David, Zane and brother-in-law, Paul. Honorary Pallbearers will be Logan Turner, Joel R***r, Nick Gilles, and Chad Derrick.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 in the Chapel of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Hurn family.

View Carol Hurn's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/13/2025

Today is the National Guard's birthday! The very first muster and drill occurred in Salem. Massachusetts, on December 13, 1636. Now more than 400,000 strong, the National Guard responds to natural disasters, deploys overseas, and plays a pivotal role in our Armed Forces. Thank a National Guard member today for their commitment to our nation and our state!

12/12/2025

Is the holiday season making your grief feel even worse? In this insightful article, grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt shares tips and suggestions for how you can harness the power of ritual and beloved traditions to help yourself heal this holiday season.

Not sure how you're going to emotionally survive the holidays? Learn how grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt recommends you process holiday grief.

12/11/2025

Arnold "Monk" Branham

Arnold Ray "Monk" Branham, age 88, lifelong resident of Ten Mile, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alice Branham; daughters, Sandy Fay Branham, Sheila Ann Crisp; several brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gevenive Mullins Branham; children, Larry Branham of Decatur, Randy Branham of Benton, Nobleen Rawls (David Clark) of Athens; sister, Rolina "Sis" Walden; son-in-law, Bill Crisp; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025 in the chapel of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services with the Rev. Ted Clowers officiating. Interment will follow in the Luminary Church Cemetery.

The family will receieve friends 12 - 2 p.m., prior to the service.

Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Branham family.

View Arnold Branham's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/10/2025

Uh-oh, lost your phone? Acting quickly can help keep your information safe. Here are 10 easy steps to protect yourself from personal and financial theft after your device goes missing.

Losing your phone or having it stolen can feel like a nightmare, especially when you consider the treasure trove of personal information stored on your

12/09/2025

Ronald Gaynor

Ronald "Ronnie" Earl Gaynor, age 85, of Ten Mile, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

He was a son of the late Earl and Beatrice Gaynor. He cherished his time spent in nature, particularly fishing and camping. Ronnie was a fervent reader and had a deep appreciation for history, often visiting the Meigs-Decatur Library for knowledge and inspiration.

He is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Thelma Gaynor; second wife, Betty Lamberth.

He is survived by his children: Melody L. Gaynor (Seth), Christopher L. (Kim) Gaynor; son-in-law: Justin Skoretz; grandchildren: Nate, Sara, Gabe, Ayden, Brody, and Anniston; siblings: Steve Gaynor of Pinson, AL, Patsy Friedman of Austin, TX; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Gaynor family.

View Ronald Gaynor's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/09/2025

Teresa Neusel

Teresa Kay (Henry) Neusel, born September 8 1969, left this world on Sunday, December 7 2025. She was 56 years old and a lifelong resident of Meigs County, TN.

She is survived by her father, David Henry Sr.; daughters Danielle and Emilie Neusel (Michael Barbee); her grandchildren Nicolas Hayes, Landyn Wilson, and Kynleigh Branham; her brother, Gene Henry and her sister, Sherri (Henry) Bishop; and her beloved feline, Maggie.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Brenda Faye Henry and her brother, Buster Henry, who no doubt greeted her with wide and open arms.

To know Teresa was to know the soft heart of a hardened warrior. She loved deeply, and her soul was pure. She could have nothing and still find something to give to anyone in need. She was fierce. She was ferocious. She was kind. She was beautiful. Chaos in its most graceful form.

She found great joy in taking care of the people around her and spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

She would never have left us if she could have helped it. God must have insisted this be her time. She will never stop being missed by the countless people who loved her. She will not be forgotten as long as one of us breathes.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

The family will recieve friends from 12 - 2 p.m., prior to the service.

Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Neusel family.

View Teresa Neusel's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.