Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center

12/01/2025

Martha Varner

Martha Rose Varner, 91, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Capstone Assisted Living in Gallatin, Tennessee, surrounded by her family. She was a longtime resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lived for 52 years.

Born August 5, 1934, in Mounds, Illinois, to Harry and Caroline Williams, Martha was the youngest of three children, preceded in death by her sister Kathleen and brother Roland. From the age of eight she studied piano, and throughout her life she delighted others with her music and her beautiful singing voice—first in the choir of First Baptist Church in Mounds, later through lessons she cherished well into adulthood. She was an active member of the Tulsa Chapter of P.E.O. International Sisterhood, until she moved to Tennessee. She loved animals, flowers, baking, and quilting and passed these hobbies on to her daughters.

Martha’s beauty, inside and out, was admired by all who knew her. One word followed her everywhere: Sweetness.

She met Glenn Austin Varner at thirteen, and on January 14, 1954, they married while Glenn was home on leave from the U.S. Air Force. Their union, though quickly arranged, blossomed into more than 71 years of love and devotion. Together they raised two daughters, whom Glenn fondly calls “the best investments we ever made.”

Martha is survived by her husband, Glenn Austin Varner; daughters Lee Epps (Drew) and Susan Betts (Doug) and grandchildren Kevin Betts (Anna), Caroline Betts Anerin (Denny), Sean Epps, and Evan Epps.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care from Hendersonville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and the nurses and staff at Capstone Assisted Living & Memory Care and HighPoint Hospice. No public services are planned.

Martha’s epitaph will echo that of her mother-in-law, Nellie Mae Varner, written in 1934:

“She was too good, too gentle and fair, to dwell in this cold world of care.”

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11/19/2025

Peter Shantel

Peter Shantel, 46, of Hendersonville, TN died Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 3:55 AM at Vanderbilt Hospital after a battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 21, at Hendersonville Memory Garden, followed by a 1 PM, graveside burial at Memory Garden Cemetery.

Peter was born August 9, 1979, in Ukraine, son of Andrew and Lyudmila. He married Oksana (Lysykh) Shantel in Krasniy Luch, Ukraine, on August 26, 2001. They were happily married for 24 years until his death.

A 2001 graduate from the Institute of Foreign Language in Horlivka, Ukraine, Peter worked as an office manager and translator at Copy Print. He also worked in real estate. In 2006 Peter and Oksana won the visa lottery program and immigrated to the United States. They settled in Bothell, WA where Peter worked for Boeing, as well as in real estate. In 2020 they became US citizens and two years later Peter moved his family to Hendersonville, TN where he worked for NWI Aerostructors. He also completed his real estate license for the state of TN.

Peter loved being a husband and a father and took pride in caring for his family. He genuinely loved those around him and served others as if he were serving the Lord. Great is his reward in Heaven

for how he showed God’s love on this earth. Peter’s joy, smile, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Peter is survived by his wife; three daughters Valeria, Daniela, and Emily, all of Hendersonville; father and brother Andrew (Yelena) of Buhas, Ukraine.

Peter was preceded in death by his mother.

Donations in memorial may be sent to https://www.givesendgo.com/PeterAndOksana

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11/15/2025

Carrie Miller Raiford

Carrie Miller (Hilton) Raiford, age 96, passed away on November 12, 2025. She was born on October 20, 1929, to the late Stokley and Tryphenia Hilton in Castalian Springs, Tennessee.

Carrie was a member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville and a graduate of Gallatin High School. She worked for Keith Simmons in cost accounting before working for Butler-Durham Florist and Gary Neeley Florist of Sumner County. She loved creating beautiful floral arrangements that would always bring a smile to others.

She had a talent for making needlepoints and hooking pieces. Carrie loved travelling to places such as Tunica, Mississippi and Las Vegas, Nevada. She also really enjoyed the beaches, often going to Florida, and had an unforgettable trip to the Bahamas with her daughter, Polly.

Carrie is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Edward Raiford, son, Robert Edward Raiford, mother, Tryphenia Bradley Hilton, father, Stokley Sylvester Hilton; brothers, Walter Jackson Hilton, Nathan Hilton, William “Billy” Bradley Hilton, James “Jim” Madden Hilton, Herbert Hilton, Joseph “Joe” Frank Hilton; and sisters, Elizabeth “Sis” Jackson Hilton Richter, Mary Sue Hilton Bracy, and Polly Scott Hilton Robinson.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Polly Ann Raiford, sister, Jane McGee Hilton Rasmussen of Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews.

Carrie’s nephews will be serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Project 22, the Arc of Cumberland Valley.

A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Hendersonville on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 11:00am until the hour of service. The service will begin at 12:00 noon in the chapel with burial to follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

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11/15/2025

Carolyn Fuqua

Carolyn Elizabeth Fuqua passed away on November 4, 2025 at the age of 83.

Carrie was a long time resident of Hendersonville, TN.

She graduated from Donelson High School in 1959; and was a majorette for the Donelson Dons.

Carrie received her Bachelors in Education from MTSU.

She taught at Nannie Berry Elementary and Knox Doss Middle School for many years.

As a member of The First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, Carrie had many friends in the Poe Williams Sunday School class.

Her activities included the Hendersonville Women’s Club, and volunteer work at Indian Lake Swim and Tennis Club .

Carrie is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Fuqua; her father, Ed Eller; and her mother, Helen Eller.

She is survived by her brother, Ed Eller Jr; her son, John Edward Fuqua (Tracy); her daughter, Jennifer Fuqua (Richard); her son Will Fuqua (Aimee); her grandson, Jack Fuqua; and her granddaughter, Abbie Fuqua.

A celebration of Carrie’s life will be held on Friday December 5th, at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

The family will receive visitors from 12pm-2pm, with a service to follow.

View Carolyn Fuqua's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/14/2025

Reba Waynick

If you’re about to pay full price for something, stop. Consider: Reba Waynick (Medlin) who came into this world on May 23, 1936, and entered eternal life on November 12, 2025. Her spirit carries on through her adoring family members and friends. She will join in heaven the family & friends who preceded her, including her beloved husband Jess (his obituary) and their dogs. Her son would have preceded her in death years ago if she had found out about the several garage sales that Steve, Chuck and Jess organized without her knowledge.

Over her 89 remarkable years, Reba taught us countless lessons, both practical and heartfelt. Chief among them: never pay full price for anything. She had a keen eye for a bargain and an even keener sense of joy in finding one. Dillard’s semi-annual sales were practically holidays in her household, and she took pride in blessing others with the treasures she found there.

Other important lessons: Label all photos and gifts so you remember when you received them, and from whom. Be known for something, like an infectious laugh or a fast-paced walking style nicknamed the “Reba Walk”. Read Sunday comics and share with others. Avoid calls during Dancing with the Stars. Dance in the kitchen when your favorite songs come on, especially Shania Twain ones. Be happy/thrilled for other’s good fortunes. Be generous with your time and affection to play a critical maternal role in so many lives. Send cards and letters so others feel special. Make the world a better place by sharing the family tradition of chocolate gravy & biscuits. Do things to make holidays and birthdays special for others. Demonstrate that action sometimes speaks louder than words to demonstrate care for those you love, such as taking care of both her parents at the end of their lives. Drive your husband crazy by landscaping with roses and flowers in a way that makes lawn mowing difficult. Make sure to ask for an extra straw at Sonic as you’ll need it for 2 eager dogs in the backseat who also love the peanut butter milkshake. Decorate for the holidays (not just Christmas!) Travel for fun adventures and treasured memories. If your health wains and a handsome young doctor walks into your hospital room, why not grab his hand eagerly and gaze into his eyes. When you lose the ability to speak due to a stroke, demonstrate your love to visitors and nurses by holding their hands tightly and gazing lovingly at them. Finally, try to create a love story with a loyal, loving man like Jess and enjoy a lifetime together, through sickness and health.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful caregivers at NHC Hendersonville (5 years) and the Somerfield Health Center (3 years). The staff at both became like family to us. We could see the wonderful depth of your care in the way Mom looked at you with love — and how Jess spoke so fondly of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the compassion and kindness you showed them both.

A joint celebration of life for Reba and Jess will be held, fittingly, as they were inseparable for 60 years. Friends and family are invited to honor their lives at Hendersonville Memory Gardens & Funeral Home on Saturday, November 22. Visitation with refreshments will be from 11am – Noon, with the service following at Noon.

In lieu of flowers, Reba would love for you to plant a rose bush in her honor or donate to Random Acts of Flowers.

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11/14/2025

Tommy Paul Dubroc

With love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Tommy Paul Dubroc, age 77, of Gallatin, Tennessee, who passed away peacefully on October 29th, 2025, at his home with his beloved wife and daughter by his side.

Born in Marksville, Louisiana, Tommy lived a life defined by faith, integrity, and devotion to his family. As a very young boy he developed a lifelong passion for aviation. He followed in the footsteps of his beloved brother-in-law, Phil, and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, where he developed a deep and enduring sense of patriotism and continued love of flying.

Following his years of military service, Tommy began a 28-year career with Texaco, where his hard work and dedication earned the respect and admiration of those around him. Upon retirement, he found great joy in pursuing his passion for airplanes – spending countless hours in his workshop and sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with friends and family alike.

After retiring from Texaco, Tommy and Carolyn moved to Branson, Missouri where they spent 11 wonderful years. They made lifelong and enduring friendships. It was in Branson where Tommy got the nickname Tree Top Tommy after landing his powered parachute in the top of a tree. This story is retold and enjoyed to this day by friends and family and will always be a great memory. He is quite the legend in the Ozarks.

In 2016, they finally moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, their forever home, to be near their grandchildren whom they adored. He expanded his aviation hobby to include RC airplanes which he was teaching his grandsons to fly; these will always be treasured memories for them.

Tommy’s gentle humor, generous heart, and kind spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew him. He never met a stranger and was always eager to lend a helping hand or share a warm smile. Above all, he cherished his family and the time they spent together.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carolyn; his children Brandon (Michael) Dubroc and Melanie (Shane) Givens; his precious grandchildren, Jackson, Daylen, and Baylor Givens; his nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews whom he loved.

He is preceded in death by his beloved sister Tut and her husband Phil.

A memorial service celebrating Tommy’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 25th, at First Baptist Church Hendersonville in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Visitation is at 9:00am with service to follow at 10:00am. His ashes will then be laid to rest at the National Veteran’s Cemetery in Nashville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers or Turning Point USA in Tommy's honor.

Tommy will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for his family, friends, and country. His laughter and steady presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

“Now he soars where he always dreamed.”

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11/13/2025

Lois Wilburn

Lois Collins Wilburn, age 88, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on November 8, 2025. Lois was born on April 10, 1937, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the late Edwin Chester Collins and Grace Collins Maxey. Lois was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wilburn, and her brothers and sisters.

Lois is survived by her step daughter Vickie Wilburn; grandchildren Lauren Smith (Matt) and Lindsay George; great grandchildren Eli, Henry, and Wyatt Smith and Brendan and Charlotte Wolberg; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Lois graduated in 1957 from Central High School. A devout Christian who enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, Lois was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. Lois enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends, watching sports, and spending time with family.

Lois was married to the love of her life, Thomas Wilburn, for forty three years; Lois and Tom were faithful members at church. Together, they enjoyed traveling and never left each other’s side.

Visitation for Lois will be held Friday, November 14, 2025 from 9 to 11am at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. A celebration of life will be held at 11am at the same location. Burial will follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Hendersonville in Lois’s honor.

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11/11/2025

William G. Hanks

William Glover Hanks, (AKA Handsome Hanks), of Gallatin, Tennessee is filing his last change of address and as of November 6, 2025, dwells in the mansion prepared for him by his Heavenly Father. He now lives in true ecstasy praising and worshiping his Holy Father along with the family members and friends who went before him.

He began his earthly life on September 23, 1934, in the loving arms of his parents, Lewis Conrad Hanks and Mary Louise King Hanks in Talladega Alabama. Both of whom greeted him when he entered his final home.

While on this earth he moved numerous times. He graduated from Etowah High School. He attended Auburn University for 2 years but had to leave and move to Griffin Georgia to help care for his mother. He was recruited by a company called W T Grants to be trained as a store manager. While in Griffin he met and married the woman of his dreams: Claudia Earle Cooper on July 3, 1955. His job required frequent moves, but he loved the challenges it presented, and he was very good at his job.

He also developed many lifelong friendships between other Grants families and families in the different locations he loved. In December of 1956 they were blessed with a baby girl, Pamela Sue, then in September 1959 Cheryl Ann was added to the family. He had 2 remote controls before they were invented. He simply yelled out Pam or Cheryl and what channel to turn the TV to. Thankfully there were only 3 or 4 channels back then.

Aside from his job, Bill had several hobbies he enjoyed. One was fishing and he loved camping with his family. Bill loved his job, but in 1975 Grants went bankrupt and Bill, Claudia and Cheryl moved back to Hendersonville Tennessee. Pam had just married Jack William Stackhouse, who was enlisted in the Air Force and stationed in California. Bill had to start a new career, so he and some other Grants friends started reselling the fixtures out of stores that were going out of business.

In 1977 Cheryl graduated from Volunteer State and his grandson Brian Scott Stackhouse was born and in 1980 David William Stackhouse was born. During these years he bought an RV, and he and Claudia spent their free time camping. In the mid-90s he struck out on his own and built a warehouse in Smyrna Tennessee for fixtures he was selling. In 2004 David married Heather Blanke and in 2005 Brian married Cristen Head. In 2013 he decided to retire and sold his warehouse. In 2016 he found out he was qualified to join the Son’s of the American Revolution.

In 2022 he became a great grandfather to Hannah Grace Stackhouse. Bill is also survived by his brother, George Hanks, (Vastie Alford – deceased) his niece and nephew Terri Hanks Snider (Billy) and Chuck Hanks (Robin), his brother in-law Wilson Cooper (Elaine), nieces Patricia Holloway Vermeer (Jeffery) and Delaine (Lanie) Holloway, (Debra, deceased) children of sister in-law Betty Cooper Holloway (deceased) and Rufus Holloway (deceased).

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 4pm-8pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 12pm in the Chapel at the funeral home with visitation beginning at 10am.

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11/10/2025

11/10/2025

Tarrel Austin

Tarrel De Austin, age 67, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025 at his home of 5 years in Hartsville, Tennessee.

Tarrel was born August 29, 1958 in Burlington, Colorado.

As a singer songwriter and music publisher, he also worked at the Bell Cove in Hendersonville for 30+ years.

Tarrel’s fondest memories were growing up at the farm in Illinois, and jumping for Joy at the Bell Cove in Hendersonville as he had a special talent and ear for good music and great musicians.

Tarrel is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 5 ½ years, Cherie (65) of Hartsville, Tennessee.

Tarrel is also survived by his sons, Preston (43) and Kreighton (42) both of Arizona; his 1 granddaughter and his 2 grandsons; his stepdaughters, Tanara (46), Tarina (36), and Talia (33) all of Illinois; his 3 step granddaughters and 4 step grandsons; his half sister, Kimberly (Bo) of Arizona; his half brother, Chris (59) of Arkansas; his sister, Jitona (70) of Colorado; his mother, Juanita (87) of Illinois; his mother in law, Ruby of Illinois; and his close friends, Hawk, Jan and Gloria of Tennessee; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tarrel was preceded in death by his father, Kreighton of Colorado; his brother, Kreighton of Oklahoma; his half brother, Keenan of Arizona; his grandparents, Bill and Florence (T***s) Johnson of Illinois; and father in law, Charles (Buck) Sullens of Illinois

A memorial celebration of life will be posted at a later date.

Extra special Thank You for all the cards, letters, thoughts, memories, kind words, and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association.

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11/09/2025

Mark Smith

Mark Patrick Smith, age 59, passed peacefully into eternal rest. Mark was born on June 3, 1966, in Augusta, Georgia, to Patrick and Patricia (Ross) Smith. Mark was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother.

He was a man of faith, great generosity, and steadfast love for his family. He had a brilliant mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a heart for helping others. Mark had a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and worked in his field for over a decade. Then, inspired by a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Mark founded Gifts Catholic, a company dedicated to supporting the Church and helping others grow closer to God. For more than 20 years, his work served and continues to serve both as a livelihood for his family and as a ministry to the Catholic community. Mark loved traveling, especially to Italy, and enjoyed music, business, a good meal, and time spent with loved ones. Mark was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Patricia Smith. Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Lisa Smith; their children Taylor (William) Goodman, Jordan (Dante) Pichietti, Riley Smith, Landon Smith, and Calvin Smith; his cherished grandchildren Margot Goodman and Francesco Mark Pichietti; his sister Yvonne (Tom) Goodwin and brother Steve (Dodi) Smith; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who loved him dearly.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 4:00–7:30 p.m. at Hendersonville Funeral Home, with the Rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

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11/06/2025

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