George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

Vernon Cecil Knight, 78, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away on November 4, 2025.

He was born on May 3, 1947, in Peoria, Illinois, to the late Sherman and Maggie Knight. Vernon graduated from Union University with a Teaching Degree in Mathematics and proudly served his country in the National Guard. He later went on to enjoy a long career as a dedicated associate with Lowe’s. Above all, he cherished his family and the time he spent with them.

In addition to his parents, Vernon is preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Knight; and his brother, Nolan Knight.

He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Lou Knight; his son, David Wayne Knight; his brother, Richard Knight (Haydee); his sister, Joyce Knight; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

A graveside service to celebrate the life of Vernon Knight will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Highland Memorial Gardens with Bro. Curtis Howard officiating. The family will receive friends and the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons from 11 am - 12:30 pm.

Pallbearers to serve will be Chris Jones, Randy Robinson, Chris Owens, Kenneth Hogg, Jimmy Robinson, and Anthony McDaniel.

Celebrate the life of Vernon Knight, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

11/06/2025

Shawn “Clint” Bolton was born in Jackson, Tennessee, on May 16, 1977, and passed away on November 4, 2025.

Clint was a talented baseball player from a young age, excelling throughout his childhood and high school years. One of his proudest moments was playing in the Mickey Mantle World Series in 1993 with the Twitty City team out of Nashville, Tennessee. He remained an avid baseball fan all his life and especially loved cheering for his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Clint was also a skilled painter who took pride in his work. Outside of work, he enjoyed playing golf with his dad and spending time with his family. He deeply loved his beautiful daughters and grandchildren, who were his greatest joy. Clint was known for his easy-going nature, his kind heart, and his appreciation for the people around him.

He is survived by his father, Steve Bolton, and stepmother, Pam McCorkle; his brothers, Rocky Shane Bolton and J.D. McCorkle; his daughters, Madison Brooke Bolton (Michael), Hannah Rose Miller (Brandon), Chloe Leeann Bolton, and Zoe Heidelberg (Zack); and his beloved grandchildren, Joshua and Amelia. He also leaves behind his uncles, Robin and Perry Bolton, and his aunts, Kim Laney, Michelle Stewart, and Tammy Higgins.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Pamela Stewart; his grandparents, Emerson and Louise Bolton; and Carmen and Rosalie Stewart.

Visitation will be held at George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home on Sunday, November 9, beginning at 12:00 noon until the start of the service at 2:30 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 p.m. with Brother Tony Stewart officiating.

Clint will be remembered for his love of family, his steady spirit, and the warmth he shared with everyone who knew him.

Celebrate the life of Clint Bolton, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

11/06/2025

🌷 In Loving Memory of
Wanda Joyce Shytles

February 8, 1948 – November 4, 2025

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*“Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at heaven’s gate.” *

– Proverbs 31:31

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Obituary

Wanda Joyce Shytles, 77, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, at Jackson General Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family.

Wanda was born on February 8, 1948, in Huntersville, Tennessee, to the late Harvey and Ruby Burcham. She attended Northside High School in Jackson and worked for more than 20 years at the Bemis Cotton Gin, followed by several other factories in Jackson until her retirement.

She married the love of her life, Jimmy Shytles, and together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and family. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She adored her family deeply and cherished every moment they spent together.

Wanda’s radiant smile could light up any room, and everyone who met her was drawn to her warmth and kindness. She loved sunshine and flowers, decorating for every holiday, and making her home a place of joy and comfort. She enjoyed cooking family meals, drawing, coloring, reading, and taking in the beauty of nature. Wanda also adored her dogs—her faithful companion Bogie, who preceded her in death, and her beloved Ms. Ruby, who remained faithfully by her side. She had a flair for fashion and jewelry and loved to look her best, even when simply relaxing at home.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Jimmy Shytles; daughters Brenda Todd (Jimmy) and Susan Dean (David); grandchildren Heather Smith (Josh), Cody Bauer (Jessie), Shelby Haley (Kendall), and Shea Wilson (Dalton); and great-grandchildren Avery Grace Smith, Hudson Smith, Abbigail Bauer, Cooper Bauer, Harper Haley, and Beckett Haley. She also leaves behind her best friend, Oma Lee Honey, and dear friend and hairdresser, Tina Landers, who both held special places in her heart.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Ruby Burcham, her brother Charles Burcham (and sister-in-law Terry Burcham), and her sister Mary Hicks (and brother-in-law Wallace Hicks).

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her beautiful spirit, love of God, family, and joy for life will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

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Funeral Service

George A. Smith and Sons, South Chapel

Saturday, November 8, 2025

• Visitation: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

• Service: 11:00 a.m.

• Graveside Service: Following at Big Springs Methodist Church

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Acknowledgment

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends, family members, and caregivers at West Tennessee Health Care and Post-Acute Care for their love, support, and compassion.

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🌸 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done great things, but you surpass them all.”

(Inspired by Proverbs 31:28-29)

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Celebrate the life of Wanda Shytles, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

11/03/2025

Celebrate the life of Thomas “Tommy” Moore, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

11/03/2025

Betty Jean Winebrenner, age 92, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on October 30, 2025.

Born March 2, 1933, Betty was raised in Jackson, Tennessee. She met the love of her life, Leslie “Les” Winebrenner of Fort Wayne, through her sister. Their connection was instant, and the two soon married, beginning a beautiful life together in Fort Wayne.

In 1977, Betty and Les moved with their family back to Jackson to care for her ailing mother. Betty continued her lifelong career in bookkeeping and accounting, where she was admired for her attention to detail and strong work ethic.

A devoted member of Pleasant Plains Church of Christ, Betty was known for her deep faith and gentle spirit. Her life reflected the love and kindness she found in her relationship with God and her family.

Betty had a creative soul and loved spending time sewing, quilting, crocheting, and doing counted cross stitch. She also enjoyed painting, puzzles, board games, crafts, and reading her Bible.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Les Winebrenner; her parents, Granville Alley Petty and Eula Beatrice Petty; her sister, Mary Ann House; her brother, Carl C. Petty; and her nephew, Larry Petty.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Sandra Winebrenner Paschall and Debra A. Winebrenner Patterson; two grandchildren, Stacy Patterson and Joel Paschall, Jr. (Marye); three great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Magnolia, and Phillip B. Paschall.

She is also survived by her brother, Bill Petty (Bonnie) and their daughters, Melinda McCollum and Sue Farr and her nieces and nephews, Betty Carol Sutton, Rebecca Seagraves, Ricky House, and Dianne Petty Manley.

A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with burial following in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon, one hour prior to the service.

She will be dearly missed by her family, church family, and the many friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, humor, and steadfast love.

Celebrate the life of Betty Jean Winebrenner, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

11/01/2025

10/31/2025

Queen Elizabeth Burnett, age 76, of Pinson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Jackson on October 30, 2025.

Born November 13, 1948, in Hardeman County, Tennessee, Elizabeth was a proud graduate of Bolivar Central High School. She dedicated many years of service as a CDL trainer for the Jackson-Madison County School System Bus Shop, where she was respected for her patience, skill, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Elizabeth was a devoted member of Gospel for the World Tabernacle, where her strong faith and gentle spirit shone brightly. She was known for her kindness, her deep love for her family, and her unwavering trust in the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Georgie Mills; her brothers, James Mills and George Mills; and her sister, Margaret Jean Wilkerson.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Bruce Burnett of Pinson; her children, Sherry Sipes of Jackson and Chris Burnett (Sandy) of Pinson; grandchildren, Brittney Burnett of Jackson, Christan Burnett of Jackson, Meagan Kirby-Goodman (Johnathan) of Bethel Springs, and Mary Elizabeth Taylor of Jackson; and two great-grandchildren, Naomi Cole and Ollie Goodman. She will be remembered with love and gratitude by all who knew her.

A service to celebrate Elizabeth’s life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Rogers Cemetery for immediate family only. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m., two hours prior to the service.

Pallbearers to serve will be Chris Burnett, Christan Burnett, Johnathan Goodman, and Rick Matlock.

Celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth Burnett, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

10/31/2025

RT Hunt, 83, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025.

Born on May 14, 1942, in Hickman County, Tennessee, RT was the son of Robert Ervin “RE” Hunt and Evie Kelly Hunt.

RT had a love for the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing. Whether casting a line at his favorite spot or swapping stories, he found joy in those simple moments.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Hunt; his children, Jana Sibbitt, Jason Hunt and his wife Sandy, and Wesley Hunt and his wife Nikki; four brothers, Frank Hunt, Tony Hunt, Cecil Hunt, and Randy Hunt; and five sisters, Juanita Keele, Carol Ann Cox, Arna Abramson, Esta Stitt, and Sharon Martin.

RT also leaves behind five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and six great step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Ervin “RE” and Evie Kelly Hunt; two brothers, John Hunt and Bill Hunt; and his beloved son, Robert Clay Hunt.

A service to celebrate RT’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service.

RT’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him—a life well-lived, and the simple joys of time spent on the water.

Celebrate the life of RT Hunt, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

10/30/2025

Benny Joe Tyler, 66, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away on October 28, 2025, in his hometown.

He was born on October 3, 1959, in Jackson to the late Willie Dalton and Bobbie Jane Watson Tyler.

Benny Joe began working for Jackson Energy Authority right after graduating high school and dedicated over 36 years to the wastewater department before retiring in 2014. Known for his strong work ethic and steady nature, he took great pride in his work and the friendships he made over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his longtime companion, Janice Matthews.

Benny Joe is survived by his stepson, Jesse Matthews; four siblings, Tommy Tyler (Marsha), Stephen Tyler (Barbara), Cathy Tyler Thomas (Coan), and Kevin Tyler (Rena); along with several nieces and nephews who will fondly remember him.

In keeping with his wishes, Benny Joe will be cremated, and no services will be held at this time.

Celebrate the life of Benny Tyler, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

10/28/2025

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10/27/2025

Joann Johnson (Ragan) Longmire passed away on October 24, 2025 at the age of 95, having lived a life devoted to her love of God and family.

Born April 26, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Floyd Wellington Johnson and Martha Ivar Wilson Johnson of Bemis, Tennessee. She enjoyed sharing stories of her unique experiences of growing up in the mill town of Bemis. She graduated from J.B. Young High School in 1948.

Joann was married to James O Ragan, Jr. in 1953. After his death in 1969, she raised their five children, ages two through fourteen, on her own. Her strong faith in God guided her through the years as she nurtured and raised her family.

In 1989, she married Grady L. Longmire and they enjoyed 28 years of a loving marriage. He preceded her in death in 2017.

As a lifelong member of Bemis United Methodist Church, Joann loved her church and was dedicated to a life of service to others. She volunteered in many ministries, including serving as an Adult Sunday School teacher and working in the Youth Outreach on Wednesday nights. Joann had a beautiful alto voice and was a faithful member of the church choir for many years. When the church doors were open, Joann was there.

An excellent baker, Joann was known for her delicious desserts. She worked for many years in food service, first at South Side High School where her baked goods were popular with students and faculty alike. Later, she was employed by Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where her reputation as a wonderful baker continued. With friends and relatives, she was perhaps best known for her Venetian Tortes, receiving pre-orders for them for the holiday season. She contributed multiple cakes to the church bazaar every year. They were always sold out before she ever delivered them to the church.

Joann was a collector of recipes. She would spend hours pouring over magazines and newspapers, choosing new dishes to try. She loved to cook for large family gatherings and church functions. She was famous for baking at least four cakes for the family Christmas dinner. One year, the family tried to limit her out of concern that she was doing too much. She didn’t bring cakes that year, but instead, baked an overabundance of cookies, candies, and other treats. The family never tried to control her baking again.

Joann was predeceased by her son, James Mark Ragan, and daughter, Janet Ragan Snow; brothers Floyd (Helen), H.C., David; and sisters Alma Kate Rush (J.L.), Shirley Watlington (John), Sue Roark (Joe), and Vivian Rogers.

She is survived by her daughters Betty Ragan Siano (Jim), Laura Ragan Mosier (Tony), Sara Ragan Thompson (Harley), and son-in-law Sidney Snow.

Joann treasured time spent with her thirteen grandchildren: James Mark Wells, James Siano (Lizzie), Matt Siano, Allison Siano McKibben (Kurt), William Snow (Nicole), Nathan Snow (Laura), Tyler Mosier, Travis Mosier, Harley Clark Thompson (Katie), Daniel Thompson (Katie), Katie Lauren Thompson, David Thompson, and Andrew Thompson. She was also blessed with ten great grandchildren: Izzy Wells, Emersyn Wells, Tripp Wells, Jude Siano, Leon McKibben, Cooper McKibben, Nolan Snow, Julian Snow, Kylee Mosier, and Grace Mosier. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The entire family would like to express our gratitude to all of the staff of Bells Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care and love, and to Sherry Swietnicki for her devotion and companionship as the in-home caregiver.

A visitation with friends and loved ones will be held Thursday, October 30 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home South Chapel, 1544 South Highland, Jackson, TN . The funeral service will begin at 2:00pm with burial to follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson, TN.

Celebrate the life of Joann Longmire, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.