J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home

03/27/2026

Mr. Raymond Stovall, 75 of Estill Springs passed from this life peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at his residence. He was born on February 13, 1951 in Wi******er to the late Raymond and Eula Baggs Stovall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Stovall.

From an early age, he attended Mt. Zion School in Belvidere and later spent a year at Townsend High School. Following school integration, he transferred to Franklin County High School, where he graduated in 1969.

Raymond was a devoted member of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as an usher and found great joy in listening to the choir sing. He had a passion for working with his hands, especially welding and building things. In his free time, he could often be found outdoors riding his motorcycle or working on old cars.

Above all, Raymond was a well-rounded family man who cherished time with his loved ones. He especially enjoyed celebrating the Fourth of July and gathering with family at cookouts and special occasions. A dedicated and hardworking man, he was employed at several places throughout his life, including ARO, Rock Tenn, and Kasai.

He is survived by his loving wife, Anita Stovall; daughter, Shawn Schuller; son, Taveras (Mindy) Stovall; four grandchildren, Amber, Matthew, Alaya, and Amiyah; two sisters, Doris Castleman and Citronella Kelso; two brothers, George (Sarah) Stovall and Arthur (Veronica) Stovall; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 from 12:00 — 1:00 p.m. at Elk River Tabernacle in Wi******er with Funeral Services following at 1:00 p.m. with Minister Cary Rowe, officiating and Pastor Chester Stovall, eulogist.

Interment: Asia Cemetery

Please keep the family of Raymond Stovall in your thoughts and prayers.

03/23/2026

We are honored to have served Coffee, Franklin, Bedford, Lincoln, and the surrounding counties for 80 years. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detail of our work, as we take great pride in providing quality service, the highest standard of care, and an unmatched beautiful presentation for your loved one.

Our dedication remains unwavering, and our work is a reflection of the trust you place in us. We are truly grateful for your confidence and the opportunity to serve your family, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community for many years to come.

03/01/2026

Mr. Kenneth Beavers, age 89, of Estill Springs, passed peacefully from this life on Friday, February 27, 2026, at his residence. Born on February 14, 1937, to the late Marvin and Susie Beavers, Kenneth was a native of Chattanooga and attended schools in Hamilton County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Beavers, and his brother, Carlton Beavers.

Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. While living in Chattanooga, he was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was also a dedicated and loyal employee of McKee Bakery, where he worked faithfully for 30 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Billie (Tim) Haswell; son, Kenneth Gregory Beavers; grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Burial will take place at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Please keep the family of Mr. Kenneth Beavers in your thoughts and prayers.

02/28/2026

Mr. Stanley Burnette, 61 was born on July 16, 1964 and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in Wi******er, Tennessee. He was the son of Charlotte Childress and Willie C. Hill. He was preceded in death by: his grandparents, William and Jewel Burnett—stepfather, Leiber Childress and father-in-law, John Olds.

On December 15, 1989, Stanley was united in Holy Matrimony to Johnnie (Nana) Mae Burnette whom he loved dearly. A 1982 graduate of Franklin County High School, he proudly served his country in the United States Army for 11 years, earning the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, he built a career as a truck driver with Nationwide Express and SAIA. Stanley had a passion for big trucks, motorcycles, and fi****ms, and could often be found riding his Harley or Hayabusa, or spending time outdoors in Belvidere. Above all, he cherished his family and friends, always ensuring those around him were cared for. On June 19, 2025, he accepted Christ and was baptized, affirming his faith. There was never a dull moment in the presence of Stanley Burnette.

Stanley leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife of 37 years—Johnnie "Nana" Burnette; five daughters— Shameka (Richard) Mathews, Naketta Maxwell, Shantaya Burnette, Shanice (Chordaryus) Billingsley, and Shayla Burnette; three sons— Antonio Burnette, Stanley "Tank" Burnette, and Shaquille Burnette; and 11 grandchildren; mother, Charlotte Childress; father— Willie C. (Joanne) Hill; mother-in-law— Viola Olds; four sisters— Tammy Childress, Kimberly Childress, Twanna Hill, and Shannon (LoAnza) Burks; five brothers— Troy Burnette, Allen Burnette, Tobias (Kema) Hill, Darrell (Tekesha) Taylor, and Terence (Sebrena) Hill; three sisters-in-law— Lucinda Maxwell, Joe Ann Rose, and Mary Moore; four brothers-in-law— Troy Moore, Ronald Olds, Frederick Olds, and Tony Rose; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation, Friday, March 6, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Holy Covenant Original Church of God in Wi******er. He will lie in state on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Holy Covenant Original Church of God with Funeral Services following at 1:00 p.m. with Minister Shiro Burnette, officiating and Pastor Lee Brannon, eulogist. Interment with military honors will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens in Wi******er.

Please keep the family of Mr. Stanley Burnette in your thoughts and prayers.

02/21/2026

Homegoing Services for Mother Verna M. Bonner will be livestreamed on J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home facebook beginning at 11:45 a.m. CST.

02/16/2026

Mother Verna Mae Bonner, 82, of Cowan, answered the Master’s call and passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She is the wife of Bishop Willie L. Bonner, Jr., Tennessee Eastern Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Mother Verna M. Bonner leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving and devoted husband, Bishop Willie L. Bonner, Jr.; her faithful and caring sons, Leo (Trina) Bonner and Ivan (Diane) Bonner; and her devoted and gracious daughter, Tina D. Bonner. She also leaves behind the pride and joy of her life – her granddaughters, Takiyah McGee, Tamara (JaMichael) Thompson, and Tamia Bonner; and her great-grandchildren, Nickiyah, Marsay, and NaVera McGhee, and Zavion Thompson. She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: David Brown, Benny Brown, Willie (Ola) Brown, Bobby Brown, Frank (Brenda) Brown, James (Shelia) Brown, Samuel Brown, Rose (Larry) Beasley, Warren Brown, and Effie (Jimmy) Burnette; three brothers-in-law, David Q. Bonner, Raymond (Dr. Gloria) Bonner, and Allen (Carmen) Bonner; six sisters-in-law, Lula (Sammy) Lasater, Bettie (Jessie) Simmons, Phyllis (Ernest) Lee, Theresa Fitzgerald, Brenda (Frank) Brown, and Deborah (Edward) Wamsley; devoted nieces, Dana L. Brown, Patricia Burks-Jelks, Vanessa Richardson, Nona Hendon, and Shannon Burks; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Visitation, Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at New Hope COGIC (300 Cowan Street East, Cowan, TN 37318) with the Funeral service immediately following at 12:00 p.m. with Bishop Joseph Fisher, officiating and Bishop Felton Matthew Smith, Jr. as eulogist. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to New Hope COGIC, Attention: VMB Scholarship Fund, 310 Davis Street, Cowan, Tennessee 37318 or via the New Hope COGIC Church portal (www.newhopecowancogic.com).

Please keep the family of Mother Verna Bonner in your thoughts and prayers.

Online condolences may be shared at www.weltonfuneralhome.com. J.A. Welton & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

02/08/2026

Mr. Devan Depriest Hawley, 36 passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Pastor Scott Dobbins will officiate, and Pastor Theresa Northcutt will serve as eulogist.

Devan was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Cecil L. Davidson; his paternal grandparents, Roosevelt and Flonell Hawley; and uncles, Larry Hawley and Stevon Hawley.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved daughter, Lilliyanna French Hawley; parents, Taja D. Davidson and Dexter D. (Pamala) Hawley; stepfather, Earl D.(Shanika) Bean, Jr.; maternal grandmothers, Marcia L. Hendon and Phyllis D. Adams; step-grandfather, Earl. D. Bean, Sr.; siblings, Amber D. Bean, Christopher D. (RaChandra) Bean, Tajaya D. Bean, Charis R. (Christian) Weaver, Olivia N. Bean, Jayla R. Bean, Tameka (Kithome) King, Ruebon Hawley, and Daniel Hawley; uncles, Gerald L. Davidson, Tony (Crystal) Hawley and Derrick (Desire) Hawley; aunts, JaCenda D. (Chris) Robinson, Bari Shawn (Dwight) Little, Pat Hawley, Tamatha (Marcus) Cooper, and Trina Smith.

Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Please keep the family of Devan “Devo” Hawley in your thoughts and prayers.

02/07/2026

80 years later we are still standing as Tullahoma’s longest locally owned family funeral home. True connections and we truly care for you!

I remember when funeral homes were owned by the families whose names were on the sign. I was fortunate enough to work during that era, back in the late 1900s 😉

You thought you knew who you were dealing with. You thought you knew where the money stayed. You thought you knew who was accountable.

Sometimes all that changes silently and the only thing that looks different is the branding, and even then maybe not for years after acquisition.

Same building. Same chapel. New ownership quietly entering behind the scenes.

Everything looks and seems the same. Until one day, the prices raise. Quotas are implemented. The people are replaced. The connections are lost.

If you’re planning ahead, or walking into a funeral home for the first time, ask the questions people don’t think to ask.

Ownership matters.
Especially here... and now.

If this made you pause, share it.
And if you’re planning ahead, ask the questions no one prompts you to ask.
You can start here in the comment section ❤️

01/29/2026

We are proud to welcome Angel Wilson as the newest Licensed Funeral Director with our Funeral Home family. A Fayetteville native with over 20 years of experience, Angel brings compassion, expertise, and a heartfelt commitment to serving her hometown. As we celebrate 80 years of service to this community—we continue to raise the bar and set the standard in funeral care. Angel’s addition reflects our ongoing commitment to dignity, respect, and personal service.

•Angel has a strong relationship with local clergy and churches throughout Lincoln County, helping families hold services in the place of worship that feels right for them.

•We offer the convenience of making arrangements from the comfort of your own home, when leaving home feels like too much.

We are honored to continue our legacy of care and grateful for the opportunity to serve Fayetteville families for generations to come. In your time of need, please give us a call at 931-455-2723.

01/23/2026

Ms. Christy Marie Gomez, 56 of Tullahoma passed from this life on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She was born in Abilene, Texas on November 17, 1969 to the late Modesto Gomez and Leona Stillman Gomez. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joey Gomez.

She was a woman whose love showed up in everyday acts of kindness and who loved to cook for anyone who was hungry. She was a mother not only to her own children, but to anyone who needed a mother’s love. Having a compassionate and caring soul, she found joy in the company of her family and loved spending time with them. She loved listening to music and sharing a good laugh. In her spare time, she enjoyed stargazing and sitting on her porch watching the night sky. She was also blessed with a green thumb and enjoyed gardening.

She is survived by her loving children, Maria (Chelsea) Espinosa of Tullahoma, Michael (Sam) Gomez of New York and Christopher (Michelle) Gomez of Santa Fe, TN; siblings, Mitchell (Misty) Gomez, Randy Gomez, and Robert (Kellie) Gomez; niece, Brianna (Blake) Williams; adopted daughter, Shirly Meneses of Tullahoma; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family is planning a Celebration of Life service at a later date.

Please keep the family of Ms. Christy Gomez in your thoughts and prayers.