Jesse Edward Deatherage

Born July 27, 1928, Mr. Deatherage died on his 79th birthday after a short illness. Visitation will be on July 30 at 1:00 pm; services will follow at 3:00 pm at Shackelford Funeral Home in Acton, Tennessee. Interment to be at Pisgah Cemetery. Pallbearers are Raborn Deatherage, Muril Deatherage, Jeff Bunn, Don Berry, Curt Berry, Tony Lambert and Terry Byrd. Honorary pallbearer is Leon Sprayberry. Mr. Deatherage served in the Army from 1946 when he was dispatched to Germany . During this tour he met the lovely Ellen Dagmar Josephine Schmitz and married her in 1952. They remained married until her death in 1994. In addition to his wife, Mr. Deatherage is preceded in death by his mother and father Mary Una Bearden Deatherage and Allen McKinley Deatherage; brothers Charles Deatherage and Jimmie Allen Deatherage; sisters Peggy Lambert and Mary Helen Deatherage, all of Michie, TN; and sister Virginia Moffett, Savannah, TN. He is survived by siblings Jean Bunting, Florence, AL; Barbara Malm, Arnold, MD; Raborn Deatherage, Lawrenceburg, TN; Sandra Byrd, Michie, TN; children Mary Ann Hea, Nashville, TN; Diane D. Bunn, Tuscaloosa, AL; Michael Deatherage, Nashville, TN; and Kelly Berry, Leighton, AL. Grandchildren include Katharine Hea, Nashville, TN; Curtis Berry and Sydney Berry, both of Leighton, AL, and Jessica Bunn, Tuscaloosa, AL. He is also survived by his long-time friend of 60 years, Leon Sprayberry and his wife Mary. Lastly, Mr. Deatherage is survived by his large and loving Schmitz family of Germany. Mr. Deatherage served one 18-month tour of duty in Korea and two 18-month tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1968. During his years in the Army he was awarded 19 service medals and was the recipient of numerous letters of commendation from his commanders. Following retirement from the Army, he became a carrier for the post office for 20 years. Mr. Deatherage was a winemaker, a fisherman and a carpenter. A very special thank you to Morningside Assisted Living of Sheffield, AL, and Susan Osborn of Southern Care (Hospice).