Obituaries – June 27, 2024 – Chester County Independent

TOMMY SHEARS – June 21 , 2024

Thomas Richard Shears, 76, of Henderson passed away June 21, 2024, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
There will be a celebration of life Monday, July 1, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel with Tommy’s brother, Pastor Jim Shears and Dr. Keith Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Cave Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue from 3-4 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Kirkland Cancer Center, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
He was a graduate of Messick High School of Memphis in 1965 and worked at Kimberly Clark before joining the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in 1969; he served for 26 years. He went back to work for Homeland Security in Jackson in 2003 and retired for a second time in 2012. Recently, he stayed busy working for the Chester County Recycling Center in the Cave Springs area.
His sweet smile could light up a room. He was loved by his family, friends, and fur baby, Ollie.
He enjoyed his grandkids, who knew him as “Mumps.” He was a big fan of the Tennessee Vols and St. Louis Cardinals. He was strong, dependable, kind and humble. He thought of others before himself.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Beverly Ann Shears; children, Laura (Clif) Magowan, Amy (Thomas) Brenner, Bryce (Robin) Gilbert and Beth (Doug) Haltom; nine grandchildren, Brooke (Jackson) Ward, Tanner and Carson Magowan, Emmy Brenner, Logan and Lily Gilbert and Haynes, Miller and Luke Haltom; three brothers; a sister; and two half-brothers.

NINA RAINEY – Feb. 22, 1931 – June 17 , 2024

Nina Sue Rainey, 93, of Lexington passed away June 17, 2024, at AHC Lexington. Funeral services were 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue. Burial followed at Roby Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 5-8 p.m. on Friday.
She was born Feb. 22, 1931 in Decatur County, the daughter of the late Less and Clovis Britt Roach. She grew up and attended schools in Decatur County.
She married Leo Rainey in 1948, and they made their home in the Center Point Community near Enville. Mr. Rainey died on Sept. 27, 2011. She was primarily a homemaker but also worked in the garment industry and was an excellent seamstress. She loved to cook and keep a huge garden and also loved raising flowers. She loved her family and especially all her grandchildren. She was member of the Shiloh Baptist Church.
She is survived by a son, Freddie (Diane) Rainey of Enville; one daughter, Francie Gilliam of Enville; a sister, Imogene Landers of Matthews, Mo.; two sister-in-laws, Betty Roach of Enville and Peggy Roach of Adamsville; three grandchildren; one step-grandchild; six great-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild with one on the way; and a step-great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Frankie Rainey; and four brothers, Jerry Wayne Roach, Paul Roach, Jack Roach and Raymond Roach.

CHRIS SELLS – May 29, 1974 – June 13 , 2024

John Christopher Sells, 50, of Beech Bluff passed away June 13, 2024, at Regional One Hospital in Memphis. There will be no services.
He was born in Jackson, May 29, 1974, son of the late John Donald Sells and late Martha Faulkner. He grew up in Jackson and made his home in Beech Bluff.
He loved his family and was a proud supporter of the Tennessee Volunteers football team. His passion included history, the great outdoors, hiking, and shooting. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by brother, David (Christina) Sells of Riverview, Fla.; sister, Amy (Baileay) Sells Bartlett of Beech Bluff; two nieces, Bridgette Bartlett and Bethany Butler; and a close friend, Laura Russell McCoy of Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.