Carlton Lynn “Bubbie” DeFoor

Carlton “Bubbie” DeFoor passed away into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024 at the St Francis Hospital in Bartlett. Carlton was born in Somerville, Tennessee on January 4, 1958 to Mary Nettie Alexander DeFoor Burch and Larry Gene DeFoor. He grew up in the Oakland farming community. He was educated in local schools and entered Fayette Academy in the fall of 1974 where he met the love of his life, Ellen. They graduated together from Fayette Academy in 1976.

As a young man he learned the value of hard work and maintained his work ethic throughout his life. He acquired his love for the outdoors as a child and enjoyed hunting & fishing and excelled in sports including basketball, baseball and football. After graduating high school, he entered the United States Army and proudly served his country. He returned home in 1979 where his high school sweetheart met him at the airport and they became engaged in June of 1979. They married in December, 1979 and lived in Haywood County for a few years before settling in Somerville in 1984 where they built their home & have resided there for 40 years. He dearly loved his wife and children. They were the light of his life. It gave him joy to follow his children in their various activities and sports, especially preparing meals for his children and their teammates. Carlton and Ellen were awarded with the TSSAA distinguished service award in 2010. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Somerville. 

He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed all types of hunting (deer, elk, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, - basically most any animal or critter) and fishing, especially crappie fishing. He has several trophies in the Pope & Young archery record books. 

Upon being honorably discharged from the US Army, he began working in the construction industry. He was employed by Grady Morris & Son for 11 years before he and Arthur Ray Glover started D & G Contractors in 1991. They worked together for 30 years until Ray’s retirement and then his son, Joseph partnered with his Dad in the business. Over his career, he and Ray built countless homes and businesses but he took special pride in the work that they completed for local churches and schools. He was an avid supporter of Fayette Academy and he was especially honored that he and Ray were given the opportunity to build the FA Viking Center, completing it in 2012. 

He enjoyed vegetable gardening, canning and preserving, grilling ( his barbecued chicken with his “hub sauce” was everyone’s favorite). He was always in charge of the main course and the homemade ice cream for their family gatherings which he enjoyed immensely and always looked forward to. It was also an annual tradition to make his famous stew with his friends Ray Glover and Johnny Perkins. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 44 years, Ellen Atkeison DeFoor, his daughter Virginia Lynn “Ginnie” DeFoor Myers (Jeff) of Somerville, his daughter Amy Kathryn DeFoor of Somerville, and his son, Joseph Carlton DeFoor (Ashlee) of Byhalia, Mississippi. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Nettie Burch of Oakland, 3 brothers, Eddie DeFoor, David DeFoor and Don DeFoor (Teresa) all of Oakland. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren (who lovingly called him Poppie) Cameron Elizabeth “Cami” Crawford, Joseph Alexander “Jac” Crawford, Preston Myers, Peyton Myers, Benjamin Rushing, Ruthee Velnor DeFoor, Riggs Everett DeFoor. He will be missed by his friends, neighbors and colleagues in the construction business and his beloved chocolate lab, Deke. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Gene DeFoor, his maternal grandparents, Edward & Jeanette Alexander and his paternal grandparents, Mattie Lou and Clarence Pattat, Sr and Arnie DeFoor. 

A celebration of life service was held Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Fayette Academy Viking center at 4:00 p.m. Officiating in the service was Stan Smith, Pastor of Somerville First Baptist Church, Ellis White and with Mike Atkeison providing the eulogy.

Those having the honor of serving as pallbearers were James Atkeison, Mike Atkeison, Ronnie Austin, Jac Crawford, Amy DeFoor, Joseph DeFoor, Jeff Myers and Ellis White. Honorary pallbearers were Nathan Atkeison, Clint Carlson, Nick Davis, David DeFoor, Derek DeFoor, Don DeFoor, Eddie DeFoor, Darell Kelley, Jerry Redfearn, Frank Wade, Preston Myers and Peyton Myers. 

Interment with military honors followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. 

The family requests that any memorials be directed to the Fayette Academy Performing Arts department through the Bank of Fayette County or the Somerville First Baptist Church Children’s & Youth ministries.