John Thomas Denniston

JOHN THOMAS DENNISTON, resident of the Hickory Withe Community, retired Fayette County Deputy Sheriff and United States Veteran died at 7:10 P.M. Friday, October 19, 2007 at his residence on Denniston Road. He was 75 years of age and died after an extended illness of two years.

Funeral services for Mr. Denniston were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, October 22nd at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Carl Meyer, Pastor of the Oakland First Baptist Church officiating. Interment with Military and Masonic Honors followed in the Hood Cemetery in the Warren Community. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel.

Mr. Denniston was born March 17, 1932 in the Warren Community of Fayette County, the son of the late Samuel Lewis Denniston and the late Ora Virginia Claunch Denniston. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School system and was a lifelong resident of Fayette County. He was married March 19, 1955 to the former Nell Spencer of Fayette County who preceded him in death on October 28, 2006.

Mr. Denniston had been active in community affairs throughout his life. He served as a deputy sheriff in Fayette County before his retirement in 2000 and was a familiar figure at the Fayette County Courthouse for a number of years where he served as the court bailiff and security officer.

He served in the United States Army as a corporal during the Korean War period and was a member of the Fayette County Veteran of Foreign Wars Post. He was a longtime member of the Somerville Masonic Lodge and had served as a past Master of the local lodge.

Mr. Denniston was a lifelong Baptist and will be remembered by his family and many friends as a kind, gentle person who loved his community. He was a patriotic person and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors of Mr. Denniston include three daughters, Margaret Bailey of Oakland, Tammy Denniston of Hickory Withe and Johnnie Wiggins of Holladay, TN; two sons, Pete Denniston and John Denniston, both of Hickory Withe; his sisters, Ruby Crawford and Shelby Jenkins, both of Collierville; his brother, Edd Denniston of Somerville; 17 grandchildren & 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his two oldest daughters, Lois Weaver and Betty Rose.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Bill Hannah, Jerry Henderson, Ined Holmes, Weber McCraw, Willie McCulley, Bobby Riles, Mike Whitaker and Miles Wilson.

Honorary casketbearers were members of the Somerville Masonic Lodge and the Fayette County VFW Post.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the Somerville Masonic Lodge, 109 W. Market St., Somerville, TN 38068.