Vernell (Morris) Tapp

Vernell Morris Tapp, lifelong resident of the Somerville Community and wife of the late Richard Thomas Tapp, Sr., departed this life Wednesday morning, April 17, 2013 at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where she had been a patient for one day. She was 87 years of age and died following an illness of four weeks.

Services Honoring the Life of Mrs. Tapp were conducted at 12 Noon Friday, April 19th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. H.B. Fields of the Shiloh United Methodist Church officiating. Interment followed in the Hebron Cemetery in the Bethlehem Community. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mrs. Tapp was born March 16, 1926 in Somerville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Allen Morris and Kate Taylor Morris. She received her education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville. She was married August 15, 1948 to Richard Thomas Tapp, Sr., Fayette County  farmer, landowner and U.S. Army World War II Veteran. Mr. Tapp preceded his wife in death on October 8, 1997.

Mrs. Tapp was a devoted member of the Shiloh United Methodist Church and participated in numerous church activities for much of her life. She and her husband both received much pleasure in supporting the Fayette Academy and serving as bus drivers for the academy in earlier years. She was a devoted homemaker and also assisted her husband and family in their farming operation. Mrs. Tapp made few demands of others and always placed the interests of family and friends first. Her life was a living testimony to her Christian faith.

Mrs. Tapp is survived by three daughters, Nancy Hughes (Donny) of Somerville, Clara Harris (George) of Somerville, Pamela Russell (Jerry) of Somerville; her son, Thomas Tapp (Billie) of Somerville; eight grandchildren, Greg Tapp, Laura Tapp, Lesley Harting, Stacey Christopher, Lindsey Chandler, James Harris, Matthew Russell, Benjamin Russell; and eleven great grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Greg Tapp, Allen Tapp, Ryan Avant, James Harris, Matthew Russell and Benjamin Russell.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Shiloh United Methodist Church, c/o Ruby Doyle, 2605 Yum Yum Road, Somerville, TN 38068.