Martha Laffoon

Martha Merrell Laffoon, age 71 of Puryear, TN, died Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in Puryear, TN.

She retired from Henry County Medical Center as an Environmental Supervisor after working there for over 20 years. She loved sitting on her back porch with her dogs, enjoyed the outdoors, and loved spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids. She was Baptist in faith.

Martha was born December 14, 1947, in Detroit, MI, to the late James Rasdon Cleaver and the late Lavenia Lee Grooms Cleaver.

She was first married to William Carol Merrell, who preceded her in death on January 29, 1997.  Then she was married to Larry Laffoon on May 16, 2002, and he preceded her in death in 2012.

She is survived by her three daughters, Mary Wilson of Puryear, TN, Carolyn (Tommy) Roberts of Puryear, TN, and Rebecca (Eddie) Haynes of Puryear, TN; two sons, William “Bill” (Tabitha) Merrell and James (Ashley) Merrell of Union City, TN; one sister, Pat (Paul) Wood of Puryear, TN; five brothers, James (Moon) Cleaver of Gig Harbor, WA, Thomas (Betty) Cleaver of Paris, TN, John Cleaver of Paris, TN, Joseph Cleaver of Paris, TN, and J.B. White, JR., of Washington; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was also preceded in death by one sister, Linda Patrum; one brother, David Cleaver; one son-in-law, Darrell Wilson; and one granddaughter, Dakota Grace Merrell.

Arrangements will be handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St., Paris, TN, 38242.  Visitation will be Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 pm at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Craig Peevyhouse officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Jimmy Camper, Dalton Merrell, Blake Roberts, Austin Roberts, James Merrell, and Erik Dunn.

Burial will be in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Springville, TN.