James R Derryberry

MSG James Robert Derryberry, (Ret.), 69, resident of Iron Bridge Road, died Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will be in Jones Cemetery with full military honors provided by the United States Air Force. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 3 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The Wilson County native was the son of the late Robert Lentz Derryberry and Bertha Mae Black Derryberry. He was a 1957 graduate of Spring Hill High School. He served 20 years in the United States Air Force including two tours of duty in Thailand, three tours in Vietnam and participated in the uprising in the Dominican Republic. He was awarded four oak leaf clusters and numerous purple hearts for his meritorious service. Mr. Derryberry was employed by Rippey Auto Parts and had enjoyed farming earlier in his life. He was a member of VFW Post 4969 and Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. He enjoyed being a hangerboy and co-pilot with a dear friend and was an avid card player. Survivors include three sisters, Minnie Jo Derryberry of Phoenix, Arizona, Nancy Loftin and Katherine (Joe) Roberts both of Columbia; one brother, Harold Noland Derryberry of Columbia; three sisters-in-law, Mary Etta Derryberry of Lawrenceburg, Alma Derryberry of Mt. Juliet, Livia Derryberry of Columbia; three adored nieces, Valarie Loftin, Margaret Secrest, Shannon Derryberry; and six nephews, Steve Derryberry, Scott Derryberry, Tommy Derryberry, Chad Derryberry, J.W. Derryberry, Nolan Derryberry and Kasey Wilson. He was preceded in death by one sister, Annie Dean "Baby Sister" Derryberry, three brothers, Elmer Lentz Derryberry, Joseph Herman Derryberry, Paul Thomas Derryberry and a nephew Robert Loftin. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Rippey, Roy Fitzgerald, James Secrest, Eric Harding, Butch Watson, Kasey Wilson, Chad Derryberry, Tommy Derryberry, Steven Derryberry and Scott Derryberry. Honorary pallbearers will be J.W. Derryberry, H.K. Derryberry, Thomas Simmons, Johnny Riggins, Billy Crowe, Fred Baker, PeeWee Johnson, Newton Derryberry, Jr., Joe Garrison, employees of Rippey Auto Parts, friends at Doug's, Kathy's and The Sandwich Shop, Members of VFW Post 4969, and members of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19.