John Mallory Church

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John Mallory Church, 88, retired realtor and auctioneer and resident of Columbia, died Friday, September 29, 2023, at Poplar Estates.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Jeremy Butt officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 830 Hatcher Lane, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born April 5, 1935, in Maury County, he was the son of the late Herbert J. Church and the late Elizabeth Catherine Coleman Church. He was a 1953 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Mr. Church owned and operated Church Realty and Auction Company from 1965 until 2020.  Earlier in life, he owned and operated Church’s Clothing. Mr. Church sold horses and attended Tennessee Walking Horse Shows and Lexington Horse Shows. He was long-time member of Southern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors and a member of Northview Church of Christ.

Survivors include his daughter, Mallory Ann Church (Cassie Neeley) of Nashville; son, John Michael (Debbie) Church of Columbia; granddaughters, Lauren (Jessee) Dupes of Lynnville; Emma Catherine Neeley of Nashville; great grandchildren, Grayson Dupes, Adelynn Dupes; mother of his children and devoted caregiver, Helen Johnson Church; and nephews, Herbert C. “Herbie” Church, William C. “Bill” Church, and John H. Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herbert Coleman Church, Sr.

Active pallbearers will be Jessee Dupes, Tommy Hight, Jr., Kyle Thomas, Ken Spahr, Herbie Church, Bill Church and John H. Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Hight, Sr., Blake Hight, Bobby Brooks and Buck Locke.  The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff of Gentiva Hospice and Poplar Estates for their care.