Doris Laverne Cartwright

A graveside service for Doris Laverne (Spooky) Cartwright, age 92, will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Oakland Cemetery in Trenton, Tennessee, on September 30, 2024, with visitation prior to the service at Karnes and Sons Funeral Home in Dyer, Tennessee from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Presiding over the service will be Reverend Charles Coplin, a former friend and neighbor of Mrs. Cartwright and Mr. Ricky Bates, a family friend.

Mrs. Cartwright peacefully passed away at NHC Nursing Home in Milan, Tennessee on September 28, 2024, where she was a favorite among the workers, who all called her "Spooky," a childhood nickname.

Born in Brazil, Tennessee August 31, 1932, Mrs. Cartwright was the daughter of Homer and Elva Marie Stewart, both deceased. She married the love of her life, Royce Wade Cartwright of Dyer on October 10, 1950. They had been married for 51 years at the time of Mr. Cartwright's death in 2002. Mrs. Cartwright co-owned Tri City Motors with her husband for 40 years. She was a housewife and mother to three children and often took jobs after her children were older, sewing for the public and working in stores to keep busy. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dyer, Tennessee and when her children were young, she taught Sunday School and helped plan Vacation Bible School each year. She loved her home and flowers and kept an immaculate yard in Dyer for many years.

She is survived by her children Royce Ann Richardson of Memphis, Tennessee, Sally Jane Thornton (Ron) of Hohenwald, Tennessee, and Wade Stewart Cartwright (Linda) of Milan, Tennessee. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Lindsey Smith (Kevin) of Medina, Tennessee, Will Cartwright of Milan, Tennessee, Matthew Coleman of Memphis, Tennessee and Brent Thornton of Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. Cartwright has five great-grandchildren: Bree Mitchell, Aidan Mitchell, Britton Smith, Abby Richardson, and Sophia Smith. Other survivors include one sister, Rebecca Ann Bennett of Dresden, Tennessee and two first cousins: Janice Harper of Trenton, Tennessee and Mary Butler of Fruitland, Tennessee.

Pall Bearers are Will Cartwright, Kevin Smith, Matthew Coleman, Brent Thornton, Gordon Crenshaw, and Brandt Jercinovich.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be given to St. Jude’s's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN--address 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a charity of your choice.