Leon Puckett
October 11, 1935 — July 30, 2013
Milton Leon Puckett, age 77, of Eagleville, TN died Tuesday, July 30 th , 2013. Mr. Puckett was born in Triune and was a son of the late John Milton and Grace Lee Porter Puckett. He founded Puckett’s Bi-Rite in Eagleville in 1959 and operated the grocery for 41 years. During this time he also partnered with Puckett Brothers in Triune, Big Star in Chapel Hill and the Puckett’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork which still bears his name. As a young man he played baseball in the Tri-State League and served his country in the armed forces in Germany. In later years, he served on the Fleming Grocery Advisory Board and spent many hours among friends playing golf at Henry Horton State Park. He was a member of Eagleville United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Kathi Puckett Desplinter.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Betty Jane Shelton Puckett; three daughters: Lisa Bogle, and husband Bobby, Smyrna, TN, Karen Puckett M.D., Murfreesboro, TN, and Kim Scott, M.D. and husband, John Scott M.D., Franklin, TN. He delighted in his 7 grandchildren: Mary Katherine and Sarah Grace Bogle; Caroline and Christine Spindel, Claire, Cole and Hannah Scott. Also survived by his sister, Anita Case, Niota, TN.
Family members will receive friends on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Eagleville United Methodist Church, 375 Old Hwy 99, Eagleville, TN. Visitation will also be on Thursday, August 1, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with funeral services being conducted at 2:00 p.m. at Eagleville United Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Gilbert, Rev. Nan Zoller and Rev. Dave McIntyre officiating. Burial will follow in Triune Cemetery, Triune, TN.
Active pallbearers: Kenny Puckett, Rodney Burns, Jamie Shelton, Ronnie Webb, Carl Ralston, Robert Goins; Honorary pallbearers: Ellis Sudberry, Billy Joe Snell, Donnelly Mealer, Leon Reed, Herbert Crick, Merkle Rigsby, Billy Giles, Paul Pratt, Dick Batts, Rex Messick, Gordon Lamb, Jimmy Wilkerson, Bob Whittaker, Tom Reed, and the College Grove Card Players.
Memorial Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN or Eagleville United Methodist Church, 375 Old Hwy. 99, Eagleville, TN 37060.