Elizabeth Lee “Mother” Medkiff, age 104, and a resident of Columbia, passed away Friday evening, August 11, 2023, at Life Care Center.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 12:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Steve Gunnel and Monte McCandless officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. A visitation will also be held on Thursday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Born on September 11, 1918, in Spring Hill, Tennessee “Mother,” as she was called by many, was the daughter of the late Claude Turner Gunnel and the late Bessie Floyd Gunnel. She worked many years as an inspector for Weather Tamer and was a member of Faith Pentecostal Church. She loved to cook and in her younger years, enjoyed riding horses. She loved keeping in touch with others by frequently talking on the phone. You could often find her watching her favorite show The Price is Right or chewing on a piece of Dubble Bubble gum.
She is survived by her children, Wanda Barnett of Columbia, TN, Faye (Cromer) Jackson of Columbia, TN, Wayne Glenn of Colorado Springs, CO, sisters, Geneva Ragsdale, Shirley Owen, Peggy Hughey, grandchildren, Patricia (Mike) Lentz, Mike (Julie) Glenn, James (Brenda) Glenn, great grandchildren, Mandy Barnett, Melissa Glenn, Tiffany Barnett, Jennifer (Larry) Jennette, Jacob (Kasandra) Williams, Thomas Barnett, great great grandchildren, Hunter (Akane) Barnett, Jayston Barnett, Kyla Barnett, Giona Barnett, Cassidy Jennette, Rheagan Jennette, Jude Williams, Ezra Williams, Merlyn Williams, and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer Glenn, second husband, Buford Medkiff, grandson, Tommy Barnett, and siblings, J.P. Gunnel, Edward Gunnel, Bedford Gunnel, Maxine Lawrence, and Vernie Luther.
Pallbearers will be: Larry Eley, Hunter Barnett, Jayston Barnett, Jacob Williams, Mike Glenn, and R.M. McKenzie. Honorary pallbearers will include, Steve Gunnel, Donnie Davis, Daniel Ragsdale, Tim McCandless, and her best friends, Linda Ray Morton, Shirley Adams, and Linda Stewart.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Brenda Holloway, Justin Carroll, the staff of Life Care Center, and the staff of Hospice Compassus for their care and compassion for Mother during this difficult time.
