Raymond
10/27/1929 - 07/20/2014
Jo Ann
8/8/1938
Married: 1968 – August 2009
Children: Julie Walker, Katie Henson, Raymond Jr. (Ray), and Haskell
Grandchildren: Trey, Cody, and Lexi Walker; Evan and Emma Henson; Wyatt, Cory, Christine, and Ethan Evans
Raymond was born in Gladeville TN. He was the first of four boys born to Turner and Neva Evans. He attended numerous Elementary schools in Wilson County including Flat Rock and Mt. View before graduating from Lebanon High in 1947. He was a member of the FFA throughout his High School Career.
Raymond started farming while in high school and that continued after graduation. He raised goats, sheep, hogs, and started a herd of dairy cattle. He made several improvements to the farm around this time including adding a cooler room for the milk and a trench silo with concrete floor and sides. Raymond then increased the size of the dairy herd and built an 8 cow milk barn.
Jo Ann Lassiter was the ninth of eleven children born to William McKinley and Katie Ruth Lassiter. She attended several elementary schools including Goodlettsville Elementary. Growing up, she spent much of her time caring for the tobacco crop. She graduated for White House High School in 1956 and went on to attend Martin Methodist College graduating there in 1958.
Jo Ann worked for National Life Insurance until shortly after she and Raymond were married in March 1968. Together they continued to operate a dairy farm until April of 1976 when they decided to sell the dairy herd and start raising beef cattle, tobacco, and truck farming; at times raising as many as 7000 tomato plants. They joined the Nashville Food Fairs, a group of farmers who sell their produce at different churches throughout the greater Nashville area, and remained members for over 33 years. Raymond was elected President of the "Food Fairs" 4 times.
During the time he was milking Raymond was: a Kraft Patron, a member of the Nashville Grade A Milk Producers, and President of the Young Farmers and Ranchers. Raymond has also been: a long time member of the Wilson County Livestock Assn., a longtime member of the Tennessee Fur Harvesters Assn., a member of the Wilson County Soil Commission, and was in the movie "Billy Graham: The Early Years".
Jo Ann was a full-time farmer and homemaker. She was a relentless champion of the four children and their community school, Southside Elementary. She enjoyed volunteering in every capacity during the years that her children attended Southside and served as the PTO treasurer for many, many years(even after the youngest had moved onto high school.) Jo Ann exhibited her giving spirit by sharing her knowledge with second graders at Farm Day for several years. She and Raymond were members of Gladeville United Methodist Church for many years with Jo Ann teaching Sunday School classes almost every Sunday until her death in August 2009.
