LEBANON — Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at the First Presbyterian Church, 304 W. Main St., for the late Dr. G. Frank Burns, 87.

Author, educator, local historian and journalist, Dr. G. Frank Burns died Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at the Hearthstone Assisted Living Center in Garland, Texas. Dr. Burns, a longtime editorial contributor to The Wilson Post, had been in poor health for the past few months.

A former college professor at Cumberland University and Tennessee Tech, he held both an undergraduate and a law degree from Cumberland. He also earned a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University; a master’s degree from Nashville’s George Peabody College and studied at Oxford University, England.

Considered by many to be the most reliable source of Wilson County history, Dr. Burns authored the book "Somewhere in Tennessee / The Cumberland in Wartime, 1940-1947" as well as several other historical works including the updated "History of Wilson County".

He also wrote a detailed account of Cumberland’s infamous 222-0 football loss to Georgia Tech, based on newspaper and other printed reports.

Dr. Burns is credited with having named the cluster of restored buildings at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center "Fiddler’s Grove".

He served for 11 years (1977-1987) as Wilson County Historian and several years as Archivist at Cumberland’s Vise Library.

His journalism career included stints as a correspondent with both the Nashville Banner and the Tennessean and as acting editor and associate editor of the Lebanon Democrat.

Following retirement, Dr. Burns taught several non-credit courses at Cumberland dealing with the supernatural, local folk tales and history and even one on unidentified flying objects in Wilson County.

He is preceded in death by his late wife Johnnie Burns.

During Dr. Burns’ final months he was blessed to receive care and friendship from Rev. Gene Wisdom of the First United Methodist Church of Garland, Texas.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial gift should consider giving to the First United Methodist Church of Garland, 801 W. Avenue B, Garland, TX 75040, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon, where Dr. Burns was a member for many years.

WATERTOWN — A memorial service has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at the Hunter Funeral Home for Mr. Fisher, 37, of Smithville. Born in Wilson County and a former resident of Watertown, he died July 21, 2009 at his residence.

Services will be conducted by John Hunt.

Survivors include: mother Mamie Lou Fisher of Smithville and brothers Troy, Timmy, Tracy and Tyrone Fisher — all of Nashville as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Donald Neil Fisher.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LEBANON – Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at the Lebanon Church of God on C.L. Manier St., for Mr. Patterson, 73, of Lebanon.

Born February 6, 1936 in Trousdale County, he died July 20, 2009 at Quality Care Nursing Home following an extended illness. Mr. Patterson was the son of the late Limmian Patterson (Brummitt) and Robert Ola Bennett.

The family will receive friends Friday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Disyal Funeral Home and on Saturday at the church from 12 Noon until the service. Funeral services will be conducted by Elder A.J. Valentine, Elder Gary Owens and Elder Eric Satterfield. Mr. Mickey Hall will play the piano.

Burial will follow the service at the Mt. Lebanon Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include: wife Mary Ellen Martin Patterson; daughters Toureffa Jackson, Bertha (John) Seay and Patricia D. Patterson; step-daughters Christine Harrison and Mary D. Seay; sons Ricky and Ronnie Patterson, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Also surviving are siblings Helen (Arthur) Harper, Annie (Andrew) Boone, Francis (Herbert) Hargrove, Eva (Walter) Brooks, Vera Miller and Ricky Roddy; aunt Margaret Brummitt and a host of other family connections and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Patterson is preceded in death by siblings Jewell Bennett, Thomas Bennett, James C. Patterson and Jimmy Roddy as well as his grandparents Herod and Nannie Brummitt.

The Disyal Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

LEBANON — Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3191 W. Old Murfreesboro Road, for Mrs. Zornes, 81, of Lebanon.

Born May 30, 1928, to the late Robert and Katherine Barnes Hulan, Mrs. Zornes died Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the University Medical Center. A Jehovah’s Witness, she cooked at Lebanon High School for many years and also cooked for the Easter Seal Camp.

The family will receive friends Wednesday after 10 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall.  Services will be conducted by Mike Johnson. Interment will be in the Stewart Cemetery in Ashland City.

Survivors include children Wanda (Tommy) Gibbons of Lebanon, Vicki (Dennis) Sullivan of Nashville, Diane (Ellis) Clark of Cabot, AR and Kimberly Tuttle of Lebanon.

Also surviving are grandchildren Jacqueline Pryor of Lebanon, Neil and Robyn Clark of San Francisco, CA, Tyler Montgomery and Dalton Holt of Lebanon; great-granddaughter Isabella Pryor of Lebanon; sisters: Vera Halpin, Mary Freeman, Robbie "Sissy" Jenkins — all of Nashville and Robert "Buck" Hulan of Hendersonville.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Zornes was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Paul Estes Zornes, who died July 1, 2000, and brother Granville Hulan. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LEBANON — Graveside services with Military Honors will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the Wilson County Memorial Park for Mr. Coggins, 92, of Lebanon.

A World War II veteran of the US Army, he died July 19, 2009 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Badin, NC.

The family will receive friends Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the Wilson County Funeral Home.

Survivors include: daughters Sharon (Mark) Hurwitz and Sandra Coggins – all of Lebanon; granddaughter Susie Hurwitz of Chicago, Ill. and sister Jennie F. Coggins of Badin, NC.

Flowers accepted or a donation may be made to FBC, Lebanon in Mr. Coggins’ memory.

Wilson County Funeral Home and Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.