Earl Davis Priest

August 12, 1937  -  October 2, 2025

Earl Davis Priest, age 88 of Franklin, Tennessee formerly of Winchester, TN, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Earl was born on August 12, 1937, in Winchester, to the late Harley Christian and Mamie Sue (Woodard) Priest.

Before starting his lifelong career at The Tennessean and Nashville Banner, he and his father built and sold many homes in Winchester, Tennessee. He retired after 33 years of service with the newspaper. He also served in the National Guard of Tennessee and was very proud of the several honors he achieved including Expert Marksman. After retirement, he enjoyed tinkering in his shop and collecting coins. He was the ultimate fixer of things!

Earl was a devoted Christian and loved his church family at Heritage Church of Christ in Franklin.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of over sixty-three years, Naomi Joan Priest; brother, Mackie Priest, and sister, Janice Mead. Earl is survived by his daughters, Cheryl (Jimmy) Campbell, Lisa (Townes) Parsley, and Kristie (Kevin) Demumbran; grandchildren, Taylor Noble, Katie (Elijah) Hartman, Abigail (Zach) Stokes, Andrew Parsley, Davis Demumbran, and Sophia Demumbran; great-grandchildren, Campbell Noble, Arrin Noble, Willis Noble, Eric Hartman, and Amelia Hartman; sisters-in-law, Patty Priest and Linda Rose; and many nieces and nephews.

The family is so appreciative of all of the support provided by family and friends and by all of the nurses from Empatia Palliative Care and Gentiva Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11:30am – 12:30pm at Heritage Church of Christ in Franklin, TN with funeral service following at 12:30pm. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens in Winchester, TN with Jimmy Campbell, Townes Parsley, Kevin Demumbran, Andrew Parsley, Davis Demumbran, Zach Stokes, Will Thrower and Trevor Thrower serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Church of Christ, 1056 Lewisburg Pike, Franklin, TN 37064 or any charity that is near and dear to your heart.

Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.