James served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
Life story
Roy was born in Cook County, Illinois on August 27, 1928, to James Roy Tipps and Jessie Edde Tipps. His family moved to Winchester, Tennessee in December 1928 just prior to his father's death in December 1928. His mother remarried Lloyd G. Rogers and Lloyd became father to her two young sons. His parents began dairy farming where Roy worked in the family business until he was eighteen and joined the Air Force in 1946. He served as a radio operator in the Pacific Theater for 18 months. He married Edna Crabtree on April 3, 1950. After completion of his military service and subsequent marriage, he trained as an electrician and cabinet maker, using GI bill funds, but God had other plans for him. He was employed as an office manager and chief time keeper for the construction of the Arnold Engineering Development Center military complex in Tullahoma, Tennessee. In 1958, Roy entered the political world and was elected Register of Deeds for Franklin County, serving three 4 year terms. The register's office upgraded from type written deed recording to electrostatic recording during his term of service. He then was elected County Judge of Franklin County for an 8 year term and his responsibilities included: Chairman of the County Court and Fiscal officer, Probate Court and Juvenile Court Judge. In 1982, he served as Chairman of the South Tennessee Development District and the South Central Human Resource Agency and Vice-President of the Tennessee Association of Juvenile Court Judges. During his tenure as judge, the county built Franklin County Hospital (now Southern Middle Tennessee Medical Center), Tims Ford Dam and Recreation Center, and the Franklin County Industrial Park.\nHe was employed by the South Central Human Resource Agency in October 1982 as Executive Director. The challenge he faced as Executive Director was to merge Elk and Duck River Community Association into the South Central Human Resource Agency, establishing the agency's location at the Robert E. Lee School complex in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Combining the two agencies personnel policies and procedures into one agency as provided by state law was achieved with the helpfulness of all parties. The merger was very cost effective and, as a result, a new headquarters building was acquired that provided an improved atmosphere and enabled employees to meet the goals of the multiple programs and services our agency provided. Upon his retirement from the agency in 2006, Roy stated, We were privileged to serve people within our 13 county area. He always felt like South Central was his work family and his calling and was thankful for the high honor and privilege of every relationship he enjoyed! Roy and, his bride of 67 years, Edna have been blessed with 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren (2 more to be born in 2018). He has served as a Sunday school teacher and elder at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Tennessee for many years. He was active in the Gideon ministry and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Roy was preceded in death by his fathers, James Roy Tipps and Lloyd G. Rogers; mother, Jessie Edde Rogers; wife, Edna Tipps; brother, Roland (Virginia) Tipps; sister-in-law, Linda Chitwood Rogers. He is survived by daughter, Gail (Al) Rogers, grandchildren Joshua (Rachel) Rogers, Jarrod (Blair) Rogers; daughter, Robin Gunn, granddaughter, Amy Gunn; daughter, Holly (Troy) Hood, grandson Brandon Hood; son, Steven (Vicki) Tipps, grandchildren Alyson (Ed) Kelly, Jacquelyn (James) Duke, Steven Chase (Rosalie) Tipps; son, Jerry (Gail) Tipps, grandchildren, Adam (Haley) Tipps; Heath (Andrea) Tipps; 17 great grandchildren; brothers, Lloyd G. Rogers Jr and Lanson (Sue) Rogers; sister, Nancy (Phillip) Coleman; and many nieces and nephews. \nVisitation will be from 12-3 PM Friday, October 27, 2017 at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Funeral Services will follow at 3:00 PM with Dr. Michael Clark and Rev. Anna Brockman officiating. Interment will be at Franklin Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church Future Fund, 200 Second Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398.
8 years. I missed posting because I just couldn’t. if I don’t acknowledge it, it’s not real? it is very real, your absence. sometimes I feel you, hear you and you’ll always be that voice in my head and heart, reminding me of the way to go, the way to think. I have been faltering of late, struggling and flailing. so hard to find my footing. boy, I could use a good sit down with you, daddy. I still reach my hand across the console when I drive, wishing to meet your hand there, mama’s hand there. so thankful that the two of you never brushed my hand away…you held it, you both did, always. I miss you.
oh boy. you’d be so discouraged about everything that is happening down here. I keep thinking about how you “saw” people, how you had empathy, compassion and love for all. how you encouraged and expected the best…but never condemned, just continued to lift up. this week has been so hard and few would understand, but you and mama would and did. I have really wanted to call and just cry for you to come. you would have, you always did. I listened to some of your voicemails this morning and there it was, “holly, this is dad, if you need me to come just call me back. love you.” wish I could, how I wish I could. we both do. miss you daddy. -littlest apple
your birthday Daddy.
that celebration is much quieter now but still recognized and held ever so dear. our patriarch, our safe place. constant port in the sun or storm.
i like to think you can see troy’s work, our work as we make your home, my home, our home. he works gingerly, as though it is sacred ground…it is. we feel you there, hear you there. all the laughter, tears, prayers, hugs, kisses. all the unconditional love. i love you daddy.
Christmas tree farm
