Mr. Rufus Lee Whaley, 74, of the Farmington community of Marshall County, died Sunday, August 8, 2021.  Mr. Whaley was born in Marshall County and was a son of the late Milton Clyde and Mary Elizabeth Jones Whaley. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Glenn Whaley and Travis Whaley.

Mr. Whaley was a long time member of Farmington Baptist Church where he served as an usher for many years. He retired, after 42 years of service from Walker Die Casting of Lewisburg. Rufus was an avid sportsman and especially loved deer hunting. He also was a life long farmer and enjoyed caring for his animals. Above all else, he was a beloved husband, loving father, and proud grandfather and great- grandfather. His greatest passion was attending and supporting his grandchildren in their sporting events and endeavors.

Mr. Whaley is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn Roberts Whaley, Farmington comm.; daughter, Brenda (Roger) Phifer, Farmington comm.; grandchildren, Micah (Amber) Phifer and Hannah (Dylan) McKnight; great-grandchildren, Micah Phifer, Jr. and Silas Phifer. Rufus is also survived by his sisters, Macie Russell, Farmington comm., Jenny Jett, Lewisburg, TN, Kathy (Eulis) Davis, Lewisburg, TN, Audrie (Mike) Adams, Lewisburg, TN, Ceretha (Daryl) Pardee, Farmington comm., Nancy (Chuck) Darnell, Eagleville, TN; brothers, Milton Whaley, Farmington comm., Jessie (Shirley) Whaley, Farmington comm., Calvin (Mitzi) Whaley, Wheel comm.; special sister-in-law, Judy Whaley, Farmington comm.

Family members will receive friends on Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 13, 2021, at 11a.m. from the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Jones and Bro. Arthur Payne officiating. Burial will follow in the Whaley Cemetery in the Farmington comm.

Mr. Whaley was blessed with a wonderful granddaughter-in-law, Amber and grandson-in-law, Dylan, who have meant so much and been such a great support during his sickness. Family members would also like to express their thanks to the nurses and caregivers of Avalon Hospice for their kind and compassionate care they gave to Rufus.

Memorial donations may be made to Chapel Hill Elementary School Library, 415 South Horton Pkwy., Chapel Hill, TN  37034; Farmington Baptist Church, 2777 Nashville Hwy., Lewisburg, TN  37091; Grove Hill Church Building Fund, c/o Ricky Clardy, 5216 Nashville Hwy., Chapel Hill, TN  37034 or The Refuge Church, c/o Kay Lowe, 311 North Horton Pkwy., Chapel Hill, TN  37034.

Lawrence Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Chapel Hill, TN, 931-364-2233 in charge of local arrangements.  (www.lawrencefuneral.net)