L. Edward Etheridge

L. Edward “Junior” Etheridge, age 77, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Polk Memorial Gardens with Michael Etheridge officiating. A visitation will also be held on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Heritage Funeral Home.

Born on April 18, 1948, in College Grove, Tennessee, Junior was the son of the late Laurie Etheridge, Sr. and the late Ruby Catherine Brim Etheridge. He served his country in the United States Army from 1968-1971. He dedicated over twenty years as a senior claims adjuster with Farm Bureau, retiring in 2005.

Junior will be remembered as a man who enjoyed the simple joys of life. He loved riding his motorbike, caring for his yard and flowers, and tinkering around the house. In earlier years, he also enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Smothermon Etheridge of Columbia, sons, Michael (Tonya) Etheridge of Summertown, Brian Etheridge of Franklin, stepchildren, Jeffrey (Belinda) Smothermon of Columbia, Marcia Morse of Lynnville, John Smothermon of Columbia, grandchildren, Paige (Luke) Shuemaker, Nicole Etheridge, and great grandchildren, Letti Shuemaker and Rhen Shuemaker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandchild, Ty Etheridge, and siblings, Marie Morris, Dorothy Swann, and Margie Hodge.

Pallbearers will include Mike Beard, John Smothermon, Jeff Smothermon, Rabon Dodson, Jereme Blalock, and Charles Hood.