Juel McCullough's Obituary
Juel Faye Cannon (Melvin) McCullough, our beloved mother, left for Heaven on September 25, 2025, in Nashville, TN. She was born on February 11, 1940. Juel was the second of four children born to Douglas and Ruth Cannon. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where she attended Holy Name Catholic School, Bailey Junior High, and East High School.
Juel was preceded in death by her father, Douglas Clifford Cannon; her mother, Ruth Cannon Mayberry; her sisters, Shirley Blackwell and Carolyn Morris; and her brother, Robert “Buzzy” Douglas Cannon.
She leaves behind her four children: Vickie Hardy (Joel); Toni Melvin Smith; Chet “Bubba” Melvin, Jr. (Jackie); and Tracie Navarro (Erbit).
She also leaves behind four grandchildren: Tempany Hardy Fitzgerald (Evan); Cliff Hardy (Jordan); Elizabeth Hardy O’Brien (Colin); and Jessica Melvin Raymer (Preston); and six great-grandchildren: Victoria Fitzgerald, Joel Thomas Fitzgerald, Soyer Fitzgerald, Montgomery Fitzgerald; Emma Jo Hardy, and Nolan Hardy.
Our mother loved God and she loved our family. She raised us to know the Word of God and to love Him, too. She loved us unconditionally and was always there for us. She was there for the birth of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and celebrated each one with joy and thanksgiving. She made sure to be a part of all the moments, no matter how big or small. Our mother valued her family, and as her children, we were hers, and she was ours. We loved her very much.
In 1972, she was employed by St. Thomas Hospital and trained to become a scrub nurse in the operating room. After working at St. Thomas Hospital for many years, she continued her career at Memorial, Baptist, and Vanderbilt Hospitals. She enjoyed working in surgery and the medical field and formed many friendships through the years.
She had a strong spirit and a good work ethic. She was loving, with a heart of compassion and a desire to help others. She was kind, friendly, generous, and giving, with a servant’s heart. Longing to help others, she made the decision years ago to donate her body to the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Anatomical Donation Program.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church, 1777 Tate Lane, Mt. Juliet, TN.
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