Grady Sherman Derrick

Grady Sherman Derrick, age 85 of Reliance, TN and formerly of McMinn County passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022 at his home just one day after he and his wife celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on July 21, 2022. He was born on January 13, 1937 to Houston Derrick and Ruby Hamm Derrick Foster. Sherman served in the Army and National Guard for twenty years. He was retired from Johns Mansville and was a volunteer with the West Polk Fire & Rescue and was the Treasurer of the Springtown Support Group until his declining health forced him to give that up. He was also a member of the Reliance Lodge and a member of the Towee Baptist Church where he served as deacon since 1963.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by seven sisters and three brothers.
Sherman leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 63 years Alice Hicks Derrick, one son Lee Roy Foster and his wife Janice, one grandson James Foster all of Athens, TN, two sisters Lucy Gay of Englewood, Tn and Judy Tallent (Harold) of Georgia, special friends Mitch & Tonya Santiago, numerous other extended family members and a host of friends.
A service celebrating his life will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at the Towee Baptist Church located at 375 Fingerboard Road in Reliance, TN 37369 with the Reverend Kenneth Watson and the Reverend Steve Dills officiating. The interment will follow in the Witt/McCulley Cemetery with family and friends service as pallbearers. The funeral service at the church will began with Masonic rites and the graveside will conclude with military honors.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the 1:00 PM service time at the church.
You are encouraged to share a memory of Sherman and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist his family with these arrangements.