Milns Thoburn Puckett

97 year old Milns Thoburn “M.T.” Puckett of Smithville died Wednesday at his residence. He was a retired businessman and a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Puckett carved his name in state and county politics and area businesses for many years. He was a man of varied business interests. He established one of the first restaurants and lodging facilities on Center Hill Lake known as “Puckett’s Camp”.
He was one of the principle organizers of the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District and was the principle organizer of Citizens Bank, which is now AmSouth Bank of Smithville.
Mr. Puckett was a well known residential and commercial general contractor for twenty five years.
He served six years in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the General Assembly. During those years, he was the primary sponsor of the Tennessee Water and Safety Act, which controls and regulates boats on the public waters of Tennessee.
He was very active in and a long time member of the First United Methodist Church, having served thirty years on the Board of Trustees of which he was chairman for twenty six years.
The funeral will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Carlton Thaxton will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Etta Reeves Puckett; his first wife, Alvilda Shanks Puckett; and a son, Dr. Jerry E. Puckett.
Puckett is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Puckett of Smithville. A daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Walter Whitson Carlen of Cookeville. Daughter-in-law, Katherine Smith Puckett of Naples, Florida. A step-daughter, Merle Sandlin of Smithville. Eight grandchildren, Henry Puckett, Stephanie Eby, Mary Puckett, Jerri Brown, Poly Billiu, Malinda Carlen Little, Whit Carlen, and step granddaughter, Jenny Saul and six great grandchildren.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made to the Smithville First United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers. The family also requests that no food be brought.