Obituary of Johnny Thelbert Montgomery

Johnny Montgomery, age 87, passed away on September 4, 2015. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and on Monday from 11 a.m. until the service. The Funeral Service, conducted by Brother Edward Anderson, is 1 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2015 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home and will be followed by interment next to his beloved wife Wilma, in Wilson County Memorial. Pallbearers: Dean Montgomery, Joshua Gregory, Jacob Gregory, Austin Barrett, Mark Byrd, Bengie Oldham, Brandon Smith, and Zach Rowe. Honorary Pallbearer: Luke Byrd. The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Family Medical and Gentiva Hospice, Amanda Netherton, Talisa Allen and Chanel Elkins. Mr. Montgomery was the eldest boy of sixteen children. He was a musician who played the upright bass and guitar. Music was his love. He had his own bluegrass band, The Boys from Shiloh. He toured the country when he played with bluegrass greats Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt, Marty Stewart, and the legendary George Jones. He was in several movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sally Fields. He is survived by children: Eddie Montgomery (Rita), Mike Montgomery (Kay), and Jenny Baines (Raymond); siblings: Mabel Stephens (Richard), Betty Ricketts (Clyde), Wilma Jones, Sheila Edwards, Doris Smith (Barry), David Montgomery (Patricia), Charles Montgomery (Gail), Neal Montgomery (Colebra), Grady Montgomery (Clara); sister-in-law: Emogene Graham Dixon; grandchildren: Angela Long, Mindy Byrd, Dean Montgomery (Ashley), Jessica Smith (Brandon), Casey Rowe (Zach), Christy Davis, and Tracy Oldham (Bengie); 18 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife of 68 years, Wilma Montgomery, great-grandchild Makayla Montgomery, grandson-in-law Matt Long, parents Herschel and Bessie Lee Vaughn Montgomery, and siblings Leota Wrye, Elizabeth “Ogeal” Carpenter, Billy Montgomery, Christine Napier, Joe Montgomery, and Erlene Hardin.