Bruce Wayne Medley

Bruce Wayne Medley age 57 of Smithville, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019 at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville.  He was born December 13, 1961 to his parents, the late Jack and Ruby Vanderpool Medley.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Medley and mother-in-law, Naomi Cripps.  Bruce was a cattle trader, former Smithville Mayor and Alderman and  member of the Smithville First Baptist Church.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Susan Medley of Smithville; children, Brandise (Phillip) Raikes of Murfreesboro, Nichol Layne and Christopher Layne both of Smithville; grandchildren, Hunter Layne, Emily Greathouse, Aidan Layne and Abigail Raikes; brother, Ricky (Siggi) Medley of Smithville; father-in-law, Ray Doyle Cripps of Smithville; sister-in-law, Annette Medley of Smithville and brother-in-law, Greg (Kelly) Cripps of Smithville; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Larger than life, Bruce was known at every Stock Barn in Middle Tennessee and had friends and business associates in all corners of the state. No one loved making a deal more than Bruce, and you’d find him on his phone doing just that, at all hours of the day. In between deals, Bruce could be found arguing politics during breakfast at Patty’s Restaurant, checking on cows, or spending time with his family. When Bruce married Susan 20 years ago, he stepped into a ready-made family and didn’t miss a beat. He rolled with the punches that come with blended families and always treated Brandise, Nichol, and Chris as his own. He was supportive, encouraging, and willing to give a good dose of tough love whenever needed. He was a natural at fatherhood and found a new joy with having a family to call his own. As great as having kids was for Bruce, nothing compared to the joy he experienced when he became a grandfather.  Big Daddy, as the grandkids referred to him, was his favorite title and the one he was most proud of. This big bear of a man could be reduced to a big pile of mush wherever those littles were concerned. He promoted Hunter to Barn Manager of B & M Livestock well before the little guy even began Kindergarten. He’d load Emily up on Saturdays to head to the Stock Barn and tell her “there’s no feelin’ like cow-mobilin”.  When Aidan came along, he didn’t share in Bruce’s love of cows, so Bruce learned about legos, and video games and watched his “Little Man” play. Bruce loved cows, loved the cattle business, loved making a deal, loved his wife and his family, but those grandkids were his life. He loved them fiercely and they sure loved him. Bruce’s departure leaves a big hole in the community and in the lives of a great many people, especially those that called him Big Daddy.  Funeral services will be 1:PM Thursday, November 21, 2019 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Mike Carpenter officiating and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be Wednesday 1:PM until 7:30 PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1:PM.  In addition to flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Whorton Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, in memory of Bruce.  The family would like to thank the staff of Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville and Brandy Cantrell with Adoration Home Health for their care and compassion.  DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce Wayne Medley, please visit our floral store.