Lori Sechrest, THA Board Member
It is with a sad heart we share the passing of our sweet Lori Lee (Woodyard) Sechrest. There will be two 'Celebration of Life' services. The first will be held on Tuesday evening, July 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm at Taylor Funeral Home (214 N Main Street, Dickson, TN 37055). Visitation will be held from 4 PM until the time of service. The second will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Elliston Stanley Funeral Home (500 N Main Street, Williamstown, Ky 41097). Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until time of service. (A private family committal service will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 6, 2018 at the Woodyard Family Cemetery in Williamstown.)
Memorials are accepted here, on behalf of Lori.
Lori passed away Monday evening, June 25, 2018, after a well fought battle against Metastatic Colon Cancer.
In her family's words:
Diagnosed less than a year ago, Lori did not let cancer become the descriptor of her life on Earth, but just a small piece of her incredible life story of love and the pursuit of dreams. Lori always relied on her faith in God and His leadership, guidance and grace because she always recognized that without Him there was nothing.
Lori Lee was born December 14, 1965 to Stanley & Carol Woodyard; their second of five children. Over the years three more would complete the sibling group. Lori left behind the following siblings: Lisa Woodyard (of Rabbit Hash, KY), AT Woodyard and wife Teri (of Dry Ridge, KY), Lanette Woodyard Whalen and husband Les (of Williamstown, KY) and Travis Woodyard and wife Tisha (also of Dry Ridge, KY). Lori grew up in rural Grant County, KY and graduated from Grant County High School in 1983 where she was Senior Class President. Lori went on to complete cosmetology school and many banking, finance and leadership experiences throughout her years in the community. During this time, she met, fell in love with and married Ronald (Ron) E. Sechrest. Their wedding on June 21, 1985, was officiated by Lori’s mother who was a standing Judge/Executive in the county at that time. During this time Lori also began to pursue a desire to sing and spent many nights at Woodland Inn (Walton, KY) entertaining the crowds with Rick Kinman’s band. Lori gained the confidence and support needed to put together her first project, Big Girl Now. On this project she wrote two singles, Big Girl Now and Hilltop Stompin’ Jamboree. Hilltop Stompin’ Jamboree was a personal tribute to the childhood memories of square dancing and clogging at her grandparent’s jamboree in Williamstown many years prior.
Lori and Ron resided in several towns in Northern Kentucky until they moved to Monticello to begin a new business opportunity and to actively chase a musical dream that Lori had. They lived and worked in Monticello while Lori entertained as the lead singer with a group known as Rebel Heart. Rebel Heart produced a project titled Cowboy Blues that included songs River of Tears and Nothings On My Mind. Rebel Heart performed alongside or opened for several well-known groups including Molly Hatchett, Survivor and Starship along with a variety of other groups. Rebel Heart had the opportunity to play at many benefits to support valuable organizations.
In 1996 Lori and Ron started On the Level to increase business opportunities for their manufactured housing specialist business of transporting and installing homes. With their move to Dickson, TN they not only jumpstarted their business, but also gave another boost to Lori’s desire to sing and entertain. Lori used this time in her life to gather a group of talented musicians known as The Live Bait Band. She soon met Henry Paul and that chance meeting led to him to produce her last album titled No Road Too Long where she co-wrote Heart of Dixie (with Henry and Chris Anderson) and chose the CD title song, which was written by members of Blackhawk. Lori was a faithful supporter of Easter Seals due to their instrumental gift in providing needed surgery to correct her scoliosis at a young age. Lori Lee loved to give back to local charities as often as possible and enjoyed participating in community events such as singing along the route of Nashville’s annual Music City Marathon.
Through On the Level, Lori was an active member with the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Association in the transportation division. Over the decades in Dickson she met and was able to work with many incredible manufactured home associates and formed lifelong friendships through events, meetings and day to day work.
Through her life, Lori’s affection and total love for her nieces and nephews was evident to all who knew her. It was not uncommon for her to share pictures or stories of adventures with them. All her nieces and nephews will carry fond memories of their Aunt Lori and the incredible examples she set for them through her life. Lori was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents and her father-in-law. Lori will find her final resting place in the Woodyard Family Cemetery (Williamstown, KY), which is located on the farm she and her siblings grew up playing on with grandparents, cousins and neighbors.
(Lori and her husband Ronnie)
#Love4LoriLee
