Columbia, TN - Steve Rayburn Secrest, 83, patriarch of his beloved and devoted family, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his loved ones.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Brown and Bro. Jimmy Peyton officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with honors provided by the Columbia Fire Department and military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Glendale Methodist Church c/o Cheryl Huckaby, 1695 Demastus Rd., Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

He was born on November 9, 1942 in Marshall County, TN to the late Lyston Secrest and the late Mayme Louise Blalock Secrest. He graduated from Culleoka High School in 1960 and served in the United States Navy. Steve was a retired engineer with the Columbia Fire Department having worked there for 30 years and one day. He was an outdoorsman that lived to fish and he also enjoyed gardening and hunting. Steve was a member of the Columbia Elks Lodge 686, Past Commander of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, and longtime member of Glendale Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gayle Norton Secrest of Columbia, whom he married on January 5, 1963; daughter Bethany Secrest of Columbia; son and daughter-in-law, Clay Secrest, Sr. and Sandra of Columbia; five grandchildren, Megan Fowler (Robert Shields), Raelyn Hord, Clayton Secrest, Jr. (Olivia), Jon Hord (Emily), and Samantha King; seven great-grandchildren, Hannah, Harley, Gracie, Ian, Hadley, Hayden and Anthony; two great-great-grandchildren, Lainey and Keaton; brother Kenny Secrest (Brenda); sister Cristi Secrest, several nieces and nephews that loved him dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Davey Fowler.

Active pallbearers will be Dale Crews, Roger Gilliam, Joey Scott, Clayton Secrest Jr., Jon Hord and Rip Baxter. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of Columbia Fire Department and Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19.

The family would like to express a special appreciation to Caris Hospice, nurse Sunshine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.