Ina Ashley

Ina Claire Ashley, age 89 of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of Dyersburg, passed away on August 3, 2021, following a brief illness. Ina was born in Covington, Tennessee on February 7, 1932 to Thomas and Earline (Temple) Klutts. A graduate of Byars-Hall High School, Ina excelled on the basketball court where she earned the  nickname “the Blonde Terror”. She was twice named Miss Tipton County. Following graduation, she began modeling for Goldsmith’s Department Store in Memphis. In 1955, shortly after the death of her first husband, Clarance T. Poindexter, Jr., Ina traveled from Tennessee to Hollywood, California to visit an aunt. Ultimately she moved to the city after several promising auditions. In 1956, Ina was named one of the Wampus Baby Stars. During her time in Hollywood, she performed at the Pasadena Playhouse alongside other actors, including a young Clint Eastwood. She had a role in the 1956 blockbuster “GIANT”. A year earlier she and her friends Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee helped found The Thalians, a Hollywood-based civic organization devoted to promoting mental health. On the small screen, Ina was featured in the popular television show “The Millionaire” and following her return to Memphis, she hosted the locally produced “Dance Party”, along with Wink Martindale. During her time on “Dance Party”, she interviewed several well-known singers, including Johnny Cash.

On August 8, 1958, Ina married John Barret Ashley of Dyersburg, Tennessee. Ina embraced a new Christfilled life in Dyersburg, thanks to the fellowship of several close friends. She had a passion for lost souls that led her to start Bible studies and witness to all who would listen. Ina was active with and loved her church family at Holy Hills. During her later years, she moved to Nashville to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Her love for people and the gospel brought much joy as she gathered with new friends, acquaintances, and a new church family at Nolensville Road Baptist Church. She loved to paraphrase verses from Psalms 90, “our lives are like a tale that is told … and then we fly away”.

She would tell you she had lived a blessed life and that her real home was in heaven.

Ina is survived by her daughters, Tandy Claire Poindexter(Eddie) Tinkle of Holladay, Tennessee, Mary Barret Ashley (Bob) Farnsworth and Lina Lee Ashley (John) Rowland of Nashville, Tennessee; ten grandchildren, C.T. (Dana) Poindexter IV, Kathryn Poindexter Hazelwood (Matt Davidson), Matthew (Kayla) Poindexter, Christin Tinkle(Patrick) Connor, Zach (Gabrielle) Tinkle, Ben (Catherine)Tinkle, Ashley Gillum (Josh) Pagonis, Barret Gillum, Elizabeth Rowland, and John Mitchell Rowland; and 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Barret Ashley and Clarance Poindexter, her son, Clarance T. Poindexter III, her brothers, Tommy Klutts, Robert Earl Klutts, and Ronnie Klutts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be directed to Special Missions Project c/o Nolensville Road Baptist Church, 5106 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Fairview Cemetery officiated by Pastor Wesley Waddle.

Due to the families concern for the health and safety of friends, there will not be a visitation.

We are privileged and honored to serve the Ashley family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.