Funeral arrangements for long-time Batesville businessman Woody Loden III are incomplete, according to Wells Funeral Home who has charge of arrangements.

Loden died in Nashville at St. Thomas Hospital from complications following the removal of an aneurysm, according to sources close to the family.

The local businessman and his family are responsible for much of the commercial development along the Highway 6 and 51 corridor.

Born September 16, 1928 in Sledge, he left Panola County in 1946 to attend Freed-Hardaman College  and David Lipscomb College where he earned a degree in business. Drafted into the U. S. Army during the Korean War, he would marry the sister of an Army buddy, Patsy Ruth Daniel of Eden, Texas.  In addition to Mrs. Loden, he is survived by their two children, Woody Loden IV and Lisa.

In 1961 the Lodens moved back to Panola County where he worked at his fuel distribution business.

He then developed his first shopping complex on family property on Highway 6 east where the current Fred’s is located. The family would later sell the fuel distribution business to concentrate on their commercial real estate holdings.