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04/30/16-Jane Greer Puckett
Jane Greer Puckett of Tullahoma, TN passed away on April 22, 2016, at the age 93 due to conditions related to Lewy Bodies dementia. Her immediate and extended family and friends wish to send their many thanks and love to the dedicated staff and medical personnel at The Bridge at South Pittsburg, TN for their love and care over the last 4½ years.
Born on May 24, 1922, in Paris, TN to Hattie Lou Newell and William HalliBurton Greer, Jane HalliBurton Greer was a precocious, bright and very athletic child who loved gymnastics, basketball, tennis and her horses. She adored being the younger sibling to her devoted sister Kathryn Dunlap Greer. Not only excelling in all academics in public school, Jane was a stellar debater and was named “Wittiest” of her Grove High School Senior Class.
“From the Manhattan Project to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame” is the headline of her life but her life encapsulated so much more. Her children, family and friends find it hard to describe her many accomplishments and her zest for life.
After attending Judson College in Marion, AL for two years she transferred to the University of Tennessee to enroll in engineering. Prohibited from the engineering curriculum due to gender policy she became the first to graduate from UT in business statistics. To help with the war effort she was hired as a mathematician-statistician for Clinton Engineering Works. With one of the highest clearance levels, she was the first to verify the production formula for U-235, the major component of the atomic bomb. Due to her work, she was featured in the bestselling book of 2013 “The Girls of Atomic City”.
In January 1947 she married James Beverly “Puck” Puckett, the handsome young Kentuckian she met her first day in Oak Ridge. They moved to Tullahoma in 1952 and raised three children. It was there that she began the second stage of her life and that was being a true Volunteer!
Her organizational and leadership skills were recognized early as the Tullahoma Jaycees honored her as “Citizen of the Year” in 1960. From 1953 to the time of her illness she held offices and long term involvement in the following organizations: Tullahoma Jr. Woman’s Club – President, AEDC Woman’s Club – President, Tullahoma DAR Chapter – Regent, Highland Rim Community Concert Association -Chair, March of Dimes – Chair, United Presbyterian Women – President and Church Circle Chair, Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Girl Scout Day Camp – Coordinator, UT Coffee County Alumni Chapter – Secretary, Tullahoma Woman’s Club – Parliamentarian, National Churchmen’s Sports Hall of Fame committees, and the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center and Lakewood Country Club social and community committees.
Having two “water dog” sons and an athletic daughter, she, along with her husband, and three other Tullahoma couples founded the Tullahoma Swim Club in 1959. With this step in growing the Tullahoma community no one had any idea that her energy and vision would have lasting effects on the youth of Tullahoma, the State, the Region and the Nation through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). From hosting three of the largest state swim meets in the early 1960’s, she and “Puck” became active in the Southeastern AAU (SEAAU) and the National AAU. They Co-chaired with Joel Ferrell of Tullahoma, the 2nd and 4th annual Jr. Olympic (JO) Games in Knoxville, TN. That event has grown from five sports to a truly multi-sport spectacle involving young athletes participating in more than thirty sports annually.
Jane was directly responsible for the JO’s growth through her work as Region III Chair. She helped organize throughout the Southeast local and regional basketball, track and field, boxing, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, baseball, karate, and many other sports local, regional, and national competitions. In doing so she worked with various State and National Sport Federations to ensure that competitions were fair and in line with all standards; she was a born negotiator.
Although her many accomplishments as an AAU volunteer and in the sports world are too numerous to mention, the following positions highlight some of her successes: First female President of the SEAAU, National Registration Chair of the AAU, AAU Executive Committee, Chair of Joel Ferrell National Awards Committee, Alabama and Tennessee State Games steering committees, Acting Executive Director of the AAU during National Sports Act transition period, US Olympic Committee meetings and Olympic games attendance and volunteering, an, chaperone on European youth sports trip.
Awards and recognition for her work are as follows: Life Member of the AAU, SEAAU Volunteer Leadership Award, AAU President’s National Leadership Award, National AAU Ira Hurley Award for Outstanding Service, National AAU Spirit Award, “Sports Travel” Magazine “Rosey’s Hero” Award, dedication of Track and Field stand at Memphis University (Jane and Jim), and dedication of Region III track meet, Albany, GA. She was recognized in 2003 by the “Nashville Tennessean” as the sixth most powerful woman in the state of Tennessee in Sports. The award that she was the proudest of was the naming of the annual Jane Puckett SEAAU Leadership Award in 2002 of which “Puck” was the proud recipient in 2004.
She has been inducted in numerous Halls of Fame:
Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame – 1986
AAU Volunteer Hall of Fame – 1989
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – 2002
And, for her last journey, The Bridge at South Pittsburg Hall of Fame – 2012; she truly led a Hall of Fame life!
When she wasn’t conducting or attending her many meetings, she could be seen at blackboards teaching math as a popular substitute teacher. In the book “The Girls of Atomic City”, author Denise Kiernan, described her as a “force of nature”. However, despite the many accolades and achievements she was a grounded and strong Christian, a loving and adoring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and neighbor. Her home was the venue for many Easter egg hunts, creative birthday and slumber parties, bridge and seasonal parties, softball games, leaf raking and football games, and, when the snow fell, the place to be for skiing, sledding, and fireside warmth.
She is survived by three children, Beverly Newell Puckett, Atlanta, GA; Willam Greer Puckett (Ben Yaakovsen), Bremerton, WA; James HalliBurton Puckett (JoAnne), Huntsville, AL; three grandchildren Edward HalliBurton Puckett, Nashville, TN, Kathryn Lyle Puckett, Chicago, IL, and David Gray Salturelli, Denver, CO; and, an extended family of many cousins and loving nieces and nephews who are scattered from coast to coast and border to border.
A life long Presbyterian and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tullahoma, her funeral service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 10:30 am in the sanctuary that “Puck” helped design. Visitation will be at the Tullahoma Funeral Home on Friday, April 29, 2016, from 5 to 8 pm. Burial is scheduled after the service at Maplewood Cemetery, Paris, TN.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Tullahoma, www.fpctullahoma.org; Southeastern AAU, www.southeasternaau.org; Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, www.tshf.net; and, in honor of her friend Pat Summitt and to support the study of and prevention of dementia related diseases, The Pat Summitt Foundation, www.patsummitt.org
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Puckett Family and asks that you sign and view the guestbook at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com
04/27/16-Charles Raymond Partin
On April 23rd, 2016 Charles Raymond Partin age 86, of Tullahoma passed from this life surrounded by his loving family. Charles never had any children of his own but loved kids and was like a second father to his nieces and nephews. He was a “Jewell” of an uncle! Charles loved being outside and doing yardwork. Raising a garden was one of his biggest passions.
He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Myrtle Partin; His loving wife Marvarene Partin; Siblings Edith Smith, Howard Partin, Alton Partin, Hulin Partin, and Herman Partin. He survived by his Brother Norman Partin (Katie), nieces and nephews; caregivers Fred and Linda Smith and many more loved ones.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 26th, 2016 from Five O’clock in the evening until Eight O’clock at Tullahoma Funeral Home. The service will be held Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at Three O’clock in the afternoon at Tullahoma Funeral Home.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Partin Family and asks that you sign the guest book at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com.
4/26/16 — John R. Arnold
Funeral services for John R. Arnold, age 61 of Murfreesboro will be
conducted at 2pm, Tuesday, April 26 at the Manchester Funeral Home Chapel
with Bro. John Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Farrar Hill
Cemetery. Visitation with the Arnold family will be from 4pm until 9pm,
Monday, April 25 at Manchester Funeral Home. Mr. Arnold passed this life
Saturday, April 23 in Murfreesboro surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Arnold was born in Detroit, Michigan the son of the late J. C. Arnold
and Willadean Cathey Arnold. During his life, Mr. Arnold worked as an
electrician. His survivors are:
His wife of 33 years, Gidget Martin of Murfreesboro
Children- Shannon Montiel and her husband Angel of Murfreesboro
Vannessa Massey of Manchester
Christie Davis of Manchester
Chandia Arnold of Manchester
Brother- Ronnie Arnold and his wife Teresa of Shelbyville
Grandchildren- Derrick Mooneyham, Colt Mooneyham, Icee Mooneyham, Kandace
Muncey, Ali Toney, Belle Montiel, Austin Massey, Dallas Massey, Shalaco
Massey, Shane Davis, Kori Davis, Christina Davis, Bradley Tobitt, Joshua
Tobitt, Travis Vongxay, and Tony Lucio
Great Grandchildren- Kolbee Mooneyham, Skylar Alcantar, Ja’Reem Smotherman,
Jaydan Alcantar, Vanna Massey, Logan Massey and Mason Davis.
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE ARNOLD FAMILY
4/28/16 — LeuVator Anderson
Mrs. LueVator Anderson 97, of Shelbyville passed Sunday, April 24, 2016 at her residence. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ida Smalling Parks, husband, Rev. Charlie Anderson and son, James Brown.
She is survived by her daughter, Ida Cannon of Shelbyville, TN; Four grandchildren , 6 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 12:00 Noon at Bright Temple Church of God in Christ with Funeral Services to follow at 1:00 pm at Bright Temple Church of God in Christ with Rev. Craig Carmichael officiating and Rev. Tolbert Randolph as Eulogist
Interment Holden Cemetery , Shelbyville, TN.
J.A. Welton & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
Westwood Soccer Claims 2nd Straight Soccer Title on Saturday
For the 2nd year in a row, the Westwood Rockets soccer team earned the title of the Central Tennessee Soccer Conference champions with a 4 to 0 win on Saturday over Webb at Dyer-Bouldin Field. Felix Salinas scored a pair of first half goals and added his 3rd in the second half to secure his 2nd straight hat trick in the tournament. Salinas finished the season with 35 goals as he averaged more than 2 goals per game for the Rockets. Elliot Sain added a goal in the 59th minute to add the final notch on the Rockets’ championship belt. Leo Basurto added a pair of assists for Westwood.
The Webb defense made it a priority to use 4 defenders in the match to try to frustrate a Rocket attack that scored 12 goals on Friday night. Westwood, which was held to 3 shots in the first half, made the necessary adjustments at the half to get 7 shots on frame in the second half.
The Rockets dominated the play in the midfield as Leo Suarez and Basurto neutralized nearly every Webb counterattack. On the outside, Andres Cavalie, Renato Ayala, Samuel Workman and Eric Randolph were effective in making the Webb defense move and get out of position to open up shots in the 2nd half. Reserves Angel Gonzalez, Jalen Shelton and Sain provided much needed energy and momentum off the bench for Westwood.
The Westwood defense was spectacular on the game as defenders Aiden Stowe, Corey Walker and Nicholas Johnson continued to frustrate the talented strikers from Webb and hold the Feet to 2 shots on frame. Keeper Cailan McLean stopped both of those shots to give the Rockets their 12th win of the season.
You can download a copy of Thunder Radio’s podcast of the match at:
1st Half – http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/westwood-soccer-2016-conference-title-match-with-webb-1st-half-23april2016_76598
2nd Half – http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/westwood-soccer-2016-conference-title-match-with-webb-2nd-half-23april2016_76599
CCMS Softball Falls in Finals of CTC Tournament

Members of the Lady Raider softball team celebrating their 2nd place finish in the CTC Tournament on Saturday (Photo provided by Sheila Mukai)
After falling on Friday night to Warren County in the winner’s bracket finals of the CTC Softball Tournament, the Lady Raiders of Coffee County Middle School needed 3 wins on Saturday to claim their 2nd straight conference title. In a scene reminiscent of last season, the Lady Raiders fought and clawed their way back to the championship game before falling to Warren County 10 to 2 on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday morning, the Lady Raiders opened up with a rematch against Tullahoma as these 2 teams squared off for the 4th time in 11 days. The Lady Raiders jumped out to a 6 to 0 lead only to see the Lady Cats rally in the 5th inning to plate 3 runs. Coffee County quelled the rally with the tying run at the plate to seal the 6 to 3 win. Against the Cats, Ashley Evans was 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored, Gracie Pippenger was 2 for 2 with a double and a sacrifice and Keelie Hillis was 2 for 3 with 2 doubles.
The Tullahoma win set up a rematch with Warren County in which the Lady Raiders needed a win to force an “if” game and a chance at the title. After surrendering a run in the 1st inning, Coffee County got a 3 run rally in the 3rd inning by the bottom of their batting order. Maci Head finished the game with 2 hits in 2 trips to the plate and a run scored to lead Coffee County to the 3 to 2 win. Kyla Craig and Abigail Parker each added a run for the Lady Raiders to set up a winner-take-all championship match.
With one out in the top of the first inning, Gracie Pippenger crushed a solo home run to fill the Lady Raider fans with hope and confidence. Not to be deterred, the regular season champion Lady Pioneers tied the game in the bottom of the first and used a 6 run 4th inning to seal the 12 to 2 win over Coffee County in the 5th conference meeting of the year between these 2 teams. Warren County only lost twice in conference play this season and both losses came at the hands of the Lady Raiders. Evans finished the game going 2 for 3 with a triple and the only other run scored for Coffee County. The Lady Raiders finished the year with a record of 23 and 7.
Red Raider Baseball Drops Saturday Game at Independence
Playing in their 10th game in 11 days, the Red Raider baseball team saw a 6 to 1 lead evaporate in the 5th inning as they dropped a 10 inning contest to Independence in Thompson’s Station on Saturday by a final score of 7 to 6.
With one out in the top of the 3rd, the Raiders plated 6 runs when they strung together 5 hits, a walk, a hit batter and a fielder’s choice to take a 6 to 1 lead. Zach Wise had a double while Jacob Langham, Noah Anderson and Alan Rob each had 1 of their 2 hits on the game as each drove in a Coffee County run. Nathaniel Tate added an RBI single and Gavin Husted earned an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
From that point forward, Coffee County did not get a runner past 2nd base the rest of the game and the Raiders were retired in order in the 8th, 9th and 10th innings. Independence got a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 3rd and added single runs in the 4th and 5th to force extra innings. The Eagles plated the winning run in the 10th inning on a pair of errors to saddle Tate with the loss on the mound.
The Raiders return to district action on Tuesday when they travel to Grider Stadium to take on Tullahoma in a 6 PM rivalry game. On Wednesday, they return to Powers Field for the 2nd game in the season series with Tullahoma. Wednesday night will also be Sponsors Appreciation Night as all of the 2016 sponsors are invited to the game and encouraged to promote their business. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of Wednesday’s game beginning with the pregame show at 5:50.
Lady Raider Softball Youngsters Have Good Showing on Saturday
The Lady Raider softball team finished up play on Saturday in the Lincoln County Border Battle in Fayetteville missing several upper classman due to Saturday’s prom. Coach Steve Wilder used the opportunity to get some playing time for his younger players as some of them saw their first varsity action of the spring.
In the final game of pool play, the Lady Raiders were blanked by traditionally strong Buckhorn team out of Alabama 4 to 0 on Saturday morning. The Lady Raiders were held to 1 hit as Kasarah Scheller had a 1 out single in the 2nd inning. Raven Rogers pitched well giving up 3 earned runs while striking out 4 in the loss.
The Lady Raiders opened the single elimination bracket play against district rival Shelbyville. After spotting the Eaglettes leads of 2 to 0 and 4 to 1, the mostly JV Lady Raiders ended up giving all the varsity Shelbyville squad a scare in 4 to 3 loss. Lauren Tomberlin had a solo homerun and a single in 3 at bats for Coffee County. Scheller was 2 for 3 with an RBI and Rogers and Haley Richardson had doubles as the Lady Raiders banged out 7 hits.
The Lady Raiders have a busy week ahead culminating in the Coffee County Classic taking place on Friday and Saturday and Terry Floyd Field at Dave King Park. On Monday, the Lady Raiders travel to Columbia to take on the Lady Lions in a 6:30 contest. On Tuesday, the Lady Raiders are home when they play host to Tullahoma in a 7 PM contest. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning with the pregame show at 6:50. On Thursday night, Coffee County will play host to Oakland when they host the inaugural “Green-Out Game” to promote Organ Donation Awareness. A special pregame will feature specials guests and everyone is encouraged to wear green. First pitch is slated for 7 PM. On Friday, the Lady Raiders will play Warren County in front of the CHS student body in a 1 PM game at Terry Floyd Field. Thunder Radio will bring you that broadcast, plus other Coffee County games from Friday in the tournament.
Lady Raider Track Has Strong Performance Powered by “Young” Squad
Karson Young got a pair of wins and a 2nd place finish as the Coffee County Central High School track teams competed at the Tomahawk Chop Team Championship at Riverdale on Saturday. With Saturday being the CHS Prom, Coach Stan Jarrell suffered from a shortage of depth in both boys and girls events.
Young got wins in the 100M hurdles and the triple jump with a 2nd place finish in the long jump for 28 points which accounted for more than half of the Lady Raiders 53 team points. Coffee County finished in a 4th place tie with Siegel. Chloe Haggard finished in 3rd place in the 300M hurdles, Svietlanna Miadzvedzeva had a 5th place throw in the discus and Carlie Barnes also got a 5th place finish in the shot put.
The Red Raiders were only able to get points from Eskeil Cummings as he finished in 8th place in the 400M run. Cummings also finished in 9th place in the shot put. The Raider track teams will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Tullahoma for the Rudy Hensel Meet. Field events get underway at 10.
Individual Results from Saturday
GIRLS EVENT | PLACE | ATHLETE | RESULT |
100M Dash | 25th | Jasmine Farrar | 14.55 |
100M Dash | 33rd | Karen Chavez | 15.25 |
800M Run | 11th | Emily St. John | 02:57.2 |
800M Run | 14th | Makenzie Webb | 03:00.1 |
800M Run | 18th | Byanka Woods | 03:08.7 |
1600M Run | 16th | Emily St. John | 06:37.8 |
1600M Run | 19th | Makenzie Webb | 06:46.8 |
1600M Run | 25th | Byanka Woods | 07:19.0 |
100M Hurdles | 1st | Karson Young | 16.62 |
300M Hurdles | 3rd | Chloe Haggard | 54.06 |
300M Hurdles | 8th | Ali Robinson | 59.4 |
High Jump | 5th | Karson Young | 4′ 4″ |
Long Jump | 2nd | Karson Young | 15-3 |
Triple Jump | 1st | Karson Young | 33-5 |
Discus | 5th | Svietlanna Miadzvedzeva | 75-1 |
Discus | 6th | Faith Floyd | 69-10 |
Discus | 8th | Keishel Norton | 68-0 |
Shot Put | 5th | Carlie Barnes | 28-5 |
Shot Put | 7th | Keishel Norton | 26-10 |
Shot Put | 11th | Faith Floyd | 24-3.5 |
BOYS | PLACE | ATHLETE | RESULT |
100M Dash | 31st | Michael Lockhart | 12.63 |
100M Dash | 32nd | Zach Morgan | 12.72 |
400M Dash | 8th | Eskiel Cummings | 55.11 |
400M Dash | 26th | Johnny Dulin | 59.99 |
800M Run | 12th | Andrew Godwin | 02:19.0 |
800M Run | 15th | Daniel Lee | 02:21.5 |
800M Run | 26th | Neil Slone | 02:36.7 |
1600M Run | 10th | Andrew Godwin | 05:14.5 |
1600M Run | 32nd | Reuben Chaput | 05:54.7 |
1600M Run | 33rd | Chandler Poe | 06:02.8 |
Long Jump | 12th | Johnny Dulin | 17-9 |
Long Jump | 23rd | Zach Morgan | 15-10 |
Shot Put | 9th | Eskiel Cummings | 39-8 |
CHS Soccer Falls in Shootout to Lincoln County on Saturday
After a short night of rest after a long trip on Friday to Lawrence County, the Red Raider soccer team failed to generate much offense in their final district match of the year on Saturday morning against Lincoln County. After being tied at the end of regulation and extra time, the visiting Falcons hit all 5 of their penalty kicks to capture the 2 to 1 win.
Lincoln County opened the scoring in the 20th minute when they converted on a penalty kick to take an early 1 nil lead. Coffee County tied the match in the 24th minute when Leo Botello was able to score off a corner kick from Breyer Taylor. The match remained tied at 1 at the half and at the end of regulation forcing the extra period. In the shootout, the Raiders converted 4 of their 5 PK attempts only to see Lincoln County go a perfect 5 for 5 for the district upset.
The loss drops the Raiders district record to 4 and 2 and a probable 3rd place regular season finish. Coffee County will travel to Oakland on Tuesday for a 7 PM matchup with the Patriots in a rematch from last year’s exciting Region 4AA semifinal which was won by Oakland in extra time. The Raiders finish the regular season at home with a pair of matches beginning Saturday when they welcome Ooltewah for a 1 PM match at the Raider soccer field followed by Senior Night on Monday, May 2nd when Warren County visits the home pitch. The district tournament is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 7th.