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02/20/16-Robert “Skeeter” Griffin
On February 16th, 2016 Mr. Robert “Skeeter” Griffin, 54 of Decherd, TN left his earthly home where he was surrounded by his loved ones to be with the Lord. Skeeter’s heart might not have been medically well but emotionally it was AMAZING! He was a phenomenal husband, father; grandfather, brother, uncle and coach. He urged his ballplayers to always “Know You Can”. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t talk to his family with love and confidence. Skeeter was a very skilled painter, a Golden Glove Champ in 3 different States, a States Wrestling Champ, gifted song writer and singer. Skeeter was a very selfless Godly man that always had a smile on his face that could light up any room. He was a very active member of the Decherd Church of God and travelled with his family singing gospel music with the group “By Choice”.
Skeeter is preceded in death by his parents Robert Lee Griffin and Mary Joyce (Liles) Griffin. He is survived by his loving wife Penny Weddington Griffin; Children Alicia Bewley (Chris), Dusty Griffin (Pam), LaRae Wainwright (Brian), Derrick “Deke” Griffin, Jena “Little” Slatton (Daniel), Evan Harris, Dylan Griffin; Brothers Stacy Griffin and Stevie Griffin; Grandchildren Chelsey Adams, Chance Hargrove, Chase Karaczewski, Ethan Griffin, Kyrstyn Arthur, Raelyn Wainwright, Pensley Wainwright, Titus “T-Stump” Slatton, and Oakleigh Slatton; Great-Grandchild Lyric Adams; Nieces Brittany Griffin, Karlee Griffin, Megan Griffin, Alazae Berry; his loving bulldog Princess LuLu and many close friends
The family will receive friends Friday, February 19th, 2016 from 5PM-9PM and Saturday, February 20th, 2016 from 12 Noon- 2PM with a Funeral service immediately following at 2PM at Tullahoma Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Payne’s Chapel Cemetery in Franklin County, TN.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Griffin Family
A Busy Sports Weekend on Tap
District 8AAA Basketball Tournament bracket
A busy weekend of sports kicks off on Thursday as winter sports sprint to the finish line, while spring sports get set to take the baton. Josh Tobitt begins his quest for an individual state title in the 182 pound weight class at the TSSAA state wrestling meet in Franklin this afternoon at 3 PM. Tobitt, a senior, enters the tournament with a record of 32 and 7 on the season after a 3rd place finish in this past weekend’s Region 5 tournament. You can keep up with Joshua’s progress, and got any other information about the state meet at: http://tssaa.org/2016-tssaa-state-wrestling-championships/
At 6 PM, the CHS Lady Raider basketball team opens district tournament play as they travel to Winchester for a quarterfinal matchup with Franklin County. A win on Thursday night would advance the Lady Raiders to Saturday’s semifinals and guarantee them a berth in the Region 4AAA tournament next week. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast beginning with the Powers Storage Pregame Show at 5:50.
On Friday, Tobitt returns to Franklin for Day #2 of the state wrestling meet beginning at 10 AM. At 6 PM, the CHS Red Raider basketball team opens district tournament play as they travel to Shelbyville for a quarterfinal matchup with the Eagles. A win on Friday night would advance the Raiders to Saturday’s semifinals and guarantee them a berth in the Region 4AAA tournament next week as well. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast beginning with the Powers Storage Pregame Show at 5:50.
2016 Cody Holder Tournament Schedule
At 6 PM, the Coffee County Middle School baseball team will get the Cody Holder Tournament underway as 6 other teams join the Red Raiders for the 2 day preseason tournament.
And on Saturday, the Coffee Coaches Show starts your day as we broadcast live from Al White Ford/Lincoln. We will be talking high school spring sports as David Martin of the CHS baseball team, Steve Wilder of the CHS softball team and Robert Harper of the CHS soccer team will be our guests. The Coffee County Middle School boys’ soccer team opens play in the North Franklin Preseason Playday at 10:20 AM in Winchester. The state wrestling individual tournament wraps up in Franklin on Saturday. The semifinal round of the District 8AAA basketball tournament gets underway at 2 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. A win by Coffee County tonight would pit the Lady Raiders against Lawrence County in that 2 PM game. Should the boys get a win Friday, they would play at 6:30 PM on Saturday. And the Cody Holder middle school baseball tournament concludes with an 8 PM game on Saturday night as the Red Raiders take on Siegel.
Pothole Problems in Tennessee
Pothole repairs being done by TDOT
According to AAA’s survey, pothole damage has cost U.S. motorist approximately 3 billion annually in vehicle repairs over the last five years. “This is definitely a concern,” said Don Lindsey, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s critical that state and local governments focus on road maintenance to reduce cost for motorists, but safety should be the number one concern. Potholes can lead to car accidents when motorists are forced to swerve to avoid them leading to a crash with another vehicle, putting their lives and the lives of others at risk.”
To minimize vehicle damage and loss of life, AAA advises motorists to make certain tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth. If motorists can’t avoid striking a pothole, it is important to slow down, release the brakes and straighten steering before making contact with the pothole.
“It’s Quittin’ Time in Tennessee”
The Tennessee Department of Health Tobacco Use, Prevention and Control Program is launching a new Statewide Tobacco-Free Coalition. The coalition consists of key stakeholders and community partners from around the state whose purpose is to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities for tobacco control in Tennessee.
The Statewide Tobacco-Free Coalition launch aligns with Governor Bill Haslam proclaiming February 22-26, 2016 Tennessee Quit Week. The theme for the week-long campaign is “It’s Quittin’ Time in Tennessee” to celebrate Tennesseans who have quit tobacco and inspire more people to join them. It is part of a statewide effort to raise awareness of the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine and other free resources available to help Tennesseans quit smoking and/or using other tobacco products. These proven, effective services can double a tobacco user’s chances of quitting. TDH is emphasizing the importance of teamwork with health professionals to help smokers quit for good.
Through the Tennessee Tobacco Use, Prevention and Control Program, smokers have the option to call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, use a web-based program or attend in-person counseling services and may receive free FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy. Call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to speak with a counselor who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a quit plan. For more information and resources, visit www.tnquitline.org.
Ultrasound Bill pulled from Consideration
Tennessee State Capital
Republican Rep. Rick Womick of Murfreesboro on Tuesday decided to pull his bill amid legal questions from abortion rights supporters and opponents alike.
An earlier version of the legislation would have required doctors to show or describe ultrasound images to women seeking abortions. His latest version would have required doctors to hand over ultrasound images if it was requested by a patient.
Several lawmakers said they worried the bill could complicate the state’s legal defense of other new abortion restrictions, like mandatory wait periods and clinic licensing requirements.
Womick is retiring this year, but vowed to return to pursue the bill next year.
Registration for Motlow State “Late-Start” classes open until Mar. 14
Any student who missed the opportunity to register for classes beginning in January can still register for “late-start” classes at Motlow State Community College. Most classes will begin on Mar. 14 and end on Apr. 28. Registration for these “late-start” classes ends Mar. 14. Applicants must apply online by Mar. 9.
The following classes are available for the late-start session at the Moore County Campus: Art Appreciation, English Composition I, Survey of American Literature, Survey of American History II, and Intermediate Algebra.
Courses available at the Smyrna Campus are: Art Appreciation, Survey of American Literature, and Introduction to Theatre.
Courses available at the McMinnville Campus are: Art Appreciation, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Survey of American Literature, and State and Local Government.
For more information about late-start classes, including start date, class days, and class times, please visit the Motlow online catalog at http://catalog.mscc.edu/. For assistance, contact Dr. Scott Cook, assistant vice president for academic affairs, at scook@mscc.edu or 931-393-1738.
02/19/16-Donald Beasley
On February 16th, 2016 Mr. Donald Beasley of Tullahoma, TN passed from this life surrounded by his loved ones at NHC in Tullahoma, TN. Mr. Beasley served his country proudly in the United States Army 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels” and 142nd Signal Company. Mr. Beasley retired from L & N Railroad where he was employed for over 30 years. He served as a consultant for the Cowan Train Museum and then The South Jackson Civic Center Mitchell Museum where he provided railroad exhibit pieces. Mr. Beasley was a Mason for the Tullahoma Masonic Lodge # 262 for over 60 years. Along with being a Mason his passions were gardening and traveling. He was a founding member of First Church of God in Tullahoma, TN. He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel Newton and Elizabeth Beasley; First Wife Marie Beasley; Daughter Donna Cornelius and Five siblings.
Mr. Beasley survived by his loving wife Setsuko “Peanut” Beasley; Son Randy Beasley (Lisa); Grandchildren Tina Smith, Shane Peterson, Amy Watson, (Matt) and Jenny Beasley; 9 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Thursday, February 18th, 2016 at Five O’clock in the evening to Eight O’clock in the evening in the Tullahoma Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Friday, February 19th, 2016 at Twelve Noon in the Tullahoma Funeral Home Chapel with Internment immediately following at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, Tn.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Beasley family and wishes that you sign the guest book at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com
Raiders Drop Tullahoma on Tuesday Night to Advance in District Tournament
Stephen Sullivan of Coffee County basketball
A 25 point outburst in the 4th quarter helped Coffee County stave off elimination in the play-in game of the District 8AAA basketball tournament on Tuesday night as the Red Raiders dropped Tullahoma 56 to 35. Leading by 6 points entering the final period, the Red Raiders got huge 4th quarter performances from Stephen Sullivan and Caleb McKenzie to drop the Wildcats for the 2nd time in 5 days. McKenzie scored all 8 of his points in the last frame hitting a pair of 3 pointers to spark a rally that saw the Raiders close out the game on a 10 to 2 run. Coffee County took the lead in the final 2 minutes of the 1st quarter and never trailed in the final 3 periods to extend their season to the District tournament quarterfinals on Friday night in Shelbyville.
Coffee County was led in scoring by Grant Sadler and Wyatt Day who each netted 13 points. Sullivan added 11 points, including 9 in the second half to be named the Gateway Tire and Service Center player of the game. After the game, Coach Micah Williams had this to say about Sullivan:
The Red Raiders dominated the play in the paint on the 2nd half as they limited the 2nd chance baskets that Tullahoma had relied on in the 1st half. Coach Micah Williams had this to say about his team’s execution in the rebounding game.
With the win, Coffee County will now face Shelbyville on Friday night for a 6 PM game in Shelbyville. A win on Friday night guarantees the Raiders their 2nd region berth in the last 3 years and will give them a game at home on Saturday in the District Tournament semifinals. The Lady Raiders open tournament play on Thursday when the travel to Winchester to take on Franklin County in the girls’ quarterfinal round. That game tips off at 6 PM as well. As always, Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action. We begin our broadcast both nights at 5:50 with the Powers Storage Pregame Show.
District 8AAA Basketball Tournament bracket
2/19/16 — Margaret Joyce Stafford Lehew
Margaret Joyce Stafford Lehew, age 74, of Decherd, Tenn., formerly of Tullahoma, Tenn., departed this life on Monday, February 15, 2016, at Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma with her loving and devoted Grandchildren at her side. Ms. Lehew was born on March 13, 1941, in Tullahoma, Tenn. to the late Lee and Maye Tucker Stafford. Ms. Lehew was employed at Genesco in Tullahoma for fourteen years before becoming employed as a secretary/bookkeeper at Mid South Uniform for approximately 30 years. She loved traveling with her special cousins, Hollis and Deloris Bates and spending time with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the “sunshine” of her life. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Don Lehew and daughter, Tami Lehew Pate. She is survived by her grandchildren; Dustin Pate and his wife Brittany of Decherd, Loriann Dodson and her husband George and Tabitha Dodson and her husband David all of Tullahoma, sisters; Jean McBride of Fairburn, Georgia and Jackie Womack of Manchester, Tenn., Great-grandchildren; Zachary, Amiah, Ryker, Logan, Hunter, Elaina and Margaret Dodson. Visitation for Ms. Lehew is scheduled for 12:00-2:00 P.M. Friday Evening, February 19, 2016, in the Chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services for Mrs. Lehew will follow visitiation at 2:00 on Friday with Bro. David Ashley, eulogist. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma.
GRANT FUNERAL SERVICES IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS
2/16/16
Birthdays:
Sandy Blunt, 32 — Pizza Winner!
Mary Jane Neeley
Beatrice Chacon
Michael Johnson
David Green, 60