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10/10/15 — Christina Lynn Reynolds
Christa Lynn Reynolds, age 45 of Estill Springs passed away Monday, October 5 11, 2015 at her residence. She was born in Orange California. She formerly worked at Verizon and loved horses.
Christa is survived by her father, Joel Reynolds, mother, Jeanie Morrison, sisters, Kimberly Riley, Alicia Parker and a brother, Thomas Morrison.
A Celebration of Christa’s life will be held Saturday at 3:00PM at Estill Springs City Park .
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Christa Lynn Reynolds and asks that you sign and view the guest book at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com
10/10/2015- Helen Francis Gilliam Hayes Smith
Helen Francis Gilliam Hayes Smith, age 84 of Decherd, passed away October 6, 2015 at St. Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro. She is preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Irene Garner Gilliam and her father, Embry A. Gilliam; her first husband, Morris A. Hayes and her second husband, James Charles Smith; sisters, Loma Huber and Jesse Shepherd; brother, Russell A. Gilliam. She is survived by her son, Conrad Phillip Hayes of Decherd; grandson, Phillip Morris Hayes of Decherd; granddaughter Helen Katherine Hayes, also of Decherd; sister Elizabeth Aldredge of Nashville, TN. A native of Franklin County, she was a member of the Oak Grove Church of Christ and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. The family will gather at a later time for a private funeral service. Interment will follow in the Morris family cemetery in Decherd. Online condolences may be sent towww.watsonnorth.com .Online condolences may be shared at www.watsonnorth.com Tommy North, Director
10/10/2015- William Johnston Sutton
Obituary for William Johnston Sutton
William Johnston Sutton, age 22 of Winchester, passed from this life into life eternal October 6, 2015. Smart, witty and intelligent, he was the most loved son who has ever been. He loved life, loved his family and his many friends, but especially he loved his mother more than anything in the world. He will be remembered as being special in every way, bravely facing every challenge in life with a smile on his face. He was an “Apple” kind of guy, who loved everything Apple, from his iPhone & iMac to his iPad. He loved to read and he loved his Mustang. A Senior at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, he was just a few weeks away from completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting. He was a most thankful young man, thankful for his family, friends and everyone who touched his life. Will trusted in the Lord, and we who believe will see that smile on his face once again.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18, The Hope of the Resurrection
“And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. I can tell you this directly from the Lord; we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpets call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words.”
Will is preceded in death by his grandfather, Glendon Sutton; maternal grandparents, Don and Anne Crossland; aunt, Dona Crossland. He is survived by his parents, Michelle Crossland Sutton and John L. Sutton of Winchester; sister, Paytonne Crossland, of Winchester; paternal grandmother, Dolly Sutton, also of Winchester; aunt, Jean Sutton Hill of Tullahoma; uncle, Joe (Vicki) Sutton of Hernando, MS; aunt, Joan (Greg) Parker of Huntsville, AL; uncle, Rick (Mary) Locker of Nashville, TN; life-long friend, Zach Womack; his loyal and devoted Golden Retriever, Romeo, and his many cousins and friends. The visitation will be on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and also on Saturday from 12:30 PM to service time at 2:00 PM. The funeral service will be conducted from the chapel of Watson-North Funeral Home on Saturday, October 10, 2015 with the Rev. Martin Nutter officiating. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens, with Zack Womack, Jim Prince, Logan Martin, Hunter Parker, Blake Sutton, Joe Brannon, Matthew Hill and Richard Oden serving as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to www.watsonnorth.com
10/7/15
Birthdays:
Jennifer Neel, 35 — Pizza Winner!
Franklin County Man Pleads Guilty To Arson and More
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance announced this week that a Franklin County man will serve 15 years in a Tennessee prison after pleading guilty to arson and assault charges.
John W. Worley, age 25 pleaded guilty to two (2) counts of Aggravated Assault and one (1) count of Arson stemming from an October 23, 2014 incident where Worley attempted to set a fire outside a Winchester, Tenn. residence. The home belonged to Worley’s ex-girlfriend who was inside the house at the time of the fire along with his daughter.
Tennessee Bomb & Arson Section agents assisted Franklin County law enforcement authorities in helping gather evidence needed to secure a conviction in this case.
As punishment, Worley will receive a sentence of five (5) years in a state prison for each count (to be served consecutively). The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office accepted Worley’s guilty plea on September 24, 2015.
“This is another good example of teamwork between our investigators and local law enforcement partners that will help make Tennessee a safer place,” said Gary West, Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
To report an arson or suspicious fire, call the Arson Hot Line (1-800-762-3017) 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction.
Gov. Haslam Addresses Unfunded Road Projects
Gov. Bill Haslam
The Republican governor spoke to a conference of the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee in Murfreesboro on Tuesday.
He urged the members, many of whom were local government officials, to explain to people in their communities that something needs to be done to tackle the state’s $6 billion backlog.
The governor has suggested a gas tax increase, which has been met with resistance from members of his own party.
Haslam reiterated Tuesday that’s he’s open to discuss proposals to use surplus tax collections but said that would only be one-time money and that the state needs a long-term fix.
When asked about the gas tax following his speech, Haslam told reporters he’s unaware of “another alternative that addresses long-term need.”
Reaching Out to Ease the Pain from the Loss of a Child
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and experts say if a friend or family member has suffered an infant loss, it’s beneficial to them if you recognize the pain they may feel as a result of that loss. Credit: Lisa Runnels/Morguefile.
Thousands of Tennessee families lose a pregnancy or newborn child every year, and experts say the loss can devastate an entire family, particularly when they don’t access help that is otherwise available.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and Amy Moseley with the Hope Clinic for Women in Nashville says if you have a friend or family member who experiences an infant loss, experts recommend you reach out to them to show your concern and recognition of that loss.
“The more they’re able to talk about it too and feel like it’s not something that people shy away from and that they can’t express, the more acceptance there is,” she says. “Then the less shame and guilt there’s going to be around these issues.”
In addition to the mother, Moseley says it’s important to also check in on fathers and siblings who are also mourning the loss of the child. Counseling resources available through your doctor or local hospital.
Moseley says grief from the loss of a child can re-emerge as years pass, when parents think of what milestones the child would be reaching, such as learning to walk, starting kindergarten and other life events.
“They say they feel like people are putting an expiration date on their grief,” she says. “They feel that they should have moved on, or ‘gotten over it by now.’ Just acknowledge and understand there’s a real relationship with this unborn child that they had, and it’s a real loss.”
Sleep-related deaths – just one cause of infant mortality – are on the decline in Tennessee, falling from 130 in 2012 to 117 in 2013, according to the most recent data available. Despite the decline, experts recommend safe sleeping practices to prevent any unintended deaths to young infants.
City of Tullahoma Finance Department Receives Awards
R to L: Christopher Ratliff, Whitney White, Donna Graham, Mayor Lane Curlee, Susan Wilson, Debi Graham and Frances Samples.
Only fifteen municipalities in the State of Tennessee received both awards.
This is the 16th year the City has received this honor. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.
The awards were presented to Susan Wilson, Finance Director, Donna Graham, Accounting Supervisor, and the Finance Department staff.
Alontae Taylor Gives Verbal Commitment to Vanderbilt
CHS Quarterback Alontae Taylor (Photo by John StClair – JohnStClairPhoto.com)
Ending a whirlwind year of recruiting, Coffee County sophomore quarterback Alontae Taylor pledged his verbal commitment to Vanderbilt University on Tuesday night in an announcement on Twitter. Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is rated the nation’s No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2018. Taylor is also listed as a 4 star prospect and is the #5 prospect in the state of Tennessee for the Class of 2018. Alontae is the first commitment for Vanderbilt for the 2018 recruiting class.
In an interview with Barton Simmons of 247Sports Nation, Taylor said: “I just like their academics, football program and it’s close to home.” Taylor, who has close to 1,000 yards in total offense this season as the Coffee County quarterback, is projected to play as a wide receiver or defensive back in college.
Thunder Radio caught up with Coffee County head coach Ryan Sulkowski and Taylor on Wednesday to get their thoughts. “The physical ability to play at the next level is there. The field vision, the strength and the speed is all there” said Sulkowski. He also said that mentally, the coaching and experience he is getting has been beneficial. “(Playing at the 6A level) has not helped him statistically, but he is playing against guys that he will play against at the next level and it will only help him in the future” added Sulkowski. “Alontae’s commitment helps Vanderbilt and their coaches are excited about (getting an athlete with Taylor’s versatility).”
When asked what position Vanderbilt planned to play him, Taylor said: “I tell every coach, put me where you want me and I will give you my 100%. Just give me a chance to play and show you what I can do.” Taylor was humble but excited as he talked about Vanderbilt and his reasons for committing. “(My commitment) would not be possible without my teammates and coaches. Vanderbilt offered me and has shown me a lot of love and I am loving it.” Vanderbilt, which has shown a recent increase in funding facilities improvements, sold Taylor on their commitment to football. “It was real big. Their indoor facility, field and stadium (convinced me that they are serious about football.)” Taylor, who plans to major in athletic physical therapy, admitted that a Vanderbilt diploma and proximity to home were huge factors in his decision. “The big factor in my decision has been the education. Vanderbilt is close to home and it will be easy for my family and teammates to come and watch me.”
With Coffee County on a bye this Friday, Alontae Taylor will be a guest on the pregame edition of Friday Night Thunder on Friday night. Friday Night Thunder will air from 6:00 to 6:45 on Friday night as hosts Dennis Weaver and Josh Peterson will get the chance to interview him live on the air for the Thunder Radio listening audience.
Coffee County Volleyball Beats Shelbyville to Advance in District Tournament
Makayla Morgan of CHS volleyball
The Coffee County Lady Raider volleyball team extended their season on Tuesday night with a straight set sweep on Shelbyville in the first round of the District 8AAA volleyball tournament. The win improves Coffee County’s record to 20 and 15 for the season.
The Lady Raiders struggled in the early going trailing 17 to 15 in the first set before a side out and a tremendous serving performance from Makayla Morgan captured the last 10 points of the set to win the 1st set 25 to 17. Morgan served 6 aces during that 9 serve run to give Coffee County the momentum that carried them in win in the next 2 sets, at 7 and 13, to claim the win.
The Lady Raiders dominated play at the net as they scored 30 kills on the night led by Diana Davis and Peyton Nicoll who each had 6 kills. Aerial Williams, Grace Spellings and Kaylee Skipper all added 4 kills. David, Williams and Spellings all had a block while Maddie Taylor had 10 assists. In addition to her 6 aces, Morgan led the team in digs with 3 while Tyana Fenton had 7 aces to lead Coffee County
Coffee County will advance to the tournament semifinals on Thursday night in Franklin County. The tournament semifinals and finals will take place at North Franklin Middle School in Decherd. The Lady Raiders will take on Lincoln County in a match that will begin around 6:15. A win in the semifinals will set up a finals appearance set to begin at around 7:30 PM. Thunder Radio will bring you coverage of all of Coffee County’s action on Thursday night.