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7/24/15 —- Nora Celeste Green Waller
Mrs. Nora Celeste Green Waller age 59 of Tullahoma, Tennessee passed away Monday, July 20, 2015 at her residence in Tullahoma.
Funeral service for Mrs. Waller will be Friday, July 24, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home with visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Burial will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens in Winchester.
Mrs. Waller, a native of San Antonio, Texas was the daughter of the late Norris Green and Elise Rodgers Green. Nora worked as a driver for Medi-Ride Transportation, she was of the Episcopal faith and a member of the Tullahoma Lions Club. Nora loved hosting parties for her many friends. She also enjoyed karaoke, reading, motorcycle riding and traveling.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John D. Waller.
Mrs. Waller is survived one daughter; Casey Williams and husband Kerry of Houston, Texas; two sisters; Laura Al-Sayed and husband Zouhair of Cape Giradeau, Missouri and Zoe Harrington. four brothers; Bruce C. Green of Huntsville, Texas, Carl H. Green and wife Linda of El Paso, Texas, Timothy S. Green and wife Lori of El Paso and Patrick Green of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Drake Fitzgerald, Alayah and Prince Williams; one great grandchild, Brooklyn Williams and her dear friend and significant other Carlos Shelton.
7/25/15 —- Leonard Huston Prater, Jr.
Funeral services for Leonard Huston Prater, Jr., age 49 of Manchester, TN will be conducted Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel with Brother Bob Deason and Brother Forrest Creekmore officiating.
Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 25, 2015 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the funeral home.
Mr. Prater passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee.
Special thanks to Alive Hospice for their compassionate care.
Huston was born April 22, 1966 in Cannon County, TN the son of Leonard Huston
Prater, Sr., and Betty Bowen Prater. Affectionately known by family and friends as both nicknames “Scoot” and “Pup”, Huston graduated Manchester Coffee County Central High School in 1984. He was employed with Shoney’s in Columbia, Tullahoma and Manchester. He also worked with his uncle, at Jim Bob Prater Electric for a short time before attending IBEW 429 Apprenticeship where he graduated after four years with the title Journeyman/Wireman. Upon graduation, he was employed with AEDC and then eventually, was employed as an instructor at TCAT-Shelbyville in the field of Industrial Electricity. Huston’s hobbies included watching old western movies; he was a John Wayne fan; he also enjoyed NASCAR and was a Jeff Gordon fan. He had a passion for the Tennessee Vols and was known as a “VFL” Vol for Life; and he enjoyed watching the Tennessee Titans. In earlier years he also enjoyed turkey hunting. His family and abundant ever growing group of close knit friends were always the most important things in Huston’s life. He will forever be missed by all whom he touched throughout his life and all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, H.K. “Ki” Bowen and Wilma Jean Smith Bowen; and paternal grandparents, Joe Prater and Emma Lee Youngblood Prater.
In addition to his parents, Leonard Huston Prater, Sr., and Betty Bowen Prater; Huston is survived by his loving son, Houston Tyler Prater of Knoxville, TN; a brother and sister-in-law, John Thomas Prater and wife, Elizabeth of Brentwood, TN; and a sister, Brandi Bowen Prater Harmon of Manchester; four nieces and nephews, John Mitchell Bowen Prater, Scarlett Elizabeth Prater, Trace David Harmon and Isla Elizabeth Prater. Also surviving are aunts and uncles, Mary Louise Duvall and husband, David; Jim Bob Prater and wife, Johnnie; and Betty Jo Brewer; and a host of other relatives and loving friends.
Memorial contributions may be made in Memory of Huston Prater to Alive Hospice, 1710 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Mr. Leonard Huston Prater, Jr.
Man Facing Several Charges After Car Accident
Daniel James Williams was charged with DUI 2nd offense, violation of implied consent law, possession of schedule III and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was released from the Coffee County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond and has a court date of August, 24.
Prisoners Might Spend More Time Behind Bars
A task force appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam to look at prison sentencing is considering recommendations for longer prison terms.
The Tennessean reports the enhanced penalties under consideration would boost the prison population in Tennessee by 4 percent over a five-year period, according to a report by Vera Institute of Justice that the newspaper has obtained.
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security communications director Jennifer Donnals says the governor’s task force has been at work for a year and could reveal its recommendations as early as next month.
Recent TN Storms Open Floodgates For Insurance Claims

The state advises consumers to file any storm damage claims quickly with their insurer, and to beware of scammers. Photo courtesy: wallyir/morguefile.com
With many consumers expected to file claims with their insurers to cover the damage, the state wants to make sure people understand the best way to do that and how to protect themselves from scammers trying to make a quick buck.
Kevin Walters, a spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), says the first thing to remember is to act quickly.
“The most important thing that consumers can do is file their claim as soon as possible,” he advises. “Call your insurance company or your agent with your policy number and relevant information.”
Walters also recommends taking pictures and video to document the damage.
Also, ask your insurer for a complete list of documentation needed and an explanation of how to go about the process.
It’s also important to save all receipts, including those for temporary repairs.
Walters says every time there is an increase in property damage because of storms, there are a bevy of unscrupulous businesses ready to take advantage of the situation.
“People should be wary of contractors who demand up-front payment before the work is initiated, or payment in full before the work is completed,” he stresses. “If a contractor needs payment to buy the supplies, you should go with the contractor and pay the supplier directly.”
The state recommends asking for at least three references and getting more than one bid for repairs.
You can also use the TDCI’s website to verify a contractor’s license.
Motlow Offering COMPASS Assessment Test
Motlow College is offering the COMPASS assessment test at all Motlow campuses multiple times through the end of the 2015 calendar year. Students planning to enroll at Motlow for the fall semester who need to take the COMPASS, which is used to assess a student’s readiness for college-level work, should do so as soon as possible.
Before taking the test, students must have the following on file in Motlow’s admissions office: a completed admission application, official high school and/or college transcripts, and if applicable, official test scores. Special test accommodations are available for students who require other than standard conditions for taking the test.
The COMPASS test is a computer testing system that helps determine students’ academic readiness in reading, writing and mathematics for college level work. Test results determine which courses are best suited to the students’ level of readiness.
The first initial test is provided free of charge. Students who take the COMPASS test and feel their test results have placed them incorrectly, may challenge their initial placement score and retake the test or portions of the test. The college charges a $10 challenge fee for each portion of the test or $20 to challenge the entire test.
Students who are 21 years of age or older must take all three portions (reading, writing and math) unless they have valid ACT scores on file or collegiate credit from an accredited college or university.
For the next available test dates and registration, please visit the Motlow College testing website (www.mscc.edu/testing) or call 931-393-1763 or 1-800-654-4877 ext. 1763.
CHS Volleyball Teams in Scrimmage Action on Wednesday and Thursday
The Coffee County Central High School freshman volleyball team took part in a JV scrimmage play day on Wednesday at Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro. The Lady Raiders, gained some valuable experience in their 5 matches taking Central Magnet and Stewarts Creek to 3 sets before falling in the first 2 games of the day. The afternoon matches saw the freshmen Lady Raiders battle against Central Magnet’s “A” squad, Blackman and Lebanon as they fell in straight sets to those perennially strong programs. Freshman head coach Jon Spears was complimentary of his squad as they handled the challenge well and grew and matured as a team. The varsity Lady Raider volleyball team will play in their 2nd play day of the year on Thursday as they host a play day at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. The Lady Raiders will play games at 9 AM, Noon, 3 and 4:30 PM.
Coffee County Fastpitch Association to Host Softball Skills Camp
Beth Keylon, head softball coach from Chattanooga State, is coming to Coffee County Central High School to do a softball skills clinic on Saturday, August 22nd at 9 AM. The four hour long clinic is open to girls of all ages. Coach Keylon will work on fielding, hitting, catching, pitching and all fundamental softball skills. If you have questions, or need more information, contact Ashley Harrell Jernigan at (931)273-1597. The camp is being sponsored by the Coffee County Fastpitch Association.
Prep Sports Tryout Dates
The Coffee County Middle School baseball team will hold a makeup tryout session on Saturday, July 25th at the CCMS field. If you, or your student athlete, would like to participate on the 2015-2016 CCMS Baseball team, and have not tried out this summer, then mark your calendar. 6th & 7th graders will tryout from 9am to 11am while 8th graders will tryout from 11am to 1pm. If you have questions, please call Rodney Meeker 409-6958
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The Coffee County Central High School softball team will hold a makeup tryout session on July 27-28. Time for both sessions is 7 PM to – 9 PM. Student athletes will to bring with them their own softball equipment plus the completed & signed physical/consent forms are REQUIRED. You can download the forms at: http://images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles/Schools/TN/CoffeeCountySchools/CoffeeCountyCentralHighSchool/Uploads/Forms/tssaa_med_form.pdf
For more information, contact Steve Wilder at: 731-445-4896.
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The Coffee County Middle School softball team will hold tryouts on July 27th and 28th at the CCMS Field. 6th and 7th graders will tryout on July 27th AND 28th from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Any 8th graders wishing to try out will only need to attend the July 28th session, also from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Students wishing to tryout should bring their own softball gear and a copy of their current physical. Parents will need to be prepared to drop off their kids, and then pick them up again at 6:00 PM as this will be a closed tryout session.
Dodgers Tag Tehran with 3-run 5th in 3-1 Win over Braves
Julio Teheran (6-5) struck out seven of the first 10 batters and had the Dodgers off balance through the fourth before struggling with his command in the fifth. The Dodgers Mike Bolsinger pitched seven strong innings and Los Angeles scored three runs in the fifth inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Wednesday.
Alberto Callaspo, Jimmy Rollins and Joc Pederson each drove in a run for Los Angeles, which avoided its first three-game losing streak since June 15-17 against Texas.
Bolsinger (5-3) commanded his curveball well enough to retire 14 straight batters before a two-out walk of A.J. Pierzynski in the seventh. The right-hander allowed three hits and a run with a walk with four strikeouts.
Kenley Jansen pitched around a leadoff walk to Cameron Maybin in the ninth for his 17th save in 18 chances, getting strikeouts of Kelly Johnson and pinch-hitter Juan Uribe to end the game.
The Braves, despite having won 10 of 15 at Turner Field, have dropped eight of 11 overall.
With Teheran elevating his pitches, Yasmani Grandal led off with a double that right fielder Nick Markakis appeared to misjudge. Grandal came home from third on a single by Callaspo, who scored the go-ahead run on a double from Rollins. Pederson’s single made it 3-1.
Teheran dropped to 0-4 with a 6.07 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. The right-hander lost at Turner Field for the first time in 10 home starts this season despite matching a career high with 11 strikeouts. He allowed six hits, three runs and three walks in seven innings.
Teheran picked off Grandal at second base to end the second after Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez successfully challenged to have the play overturned. Second-base umpire John Hirschbeck initially ruled that Grandal beat shortstop Andrelton Simmons’ tag. The review lasted just 56 seconds.
Braves 1B Freddie Freeman, on the disabled list with a right wrist contusion, has arrived at the team’s spring training facility in Florida to continue taking live batting practice. Freeman has missed 29 games with the injury. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said that Freeman might be ready to return during the four-game series that begins July 30 at Philadelphia.
After an off day on Thursday, Braves LHP Manny Banuelos (1-0) will make his third career start when Atlanta visits St. Louis on Friday. You can listen to that game here on Thunder Radio as we will bring you the broadcast on Friday night beginning at 6:00 PM.