Author's posts
6/29/15 —- Alberta Peterson
Mrs. Alberta Peterson 77, of Tullahoma passed Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Harton Regional Medical Center.
She was the daughter of the late Percy Johnson Sr and Edith Landers Johnson. She was retired from Tennessee Apparel.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Peterson, Sr of Tullahoma, TN.
Four Daughters, Charlotte Johnson Webb, Paula Johnson Childress, and Linda Dot Peterson all of Tullahoma, TN and Kimberly Peterson of Detroit, MI.
Son, Paul Peterson (Ethel), Jr of Tullahoma, TN.
10 grandchildren
13 great grandchildren
1 great -grandchild
Three sisters, Ida Mae Blake of Tullahoma, TN; Marie (James) Kincherlow and Callie Mae Kincherlow both of Huntland, TN.
One brother, Bobby Joe Johnson of Mt. Vernon, NY and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation Monday, June 29, 2015 at 1:00 pm at MT. Zion Baptist Church of Tullahoma with Funeral Services to follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Elvy Davis officiating and Pastor James Crutchfield as Eulogist.
Interment Evergreen Cemetery.
J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Jones Leads Tennessee Softball All Stars to a Win Over Kentucky
Coffee County’s Brianna Jones(right) was honored with the Most Valuable Player award for the Tennessee All-Stars on Wednesday night after getting a win and a save in the Tennessee/Kentucky All-Star Softball Series.
Brianna Jones put an exclamation point on her sparkling high school career on Wednesday. Brianna had another dominant pitching performance leading the Tennessee high school all star softball team to a series win over the Kentucky all stars in the 10th Annual Tennessee/Kentucky All Star Classic in Bowling Green. Jones got the start in the opening game of the best of 3 series and led the Tennessee All Star squad to a 2 to 1 victory over Kentucky. Jones finished the night with 9 strikeouts to get the win. Jones was called on to pitch the 6th and 7th inning of the deciding game as Tennessee dropped the host Kentucky squad. For her performance, Jones was named the Most Valuable Player for the Tennessee all-star team. Brianna begins her college career in the fall at Southern Illinois.
Great Outing by Shelby Miller Spoiled, Nationals Beat Braves in Extras
With a couple of mediocre starts in a row for Shelby Miller, he had the opportunity to recapture his rhythm against a team he’s had enormous success against from his time with the Cardinals. He didn’t disappoint at all. Miller was back to his regular self with another efficient outing. He faced the minimum through six innings with only one hit allowed in the fourth, but that was negated by a Yunel Escobar double play.
The Nationals finally got to Miller in the seventh inning with a little bit of luck. Denard Span drew a leadoff walk in which Miller seemed to be squeezed quite a bit on two of the balls. Anthony Rendon followed that up with a weak chopper that got by Kelly Johnson and put runners on first and second. Escobar grounded into a fielder’s choice for the first out, and runners were on first and third for Bryce Harper. Harper got jammed on an inside fastball from Miller, but the ball blooped just over Jace Peterson’s glove for an RBI single to put Washington on the board. Miller retired the next two batters to get out of the jam, but the damage was one run scored without a hard hit ball in the inning. That would be the end of the night for Miller.
Jordan Zimmermann also had it going on the mound. He’d been in bad form over his last three starts, but he seemed to find it against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Zimmermann threw eight scoreless innings allowing six hits and no walks with three strikeouts. The Braves threatened a couple of times and hit some balls hard, but nothing fell, and Zimmermann escaped untouched. Neither Washington starter has allowed a run through the first two games.
Heading to the ninth, the Braves were down a run with Drew Storen coming in to close it down for the second night in a row. Like game one, Atlanta started a rally, but they were able to come through and tie it up this time, even if they should’ve gotten more. Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski led off the inning with singles, and Pierzynski took second base on a dumb throwing error by Bryce Harper to put two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Joey Terdoslavich was then intentionally walked to load the bases for Kelly Johnson. Johnson did his job. He flew out to center field for a sacrifice fly that scored Markakis to tie the game. Unfortunately, Terdoslavich made a terrible decision to try getting to second base on the flyout and was thrown out for the second out. Instead of runners at the corners with one out, it was a runner on third with two outs, and Andrelton Simmons grounded out to end the inning. It was an inning that easily could’ve won the game for the Braves.
After a scoreless ninth from Jason Grilli, the game headed to extra innings. The Braves were 2-3 in extras going into the game, while the Nationals were 4-1.
Cameron Maybin nearly drove in a go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning with a drive to left field, but once again, the ball wasn’t able to miss a glove for Atlanta, and the game headed to the bottom of the 10th.
The Nationals had a threat in the 10th with two on and one out, but Luis Avilan came in and forced two groundouts to end the inning.
After the Braves failed to score in the 11th, Dana Eveland was brought in, and the Nationals once again started a one-out rally. They were able to capitalize on it this time. Harper started it off with a double into the right-center field gap. Wilson Ramos was intentionally walked, and then Eveland walked Clint Robinson to load the bases. David Aardsma was called upon to try to get a ground ball, but Ian Desmond lined one to left field to bring home Harper for a game-winning sacrifice fly to give the Nationals the 2 – 1 win.
The series wraps up with a 3:05 p.m. Thursday matinee. Braves rookie right-hander Matt Wisler (1-0, 1.13) will get teh start while teh Nats will counter with Doug Fister (2-3, 4.80) who looks to build off his first start back from the DL, Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast as we will join the game in progress at 4:00 PM.
No Wheel Tax or Property Tax Increase At This Time– County Schools Additional Funding Request Denied
The Coffee County Commission met on Tuesday night to discuss the county budget.
The county school system had originally asked for $1.4 million above last year’s budget plus other departments were asking for extra funding. After budget and finance meetings took place it came down to the county school system looking at possibly getting $300,000 additional funding for the 2015-16 school year. With matching funds that are required by law to be split between the Manchester and Tullahoma school systems, the actual request was for $600,000.
On Tuesday night the county commission had on the agenda a possible wheel tax of $10 or a property tax increase of 6 cents. Commissioner Steven Jones made a motion to take those items off the agenda for consideration and the motion passed 15-5. So there will be no wheel tax or property tax increase at this time and the overall county budget was approved.
Dr LaDonna McFall Director of Schools for Coffee County had this to say in response to her request being denied. “I am concerned that our school system is consistently left out when funding is allocated in our county.” McFall added, “Educational equality should not depend on where a student is born or lives, however, in our case it does as we invest less per pupil than most any surrounding districts.” The director went on to say, “Our students are lucky to be served by some of the most dedicated educators with whom I have ever worked and they are the reason our students thrive.” McFall said, “We spend far more per inmate than we do per student in Coffee County.” “We need long term solutions, collaborative planning, and teamwork among our leaders to move our county forward.” She says that we don’t need individuals speaking half-truths, pointing fingers, and pretending to have all of the answers. “We need strong, courageous leadership to do what needs to be done so that we don’t continue to find ourselves in the same situation year after year.” McFall stressed, “We need to work together now to develop long term funding solutions.”
“This year will certainly be a financial struggle.” Director McFall finished up her response by saying, “However, I know that our teachers and staffs will continue to be a voice for children and in spite of circumstances, our students will be well served.”
Report Says Manchester Hospitals To Merge July 1
Last July we reported that United Regional Medical Center (“URMC”) and Medical Center of Manchester (“MCM”) were taking the first steps towards a potential combination of the two hospitals. We can now report that the merger will take place on July 1.
According to the Manchester Times, most of the public has been asking about the services the hospitals would provide and what location will remain open. The report says, most hospital functions will take place at the Medical Center located on Interstate Drive including the emergency room and the 49 bed hospital. Hospital leaders say some imaging equipment will remain at the URMC building on McArthur Drive. Employees have been concerned over job losses, so management took on that task and eliminated less than 10 percent of the combined staff by this joint effort.
Officially the URMC ownership group (Coffee Medical Group) is acquiring Medical Center of Manchester.
A new name for the facility will be announced soon.
Manchester School System Drops Lawsuit Against County
In a meeting this week the Manchester City Board of Education voted to totally dismiss the $1.4 million sales tax lawsuit against the Coffee County government.
The board voted to dismiss the litigation with prejudice so this means the Manchester city school eliminates the possibility of the lawsuit making another appearance in the future.
In the original suit the Manchester City Board of Education said that the county had improperly kept sales tax dollars from 1983 to 2007 that belongs to the city school system. The suit noted that the State Comptroller’s annual comprehensive audit of the county shows that a portion of the sales tax collected outside the municipalities was not allocated to the city school system. The suit then claims that the comptroller provided ways for the findings to be corrected, but the county had failed to take the steps to give the money to the city schools.
Bonnie Ruth Creson Sissom
Bonnie Ruth Creson Sissom, age 84, of Manchester passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Alive Hospice in Nashville.
She was a native of Cannon County.
Survivors include her granddaughter, Amy Brandon & husband, Brent Brandon of Woodbury; Sister, Jean Rigsby of Woodbury; Great Granddaughter, Anna Brandon of Woodbury; and Daughter-in-law, Pat Sissom of Woodbury.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred L. Sissom; Parents, Casto & Mary Bragg Creson; Son, Charles Sissom; and Siblings, Edward Creson & Geneva Sutton.
She was a member of the Red Hill Church of Christ in Manchester and was retired from General Electric.
Memorial Services will be 5 PM Friday, June 26, 2015 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Ralph Hart officiating.
Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 5 PM Friday, June 26, 2015 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red Hill Church of Christ (Manchester), American Heart Association, or Short Mountain Bible Camp.
Woodbury Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
06/23/15
Birthdays:
Lala Johnson – Pizza Winner!
Clemie Maxwell, Robbie Joanne Agsselbein
6/24/15 —– Joseph Lester Fergus Jr.
Joseph Lester Ferrgus Jr
., was born August 29, 1928 in Chattanooga and graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1946. He attended the University of Chattanooga for two years where he was a member of scouting’s Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity. At the University of Tennessee, he graduated in 1950 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was elected to Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi scholastic societies and was a charter member of Pi Tau Sigma honorary ME society.
He enlisted in the Air Force January 1951 and was sent to Lackland AFB, TX for basic training. He then was transferred to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and engaged in simulated flight testing of a ramjet model in a small wind tunnel and technical reporting. In December of 1952, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and assigned to Lowry AFB, CO for training in electronic countermeasures. He was discharged from active duty in August 1953 and retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Captain in 1961.
In October 1953, he was employed by ARO, Inc. at the Arnold Engineering Development Center for an exciting and challenging 37 year career. His early tenure included testing, data analysis and technical reporting for fighter aircraft turbine engines. He the engaged in rocket engine development testing. A unique experience was associated with a one of a kind test facility, a cryogenically cooled test cell for ultra high altitude ground testing of space propulsion systems. Operability and performance were evaluated for the lunar landing and ascent stage rocket engines and other rockets for NASA and AG space systems. He reverted then to development testing and performance evaluation of the air launched cruise missile engine. His last duty was test data analysis engineer for an engine for the F22 fighter.
During his tenure, he was principal or co-author of over 25 technical reports and four technical paper presentations. Professional membership affiliations were the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Management Association and American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Mr. Fergus was a member of the First United Methodist Church having served on several committees and boards and was a lay speaker at area Methodist churches. He was a member of the Strangely Warmed Sunday school class, joined the Methodist Men on local projects and volunteered for three mission teams to support churches in Central America.
An avid scouter for over 60 years, he served as an adult leader on the Troop and exploer post unit levels, the Elk River District committee and Executive Board of the Middle Tennessee Council. He earned the Scouters Key and Scoutmasters Key and was awarded the council Long Rifle and Silver Beaver. As a member of the National Eagle Scout Association he received the silver Wreath. A highlight of his scouting experience was serving as the council’s ’79 contingent leader to Philmout Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. He completed Wood Badge training and later served as a staffer. Another privilege was staff service at the 1977, 1993, 1997 and 2001 National Scout Jamborees. Aside from his enjoyable outdoor experiences with boy scouts he delighted in donning a simulated period uniform of the founder of the world scouting Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Attending scout units he would describe how Baden-Powell’s career in the British military prepared him to start world wide scouting and develop the handbooks for training boys and adult leaders.
In 1971 the family moved from Tullahoma to a small farm in north Franklin Co. to accommodate the fervent love of horses. The family enjoyed many local trail rides and activities with the Tullahoma Saddle Club. After the children left a friend from Chattanooga encouraged Mrs. Fergus to start a program of therapeutic horseback riding for handicapped children. A small indoor arena was constructed in 1995 by the Fergus’s and the founded Horse Play in 1996 at their Double J Ranch. To accommodate handicapped adults as well as children, Freedom Friends was founded in 2001 and operated thru 2010. He was grateful for the many volunteers and donors who made the programs succeed. A major contributor to these programs was the TN Valley Paso Fino Horse Association where he served several years as chairman for their statewide trail rides.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean James Fergus. He is survived by daughters, Dr. Victoria Jane Fergus of Morgantown, WV, Brenda Catherine Fergus Watson and her husband Don of Paducah, KY, son, James Gary Fergus of Tullahoma, granddaughter, Zannie Leia Brewer of Nashville, grandson, Zachary Fergus Thacker of Paducah, KY, and nephew, Peter Leonard Palmer and his wife Donna of Rock Spring, GA.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations be made to Boy Scout Troop 158, c/o The First Methodist Church, 208 W. Lauderdale St., Tullahoma, TN 37388,The Middle Tennessee Council, BSA, 3414 Hillsboro Pike, PO Box 150409, Nashville, TN 37215 or the Tennessee Valley Paso Fino Horse Assosiation, 2322 Floraton Rd., Readyville, TN 37149.
A Memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Tullahoma Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
6/27/15 —- Michael Eugene Ferrell
Michael Eugene Ferrell of Tullahoma passed this life on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 at Harton Regional Medical Center at the age of 48.
Michael was born on September 7th, 1966 in Manchester, TN to the late J.D. and Velma Harpole Ferrell.
During his life he worked as a maintenance worker for the National Pen Corp. for 20 years.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Ferrell is preceded in death by one brother, James Leroy Ferrell, and one sister, Joyce Marie Mixon.
He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Tammy Taylor Ferrell of Tullahoma; two sisters, Linda Faye Crowley of Manchester, and Sandra Dean Conn and her fiancée Keith Thomas of Tullahoma; five brothers, Donnie Ray Ferrell and his wife Janice Lee of Normandy, Robert Ferrell and his wife Barbara of Sugar Valley, GA, Jimmy “J.D.” Ferrell and his wife Sally of Kingsport, Ricky Dale Ferrell and his wife Tammy of Tullahoma, and Ronald F. Ferrell of Dayton, OH; four step-grandchildren whom he loved with all of his heart, Cortney, Cody, Colin, and Cayla Lynch of Shelbyville; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Mr. Ferrell will be held on Friday, June 26th from 5:00-8:00 pm.
Funeral services Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 pm in the Kilgore Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dewey Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma.
For those who wish, the family asks that donations in Mr. Ferrell’s memory be made to the Tullahoma Animal Shelter, 942 Maplewood Ave. Tullahoma, 
TN 37388.