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1/21/15 —– Betty Jane Lemons
Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Jane Lemons, age 83, of Manchester, will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Manchester Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Danny Anderson officiating.
Burial will follow in Hurricane Grove Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home.
Mrs. Lemons passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at McArthur Manor.
Betty was born in Coffee County, TN, the daughter of the late Lee and Minnie Elizabeth Reed Simmons.
She was a homemaker and a member of Hurricane Grove Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lemons was also preceded in death by her husband, Ray Franklin Lemons, who passed away in 2009; two brothers, Cecil L. Simmons and Freeman Banks; two sisters, Lorene Johnson and Pearl Coulter; and one grandchild, Kevin Luneack. She is survived by one son, Donald Ray (Melissa) Lemons of LaVergne; two daughters, Rachel (Jason) Bramblett and Connie (Phillip) Clark, both of Manchester; one sister, Ruth Shelton, of Manchester; four grandchildren, Madison Bramblett of Manchester, Kayla Lemons of LaVergne, Tammy (Sam) Taylor of Bushland, TX, and Jimmy (Jill) Clark of Savannah, TN; two great grandchildren, Brittany Kuehler (Cody) Babcock of Groom, TX and Haley Kuehler of ND; one great, great grandchild, Bailey Babcock of Groom, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Manchester Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
1/20/15 —- Thomas E. Harter
Thomas E. Harter, age 62 of Manchester passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015 at United Regional Medical Center of Manchester.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 7 PM at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, January 20 from 5 PM – 7 PM.
A native of Noble County, Indiana, he was the son of the late Donald Everett Harter and the late Roseanna Jane Thomas Harter. 
Mr. Harter worked as a shipping and handling clerk for many years. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and football.
He continued his love of sports by attending all of his beloved grandchildren’s ball games no matter what the weather. He was an avid Indianapolis Colts fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandchild, Daylan Harter.
He is survived by his step-mother, Mary Goings Harter of Florida; three daughters, Kristy Butcher and her husband, John of Auburn, Indiana, Kassy Rollins and her husband, Rick of Garrett, Indiana and Kory Sherrill and her husband, Michael of Manchester; special longtime friend, Becki Delong of Garrett, Indiana; brother, Fred Harter of Florida and twelve grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
1/21/15 —– Jane Elizabeth Martin – Rucker
Jane Elizabeth Martin-Rucker, age 76 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away into rest on January 18, 2015. Mrs. Rucker was a spirtual, hardworking and independent woman who will be fondly emembered as being "tough as nails", a loving and caring mother and one who enjoyed reading and gardening. She was retired from the Rudy Farms and Beck Arnley/Dana. She was born in Nashville, Tenn. to her parents, the late John Rucker and Tennie Polk Rucker and was preceded in death by her brother, the late James Rucker. She is survived by her daughters, Tina (Steve) Mullins of Nashville, Tenn. and Tammy (Mark) Peacock of Shelbyville, Tenn.; sons, Johnny (Renee) Reynolds of Smyrna, Tenn., Steven (Debra) Martin of Mt. Juliet, Tenn. and Joey Martin of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Steve Mullins, Dawn Mullins, Shawn Waters, Shanan Waters, Amber Peacock, Jonathan Reynolds, Alex Martin, Colin Martin, and Michael Martin; six great-grandchildren, Levi Mullins, Ally Mullins, Madison Waters, Connor Waters, Collin Waters and Ethan Waters; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Funeral Home Chapel in Manchester, Tenn. Burial will follow at the Shady Grove Cemetery.
Central Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Manchester City School Board Hopes To Stop Merger Talks With New Proposal
Last week we told you about the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen looking at the possibility of a referendum vote to merge the city school system with the county.
On Thursday the city school board came up with a plan they hope will stop the merger talk.
The proposal includes $600,000-worth of cuts that the city would no longer have to provide the schools. The proposal also called for cuts in administrative pay and cuts to school system staff. Another part of the school system proposal is a reduction in the director of schools salary. Dr Keith Brewer’s pay would drop from his current $120,000 per year to $80,000. Apparently this is Brewer’s idea. Also included, the board would break a controversial three-year, contract with board attorney Mark Williams that moved the central office into the 7,000 square-foot building that formerly housed Williams’ law office. The lease would have cost the system just under $150,000 over three years. The ideas were presented to the finance office on Thursday by school board member Travis Hillis. According to sources no full time teaching position would be cut.
One big question remains, the state Board of Education approved the school system’s current budget and that big of a change may be impossible to do this year.
The Manchester board of Education will meet Monday in special called meeting at 4pm.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen are set to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 with no school business on the agenda at this time.
Manchester Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
State Fire Marshal will investigate why this vacant home burned late Saturday night… Photos by Barry West
Manchester Fire and Rescue was called to a house fire around 11:30pm on Saturday night.
Fire Chief George DeShields says the home is located the Lexington Place subdivision on Bluegrass Road. Deshields stated that the vacant 2-story home was gutted in the downstairs area and the upstairs was heavily damaged by the blaze.
Manchester Fire and Rescue, Manchester Police and the Tullahoma Fire Department responded to the fire.
The state fire marshal’s office will be in Manchester to investigate the scene on Wednesday.
Electricity was not active in this suspicious fire.
Bedford County Woman Facing Animal Abuse Charges
A team of veterinarians in Bedford County have been evaluating approximately 100 animals, mostly dogs after their owner was accused of abuse.
Kellie Williams has been charged with one count of animal abuse, said director Jack Cooper of Bedford County Animal Control.
Officials identified her as Williams but said she is also known as Kellie Williams Grunder, and real estate records show the property listed by that name.
Bedford County deputies and animal control workers discovered many mixed-breed dogs chained or in kennels and cages on the property, many were filled with feces, mud and trash, and had little or no shelter.
Shelbyville Animal Control is also involved in the operation.
Supplies and support for the emergency shelter are being provided by the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and PetSmart Charities. (News source Shelbyville Times-Gazette)
Gay-Rights Cases To Be Heard By U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court
The justices will take up gay-rights cases that ask them to overturn bans in four states and declare for the entire nation that people can marry the partners of their choice, regardless of gender. The cases will be argued in April, and a decision is expected by late June.
The appeals before the court come from gay and lesbian plaintiffs in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The federal appeals court that oversees those four states upheld their same-sex marriage bans in November.
Homecoming Set At Motlow
Motlow College will welcome students, alumni, friends and supporters to the Moore County campus on Saturday, Jan. 31, for the annual Homecoming celebration.
The Student Government Association (SGA) sponsors the event, which commences at 1 p.m. in Nisbett Center. Homecoming activities are centered on the men’s and women’s basketball teams hosting Chattanooga State at Copperweld Arena. The women’s game begins at 2 p.m. and the men’s game follows at 4 p.m.
Motlow student organizations have submitted nominations for homecoming king and queen, and the student body will vote during the week before homecoming. Mr. and Miss Motlow representatives from the Moore County campus and the Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna Centers will participate in the ceremony by assisting, crowning and sashing the king and queen.
The homecoming court will be presented during half-time of the men’s game, which will be approximately 4:45.
“SGA is working hard to finalize homecoming plans,” said Sheri Mason, assistant director for student services at Motlow. “We look forward to a large crowd in support of the nominated students and our basketball teams.”
Homecoming is a wonderful chance for families to share a day of fun at Motlow. The public is invited, and there is no admission charge to homecoming activities or other athletic events at Motlow.
1/14/15 —— J W “Buddy” Brasier
Mr. J W “Buddy” Brasier passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at his residence in Tullahoma at the age of 84.
Private services were held.
A native of Franklin County, he was the son of the late Earl and Mamie Brown Brasier.
He was a retired U S Air Force veteran.
Mr. Brasier was a member of First United Methodist Church of Tullahoma.
His favorite hobby was wood working projects.
Mr. Brasier is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Bettye Campbell Brasier; one son, James Steven Brasier and his wife, Gena of Tullahoma; two daughters, Sharon Bottorff and her husband, Ron of Franklin and Terry Summers and her husband, Don of Iron Mountain, MI; one brother, Robert Brasier and his wife, Martha of Tullahoma; two sisters, Grace Lynch of Nashville and Patsy Moulder of Goodlettsville; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Tullahoma, 208 West Lauderdale, Tullahoma, TN. 37388.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elementary Basketball Results from Saturday
Hillsboro’s Marley Perry(left) on the fast break as New Union’s Riley Tucker(right) gives chase in Saturday’s semifinal action of the Coffee County Youth Basketball League tournament
The finals match ups are set for the Coffee County Youth Basketball League after the semifinal games on Saturday. In the girls’ semifinals, Westwood topped North Coffee 19 to 7 in the first game of the day as Gracie Morris scored 7 points for the Lady Eagles. North Coffee was led by Kiya Ferrell who dropped in 5 points. The Lady Eagles will face Hillsboro in the finals next Saturday as the Lady Tigers held off New Union 24 to 10. Marley Perry was high scorer for Hillsboro as she had 12 points while Haley Horton scored 8 points for New Union.
Westwod’s Eli McKamey(right) tries to break the New Union full court press of John McKelvie(left) in Saturday’s semifinal action of the Coffee County Youth Basketball League tournament
In boys’ action, College Street remained unbeaten as they dumped Deerfield 41 to 15. Joseph Duncan had 11 points to lead the Cougars. Aiden Abellana scored 11 points to pace Deerfield. The other semifinal saw Westwood get by New Union as Jacob Sherrill had 9 points for the Eagles. New Union was led in scoring by Dayne Crosslin and Mason Haney who each had 6 points.
The consolation and finals games will be played on Saturday beginning at 9 AM at Central High School’s Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. Additionally, the annual cheer competition will take place preceding the championship games. The schedule is as follows:
9 AM – Girls Consolation – North Coffee vs. New Union
10AM – Boys Consolation – Deerfield vs. New Union
11AM – Cheerleading Championship
12 PM – Girls Championship – Westwood vs. Hillsboro
1 PM – Boys Championship – College Street vs. Westwood