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10/4/19–Winnell Lackey Pittenger
Pittenger, Winnell Lackey, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Monday, September 30th, 2019 at Life Care Center at the age of 102. Winnell was born on March 18th, 1917 in Decherd to the late George H. and Lela Bryan Williams. She was saved at the age of 12 at Rutledge Falls and was also baptized at the falls. She has lived a Christian life for over 80 years and was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Tullahoma. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Louis Lackey and Owen Pittenger; three brothers, Judson Williams, George Williams, and Charles Williams; four sisters, Ella Ruth Garner, Jemima Baughman, Cullie Garner and Mary Elizabeth Hastings; brothers-in-law, George Washington Garner, Bryan Baughman, Gladson Garner, Donald Hastings, and B.W. Lackey; sisters-in-law, Ethel Williams, Ruth Williams, and Lorraine Williams; nephew, Terry Williams; niece, Joy Hepler; great-nephew, Aaron Garner; 3 step-sons, John Pittenger and his wife Shirley, Ernie Pittenger and Bill Pittenger. Winnell is survived by her daughter, Brenda Lackey; step-daughter-in-law, Betty Pittenger; sister-in-law, Dorothy Lackey; Life Care giver, Helen Riddle; grandchildren, Pam James, Greg and Dean Pittenger, Rhonda Lesjok, Jean (Dave) Keats, Tammy Pittenger and children, Sandi (Nick), Christian Tellie, Janine (Dan) Pedersen and children; seventeen great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; foster children, Leona Pyles, Wanda Olsheske, Larry Deal, and Gene Deal; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Billie Guinn and her children and grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 12:00-3:00pm with the funeral to follow at 3:00pm with Elbert Smith, Don Garner and Jimmy Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Life Care Center and Hospice Compassus for their loving care for Winnell during the last few weeks of her life.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Coffee County CHS Volleyball Grabs District Win at Franklin County
Keri Munn of CHS volleyball
The Coffee County CHS volleyball team closed out the regular season on Tuesday as they traveled to Winchester for a district contest against Franklin County. With the regular season district title already clinched, Coffee County was playing for their 20th win of the season. The varsity Lady Raiders did exactly that as they completed a tripleheader sweep. Coffee County won by set scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-11. Additionally, the freshmen team won in 3 sets and the JV team swept Franklin County in 2 sets.
The Lady Raiders continued their aggressive serving as they finished with 19 aces. Keri Munn led the team in aces with 9 and blocks with 3. Lexi Bryan was the team leader in kills with 7. Amanda Mukai led the team in assists with 15 while Keelie Hillis had 6 digs to lead the Coffee County squad.
Coffee County will take off the rest of the week for Fall Break. They will return to practice on Monday as they prepare to host the District 8AAA Tournament on Thursday, October 10th. Coffee County will take on the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Shelbyville and Franklin County.
Coffee County Freshman/JV Football Team Falls to White County on Monday
Elijah Clemmons of CHS football
The Coffee County CHS freshmen and junior varsity football teams welcomed White County to Carden-Jarrell Field on Monday night. In a game that featured a lot of scoring, the Raiders saw a 4th quarter lead evaporate as they dropped the high scoring decision. Coffee County fell by a final score of 42 to 33.
After a long Nate Luttrell to Travis Martin pass completion, Triston Galey punched the ball in from 1 out on the first drive of the game to give Coffee County the early lead. The offense stalled the rest of the half as the Red Raiders went down 20-7 going into intermission. Coming out of the locker room, Coffee County played inspired football in the second half.
The Raiders recovered an onside kick and scored on another long Luttrell to Martin strike. After another White County score, Elijah Clemmons took the ensuing kickoff return to the house. The defense forced a White County punt and Tristan Galey scored from 40 yards out to cut into the White County lead. Galey added another touchdown as the Red Raiders took their only lead of the game 33-28 in the 4th quarter. After a costly Red Raider fumble, White County was able to grind out a long drive to retake the lead. A late interception by White County sealed the Raiders’ fate.
The freshman football team will travel to Sparta next Monday night for a rematch against the White County freshmen. Opening kick is set for 7 PM.
Preds Name Final Roster, Open Season on Thursday Night on Thunder Radio
What began as 55 individuals vying for 23 spots has been whittled down to 22.
With the last of the decisions made, the Predators announced their final roster for the start of the 2019-20 season on Tuesday afternoon, the group that will begin the campaign with Thursday’s home opener against the Minnesota Wild.
That lineup does not include forward Miikka Salomaki or defenseman Steven Santini, both of whom cleared waivers earlier in the day and were assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. They join forward Frederick Gaudreau and defenseman Jarred Tinordi who joined the Admirals on Monday after also clearing waivers.
In recent memory, the Predators have predominantly kept eight defensemen and 13 forwards on the roster. That extra forward remains, but only one additional skater has been retained on the backend as well, a calculated decision from coaches and management.
In the case of all four of the players named above, the assignments didn’t take place because they had poor showings in training camp. Rather, it’s simply a numbers game. The Predators can only keep 23 on the active roster, and even though they elected to finish one below that number, there’s good reason for it.
“When [Predators General Manager] David [Poile] and I were talking… we really wanted guys to be playing,” Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said Tuesday. “We felt like we’ve just had some guys who had been sitting here, Miikka being one of them in and out of the lineup, Freddy being one of them and carrying eight defensemen, and it is great from a depth standpoint, but these guys aren’t playing and it’s a chance for them now.”
Although unlikely, it was still possible the Predators could have lost all four of those players if another NHL club would have claimed any of them off waivers. That was a worse-case scenario for the Preds, but with all four now in Milwaukee, the NHL club has plenty of options if a recall is needed.
“Right now, they’re part of our organization, and we’re really happy to have them,” Laviolette said. “They get to play as opposed to being an eighth defenseman or the 14th forward. Guys are on the ice in Milwaukee and they’re playing, and I really feel like that’s a real positive for our team. Then, when it comes time where we do need players, there’ll be lots of players down there to pick from, and it should push them to continue to fight to make it back to the National Hockey League.”
A 6-foot-6 blueliner, Tinordi signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Predators after joining the organization prior to last season. He was named captain of the Admirals, and although he has never played an NHL game for the Preds, that fact could change sometime soon.
“Jared’s camp was really strong, stronger than last year,” Laviolette said of Tinordi. “He’s a great player, and we wanted to really continue to see him playing games, but we do see him as a part of the season. Right now, it’s in Milwaukee, but his size and his toughness bring elements that we could be looking for.”
A forward who will always be remembered for his three goals for the Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, Gaudreau is in the final year of his contract that has now turned into a one-way deal. Gaudreau skated in 55 games with Nashville last season, and the Preds want him fresh if and when they need him back again.
“The most important thing for him is that he just gets playing,” Laviolette said. “He’s been here, in and out of the lineup, and this is an opportunity to just get in, have some fun, and find a way back here. There’s a good chance for him [to be back in Nashville this season] as well.”
Of course, every player who begins training camp with the NHL club wants to stay there. Even though it’s not mathematically possible, it’s also all but certain the Predators will need some assistance at some point over the next six-plus months.
That’s when they’ll turn to Milwaukee to make that phone call, and there will be plenty of candidates waiting on the other end of the line.
“There were a lot of players that played well, and just because you’re going to Milwaukee doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world,” Laviolette said. “It’s a chance to develop, and we think most organizations have this. There are so many good hockey players out there now, that you draft players and they’re more pro ready than they’ve ever been. I think a lot of organizations see the same thing, but I think we’re in a good spot just in regards to these guys clearing waivers and being down there. It provides good depth.”
The Predators begin the 2019-20 season – their 22nd as a National Hockey League franchise – at home against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT. Nashville begins the season with four straight contests at Bridgestone Arena, a homestand that includes games against Detroit (Saturday), San Jose (Oct. 8) and Washington (Oct. 10).
The Predators Radio Network, with your local home here on Thunder Radio, will bring you all the action with Pete Weber on the call. Tune in on Thursday night as we bring you all the action from the Bridgestone Arena. Predators hockey is brought to you locally by the Law Offices of Burch and Lockhart.
Coffee County Claims Senior Night Win over Warren County
2019 CHS Volleyball Seniors
Celebrating Senior Night on Monday, the Coffee County CHS volleyball team welcomed Warren County to the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. In a match you heard here on Thunder Radio, the Lady Raiders tangled with the Lady Pioneers for the 2nd time in 5 days after defeating them on Thursday. On Monday night, the Highway 55 rivals engaged in a tight battle before Coffee County came out on top 25-23, 25-22 and 26-24.
After Coffee County led wire to wire in the 1st set, the 2 teams traded blows throughout the 2nd and 3rd sets. Coffee County had to rally from a 23 to 22 deficit in the 3rd set to escape with the set and match win. Keri Munn and Keelie Hillis closed out the match with consecutive kills to lift the Lady Raiders to a record of 19 and 9 on the season.
Coffee County had 36 kills in the match led by Munn and Kiya Ferrell who each had 9. Lexi Bryan added 8, including 4 in the 3rd set. Hillis finished with 6 kills. Ferrell led Coffee County in service aces with 5 and digs with 9. Hillis added 8 digs, 2 blocks and 11 assists. Munn added the other 2 blocks for the Lady Raiders. Sarah West finished with 8 digs while Amanda Mukai led Coffee County in assists with 16.
Coffee County will close out the regular season on Tuesday when they travel to Winchester for a match with Franklin County. First serve is set for 6:30 PM.
Download the broadcast at: www.thunder1320.com/downloads
A Trio of Coffee County Golfers Qualify for Region Tournament
Maggie Crouch of CHS golf
On a scorching hot day at Winchester’s Bear Trace Golf Club, the Raider golf teams competed on Monday in the district tournament. The young and inexperienced Raider golfers took their lumps against a talented field on a challenging course and even more challenging conditions. At the end of the day, 3 individual golfers qualified to compete in Thursday’s region tournament.
The Lady Raiders finished in 4th place in the team standings while the Red Raider team captured a 5th place finish. Both Lady Raider golfers qualified for the region tournament and will compete as individuals. Maggie Crouch shot an 18 hole round of 116. Teammate Cadie Prater carded a 124.
For the Red Raiders, Chris Robinson shot the low round for Coffee County as he posted an 85 which was good enough to qualify him for Thursday’s region tournament. Logan Hale just missed the cut with an 87. Chase Hancock fired a 93, David O’Connor shot a 112 and Avery Hill got around in 118 strokes.
The region tournament will take place on Thursday at Bear Trace. Competitors at the 18 hole region tournament will be competing for berths in the state tournament which will be played at Willowbrook on October 15th and 16th. The region tournament will tee off at 9 AM.
Tuesday Prep Schedule
Tuesday Prep Schedule
4:00 PM – WMS Cross Country at Community
6:30 PM – CHS Volleyball at Franklin County
Monday Prep Schedule
Monday Prep Schedule
9:00 AM – CHS Golf in District Tournament at Bear Trace
6:00 PM – CHS Football(JV/Freshmen) HOSTS White County(JV & Fresh)
6:00 PM – CHS Volleyball HOSTS Warren County – 1st National Bank Hometown Sports Series broadcast on Thunder Radio
10/1/19 — Rev. Elbert Franklin Brown
Funeral services for Rev. Elbert Franklin Brown, age 88, of Hillsboro, TN, will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at Manchester Funeral Home with Bro. Troy Finney officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Rev. Brown passed from this life surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 28, 2019, in Hillsboro.
Elbert was born in Coffee County, TN to the late James and Vinnie Brown. He was a United States Army veteran, a farmer, and a minister throughout his life. Elbert was an avid gardener and sold many of his vegetables at the Tullahoma and Manchester Farmer’s Market. He was a man of God who shared his faith and lived his faith with the Church of Nazarene. He would give anyone the shirt off his back to help them. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, Elbert is also preceded in death by one sister, Clara Mae Barnes. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Shirley Brown; one son, David “Dwight” Brown (Sandra); one daughter, Sharon Cox; six grandchildren, Traci, Wendy, Rachel, Ryan, Shelby, and Sarah; four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Maddison, Lauren, and Brandon.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Brown family.
www.manchesterfuneralhome.com
10/1/19 — Ruth Tucker Brinkley
Ruth Tucker Brinkley of Tullahoma, passed this life on Saturday, September
28, 2019 at her residence at the age of 96. Funeral Services are scheduled
on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 2 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home with
burial to follow at Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends
beginning at 12 PM.
Mrs. Brinkley, the daughter of the late Stevie C. and Lura V. Stamper
Tucker, was born on June 2, 1923. She was a member of the Central Baptist
Church of Matteson, IL. Mrs. Brinkley was a loving mother, grandmother and
great grandmother. She was a wonderful homemaker and a great cook. In her
younger years, she enjoyed getting together with friends and playing cards.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Joe P
Brinkley.
Mrs. Brinkley is survived by daughters, Carolyn Houston and her husband,
Charles of Estill Springs, Connie Cleghorn and her husband, Frank Cruzado
of Tullahoma and Terri Stella of Homewood, IL; eight grandchildren and six
great grandchildren.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com