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Everyone invited to Manchester American Legion spaghetti fundraiser
Manchester’s American Legion Gold Star Post 78 is pleased to host a Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, July 23rd from 5 to 8 PM. Dinner includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage for only $8 for adults; and $4 for kids under 12.
The dinner will be held at the Coffee County Veterans Building, 130 Shelton Road in Manchester. The public is invited to enjoy a wonderful dinner and learn all the ways American Legion can bring veterans together with the bond common to all who served. Young people will be inspired by the many displays of heroism and patriotism in the building, sparking conversation… American Legion volunteers will be available to answer questions.
Jack Bently Jackson
Jack Bently Jackson of Manchester passed this life at the age of 89. Funeral Services are scheduled for Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 2 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home with burial to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until the service time.
Mr. Jackson, a native of Logan County, WV, was the son of the late Marion and Letha Jane Phillips Jackson. He was retired from the U S Air Force and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Free Mason. Mr. Jackson enjoyed studying the global economy. He was a devout Christian and enjoyed feeding and watching the hummingbirds in his yard.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Richard Jackson and siblings, Elee Roy, Lola Mae, Gaynell, Patricia, Trudy and Tiuis.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his brother, Cletis; sisters, Mildred, Rosetta, Audry and Kathy and two grandchildren, Amanda Jackson and Richard A Jackson (Rheagan).
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Birthday – July 13
Ellen Lemmons – 68
Bill Bishop – 79 – Pizza Winner!
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker coming to Manchester for Night of Champions. Limited tickets available
First Baptist Church of Manchester will be hosting “A Night of Champions” with Tennessee Volunteers starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 15 in the worship center at the church.
Hooker will be on hand to share about his family, his faith and his football career.
Area football teams from Coffee County Central High School, Warren County High School, Coffee Middle School and Westwood Middle School will be attending.
General admission tickets are available to anyone else who wants to attend. Tickets are free but they are limited and anyone wanting to attend MUST have a ticket.
Secure your free online tickets through Eventbrite by clicking here.
First Baptist Church Manchester is located at 1006 Hillsboro Blvd.

Thunder Radio political forum is Thursday. Here is how you can attend or watch
Thunder Radio political forum for the upcoming August General Election will be held on Thursday, July 14th.
In a format similar to past years, Thunder Radio will welcome candidates involved in contested races. Some races will include a debate-style format, while others will include candidate speeches.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6:00-6:08 p.m. – Candidates for Road Superintendent
6:12 – 6:37 – Candidates for Coffee County Mayor*
6:45-6:53 – Candidates for County Clerk
6:57 – 7:33 – Candidates for Coffee County Sheriff*
7:37 – 8:10 – Candidates for Manchester Alderman
(*Indicates debate-style format. Candidates in other races listed will have 4 minutes of open microphone time. )
The event will be held from 6-8:10 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at “The Church at 117” – an event facility located in downtown Manchester. Early voting for the August 4 election begins on July 15 and runs through July 30. The Thunder Radio political forum is open and free for anyone to attend. It will also be broadcast on Thunder Radio: 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app, thunder1320.com and video provided on Thunder Radio Facebook (click here to follow).
Multiple races will be contested in the August election, including Coffee County Sheriff, Coffee County Mayor, Coffee County Clerk and Coffee County Road Superintendent. There will be other various commission seats for grabs, school board, as well as 8 candidates for aldermen seeking 4 open seats. See complete sample ballot by clicking here.
Winchester Police need help identifying person
Winchester Police Department officials are asking for the public’s help identifying the individual in the photos below. The person appears to be driving a new, quad-cab Ford pickup that is white in color.
Anyone who can identify this person should contact Crime Stoppers at 931-962-INFO to remain anonymous.
Coffee County Schools parents should contact bus garage if student is new, moved
Parents of students in the Coffee County School system who have either moved since the end of last school year, or will be their first year attending the school system should contact the bus garage.
If you have a student that was a Manchester City student last year and will attend Raider Academy this fall, this also pertains to you.
Call Tim or Matt at 931-723-5157.
Birthdays – July 12
Chesnie Cox – Pizza Winner!
Lonnie Fleet Smith Jr.
Lonnie Fleet Smith, Jr., age 82, passed from this life on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at his home with his family by his side.
Lonnie was born in Maury Co., TN, on January 24,1940 to his late parents, Lonnie Fleet Smith Sr. and Narvie Potts. Lonnie married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Turner on August 5, 1961, and later they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lonnie was always active in a variety of sports beginning in high school resulting in all-state football and basketball honors which led to his recruitment and full scholarship to play football and basketball for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Lonnie worked as an engineer for Sverdurp Technologies at Arnold’s Engineering and Develop Center in Tullahoma, TN and retired after a 40-year career primarily involved in turbine engine testing and analysis.
Lonnie and his wife, Carolyn, have been active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 48 years. In the Church, Lonnie served in many capacities including bishop, counselor in stake presidency, full time missionary with his wife in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, and sealer in the Nashville Temple.
Some of Lonnie’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, genealogy, traveling, bicycling, and scouting. Some of his favorite places to visit included Daytona Beach, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Alaska.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Smith.
Lonnie is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Smith; sons, William Scott Smith (Brenda) and Lonnie Fleet Smith III (Sandy); daughter, Carol Lynne Tritapoe (Jeff); sisters, Shirley Hooper (Frank) and Barbara Mauss (Gene); grandchildren, Willie, Grace, Alexis, Olivia, Logan, Dallin, Gavin, Jessica, Fleet IV, and Millie; and 23 great grandchildren with the 24th under construction.
Visitation with the family will be held Friday, July 15, 2022, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tullahoma, TN, with Bishop Jared Bryan officiating. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm at Memory Gardens, 3288 Highway 100, Centerville, TN, 37033.
In lieu of flowers for those who want to honor Lonnie, please find someone in need and serve them with love.
Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smith family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com
Laquetta Shirae Bratcher
Mrs. Laquetta Shirae Bratcher, age 67 years, 7 months, and 11 days, was born on November 28, 1954, to the late Herbert Ray and Shirley Jean Walker Stewart in Vero Beach, FL. She enjoyed gardening and going to the beach with her family before her declining health. Mrs. Shirae greatly loved watching her grandchildren at their sporting events and taking care of them and so many extended family members’ children. Family members say she “loved big”, and “everyone is family”.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Shirae is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Libby and her sister, Tanya Swinson. She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Kettrell Bratcher; children, Shonta Gilley and her husband, Robert, Amber Haley and her husband, Richard, and Ricky Bratcher; grandchildren, Robbie, Sydney, and Alexa Gilley, Jaden, and Casen Conlee, Addalen Haley, and Dallin and Skyler Bratcher; brother, Ray Butch Stewart, and sister, Star Little; her dog, “Tucker”; several extended family members and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 2 PM in the Coffee County Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Lewis Johnson officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will begin at 12 Noon until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. Mrs. Shirae passed away at her home on Saturday, July 9.
Online condolences and memories can be shared at
www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com