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H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Jennifer Warren
Jennifer is in freshman at Coffee County Raider Academy. She is the daughter of Pamela Warren. Her favorite subject is environmental science. After school, she would like to pursue a career as a pianist. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys playing piano and researching flowers.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a gift card, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. Job well done, Jennifer
Lady Raiders get home runs from Turner, Davis in 10-3 win on senior night
Coffee County’s Lady Raider softball team celebrated senior night in style Wednesday – using 8 hits and four Lawrence County errors to thump visiting Lawrence County 10-3 – a game you heard live on Thunder Radio.
The win wraps up the District 8-AAA schedule for Coffee County with a perfect 12-0 record.
It was senior night for the Lady Raiders and seniors Justus Turner, Eliza Carden and Keri Munn all found ways to contribute on the night. Turner got the scoring started when she lifted a home run into the trees beyond the left centerfield fence in the second inning.
Meanwhile, Keri Munn continued to dominate in the pitching circle. She struck out 11 batters over 7 innings and allowed just 5 hits. Carden had a hit and a run scored for CHS.
But the underclassmen did their part, too. Kaitlyn Davis blasted her 10th home run of the season and also picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Emily Schuster had a hit and an RBI and Olivia Evans added two hits, including a double.
The Lady Raiders improve to 24-4-1 overall with the win. They are set to host Huntland on Monday, May 3 in the final regular season game of the year before opening the district tournament later next week.
Eliza Carden 
Olivia Evans 
Madison Pruitt 
Eliza Carden 
Brianna Shelton 
Chesnie Cox 
Olivia Evans 
Alivia Reel 
Madison Pruitt 
Keri Munn 
Kiya Ferrell 
Olivia Evans and Chesnie Cox 
Celebrating Justus Turner’s home run 
Eliza Carden 
Keri Munn 
Justus Turner 
Eliza Carden, Keri Munn and Justus Turner
All Thunder Radio photos by Holly Peterson
Raiders sweep Shelbyville with 12-0 Wednesday win
For the second night in a row, the Coffee County Central baseball team shutout Shelbyville and beat the Eagles 12-0 in a mercy-rule shortened game.
Jacob Holder pitched a one-hit shutout for the Raiders – striking out 9 Eagle batters over five innings of work. He walked three batters.
For the second night in a row the Raiders piled up double-digit hits – using 15 hits and a pair of Shelbyville errors.
Griffin Meeker (2), Lane Spry (2), Nolan Jernigan (2) Wyatt Nugent (4) and Braden Brown (3) all had multiple hits for the Raiders. Nugent drove in four runs and scored one. Nugent and Meeker each had doubles.
The win wraps the District 8-AAA regular season with a 7-5 record and firmly plants the Raiders in fourth place in the final standings. They will host Columbia at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6 in the opening game of the District 8-AAA tournament.
The Raiders are scheduled to have a flurry of non-district games to close the season: at Cookeville on Thursday, at Warren County on Friday, hosting Cookeville on Saturday and hosting La Vergne on Monday.
Birthdays- April 28
Birthdays:
Leah Devermeyer
Harrison Ayer- 11- Pizza Winner!
Jeff Brown
Caley Buckley- 12
Erin Murray
Coleen Dodson
Coleen Dodson, of Lynchburg, passed this life on April 26, 2021 at the age of 62. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 1 at the Wilson Ave Church of Christ in Tullahoma, at 5PM.
Mrs. Dodson was the daughter of the late Tom and Mary Jane Stroubel. She was a hard worker and loved being outdoors. She had a heart of gold and cared deeply for others; always putting others ahead of herself.
She is survived by her loving husband, Terry Dodson; sons, Michael Brothers and Randy Dodson; daughter, Christina Brothers; sisters, Tracy Stroubel, Tammy Stroubel, Cindy Stroubel; and several grandchildren.
For online guest registry please visit, www.lynchburgfuneralhome.comLYNCHBURG FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Wendell R. Byford
Wendell R. Byford, age 80, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021 surrounded
by his loving family. He was born October 2, 1940 in Manchester, Tennessee
to the late Evans and Selena (Cathey) Byford. Wendell was a talented
musician who loved impersonating his favorite singer, Elvis Presley. He
played guitar and sang in a band most of his life. Wendell was a family
man that adored and loved his family and friends. His family fondly spoke
of him saying, “To know him is to love him…” and “He never met a stranger
and made everyone feel like they belonged”. Wendell impacted many lives
with his kindness and love for others. He will be dearly missed by all who
knew him.
The family will receive friends for a memorial gathering Thursday, May 6th
from 4-6 p.m. at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. A celebration of life
memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Daves-Culbertson
Funeral Home with Pastor J.T. Jordan officiating.
Besides his parents, Evans and Selena (Cathey) Byford, he is also preceded
in death by his sister, Mary Jo Perry.
Wendell is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Jean
Byford; daughter, Sheila Cagle; sister, Roxy Byford; granddaughter,
Jennifer Jandeka (Mike); granddaughter, Sarah Greer (Zack); great grandson,
Jett Greer and great grandson, Micah Greer.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
George Wallace Dowland
George Wallace Dowland was born in Groveton NH on May 26, 1947 and passed
away at the age of 73, on April 14, 2021 in Nashville Tennessee.
George resided in the small town of Lincoln NH for over 40 years. The later
part of George’s life was spent in Manchester TN.
George was a Master Plumber with a small thriving one-man business.
When he was not working he liked to spend any of his extra time riding his
motorcycle on the back roads, discovering new locations and destinations.
George also loved coffee and meeting his friends at the local Dunkin’
Donuts.
George enjoyed watching sports, gathering for a friendly game of poker with
friends and getting ice cream.
While in Tennessee George had a favorite coffee spot where he would meet
with friends.
Walmart was a place where folks would recognize him and make small talk.
Locals enjoyed his company, looked forward to seeing him and nicknaming him
“Santa Claus”.
George was pre-deceased by his father Bernard, mother Gertrude, sister
Louise and brothers Winston, Bernie and Rocky.
He is survived by his sister Victoria, brothers Eddie and
Philip. Also by his three daughters, Teasha Camargo
and her partner Steve Kelley, Shelly Shamberger and Melissa Dowland. Grandsons, Karac and Harry Shamberger, Bly and Kit Gray, and many nieces and nephews.
George will be cremated and his ashes will remain in Tennessee.
Arrangements for his service will be announced. Donations may be made in
George’s memory to a charitable organization of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty M. Chatman
Betty M. Chatman, age 74, passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021 at her home in
Tullahoma. She was born March 11, 1947 in Presque Isle, Maine to the late
Malcolm and Edna (Parks) Currier. Betty was a very strong, independent
lady that loved painting. She enjoyed her job at Goodwill in Tullahoma
where she worked as a sorter. Betty is remembered by her family as someone
that would give the shirt off her back to help someone else. She will be
greatly missed.
Besides her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her daughter, Janet
Chatman and husband, Pete Chatman Sr.
She is survived by her son, Peter Chatman Jr.; brother, Malcomb Currier
(Darlene Gowan); brother, John Michael Currier; grandson, Ryan Chatman
(Lara) and grandson, Lucas Chatman.
Friends and family are encouraged to lend a helping hand to someone in need
in memory of Betty. Services are private.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Walk-up vaccines available Thursday in Manchester
Pop-up vaccines continue in Manchester on Thursday, April 29.
Anyone age 16 and up who would like to receive their COVID-19 vaccine can go to the old Southern Family Market building on Hillsboro Blvd.
The health department will be administering the vaccine from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. There is no appointment necessary – this is a walk-up event.
VFW to host two events in May; venue change for honors day and fair
Your Manchester Veterans of Foreign Wars All-American Post 10904 is hosting two special Vietnam-Era Veterans events in May.
The Vietnam-Era Veterans Honors Dinner is set for Thursday, May 13th,
beginning at 6 PM. This event is open to all Vietnam-Era veterans and their
families and will feature a special, complimentary meal. Guest speakers
will be Howard Thompson, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
Captain Bill Robinson, U.S. Air Force – the longest-held enlisted prisoner
of war (POW) in Vietnam.
Registration is required, as seating is limited to 100 guests. The event
will be held at the Coffee County Veterans Building, 130 Shelton Road in
Manchester. To register, contact VFW Commander Kimberly King at 251-554-8836
or email: flygal46@yahoo.com <mailto:flygal46@yahoo.com>
On Saturday May 15th, VFW will host its 3rd annual Vietnam-Era Veterans
Honors Day and Fair beginning at 8 AM at Westwood Middle School, 505 Taylor
Street in Manchester. This event is free and open to the public; and
concludes at 2 PM.
A “Walk and Learn” event will allow attendees to walk around the track,
stopping at various tent areas along their journey, to learn different facts
about the Vietnam War and our local veterans’ organizations. A walking stick
is available for purchase upon registration, and stickers will be issued for
it at each learning stop. This event is ideal for children, young adults,
veterans and anyone else wishing to participate and learn more. Arrive
early: “Walk and Learn” is first come, first served, from 8 AM until 10:30
AM.
Following “Walk & Learn”, our main event at 11:30 AM will feature special
guest speakers First Lieutenant Howard Thompson and Captain Bill Robinson.
Those in attendance will be mesmerized by the astonishing, informative
stories our speakers will share.