Josh Peterson

Author's posts

Third year of sheriff department explorer program wraps up; summer camp is this week

The 2021-22 school year marked the third successful year of the Coffee County Sheriff Explorer Program.

The program is hosted at the Coffee County Middle School. The program stems from a partnership between the Coffee County Schools, the Coffee County Sheriff’s department, and the Boy Scouts of America. It is the only program of its kind in the area for middle school students. This year Explorers learned law enforcement radio communications, elements of a crime, traffic stop techniques, defensive tactics, handcuffing and arrest techniques, among other things. Explorer Post 1935 is named to honor the sacrifice of Deputy Ben McCullough who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Aug. 10, 1935.

Pictured are those involved in the Explorer Program for the 2021-22 school year.

The 5th grade students in the county who participated in safety patrol during the school year will participate in the Coffee County Sheriff Department’s Cadet Camp beginning this week.

The camp will consist of a week of fun events including swimming, movies, laser tag, Lake Winnie and a kickball tournament.

This year’s sponsors for cadet camp include:

Thunder Radio

Highland Lodge

Al white motors

Doug Aaron Attorney

Eric Burch Attorney

Powers Storage Char- El Apartments

Peoples Bank

Middle Tennessee Association Realtors

Sportsman & Business Charitable Organization

Beech Grove Wrecker Service

North Coffee Elementary School

Hillsboro Homecoming Association

Sir Pizza

LKQ

Gullett’s Towing

CapStar Bank

Coffee County Bank

Mid-State Towing

American Legion announces flag retirement ceremony

BY LAMAR WILKIE

Now that Memorial Day is behind us and summer lay ahead, many people start
thinking about their Independence Day festivities: buying fireworks,
planning cookouts, etc. Between now and then, however, is a holiday that,
tragically, is all too often overlooked.

American Legion’s annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is currently scheduled for
Saturday, June 11th at 5 PM, at the Coffee County Veterans Building: 130
Shelton Road in Manchester. All members of the public, especially school age
children, are encouraged to attend to learn more about our American Flag;
and why old flags are ceremonially destroyed, with dignity and honor,
according to prescribed ritual.

This ceremony is held on or near June 14th, which is Flag Day – a holiday
set aside for Americans to celebrate our national colors, the Stars &
Stripes, in defense of which over a million men and women have sacrificed
their lives.

This is a great time to replace any worn, faded, frayed or otherwise
unserviceable flag with a new one. In addition to your own, look around you
for any neighbors who may be sick or elderly: and offer to replace theirs as
well.

The American Flag, by law, is never to be thrown away in the trash.
The Coffee County Veterans Building has an outdoor receptacle in which old
flags may be deposited year-round. Your local veterans’ organizations, led
by the American Legion, store the flags for annual retirement. We hope you
and your family will join us for this educational event.

Rebecca Lynn Whitmire

Mrs. Rebecca Lynn Whitmire, age 64 of Manchester, was born in Maryville, TN, on July 14, 1957, the daughter of the late Quinton and Inez Hill.  She passed from this life on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at St. Thomas – Rutherford in Murfreesboro, TN.  Rebecca was a wonderful wife who cared for her husband and family deeply.  She loved all animals and was strongly into animal recues, especially horses and dogs.  Rebecca also enjoyed gardening.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

In addition to her parents, Rebecca is also preceded in death by her four brothers, Dennis, Dale, Vernon, and Jess R. Hill.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 24 years, Richard; two sons, Jason Norman and Christopher Norman; one granddaughter, Inola Norman.

The family asks in memory of Rebecca to plant a flower, or donate to an animal rescue center of your choice.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Whitmire family.

Coffee County Veterans will host Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30

PRESS RELEASE

Your Coffee County Veterans Association (CCVA) will again proudly host its
annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022 on Manchester Square.
The ceremony will commence at 11 AM.

The public, especially school-age children, are encouraged to attend and
learn that freedom is not free; that a dear price has been paid; and that
the liberties we enjoy should never be taken for granted.

Attendees are asked to bring a folding chair, as limited seating will be
available. There is no cost for attendance, and CCVA never solicits
donations at its events.

Additional details will be published once confirmed. Updated information can
also be found on the Coffee County Veterans Association Facebook page and
the VFW website, www.vfwpost10904.com <http://www.vfwpost10904.com>

Birthdays – May 27

Birthdays:

Gracie Richardson – 23 – Pizza Winner!

Angie Dodd

Weekly Winners:

Cake – Sammy Eagles

Flowers – Ken & Mary Duke

Wanda May Bryan

Wanda May (Green) Bryan, age 90, passed away peacefully at Unity Medical Center in Manchester, Tennessee on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, after a short illness.  Born August 31, 1931, in Asbury, Tennessee to Isaac M. Green and Maude Anthony Green, Wanda lived and attended school there until 6th grade when her family moved to Manchester.  She was a 1949 graduate of Coffee County Central High School and a proud member of the “’49ers”, enjoying many reunions with her classmates over the years.

Soon after graduation, the handsome Fred Bryan caught her eye and the couple married in 1952; they had been married 51 years at the time of Fred’s death in 2003 and lived their entire lives in Manchester.  Prior to her retirement Wanda worked in Quality Control at PCA in Manchester.  Her many interests included sewing and quilting (she was an excellent seamstress), reading biographies and autobiographies, jigsaw puzzles (she was a whiz), cooking, and canning (she took advantage of Fred’s large garden and canned shelves full of fresh fruits and vegetables each summer).  She loved animals and birds, especially Bluebirds and Purple Martins.  A fan of country music, favorites included Don Williams, George Strait and Ernest Tubb.   

Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:  Marlena (Steve) Scott of Hillsboro, David (Gina) Bryan of Chattanooga, Evelyn (Lane) Curlee of Tullahoma, and Donna (Don) Hershman of Hillsboro.  Grandchildren include:  Charlie (Jamie) Gonzales of Tullahoma, Christina (Dustin) Dotson of Hillsboro, Rob (Caitie) Curlee of Tullahoma, and Rosalyn (Rusty) Grammer of Moore County.  Great-grandchildren are Levi Dotson, Shelby Dotson, Harper Gonzales, Kelsey Gonzales, Meredith Grammer and Julie Grammer. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Manchester Healthcare Center for their wonderful care for the past few years, especially Lauren Tobitt for her devotion and special attention.  Thanks also to the medical staff at Unity Medical Center for their compassionate care.    Even though her mind and body failed her over the last several years; Wanda never lost her gentle spirit and beautiful smile. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Wanda was preceded in death by two sisters who she loved dearly, Carmen (Hubert) Warren, and Frances (Harold) Cunningham, son-in-law Charles “Speedy” Gonzales, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, May 31st from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Coffee County Funeral Chapel on Highway 55 in Manchester, Tennessee.  Graveside services will be Wednesday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens on Highway 55, Tullahoma, Tennessee.   Officiating will be Bro. Alan Adams, Minister at the Main Street Church of Christ in Manchester, where Wanda was a faithful member for over 60 years, serving for many years in the church’s clothing room and the nursery.    

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wanda’s memory to the Senior Bus Ministry at the Main Street Church of Christ, 201 E. Main Street, Manchester, TN 37355.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Bryan family.

Joseph Edward Jones Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Joseph Edward Jones, Sr., age 76 of Hillsboro, will be conducted at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Manchester Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Ragsdale Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2022, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM at the funeral home.  Mr. Jones passed from this life on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Mr. Joseph Edward Jones was born in Manchester, TN on March 21, 1946, the son of the late Marshall and Frances Jones.  He was a Vietnam Army Veteran, serving from 1964-1967.  Joe enjoyed spending his free time fishing, hunting, boating, and gardening.  He also enjoyed traveling and going on cruises.  Joe loved being with his family above all else and spending time with his dog, Candy.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

In addition to his parents, Joe is also preceded in death by his sister, Donna; one brother-in-law; and some grandchildren.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Patricia Jones; three sons, Joseph Jones, Jr. (Patty), Christopher Jones (Alison), and Paul Jones (Christy); four daughters, Lucy Ford, Angela Bensley (Bill), Angel Villalta (Ryan), and Chrystal Jaco (Anthony); three brothers, Benny Jones, Tony, and Richard; four sisters, Linda, Judy, Marsha May, and Susie; 30+ grandchildren, and 60+ great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Joe’s name to Manchester Funeral Home, 214 E. Main Street, Manchester, TN 37355.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jones family.

Clarence Michael Robison

Clarence Michael Robison (Mike), age 71 of Tullahoma passed this life on
Thursday, May 19, 2022 at his residence.  No services are planned.

Mike was born on February 2, 1951 in Tullahoma to Clarence and Mavis
Robison.  He was preceded in death by his father in 2003 and his mother in
2021.  Survivors include his sister Brenda Robison of Tullahoma, niece
Kellie Felker (Eric) of Murfreesboro, TN and his precious pets, BeBo,
Blackie and Skinny Kitty.

Mike graduated from Coffee County Central High School in 1969 and MTSU in
1973, 76 and 79 where he received his bachelors, masters, and specialist
degrees in the field of education.  He was a long-time educator for the
Tullahoma City School System and served as a teacher and administrator from
1973-2003.  During most of his career he held the position of principal at
East Lincoln Elementary School.

As principal, Mike held a deep commitment to the children, families, and
school community of East Lincoln Elementary.  He was well known for his
honesty, fairness, consistency, and dedication.  He ran a tight ship; while
showing support, empathy, and compassion.  His students knew that he loved
them and his high expectations for their success.  Upon his retirement in
2003, the school playground was named the Clarence Michael Robison
playground in his honor.

Following his retirement, he served as a Supervisor of Student Teachers for
MTSU until 2014.  Through this position, his knowledge and experience
helped many new teachers as they began their careers in education.  During
this time from 2003 to 2014, he also worked at Lowes of Tullahoma, where he
dearly loved helping customers in the Garden Center.  He was a talented
landscaper and found much joy in sharing his love of plants and flowers, as
well as great conversations, with all who came into the store.

Mike loved people and never met a stranger.  He loved his family and
friends and spending time with them.  He loved animals and was known to
pick up injured or deceased animals to give them empathetic care and/or a
burial.  He loved Coffee Country and Vanderbilt sports.  He also loved
Florida and trips to Daytona Beach.  Mike was a long-time member of the
Grundy Street Church of Christ.  Mike also attended West Nashville Heights
Church of Christ in Nashville for many years where he taught class and
helped with youth events.  He had so many friends there who are saddened at
his passing.

In Mike’s memory, please make any donations in his name to the Tullahoma
Animal Shelter, 942 Maplewood Ave, Tullahoma, TN 37388.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Christine T. Salita

Christine T. Salita of Tullahoma passed this life on Thursday, May 26, 2022
at NHC Tullahoma, at the age of 70. Memorial Service is scheduled for
Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30 P.M at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. The family
will accept friends from 5 P.M until service time.

Christine, a native of Farmingdale, New York, was the daughter of the late
Stefan and Evelyn Salita. She was an avid reader, loved to travel,
volunteering at her church and loved animals.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her brother, Stephen Salita of Tullahoma; nephew,
Christopher T. Salita (Hannah) of Nolensville, TN and great-niece, Mckenzie
Salita.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SPRING FLING CENTRAL: Coffee County athletes fight through rainy conditions Thursday

Coffee County Central track & field and tennis athletes traveled to Murfreesboro Thursday to compete in the TSSAA Spring Fling State Championships, fighting through rainy and stormy conditions most all day.

In the girls shot put, Lady Raider senior Elli Chumley placed 12th with a distance of 31-3.50 – just a hair under 3-feet shy of the medal stand.

In boys discus throw, CHS senior Ethan Welch tossed 110-5 to place 14th. Welch also competed in pole vault, clearing 11-0, which was 1 foot shy of the medal stand.

In girls pole vault, senior Madison Rooker knocked out a personal record at 7-6 to place 14th.

The Coffee County 4×800 relay team of Rooker, Chumley, Patricia Barrera and Kailee Rossman finished with a time of 10:28.65 to earn 11th place. They were 18 seconds off the pace to get on the medal stand.

Meanwhile, the CHS tennis team sent the doubles pairing of Rylea McNamara (sophomore) and Lauren Perry (senior) to the state tournament for the first time. The pairing lost 1-0 to Elena Kurowski and Kylee Hockman of McMinn County.