Author's posts
Birthdays – May 26
Ben Sneed
Jonathan Oliver
David Fortner
Jessie Espy – 75
Jacqueline Johnson – 25 – Pizza Winner!
Helen Lujoyce Vandergriff
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Lujoyce Vandergriff, age 85 of Manchester, will be conducted on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at 2 PM, in the Manchester Funeral Home chapel. Visitation with the family will begin at 11 AM until time of service on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Manchester City Cemetery. Mrs. Helen passed away on Wednesday, May 25, at Manchester Health and Rehab after an extended illness.
Mrs. Helen was born on April 7, 1937, to the late Frank Dyer and Julia Lee Ferrell Tennpenny in Stevenson, AL. She was employed for many years as a cafeteria worker, with her last employment at AEDC. Mrs. Helen was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, working in her flower beds, and traveling.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Vandergriff, and son-in-law, Charlie Rowlett. She is survived by her children, Jay Vandergriff (Charity) of Decherd, Melinda Shores (Jerry) of Manchester, Janie Blanton (Tim) of Woodbury, Amy Rigsby (“Mutton”) of Viola, and Anna Rowlett of Lavergne; grandchildren, Josh Anderson (Sarah), Chris Shores (Meagan), Matthew Shores (Nicole), Thomas Daniel (Keisha), Clint Blanton (Christy), Travis Rigsby (Tara), Andrew Bowen (Hannah); great grandchildren, Macy and Kylie Brown, Layla Shores, Miley Daniel, Carlie and Creek Blanton, Carter and Lauren Rigsby, Riley and Gracie Bowen; nephews, Glenn and Ronnie Randall; special friends, Viva Jernigan, Darby Davis, and Brady Burgess, and a host of friends.
The family of Mrs. Helen wants to thank the nurses and caregivers from Avalon Hospice and Manchester Health & Rehab for the care each one gave their loved one.
Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.manchesterfuneralhome.com
CHS Class of 2022 to graduate Friday night
Coffee County Central High School Class of 2022 commencement exercises will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022 at Carden-Jarrell Field in Manchester.
With a crowd well into the thousands expected to attend, traffic is expected to be congested around the school from 6 p.m. until about 9 p.m. Travelers should seek alternate routes when possible.
In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the CHS gymnasium. Below is the top 10 percent of the class of 2022:
Luke Beachboard – Valedictorian |
Landon G. Meadows – Salutatorian |
Jason A. Abeyta |
Caroline E. Ballard |
Elizabeth C. Brown |
Annmarie N. Calahan |
Elliana A. Chumley |
Anna E. Dawkins |
Bethany A. Farrar |
Kiya B. Ferrell |
Connor J. Fox |
Anna C. Godwin |
Peyton H. Grosch Destiny Haley |
Maddison L. Helms |
Kasen X. Holt |
Cybele M. Hoover-Horn |
Olivia B. Howell |
Olivia P. Kilpatrick Alyssa McClanahan |
Logan G. Meadows |
Harshita Y. Mistry |
Jacqueline P. Mondragon |
Marisol Moreno Rivera |
Alexa J. Morse |
Brady R. Nugent |
Lauren I. Perry |
Gavin W. Prater |
Ashley K. Reynolds |
Callie E. Roper |
Haley K. Sherrill |
Sarah E. Slade |
Granite B. Todd |
Riley J. Tucker |
Jason P. Tundidor |
Ethan J. Welch |
Emily A. Whitten Lukas Workman |
MPD looking for Johnson Flea Market thief
Manchester Police Department is seeking information on an alleged break-in at Johnson Flea Market that occurred on May 20, 2022.
According to MPD, an unknown male broke into numerous units at the flea market between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. Approximately $30,000 in items were stolen.
If you observed any suspicious activity or vehicles in this area during that time window, please contact Manchester Police Department at 931-728-2099. It is believed the suspect parked on Old Tullahoma Highway behind the flea market near the railroad tracks.
Everyone invited to ‘Paint the Town’ community mural
Manchester Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Manchester Arts Center and Hoover Paint Store to host a paint-by-number community mural project.
The project will be painted using Manchester Arts Center as the canvas.
No artistic experience is necessary – everyone is welcome. Just show up and you’ll be shown what to do. The project will be completed between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Manchester Arts Center – 128 E. Main St. in Manchester.
Mazie West
Mazie West of Tullahoma passed this life on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at her
residence at the age of 86. No services are scheduled at this time.
Mazie, a native of Kite, Kentucky, was the daughter of the late William
Smith and the late Ellen Thornberry Roberts. She enjoyed reading, sewing,
crossword puzzles, drawing, crocheting and knitting.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband,
Gaylor Hill; daughter, Gaylene Hill; brothers, Edgel Smith and Denver Smith
and sister, Mildred Smith.
She is survived by her son, Jody Hill of Tullahoma; daughters, Sharon
Brewer of Murfreesboro and Theresa Beeman (Bill) of LaVergne; sister, Elna
Carlson of Smyrna; brother, Edward Smith of Texas; eight grandchildren and
thirteen great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David Allen “Chilly” Chilcote
Chilcote, David Allen, “Chilly”, age 60, formerly of Tullahoma passed
away Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
David was a United States Coast Guard veteran, a former employee of NASA,
and in 1989 started his own business (Maverick Communications) in
fiberoptic telecommunications. David was born January 31st 1962 in Altoona,
Pennsylvania. He moved at the age of 12 to Daly City, California where he
would marry and have one son.
David will be remembered most for his love of making people laugh, playing
baseball, and his family. David spent the past 24 years playing baseball
in various leagues in the Bay Area of California before moving to Tullahoma
Tennessee to be closer to his son and grandson. He made many friends along
the way and was known for “always being the life of a party”, and “a guy
who is always having too much fun!” David lived life to the fullest, he
loved fast cars, motorcycles, playing sports, dancing, and karaoke.
David was an incredible father. He loved being a dad, he loved teaching
his son how to be a dad, and he was a father figure to more than just his
son. He is survived by his son Matthew, grandson Rowan, brother Mike,
sister Rose, fiancée Julie and her children, and many nieces and nephews.
He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.
Dorothy Ann Morton
On January 23, 1932, Dorothy Ann Morton was born to Bowlin and Frances Morton in Manchester Tennessee. There she grew up enjoying the company of her sister, cousins, and friends. She attended the Manchester City School for the first half of the year. The family would winter in Mt. Dora, Florida where she completed the school year. In high school, Dot was active in the band playing saxophone and serving as a majorette. Some of her happiest times were spent playing basketball as a guard with the Manchester Lady Raiders. She was named to the All District team. The most exciting time during high school happened when her brother, George “G.B.” Bowlin Morton, Jr. was born.
Dot attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she earned an associate’s degree. After graduation she returned to Tennessee. She lived in Nashville where she modeled and worked for Rule Construction Company. When Rule got the contract to build Arnold Center, her office was located at William Northern Field. It was during this period that she met her eventual life partner, Bob Couch, son of Laughlin and Anabel Couch. They were married on June 15, 1953. While remaining loyal to her Manchester roots, she quickly embraced married life. She joined First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was active in the Rebecca Thompson Circle, and served as Deacon. To get better acquainted with the women of Tullahoma, she was a member of the Tullahoma Junior Woman’s Club and later the Tullahoma Woman’s Club. Bob was active in the American Legion and she joined the American Legion Auxiliary. Bob was known for his love of the Tullahoma Rotary Club, and he made Dot a Paul Harris Fellow. They attended conventions associated with all these organizations and had many wonderful times.
Daughters Fran and Candy joined the family. Dot stayed at home during their earliest years. When they were both in school, she went to work for ARO, Inc. at Arnold Center. She worked in personnel and composing. In 1967, Bob’s father died unexpectedly. Dot joined Bob in the family business, Couch’s, and they worked side by side until Bob’s health failed in 2012. They celebrated over 61 years of marriage. During that time, they were honored to be the Grand Marshals of the Tullahoma Christmas Parade and to be featured on the Nashville Public Television show, “Tennessee Crossroads.” In 1994, Dot was recognized as Outstanding Civic Woman by the Tullahoma Business and Professional Woman’s Club. They enjoyed supporting the Historical Society of Tullahoma, the Bedford County Historical Society, the Coffee County Historical Society, the Tullahoma Camera Club, the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center, South Jackson Civic Center, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Hospice of the Highland Rim, Tullahoma High School, its music, theater, and athletic programs, and the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, they loved welcoming people to Tullahoma whether they were tourists or new residents.
While they valued these organizations and related activities, the family was always their priority. They were great role models in showing devotion to their parents and aging relatives. They always supported their daughters, son-in-law, and grandson in their life journeys.
Dot was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Couch; his parents, Laughlin and Anabel Couch; her parents, Bowlin and Frances Morton; sister-in-law, Searcy Couch Hopkins; brothers-in-law, G. C. King, Diemer L. Smartt, Thomas A.A. Hopkins; niece, Searcy Dianne King. She is survived by her daughters, Candy Couch and Fran Couch Gray; son-in-law, Jon Gray; grandson and wife, Jacob and Cindy Gray; sister, Martha Morton Smartt; brother and sister-in-law, G. B. and Ellen Morton; brother-and sister-in-law, Tom and Dot Couch Watson; nieces and spouses, Kenny and Nancy King Phillips; Bill and Marilyn Hopkins Phillips; Leo and Teresa Smartt Barrett; Dave and Mary Beth Gass; Matt and Andrea Morton Crompton; nieces, Kathryn Hopkins, Anabel Watson Hobbs; nephews and spouses, George and Tammy Smartt; Keith and Marlene Smartt; 27 great nephews and nieces; and special friend, Blanche McClure.
The family will receive guests on Wednesday from 5 PM until 8 PM in the chapel of Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home, 401 North Jackson Street, Tullahoma. The funeral service will be held at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), corner of Jackson and Grundy Streets at 6 PM on Thursday with interment to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
If desired, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, P.O. Box 1373, Tullahoma, TN 37388; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), P.O. Box 606, Tullahoma, TN 37388; or a charity of choice.
Birthdays – May 25
June Davis
Macey McKelvey – 17 – PIZZA WINNER
Jayda Wright – 18
David Vinson
Jesse Musall
Birthdays – May 24
Maddie Hansen
Carter Sain
Ricky Weddington – PIZZA WINNER
Michael Avery