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Betty Diane Elliott
On May 11, 2022, Betty Diane Elliott passed away
after an extended hospital stay at the age of 72. Diane was born on May
13, 1949 in Columbia, TN. Diane was a loving wife, mother, grandmother,
and teacher of toddlers. Diane grew up primarily in Gallatin, TN,
graduating from Gallatin Senior High and later attending Middle Tennessee
State University. For most of her adult life, she lived in Knoxville and
Chattanooga before moving to Manchester to be near relatives. Diane was a
full-time homemaker and also worked as an office administrator, substitute
teacher, and later a church secretary for many years in Chattanooga. She
was a member of the Arlington Church of Christ, Hixson Church of Christ,
and later Forest Mill Church of Christ in Manchester, where she was
involved in the benevolence ministry serving others. She taught toddlers at
church for more than 40 years and was known affectionately by so many as
“Miss Diane”. This was her true passion in life. Diane also was an avid
thrift store shopper who loved finding treasures for others at bargain
prices. She was known for her infectious smile, quick wit, and
compassionate spirit. Diane is survived by her husband of 52 years,
Walter, son Steve (and Jennifer) of Brentwood, TN, ”adopted“ daughter, Gina
Wilson of Soddy Daisy, TN, and sister, Laurie (and Ted) Stewart of Lebanon,
TN. She had four grandchildren: Jacob, Jack, Cooper, and Abigail. She was
preceded in death by her son, Ben, as well as her parents, Billy and
Francis Erwin, and siblings, Linda Moffitt and Mike Erwin. She had numerous
nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation with the family will be on Monday,
May 16, 2022, from 10:00am until 2:00pm at Central Funeral Home in
Manchester, TN. Funeral services will be conducted immediately following
visitation at 2:00pm in the chapel of Central Funeral Home. Burial will
follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN. Central Funeral Home
is honored to serve the Elliott family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com
Charles M. Sain
Mr. Charles M. Sain, age 74, of Manchester, TN,
passed from this life on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Nashville, TN.
Mr. Sain was born in Manchester, TN, to his late parents Alvin Fred Sain
and Christine McCormick Sain. He was a self-employed handyman for most of
his life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother
Fred Lavone Sain and half brother, Terry Alvin Sain.
Mr. Sain is survived by lifelong partner, Mica Boles; sons, Joey Dale Sain,
Joe Sain, Brian Sain, and Adam Sain; daughter, Crystal Sain; sister, Linda
Harrell; grandchildren, Layla Edmonds and Brayden Sain.
Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from
10:00am until 11:00am at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Funeral
services will be conducted immediately following visitation at 11:00am in
the chapel of Central Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Summitville
Cemetery in Coffee County.
Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sain family, 931-723-7774,
centralfunerlahome.com
Two arrested for arson in Woodland Plaza fire
Two people have been arrested and charged with arson, among other things, in connection with the Woodland Plaza Fire on March 21 in Manchester that destroyed multiple businesses.
According to Manchester Police Department officials, they identified two individuals who were responsible for the fire. Additionally, they determined that prior to the fire a burglary was allegedly committed at the business of Greg Green Photography.
A sealed indictment was issued on May 10, 2022 by the Coffee County grand jury for Zackery Meeks and Stacy Caldwell.
On Wednesday, May 11, investigators located Caldwell at her residence in Manchester. Investigators located Meeks at a residence in Monteagle – both were taken into custody.
Both subjects have been charged with burglary, theft of property ($10,000 – $60,000), Vandalism ($250,000 or more) and arson.
18th annual Dusty Elam Foundation Benefit is May 14; Dusty’s kids day is Friday, May 13
The 18th annual Dusty Elam Foundation Benefit is set for Saturday, May 14 at the Elam Farm – 5223 Woodbury Highway just outside of Manchester.
There will be food, fun and games to go along with a live auction and a musical contest – Dusty’s Voice Music Competition.
Also at the annual event will be field events, inflatables a dunking booth and face painting. Single tickets are $25 and 5 tickets are $100. Kids 12 and under are free – cost of food included with your ticket. Gates open at noon, live auction starts at 2 and Dusty’s Voice starts at 6 p.m.
Dusty’s Voice will feature a $1,500 first place prize. There is a 25 artist / band limit. Each artist or band will play 1 song or 5 minutes. $50 per entry. First place wins $1,500 and second place wins $500. There is still room for a few entries. For Dusty’s Voice details or entry, call Justin McIntosh at 931-273-5194.
For tickets to the benefit, call Chris Elam at 931-273-3419 or Jay Nogodula at 615-653-7846.
Dusty’s Kids Day Is Friday, May 13
The annual kickoff for the Elam Foundation weekend – Dusty’s Kids Day – will be Friday, May 13.
All residents and businesses are encouraged to cheer on the kids as they are given a police escort from Coffee County High School at 9:30 a.m. The route will be from CCHS, to the intersection of highway 41/55, slight turn on 41, around College Street, back to Highway 55. Those lining the route are encouraged to bring pom poms, cheer and add messages to your marquees.
Tullahoma High School to hold graduation Friday, May 13
The 100th class at Tullahoma High School and the first-ever seniors at the Tullahoma Virtual Academy will celebrate at Wilkins Stadium on Friday when graduation ceremonies get underway at 7:30 p.m.
If weather becomes an issue, the ceremony will be moved to inside the THS gymnasium. In preparation for graduation, all seniors received eight tickets in case the ceremony is relocated. Those tickets will only be needed if graduation takes place inside the gymnasium.
Friday evening’s ceremony will get underway, with the 251 graduates making their way to their seats before the Pledge of Allegiance. Tullahoma High School Principal Jason Quick will deliver a welcoming message, while Tullahoma Virtual Academy Dr. Greg English will follow with additional comments. Senior Class President Amy Pham will then provide opening remarks to her classmates.
Under the direction of Melissa Hinds, the THS Singers will perform “For Good” by Stephen Schwartz. Salutatorian Biftu Regaa will then address her classmates before Valedictorian Glenn (DJ) Dillehay delivers his speech.
Diplomas will be presented by TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens; Board of Education member Teresa Lawson; Quick; Dr. English; THS Assistant Principal Derrick Crutchfield; THS Assistant Principal Dr. Renee Flowers; THS CTE Director/Assistant Principal Jessie Kinsey and THS Counselors Richie Chadwick, Erika Konyndyk and Susie Young.
Before the evening concludes, Student Body President Joseph Bagby will address the 2022 class with the Turning of Tassels speech.
The following students have been selected to receive awards:
Honor Awards
Principal’s Award: Faith Banks and Brandon Painter
Faculty Award: Biftu Regaa and Jacob Bennett
Activity Awards
Student Council: Amy Pham and Hannah Chessor
Theater: Jacob Bennett and Lauren Rogers
Departmental Awards
Anatomy and Physiology: Eleanor Fults and Sonan Ayana
AP Biology: Madelyn Bobo and Allison Swiger
Art: Lucas Rocha and Santaysha Huskey
Band: Isaac Swinney and Elizabeth Arnett
Biology: Meadow Jones and Natalie Howard
Chemistry: Ari Zeferin and Lucia Hernandez Casado
Economics: Annabell Chamblee and Franklin Zhang
English: Biftu Regaa and Franklin Zhang
Environmental Science: Callie Hargrove and Josellen Turrentine
History: Catherine Ellis and Nicolais Zimecki
Math: Biftu Regaa and Franklin Zhang
Physics: McKenzie Sons and Charles Pettyjohn
Psychology: Xavier Holland and Olivia Hogan
Resume: Faith Banks and Benson Lin
ROTC: Landon Suits and Colleen McCullough
Sociology: Avery McClean and Noah Mooney
Spanish: Kaira Webb and Clayton Robison
THS Vocal Department: Ryan Cole and Anne Duncan
CTE Awards
Accounting: Jackson Clemens and Isaac Swinney
Aviation: Joseph Henderson and Aubrey Lawson
Broadcast Media: Evan Rogers and Jala Watson
Business: Clayton Robison and Wednezday Hambrick
Coding: Jalen Hill and Landon Turpin
Cosmetology: Hannah Camp and Danika Wilson
Criminal Justice: Preston McCarl and Hannah Waller
Digital Arts: Ashlee Weaver and Addison Mahaffey
Drafting: Nicolais Zimecki and Jackson Hamblin
Health Science: Madelyn Bobo and Az’Ja White
Machine Shop: Jackson Hamblin and Matthew Jackson
Marketing: Madelyn Bobo and Justus Chadwick
Welding: Tucker Anderson and Matthew Jackson
STEM: Natalie Aguirre and Amy Pham
Education foundation donates for outdoor classroom at CMS
Coffee County Education Foundation recently presented a $5,000 check to the Coffee County Middle School to go toward an outdoor classroom.
The CCEF supports many programs of Coffee County Schools through donations from the community.
For more information about donating to the foundation, see Coffee County Schools website at coffeecountyschools.com.
Brown, CCMS Principal Jimmy Anderson, CCEF Board Members Barbara Arp and
Ronnie Gray, and CCSS Director of Schools Dr. Charles Lawson.
BASEBALL: Raiders win 2 over Rebels to claim first district tournament title since 2011
It’s been a long wait for the Raider baseball program to claim a district title.
Coffee County Central needed to beat Franklin County twice Wednesday to win the first ever District 6-4A championship and the Raiders did just that, staving off a rally in game one for a 6-5 win and pulling away in game two for an 18-8 run-rule shortened win as both teams began running short of pitching late in the tournament.
Game 1: Raiders 6, Rebels 5
Franklin County scored 2 in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run on the way to the plate, but Coffee County cut down Gattis Henley at the plate to end the game with the Raiders on top.
A two-hit, 2 RBI performance by Jacob Holder and an RBI to go along with a double by Nolan Jernigan provided most of the offense for the Raiders, who took the lead in the first inning 3-1 and never trailed.
Jayden Fellers earned the win, pitching 6 and 2/3 and allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits. Cole Bryce got the final out.
Game 2: Raiders 18, Rebels 8
The Raiders saw an 11-0 lead dissipate to 11-8 by the top of the fourth inning, but CHS put the gas back down and ended the game 18-8 with a six-run spot in the bottom of the fifth.
Multiple Raiders notched extra base hits in the game: Jacob Sherrill (2), Holder, Aiden Robertson, Nate Rutledge and Cole Pippenger all doubled. Holder and Sherrill added triples and Pippenger lifted a home run.
First title in a while
The championship for Coffee County is the first in the new district. It also marks the program’s first district tournament title since 2011, when CHS won its last of a run of three tournament titles in a row from 2009-2011.
With the win over Franklin County, the Raiders (16-16) are the no. 1 seed in the Region 3-4A semi-finals and will host Bradley Central (22-13 overall) Monday, May 16. That is an elimination game. The winner of that game will play in the region championship Wednesday and the state sectional on Friday. The Raider baseball team hasn’t played in the state sectional since 2010, when they won and advanced to the program’s only state tournament trip.
Franklin County will travel to Walker Valley for the region semi-finals.
SOFTBALL: Lady Raiders lose lead, district title chance in late innings
Coffee County led 3-0 in the first inning and held it until the sixth – then the wheels came off.
Warren County used a pair of walks, a double and two bloop singles to push 4 runs across the plate in the bottom of the sixth and beat the Coffee County Lady Raiders 4-3 in McMinnville Wednesday – a game you heard live on Thunder Radio. Coffee County needed to beat Warren County twice to win the district championship after losing to the Lady Pioneers last week in the winner’s bracket finals.
Now the Lady Raiders will be the no. 2 seed and have to travel Walker Valley – the top seed out of District 5-4A – in the Region 3-4A semi finals on Monday, May 16. That is an elimination game. Warren County will host Rhea County.
Wednesday in McMinnville, the first three Lady Raider batters – Kiya Ferrell, Olivia Evans and Haidyn Campbell – all reached base and scored. The Lady Raiders wouldn’t score again. In fact, Warren County starting pitcher Madison Hollis retired 13 straight CHS batters before an Olivia Evans single in the sixth. Evans had two of Coffee County’s 4 hits. CHS was outhit 8-4 in the loss.
Kaitlyn Davis was tagged with the loss – allowing 4 runs, which all came in the sixth, in 4 walks and 8 hits. She struck out 6.
notes
Multiple Lady Raiders were named District 6-4A All-District team. Haidyn Campbell was named district MVP. Also named to the all-district team were Olivia Evans, Kiya Ferrell, Channah Gannon, Kaitlyn Davis and Chesnie Cox.
Photos and graphics by Holly Peterson, Thunder Radio
Birthdays – May 11
Savannah Wells – 15
Keaton Rowe – 15
Jobson Lemmons – 14
Sebastian Singles – 14
Dale Peterson
Brad Riddle
Emily Eaton – 18
Ian Long – 17 – Pizza Winner!
Two arrested for arson in Woodland Plaza fire
Two people have been arrested and charged with arson, among other things, in connection with the Woodland Plaza Fire on March 21 in Manchester that destroyed multiple businesses.
According to Manchester Police Department officials, they identified two individuals who were responsible for the fire. Additionally, they determined that prior to the fire a burglary was allegedly committed at the business of Greg Green Photography.
A sealed indictment was issued on May 10, 2022 by the Coffee County grand jury for Zackery Meeks and Stacy Caldwell.
On Wednesday, May 11, investigators located Caldwell at her residence in Manchester. Investigators located Meeks at a residence in Monteagle – both were taken into custody.
Both subjects have been charged with burglary, theft of property ($10,000 – $60,000), Vandalism ($250,000 or more) and arson.