Tennessee
Don Breedwell, 65
Died January 8, 2021.
Dodson Elementary School, Hermitage, TN
Special Education
Donald Eugene Breedwell, age 65, took his final bow from the stage of life on January 8, 2021.
He was surrounded and survived by his wife, Susie Breedwell, and their children, Meredith, Geoff, and Wes.
He was thegreat storyteller. Words were never sparse from his lips as he grew up in Athens, Tennessee with the reputation of being the town chatterbox. The admiration for words, the sense of grandeur, and the talent of showmanship would become his lifelong legacy weaving a ribbon of entertainment through all of life’s situations.
He’d meet his wife of forty-four years, Susie, at church in Nashville where the tall tale of being in a bible study with Johnny and June Carter-Cash would weave into the romance of how they met. Their lives would lead them to Atlanta where Susie would give him his own Georgia Peach, daughter Meredith. There was a sense of wanderlust in his spirit that would take his family to Southern California, where they’d welcome sons Geoff and Wes. Thankfully, after many cross-country moves, the wanderlust lost its appeal and Don chose to settle with his family in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
His marriage to Susie was a legacy of unconditional love, support, and acceptance. He and Susie showed their children a marriage of not just a partnership in life but what it means to be best friends with your spouse. In the last few moments of their time together, they genuinely enjoyed being with one another, a love that very few can experience.
As a father, his kids viewed him as their own Superman. He even saved lives during a fiery car-crash in 1987 while his daughter sat in the car solidifying his superhuman strength. His sons saw him as the man to call with all the answers to life’s problems, from relationships to debating religion. And all three realize he was their first version of Google, the one with all the answers and always knew how to get around town.
He was in constant pursuit of Christ’s love and would minister to others finding solace and community by sharing the love of God. His ministry work would blend his love of theater, music, and production. His theater ministry produced countless plays, musicals, and productions where he would show the love of God on stage. His productions wouldn’t just impact those in the audience but those who were also lucky enough to share the stage.
In the second part of his life, he chose to leave the corporate world of project management and traded it in for what would become his life’s passion. In 2010, he graduated from Cumberland University and went on to work as a Special Education teacher with both Metro and Wilson County Schools. His love of theater and his love for the art of storytelling him a fantastic educator. He had a special ability to teach the educational basics in a not so basic way. He recognized the importance of every child, regardless of their academic capability, has a desire for learning. His love of children would earn him the acclaimed nickname at school, Dodson Elementary, as the “kid-whisperer”. His truest form of joy was being a Pop-Pop to his four amazing grandchildren, Ashlin, Ike, Cora, and Zoey. His childlike wonder during those precious moments he spent with them.
He leaves behind the great debate of which Mini-Wheats are the best and the desire to see Ohio State clinch another college football National Championship. There’s always next year.
To continue his life’s passion for education, the family has requested in lieu of flowers a donation to Autism Awareness Tennessee.
The family is planning a celebration of life for the summer of 2021 when everyone can come to tell their own stories about our great storyteller.
Lynda Ables, 71
Died January 24, 2021.
Houston High School, Germantown, TN
Front Office
Lynda Helen Atkinson Ables was born April 21, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, to Blanche and Robert Atkinson. When Lynda was 8 years old, she and her mom and brother Walt (Diane) travelled by train to Little Rock, Arkansas. Her mom later married Ralph Santoro and gave Lynda two more brothers, Matt ( Debbie) and John (Tina). Lynda adored Ralph and considered him her Dad while greatly respecting his knowledge of the Bible. Lynda became a tech in the heart cath lab at the VA Hospital in Little Rock where she met Danny Ables. She and Danny married February 28, 1975. They had two children, Ryan (Renee) and Rachel. The Ables moved to the Memphis area in 1989 and became active in Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, then Bellevue Baptist and finally at Crossroads Baptist in Eads where Lynda taught first grade Sunday School. Lynda served many years on the board of the ministry FLARE (Family, Life, America, and Responsible Education, under God). She was active for decades in Precepts Bible Study and was trained as a teacher in that Bible study method. While Danny was the love of Lynda’s life, it was her three grandchildren, Caden, Palmer, and Alaina that truly stole her heart. Her repeated prayer was that her children and grandchildren would continue to grow in love and service to the Christ she worshipped. She and Danny kept the grandchildren every single Friday night. Lynda was well known at Houston High School where she served as administrative secretary and was recognized as the go to person for everything from documents to prayer requests. Lynda was a quiet, calm and caring friend to more people than can be counted. She had a God-given gift to instinctively discern your needs and would meet them as best she could in her discreet way.
Andrew Briggs, 57
Died January 6, 2021.
Community Elementary School, Unionville, TN
Music
Funeral services for Andrew Dale Briggs, age 57 of Shelbyville will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of Gowen-Smith with Robert Drawdy and Rev. Roger Briggs officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Friends may visit the funeral home on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, January 6, 20201 from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Mr. Briggs passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna.
He is a native of Marceline, Missouri and the son of Roger Briggs and Jeanette Nash Briggs of Missouri and they survive him.
Mr. Briggs was a music teacher at Community Elementary school and has dedicated his life to teaching children.
Other survivors include his wife: Jennifer Briggs of Shelbyville, children: Charity Ann Briggs of Shelbyville, Rachel Briggs-Smith of Nashville, Alexander Briggs of Cookevile, McKenzie Heflin of Shelbyville and Ryan Heflin of Unionville.
He is survived by one brother: Brian David Briggs of Bloomington, Illinois, Mother and father in law: Jimmy and Wanda Price of Shelbyville and Austin Pressley of Petersburg, one sister in law: Shelly Pressley of Shelbyville, One niece: Kimberlyn Pressley of Flatcreek.
He is also survived by one grandchild: Rylee Isabella Grace Heflin of Unionville, and one great niece: Tayelyn Mae Hampton of Flat Creek.
Mr. Briggs is survived by many nieces and nephews and numerous colleagues and friends.
Gowen-Smith Chapel in Shelbyville, TN. is assisting the family.
Joyce Parker, 59
Died November 14, 2020.
Montvale Elementary School, Maryville, TN
Teacher’s Assistant
Joyce Parker, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at the age of 59 due to COVID-19 complications. Joyce was born on June 2, 1961 in Eden, North Carolina to Phillip and Trudy (Nolen) Bryant. On April 8, 1989, she married Mike Parker. They raised one son, Zachary, and one daughter, Emily. Joyce had a passion for teaching children. She was a devoted teacher’s aide at Montvale Elementary School for over 20 years. Joyce also loved teaching Sunday school at Maryville Church of Christ. Preceded in death by: father, Phillip; mother, Trudy; brother, Kevin. She is survived by: husband of 31 years, Mike; two children, Zach and Emily; sisters, Janet Keever & brother-in-law, Tom of Hickory, NC and Betty Brinson of Thomasville, GA, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Keith Henry, 54
Died December 5, 2020.
Coalfield School, Coalfield, TN
Assistant Principal, Football Coach
Curtis Keith Henry, age 54, of Coalfield, Tennessee (formerly of Scott County, TN), passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020. He was born on May 7, 1966 to Dolphus and Brenda Pemberton Henry. Keith was married to Pamela (Japp) Henry for 28 years. His children Chastin and Coalton were the light of his life and loved beyond measure. He was a member of Barton Chapel Congregational Church in Robbins, Tennessee but presently attended Mt. Carmel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Coalfield.
Keith graduated from Oneida High School in 1984. He also graduated from Tennessee Technological University in December 1990 and began his teaching career at Oneida High School. Keith taught American History and had one of the first 21st Century classrooms at Oneida. He also served as the first School to Career Coordinator and was an Assistant Principal at Oneida High School. He began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1989 as a volunteer coach under his former high school coach and mentor Jim May. In 1991, Keith joined the staff full time and was blessed to help coach the State Championship Team in 1992. In 2005, Keith was fortunate to join Coach Gary Kreis’ Coalfield Yellow Jacket Football Staff. In 2008, Keith became head coach of the Coalfield Yellow Jackets. Keith served as Assistant Principal and Head football coach at Coalfield School. His coaching record during his tenure at Coalfield was 115 wins and 48 losses. The 2020 season was record-setting in Coalfield-undefeated season, most school wins in a season and a Semi-Finals appearance. He attributed all of the success through the years to having the best coaching staff in East Tennessee and the best players one could ever hope to coach.
One of Keith’s favorite quotes was from Coach Paul Bear Bryant, “There are a lot of lessons in football that are very difficult to teach in the home, in the church, or in the classroom. They’re easy to teach on the football field, and if the players don’t learn these lessons, then football is not very worthwhile. The lessons are simple: first of all, there’s work and sacrifice; you have to do a lot of that. Then there’s discipline. Then comes teamwork and cooperation. I’ve read a lot about successful men. They don’t do it alone. It always takes a team.”
Keith was preceded in death by his beloved father, Dolphus Henry and father-in-law William Japp.
Keith is survived by his wife of 28 years, Pamela Japp Henry. Daughter Chastin Kade Henry and son Coalton Kash Henry. Mother, Brenda Henry. Brother Jared and wife Christina. Special niece and nephew, Leeah Marie and AJ Henry. Mother-in-Law, Donna Japp of Jefferson City, TN. Sister-in-law, Jennifer Japp of Foley, Alabama. Special Family Members: Shawn Basler, Jason Wilson, James Bales, Shelley Burgess, Grey Dad, Howard Stinnett, Matt Murphy, David Treece, Kelly Norman, Rebecca Owens, Greg Addington, Brian Langley, All Present and Former Football Players and H2O squads. Several very special Aunts, Syble (Ervin) Stringfield, Velma (Dickie) Purser, Eunice Henry. Uncles, Ralph (Flora) Pemberton, Ledford Henry, Winford (Betty) Henry and many special cousins.
Whether it was winning a football game or having a great day at school, Coach loved to see people smile and be happy, so to honor that we will have a Celebration of Life in his honor. This Celebration will be held in the Coalfield High School Gymnasium on Saturday, December 12, 2020, from 10:00, am to 1:00 pm. There will be a brief service at 1:00 and internment at the Estes-Western Cemetery in Coalfield immediately following. If anyone would like to write down a special memory they have of Coach Henry there will be a place where you can leave your written remembrance for the family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Coalfield High School Football PO Box 98 Coalfield, TN 37719
George Butler, 73
Died December 14, 2020.
North Lake Elementary School, Tullahoma, TN
Principal
George Parker Butler, Principal at North Lake Elementary School and life-long resident of Cowan, died of complications of COVID on December 14, 2020 at the age of 73 at Southern Tennessee Regional Medical Center in Winchester. George was born on April 11, 1947 to the late Claude Butler and the late Pauline Novak. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1967. He and his brother then went on to Trevecca Nazarene University where they graduated July 1971. They later received their Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University in the spring of 1984. In 1990, he was recognized as a Career Ladder III teacher.
George was well known for his dedication to educating children and adults. He began his forty-nine year career in education teaching and later serving as Principal at Belvidere School 1971-1974. In August 1974, he began teaching fifth grade at Clark Memorial School until June 1991. During the 1991-1992 school year, George was appointed as the only Principal to serve at North Lake Elementary for twenty-nine years. He was currently serving at North Lake School at the time of his death. In addition to his role in the elementary schools, for many years he taught GED classes in the Adult Basic Education Program at night. During the summer from 1971-1991, George continued to help the youth of our community by working for the Motlow College JTPA Program. Honors included: Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award, Tennessee Teacher Award, recognized by Jaycees-Outstanding Young Men of America, Tennessee Gold Star Award, and Tennessee School Board Association for Exceptional Educational Programs.
Everyone that knew George well also knew of his love for the NASA Space Program. From the age of thirteen, he was very interested in the history of the Space Program and excited for the future of space exploration. George was recognized for his special interest in the NASA Space Program. Awards include: NASA Distinguished Service Award, Teacher in Space Project Award, U.S. Space Camp Service Award, and NASA Name the Orbiter Award.
Along with his parents, George is also preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Lewis. George is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Sharon Butler of Cowan; daughter, Lynde (Jimmy) Davis of Winchester; son, Rhett (Noelle) Butler of Galesburg, Illinois; twin brother, John (Sandra) Butler of Cowan; sister, Joyce (Pat) Parrelli of Suwanee, Georgia; half-sister, Regina (Scott) Robertson of Tullahoma; half-brothers, Jeff Butler of Winchester and Kenneth (Janice) Butler of Augusta, Georgia; grandchildren, Kaleb Davis of Winchester, Kaleigh Davis of Winchester, and Josiah Butler of Galesburg, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews, Greg Lewis, David Wilhoite, Djuana Long, Troy Vineyard, Leanda Newman, Eric Butler, Christy Sweeney, Leah Fly, Andrew Scott, Shelley Wells, Sean Butler, Sacha Curtis, and Sherman Hargrove. He also loved his church, Cowan First Church of the Nazarene. Public visitation will be from 1-6 pm on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at North Lake Elementary School. The family requests everyone please wear a face mask and follow proper social distancing procedures. Private Funeral Services for the family, North Lake Staff, Cowan Nazarene Church, and Board of Education will be held at North Lake School with burial at Franklin Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Cowan Church of the Nazarene, 221 Cumberland Street West, Cowan, TN 37318. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
David Picklesimer, 55
Died December 13, 2020.
Siegel High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Digital Arts
David Picklesimer is now healthy and whole in the hands of his heavenly Father.
David Picklesimer, age 55, passed away at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN on December 13, 2020. He was a lifelong resident of Rutherford County and attended Fair Havens Baptist Church. David was a teacher at Siegel High School, who impacted the lives of countless students from his years as an educator.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Doris Picklesimer; sons, Justin Alexander and Jordan Brandon Picklesimer; and mother-in-law, Faye Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Picklesimer of Murfreesboro; sons, Joshua Caleb Picklesimer and Ethan Robert Picklesimer; brothers, Mike (Annette) Picklesimer and Steve (Kim) Picklesimer; father-in-law, Robert Jordan; and several loving nieces and nephews.
Susan Keener, 53
Died October 14, 2020.
Walter Hill Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN
Special Needs
Susan Keener, 53, a Murfreesboro native, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020. She was an educational assistant for fifteen years at Walter Hill Elementary. She worked with special needs students and was known for treating her students like her own. Susan was an Auburn fan and you could often find her sporting Auburn gear. She loved her children, grandchildren, and students. She also worked part-time at Vision Works and was known to go above and beyond to help customers. She was a dedicated worker, a loving mother and grandmother, and an overall selfless soul.
Mrs. Keener is survived by her daughters, Autumn Raffaele and Allison Keener; mother, Ruth Ann Huff; father, James Bogle; aunt, Wanda Mosley; brother, Wayne “Bubba” Bogle (Ann Hawkins); five grandchildren; and three granddogs.