Stories from Monday, August 26, 2019

Jeffrey Lee “Jeff” Eley, 55, of Shelbyville died Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Per his request, he was cremated and no memorial service has been planned at this time.

Jan Shapard, 72, of Murfreesboro, a native of Shelbyville, died suddenly Saturday, August 24, 2019 at her home. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Jennings & Ayers Funeral Home in Murfreesboro with Rev. Dwight Bledsoe officiating. A graveside service will follow at 12 noon at Hopper Cemetery in Marshall County. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Brenda “Pie” Smith, 62, of Shelbyville died Friday, August 23, 2019, at her home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2019, at Woodfork A.M.E Church with burial to follow at Mt. Ararat Cemetery. Reverend Randall Webster will serve as eulogist. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Rev. Annie Mai Couch, 92, died Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Wednesday, April 28 at Mullin Chapel AME Church. Interment will follow at Erwin Stokes Cemetery. Lie-in-state will be noon-5 p.m. Tuesday at Scales & Sons Funeral Home in Murfreesboro. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors past president Tad Craig, right, presents a campaign check to 62nd District State Rep. Pat Marsh, a Republican from Shelbyville. The Realtors say Marsh has been instrumental in introducing legislation on private property protections with zoning changes, water pollution concerns, and increasing certifications for electrical contractors for public safety. “The Realtors greatly appreciate the work Pat is doing on behalf of our industry and representing the needs of our area,” said Craig. “He’s always there to take a phone call and listen to issues that impact our business. He’s a great businessman himself, so he understands how important the real estate business is to a local economy and we thank him for his hard work.” Realtors stressed the importance of individual property rights.

Marshall county native John Moses was re-elected to a three-year term on the Duck River Electric Membership Corp. Board of Directors for Zone 5 (Marshall and Giles counties). Moses defeated challenger R.L. Williams by a margin of 128-49 in the election held Aug. 12-16 at the co-op's Lewisburg and Chapel Hill offices...

Carl David “Uncle Bubba” England, 75, of Sparta died Friday, August 23, 2019 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Funeral services 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Sparta with David Lipe and David England officiating. Burial to follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m.

The Elk Valley Forestry Association and the Elk River Watershed Initiative are having a hunting field day at the Ashley Farm in Huntland on Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. Participants will learn about food plots, deer habitat and behavior and managing their woods for wildlife. Register by calling 256-348-7439 or emailing evfa.tn@gmail.com...

Excitement rolls through Cascade as everyone prepares for the first pep rally. Pep rallies have a part of Cascade for years and represent the students, teachers, and staff's support for sports teams, band members, and Homecoming. They are held multiple times throughout the year to rile up everyone for upcoming events that occur in fall, winter, and spring...

El Bethel Baptist Church, U.S. 41-A North, began over 160 years ago when a half acre plot was purchased for $5. Soon a log cabin was built and the church served as a multi-purpose facility. El Bethel was a missionary church in earlier days. The church is currently closed, shown by the blank marquee, Duck River Baptist Association officials note that at this time, they’re not privileged to make any statements or plans known for El Bethel Baptist. It is a matter, they note, DRBA is taking into consideration. Officials did comment that the building will reopen as a church in the future.

The Webb School’s 150th school year began this month with students gathering on the school’s football field to form a “150.” Festivities are planned throughout the year with special events in U.S. cities and abroad, a “Coast-to-Coast Toast” on founder William Robert “Sawney” Webb’s Nov. 11 birthday, distinctive speakers and classroom activities. The celebration will culminate with an anniversary party in April 2020 and the 150th graduating class on May 23, 2020. The private prep school, which has both boarding and day students, is located in Bell Buckle.

A shoplifting suspect chased down by a Kroger security employee and bystanders allegedly stomped on the steak and lobster he was accused of stealing Friday. Langston Tavares Taylor, 37, of Tollgate Road was being held down by the security officer as Shelbyville police officer David Dye arrived. Taylor had more than $180 worth of meat, including 12 lobster tails and three large packs of steaks stuffed in his jeans and was upset about being chased and stopped, Dye said...

Based on recent discussions, there’s nothing more Bedford County Board of Education would like to do than get rid of 40 aging portable buildings located on school campuses. The board moved recently to declare eight unoccupied portable structures at Cascade Middle and Elementary schools surplus property. This move means Cascade will no longer have any portables — a sight all too familiar for decades in Bedford County...

Shawn Catherine Devlin, 41, of Shelbyville died Saturday, August 24, 2019 at her home following an extended illness. A private Celebration of Life Service will be held at the home of her maternal grandmother, aunt and uncle in Shelbyville on Saturday, September 7.