Obituaries

Larry Alan Walker, of Beechgrove, passed this life on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at the age of 57. Alan was born in Tullahoma to Larry D. Walker and Peggy Russell Englant. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1987. Alan’s passion was music, and he was naturally gifted, being able to teach himself and play by ear. He played guitar and bass in several local bands, most notably in the group Stage Fright. Alan also earned his Audio Technology Diploma from the SAE Institute of Technology in 2002. Most recently, he worked in Maintenance at OMC Boat Company. Alan is survived by his father, Larry Walker; his mother, Peggy Englant; two brothers, Jimmy (Lesi) Walker and Doug (Candice) Walker; and several nieces and nephews. No public services are planned at this time. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Elizabeth Park Wiggins Black, age 91, formerly find that allowing the other of Tullahoma, TN passed away Monday, September 14, 2026.

Amy Elizabeth (McMinn) Jackson, passed from this life to the next on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the age of 50 at her home in Tullahoma. Amy was the daughter of Elizabeth “Betsy” Brooke McMinn and Wesley Thomas McMinn, of Tullahoma. Amy was born in Chattanooga, TN, then moved with her family to Tullahoma at the age of two. Except for attendance at college, she was a life-long resident of Tullahoma. Amy attended R.E. Lee Elementary School, East Middle, School, and Tullahoma High School. She then attended and graduated from Union University in Jackson, TN with a BA degree. Amy was preceded in death by her husband, Eric Daniel Jackson of Tullahoma. She is survived by her parents and her sister, Katherine Eloise “Katie” McMinn of Tullahoma. Before her final employment at Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma, Amy was an elementary school teacher at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School in Tullahoma and Good Catholic Shepherd Catholic School in Decherd. The things that gave Amy great pleasure in this life were outings with her sister, reading, participation in a local Book Club, The Great British Baking Competition TV show, and helping the ministry of Highland Baptist Church in her position as Church Secretary. Amy was a long-time member of Tullahoma First Baptist Church and enjoyed taking care of children in their nursery. Amy will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but they know she is at peace and in a better place. Amy asked for this verse to be included in her obituary: Romans 8:38 & 39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It was Amy’s wish that in lieu of flowers, whoever feels so moved should make a donation to their individual charity of choice.

Melba Lee (Sartain) Smithey, age 79, entered into glory on September 8, 2026. She was born on October 28, 1946, in Pelham, Tennessee, to the late Lida Mae Fults Sartain and Edison Sartain.

Jere Mac Ledsinger, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at the age of 88. Jere was born in Kenton, Tennessee, in 1938 to the late Granville “Doog” and Marybelle Holloman Ledsinger. Jere graduated from Mason Hall in 1956. After graduation, he worked at a coat factory before continuing his education at Union University, where he graduated in 1962. He later earned a master’s degree from Memphis State University and began his career ______________________________________________________ important chapter of his life devoted to serving Tennessee’s children and young people. He was appointed by Governor Buford Ellington to serve as Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, working to improve the lives and welfare of children throughout the state. His work on behalf of young people was a source of great pride to him and began a lifelong commitment to children and juvenile justice that would continue throughout his career. While working in Nashville, Jere continued his education and graduated from the Nashville YMCA Night Law School in 1975. He went on to practice law and, in 1980, began serving as an Assistant District Attorney General in __________________________________________________________ Janet Holt Ledsinger. Together, they built a wonderful life centered around their three children, Chesleigh, Ben, and Christy. Jere was a loving father, mentor, and role model who took a genuine interest in the lives of those around him. He made friends nearly everywhere he went and was well known for “interviewing” almost every waiter or waitress who served him—asking about their lives, their plans, and their goals, and always offering a word of encouragement. That same interest in people, and his desire to see them succeed, was simply part of who he was. Jere and Janet shared 38 years ______________________________________________________ ____ ________ ________ _________ ______ ____ ______ ____ ty. As General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge, he _______________________________________________________ more than two decades. His years as a judge continued the commitment to children, families, and public service that had characterized much of his life. Jere was a longtime member of Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma. His faith, his family, and his service to others _______________________________________________________ ents and his beloved wife, Janet, Jere was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Jane Smith. He is survived by two daughters, Christy (Erica) Ledsinger and Chesleigh (Marc) Lee; one son, Ben (Erin) Murray; eight grand- _______________________________________________________ and Mary James, Callie, Lily, Jude, and Annabeth Murray; and one brother, Joe (Brenda) Ledsinger. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, at Kilgore Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, at Highland Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. with __________________________________________________ at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, the family asks that donations be made to Highland Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1195, Tullahoma, TN 37388. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard Fletcher, 75, passed away on September 5, 2026. Born on August 3, 1951, Richard lived a life full of grit, humor, and a love for the open road.

Marian Louise Thompson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on May 8, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of Dr. Attilio Navazio and Flora (Obst) Navazio. Marian spent her formative years in Morristown, New Jersey, where she graduated from Morristown High School in 1961. She then attended the University of Maryland to further her education.

Mrs. Brenda Kay Daniel, age 77, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, returned to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Born May 19, 1949 in Tullahoma, Tennessee to the late William Horace and Mamie Ruth Fulton.

Former General Sessions Judge Jere Mac Ledsinger, of Tullahoma, passed away on Saturday, September 5th, 2026 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at the age of 88. Jere was born in Kenton, TN to the late Granville and Mary Holloman Ledsinger. During his life he worked as a General Sessions Judge in Co c ee County, and was a long-time member of Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma.