Don’t miss our Mother’s Day supplement in today’s issue of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. We appreciate all who participated by sending in pictures, special memories. Thank you so much to our advertisers who continue to support our local news organization. This is a tradition at the T-G we are trying to preserve as it means a lot to our community to reminisce about women who have served as “The Best Ever” Moms through their trials and successes. There were a lot of beautiful pictures and sentiments submitted. But one really stood out to me and I want to use it today in this column. It was a picture of the late Janice McGee of Lynchburg sitting on the beach, submitted by her daughter, Kayla. Janice passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 7, 2023-a week before Mother’s Day. She was 58 years old. Janice was born on Oct. 22 in Shelbyville, Tenn., to Ernest and Mary Lou Seibers, both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by Bobby, her husband of 35 years, her daughter Kayla Taylor and son-in-law Branden of Lynchburg, as well as her 11-year-old grandson Mason Sandefur, also of Lynchburg. Mason was the light and joy of her life, and Janice very much enjoyed following his sporting events. She was regularly spotted along the fence encouraging him. Additional survivors include her brothers Gary Seibers of Shelbyville, and Quincy Seibers and wife Sharon of Flat Creek; and her sisters Priscilla Landtroop and husband Kenny of Shelbyville, and Melissa Martin and husband Alan of Lynchburg. She had several nieces and nephews. What a beautiful and peaceful picture of her sitting in peace on the beach. She was lovely and it was used for her obituary last year. Then I began to realize that Janice was only 58 years old. And none of us know for sure when we will pass this life. So, here’s the thing that I’m sure Janice’s family will tell you. Visit your mom, love and cherish her. No matter what, she gave your life. She was there for you-whether even for a short time-to make sure you had all your needs met. She’s been there when many of you had your children or needed a hand to hold. Time is precious. Moms like Janice are to be cherished, every day. We are commanded to do so. Granted many have made mistakes with their children but forgiveness can mean much too within the healing process. God understands all. Bless this beautiful family as they go through their Mother’s Day. May God’s peace touch all their hearts. Your Mom blessed me through her photo last week (everyone knows I love the beach too.) I have to shout out to my own Mom, Barbara C. Waterson. I’ve always said my mom gave me the greatest gift as a child, she taught me to love and honor Jesus. That is extraordinary to me. Don’t worry Dads, we have a special section coming up in June for you. Word is there is going to be offered a special prize for the “No. 1 Dad.” More details forthcoming. Send photos and captions (the pictures will not be printed without proper identification) to dawn@richardsonmediagroup.net by 4 p.m. June 10. For you history buffs, Mother’s Day in the U.S. began with a movement Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis (September 30, 1832 – May 9, 1905,) a social activist and community organizer during the American Civil War era. She is recognized as the mother who inspired Mother's Day and as a founder of Mother's Day movements, and her daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis (1864–1948), is recognized as the founder of the Mother's Day holiday in the United States. Throughout her life, and her own hardships, Jarvis strove to honor and help mothers. Her daughter Anna recalled her praying for someone to start a day to memorialize and honor mothers during a Sunday school lesson in 1876. The Jarvis family, like many families during the mid-1800s, experienced frequent tragedy and loss. Ann Maria Jarvis bore between 13 children over the course of seventeen years. Of these children, only four survived to adulthood. The others died of diseases such as measles, typhoid fever, and diphtheria, epidemics of which were common in Appalachian communities in Taylor County. These losses inspired Jarvis to take action to help her community combat childhood diseases and unsanitary conditions. See next week’s column in the T-G about local women who have influenced this community. Happy Mother’s Day!!
Raymond A. Smith of Shelbyville awaits his murder sentence after a jury found him guilty last week of first-degree murder of Sarah Angelina Johnson.
After a week on hold, followed by 2 hours of discussion, a teacher gun-carry in public schools proposal has passed the Tennessee House of Representatives. After a week on hold, followed by two hours of discussion, a teacher gun-carry in public schools proposal has passed the Tennessee House of Representatives. The measure was substituted for the Senate companion version of the bill on Tuesday when it carried the House by a vote of 68 in favor and 28 against. Two representatives, Clay Doggett (R-70) of Pulaski and Kirk Haston (R-72) of Lobelville, opted to be recorded as “present, but not voting” on the bill. Both representatives cast a vote against every Democratic-proposed amendment to the legislation prior to the final vote. Senate Bill 1325 passed the Senate Chamber on its third and final consideration April 9. The Senate version was sponsored by Sen. Paul Bailey (R-15) of Sparta. Tennessee Senate District 15 comprises Cumberland, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren and White counties. Sen. Shane Reeves (R-14), who represents Bedford, Cannon, Moore and Rutherford counties, supported the measure. Locally, State Rep. Pat Marsh (R-62) of Shelbyville and representing Bedford, Moore and part of Lincoln counties, voted in favor of the bill Tuesday. HB 1202 sponsor, Rep. Ryan Williams (R-42) of Cookeville, requested to hold the proposal on the clerk’s desk last week citing an effort of bipartisanship to allow for more time to discuss the measure. Under the legislation, a faculty or staff member of a school is allowed to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds as long as it does not violate Federal laws, the staff member obtains an enhanced handgun carry permit and completes 40 hours of POST training annually. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is the state standard in police training The hands-on POST training was an additional requirement of the Senate version, according to Williams. The bill also requires the staff member who wants to carry adhere to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check, as well as a mental health background check. In addition, information pertaining to employees of a school district who do carry a concealed weapon on school grounds is confidential. Williams explained to his colleagues that the language of the bill allows counties and Local Education Agencies (school districts) to opt out of the measure. Apparently the costs for liability insurance for those who wish to carry are covered through that individual’s insurance policy as an enhanced concealed-carry permit holder. During floor discussion, Williams reminded House members that a similar bill was passed by the Tennessee legislature in 2016 allowing teachers to conceal carry handguns at schools in the 13 counties considered economically distressed in the state. In 2017, Williams said, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill allowing faculty and staff members in higher education to conceal carry handguns. Williams claimed crime on Tennessee campuses was reduced by 20 percent, according to a TBI report. He said 3.133 percent of faculty and staff carry handguns on university campuses. He noted that 32 other states, “red, blue and purple,” already have similar legislation pertaining to teacher gun carry. Williams said he has worked for many years on the legislation, with the idea of protecting those who are trapped and creating a deterrent for school shootings. The legislation mandates a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a school’s principal, local law enforcement in that jurisdiction and the director of schools to allow teachers and staff to conceal carry. Prior to the final vote in the Tennessee House, several representatives spoke out in favor of the measure and against the measure, all falling in line with their respective political parties, with the majority of Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed to the bill. Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D-59) of Nashville announced polling of 1,000 people, 49 percent who were firearm owners, by Vanderbilt showed only 37 percent felt their children would be safer with teachers carrying guns on campus. Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-50) of Nashville quoted his colleague from Knox County, who stated in a previous session, “The teacher who wants a gun in the classroom is exactly the one I don’t want to have a gun in the classroom.” Mitchell reminded House members that this was the first piece of legislation surrounding firearms since the Covenant School shooting last year in Nashville. On March 27, 2023, a shooter entered the elementary school and killed six people, three of whom were students. He argued throwing guns at schools was not going to keep students safe. Rep. Brock Martin (R-79) of Huntingdon spoke in favor of the legislation, noting that he trusted his LEO and school districts. “If they think it will help with safety, I will support this,” Martin said. Under the measure, teachers and other staff members who are approved to conceal carry are not allowed to bring their weapon into gymnasiums, auditoriums or stadiums during school-sponsored events. Williams said as they must carry the weapon on them, they would not be allowed to attend events such as school-wide pep rallies under the legislation. The bill was sent to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature. Lee has 10 days, with the exception of Sundays, to sign or veto the measure. He has not vetoed any legislation during the 113th Tennessee General Assembly session. If he takes no action on the bill, it becomes law without his signature. Sabrina Bates, sabrina@richardsonmediagroup.net
Laura Faye Robinson, age 69, of Shelbyville, passed away May 3, 2024.
Martha Elizabeth Parker, age 81, of Shelbyville, passed away April 25, 2024.
Marilyn Maxine Baker, aged 71 years, of Shelbyville TN, passed from this life on April 30, 2024, at Vanderbilt-Bedford Hospital.
Funeral services for Penny Ann Moulder, age 58, of Parsons, were held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home.
Happy Spring from Dixie Doodle Candles & Decor, 3631 Highway 41A North, Unionville. The store has lots of beautiful, spring decor just waiting for you. Check out the shop on Facebook.
