Obituaries - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Charley Pride, country music’s first Black star, dies at 86

Charley Pride, country music's first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86.

By MARK KENNEDY / AP Entertainment Writer December 12, 2020

In this Oct. 4, 2000, file photo, Charley Pride performs during his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame at the Country Music Association Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Pride, the son of sharecroppers in Mississippi and became one of country music's biggest stars and the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died at age 86. Pride died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Dallas of complications from Covid-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Legendary former Red Bank football coach Tom Weathers dies

Legendary former Red Bank High School football coach Tom Weathers has died at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness.

By Stephen Hargis December 10, 2020

Staff photo / Red Bank football coach Tom Weathers talks to players during a preseason practice in 2001. Weathers, who coached the Lions to more than 200 wins and an undefeated state championship run in 29 seasons leading the program, died Wednesday. He was 80.

Ray Perkins, who followed Bear Bryant at Alabama, dies at 79

Ray Perkins, who followed the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant as football coach at the University of Alabama and started the transition with the NFL's New York Giants that led to two Super Bowl titles, died Wednesday in Tuscaloosa.

By The Associated Press December 9, 2020

AP photo / University of Alabama football coach Ray Perkins explains techniques to his quarterbacks during a spring practice on March 23, 1983, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Perkins, a former Crimson Tide star receiver who returned to Alabama as Bear Bryant's successor and led the team for four seasons, died Wednesday. He was 79.

Longtime Bradley County educator, school leader Jerry Frazier dies of COVID-19 complications

Longtime Bradley County teacher, principal, coach, former superintendent and current school board member Jerry Frazier has died, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Bradley County Schools.

By Ben Benton December 9, 2020

Contributed photo / Jerry Frazier, longtime Bradley County educator, coach and school system leader.

Chuck Yeager, 1st person to break sound barrier, dies at 97

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager, the World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot who showed he had the "right stuff" when in 1947 he became the first person to fly faster than sound, had died.

By Associated Press December 8, 2020

In this Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, file photo, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Yeager talks to members of the media following a re-enactment flight commemorating his breaking of the sound barrier 65 years earlier, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, at age 97. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File)

Former Dade County, Georgia, Sheriff Philip Street dies from COVID-19 complications

Former Dade County, Georgia, Sheriff Philip Street died Friday evening from COVID-19 complications, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

By Colin M. Stewart November 28, 2020

This Times Free Press file photo shows then-Dade County, Georgia, Sheriff Philip Street, circa 2004.

Legendary coach Catherine Neely will be missed at East Ridge and beyond

'Mama Cat' dies after a lengthy bout with COVID-19

By Stephen Hargis November 18, 2020

Staff file photo / Catherine Neely, at 69, poses for a photo in the East Ridge High School gym. Neely enjoyed a lifelong career teaching and coaching at East Ridge for 48 years.

Chattanooga Motorcar Festival President Jim Pace dies from COVID-19

Jim Pace, race car driver and president and chief operating officer of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, died from COVID-19 on Friday.

By Staff Report November 14, 2020

Jim Pace is seen at the 2019 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. / Chattanooga Motorcar Festival photo

Rick Smith, former Hamilton County schools superintendent, dies

Former Hamilton County schools superintendent Rick Smith has died at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer.

By Local 3 News November 12, 2020

Superintendent Rick Smith speaks at a Hamilton County Board of Education meeting in 2015.

Benton town mayor seeking re-election dies on Election Day

Channel 3 has learned that the mayor of Benton, Tennessee in Polk County died on the day he was hoping to be re-elected.

By Local 3 News November 3, 2020

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