Steven Ray Melton, age 62, of Shelbyville, passed away June 4, 2024, under the loving care and comfort of his family and the professional and caring staff of Alive Hospice.
The family will receive visitors 6-8 PM Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.
Graveside service will be 1 PM Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Lebanon Laurel Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, Tennessee.
He was born March 16, 1962, in Cleveland, to Boyd Melton, of Shelbyville, and the late Joyce Johnson Boyd. He was a retired trainer of Tennessee Walking Horses, loved to play golf and go fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his niece and nephew, and held membership at Northfork Baptist Church.
In addition to his father, survivors include a brother, Jeff Melton, a niece, Sydney Melton and a nephew, Reed (Julie) Melton.
Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Holly (Liddell) Sanders, 64,of Shelbyville, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Robert Sanders by her side. Holly was born in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Steve and Frances Liddell.
Holly was well known and loved by everyone in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Holly was best known for her many World Championship rides aboard her beloved Backfield In Motion and The Dancing Duke. Both of which she won World Championship honors with at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The Walking Horse industry was a huge part of Holly’s extended family and occupied a big piece of her heart since she started riding as a child.
Holly is survived by her husband, Robert Sanders, and one sister Stephanie Liddell Zuniga. Holly also leaves behind countless friends who are shocked and saddened by her death. If you were a friend of Holly’s you always knew where you stood with her and were loved greatly by her.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Blue Ribbon Circle Club in Shelbyville, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Sanders family.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931) 967-2222, www.moorecortner.com
TWH Family mourns Gene Jordan
Gene D. Jordan, age 91 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away peacefully, May 11, 2024 at the farm he was born and raised on. Gene graduated from Walter Hill High School and then farmed with his Father and later worked as a Master Farrier for thirty-eight years in the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry.
He was a member of the Jerusalem Cumberland Presbyterian Church and led the singing there and at Powells Chapel Baptist for fifty years. His infectious smile and sense of humor brought joy and laughter to everyone he encountered.
Gene is survived by his High School sweetheart, Lailia Nell Jones Jordan to whom he was married for 72 years; son Belvie Gene (Tamberlyn) Jordan; daughter Sheryl Lee (Dean) Pittard; sister Lanna Jordan Barrett; grandchildren Elizabeth (Josiah) Shoemaker; Ellie Jordan; and great grandson, Emerson James Shoemaker and Lionel Gene, due to be born November, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Short Jordan and Alberta McKee Jordan; brother, Roger Belvie Jordan; and granddaughter, Emilee Genell Jordan.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 14, from 4-7 PM and Wednesday May 15, 10-11 AM. Chapel Services will be Wednesday, May 15 at 11 AM with Brent Wills officiating at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.
The family would like to recognize and thank Amedisys Hospice for their excellent and loving care of Gene during the last thirteen months. Along with caregivers, Carrie Grantwhite and Fred Wilder who played a vital role in enhancing Gene’s quality of life and unwavering support to family members.
Please leave online condolences for the family at www.jenningsandayers.com Jennings and Ayer Funeral Home, 820 South Church Street, Murfreesboro, TN. 37130. 615-893-2422
TWH Family mourns Kerry Huckaby
Kerry Blaine Huckaby, 57, died Monday, April 8, 2024 in Columbia.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeff Jacob and Reverend Dan Camp officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Friday, April 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Saturday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in the Atrium at First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Kerry was born in Columbia on October 8, 1966 to Elaine Green Huckaby and the late Loyd Huckaby, Jr. He was always an avid reader and excelled academically. He graduated from Columbia Academy in 1985 and earned his Associate’s degree with honors from Columbia State Community College. In 1990, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University.
He was a kind and thoughtful person with many loves and passions. From childhood, he loved John Wayne movies and Tennessee Walking horses. All his life, he and his father spent countless hours raising and showing yearling colts and attending walking horse shows. The Walking Horse Celebration was his favorite time of year. He loved professional and college football. He enjoyed tail gaiting and attended many Titans games with friends. Even though he was a University of Tennessee fan for many years, his number one team became the University of Alabama when his son started college in 2016. He loved music of all genres. He especially loved Elvis, Eric Clapton, George Strait, and the classics of Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack. His love of movies and novels included anything James Bond, Lewis Grizzard, and other southern fiction. His love of cars spanned from old cars, old Dodge trucks, jeeps, muscle cars, and mustangs. Car shows of any kind were a favorite pastime. He enjoyed being with friends to share a good bourbon or his homemade ice cream. Tennessee Coffee Co. was his favorite coffee shop and he visited them almost daily. His greatest love and pride were his two children. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Columbia.
Survivors include his son, Jackson Loyd Huckaby of Columbia; daughter, Linton Blaine Huckaby (Dillon Ocaña) of Frankin; mother, Elaine Green Huckaby of Columbia; aunt, Emily Mabry (Glenn) of Columbia; and the mother of his children, Kara Williams of Columbia.
Pallbearers will be Jackson Huckaby, Linton Huckaby, Dillon Ocaña, Patrick Harlan, Tracy Boyd, Paul Watson, and Jeff Green. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Columbia Academy Class of 1985.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Smith Family Funeral & Crematory Services, LLC – Smyrna on Mar. 30, 2024.
James Kirk Seaton, age 69, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mina Seaton; and niece, Leslie Seaton.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Pirkle Seaton, children, Sandy Wofford, Brandon (Jessica) Dudley, Jennifer Lewis, and Kevin (Kristen) Dudley; father, Lake “Bud” Seaton; grandchildren, Harlee Wofford, Payton Dudley, Alexis Dudley, Presleigh Dudley, Mason Blalock, Chris Lewis, Jase Parker, Jaxon Parker, Paxton Dudley, Preston Dudley, and Kyle Dacus; sibling, Blake (Cindy) Seaton; niece, Amy Seaton Nolen; and nephew, Glenn Holandsworth.
Kirk was born in Murfreesboro, TN. & had been a longtime resident of Shelbyville, TN. He was a retired Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer & Breeder. His love of working with the TWH breed comes from his family legacy.
He will be missed by his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in about a month. Please contact: 931-619-7725 for more information.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James, please visit our Tree Store.
TWH community mourns Angela Strickland Patterson
Obituary- Angela Strickland Patterson
Angela Strickland Patterson of Port Ludlow, Washington passed away on January 9th 2024. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia January 29, 1957 to parents Harold and Myra Jean Strickland. She is survived by her Husband Scott Patterson, her brothers Alan (Barb) Strickland, Steve (Tammy) Strickland, and their families. She retired in 2018 from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
Angie passionately loved her Tennessee Walking Horses, and was quite fond of buckskins, as she owned 3 of them. Her latest addition was her youngster, Knights Yellowstone, who is affectionately known as “Tater”. Amongst her herd, Designer Edition “Smudge” was very special to her, and she accomplished many wins competing in the Northwest, which included the prestigious Horse of the Year award. Angie’s gelding A-R 15 “Rico” was also a special part of her life, and she enjoyed showing him in Tennessee. She served her walking horse community by being active in the industry, and in held a WHOA judge’s license. She also served on the TWHBEA International Board of Directors, and represented the state of Washington.
Angie was a lover of all animals, and will be remembered by all that she touched as a kind and wonderful friend.
TWH Family mourns Jerry Stephen “Daddy Big” Way
Obituary – Jerry Way Monday, February 5, 2024
Jerry Stephen “Daddy Big” Way, age 77, of Columbia, TN passed away February 3, 2024. Jerry was born January 7, 1947 in Corona, California to the late George and Colleen Way. Jerry graduated from Corona High School in 1964. He served his Lord and served his country in the Vietnam War with US Marine Corp. Jerry was a drywall contractor while in California and retired as a car hauler. After retiring, he enjoyed working around the farms. Two of Jerry’s passions was spending time with his family and friends and raising TN walking horses.
Jerry is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 57 years, Sue Way; children, Milo (Lisa) Way, Chad (Jacquelyn) Way, Angela Bagsby and Jake (Nicole) Way; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Larry (Evelyn) Way and sister in-law, Nancy Way. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, George (Sharon) Way and Robert Way.
Funeral Services will be conducted 11:00AM Wednesday, February 7, 2024 in the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home, Jason Daniels officiating. Visitation with the Way family will be held 4-8:00 PM Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Morton Cemetery in Columbia, TN with military honors to be presented. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https:emilywhiteheadfoundation.org/donate/.
TWH mourns Jeannae Patterson
Jeannae Patterson of Gulf Hammock, Florida. On December 21, 2023, Patterson passed away at her home.
Over the years, she owned many horses, but that one special horse of a lifetime came in 2007 when she purchased BB King’s Jazz. The duo captured their first blue together at the Midnight Sun Charity show, and later went on the claim three world championship titles, as well as a spotlight ride in 2011 to claim a coveted world grand championship honor.
Patterson loved life, and she loved her Tennessee Walking Horse friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
TWH industry mourns Jane Hardy Meredith
Obituary – Jane Hardy Meredith Monday, January 8, 2024
Jane Hardy Meredith passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 in Roswell, Georgia with her husband of 40 years Tom Meredith at her side. Jane had been diagnosed with clear cell cancer in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Sadly, the cancer returned a few months later.
Jane was well known and loved, and highly successful in every aspect of her life. She was always known for her beauty, grace, loyalty and for standing up for everything she believed.
Jane was the daughter of the late L.C. and Evelyn Hardy. She grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with her three brothers, Glenn, Mike and Lyman. She also loved her nieces Taylor, Emily, Evelyn, Caroline and Ainsley and nephews Charles and James.
The Tennessee Walking Horse industry was a huge part of Jane’s extended family and it occupied a big piece of her heart ever since she started riding as a child. When she became involved with Tennessee Walking Horses, she pursued that with all the love and passion that was synonymous with Jane.
The Walking Horse Report is grateful for the help of her longtime friend Sarah Burks who is assisting with a tribute story highlighting her successes in the show ring, in her breeding program, and in her dedicated years of service to TWHBEA and the academy program. Friends who would like to share memories of Jane for possible inclusion in this feature can send them to Sarah Burks via Facebook or Christy Howard Womack at cwomack@horseworld.net.
Just as great as Jane’s love for the Tennessee Walking Horse was her love for the people in the industry. She has countless friends who are shocked and saddened by her death. If you were a friend of Jane Hardy Meredith, you knew you were loved greatly by her. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Tom Meredith at 735 Ebenezer Road, Roswell, GA 30075.
A memorial service for Jane is being planned and details will be announced soon. Tom plans to start a Walking Horse industry- based scholarship in Jane’s memory and instead of flowers or other donations, he would like her friends to participate in that. Plans are also underway for a memorial trophy for Jane at the Celebration.
