Byron M. Graves
BARTLETT - Byron M. Graves, Bartlett, TN died, March 15, 2021 at the age of 87.
He was preceded by his parents, Edwin and Virginia Graves, brother Eastlonn.
He is survived by, wife, Diane of 59 years, sons, Myron (Tammy), Damon (Karen), grandchildren: Kyle Caster and Jordan Graves. Byron was born in Devalls Bluff, AR. He retired after 39 years of employment at MLGW, Charter member of Harmony Church of Bartlett, Served as Elder and Clerk of Session in the Presbyterian Churches: Curry Memorial, Raleigh, Bartlett and Grace Presbyterian churches.
He served as member of Arkansas National Guard, Hazen, AR., He was a Veteran of the US Navy – served aboard the destroyer USS Brush DD745, member emeritus of Unity Masonic Lodge, member emeritus of The Construction Specifications Institute, past President (19891990) Memphis Chapter of Construction Specifications Institute. He was a Graduate of Treadwell High School 1951 and Memphis State University in 1962.
Funeral service will be held at Harmony Church of Bartlett, 6740 St. Elmo in Bartlett. Saturday, March 20 with visitation from 12:30-1:30 and the funeral to be held at 1:30 all at the church. Burial is to follow at Memphis Memory Gardens, at 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Rd.
In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make contributions to Harmony Church of Bartlett building fund.
MURFREESBORO – Tennessee’s high school football state championships have a new home.
The TSSAA’S Board of Control awarded the 2021 and 2022 Bluecross Bowl football championships to Chattanooga on Tuesday. Games will be played at Finley Stadium, home to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
The Board of Control voted 11-1 to move the championship games.
Cookeville has hosted the football championships since 2009. Prior, the Bluecross Bowl was held at Middle Tennessee State’s Floyd Stadium.
Chattanooga’s bid included $250,000 guaranteed each year. It also was offering 105 hotel rooms during the event. Chattanooga also wanted to add to the game experience using the First Horizon Pavilion for vendors and pregame activities and have a Bluecross fan zone.
It would need to use the Chattanooga Convention Center as a preparation area and two temporary off-site locker rooms for the middle of three games each day. Chattanooga’s bid includes bus transports from the convention center to the stadium and a police escort.
Cookeville’s bid included a $253,000 financial guarantee each year. The package also included $3,000 from its visitors bureau instead of offering 105 hotel room nights. Cookeville representatives said it would work with the TSSAA to get the lowest rate possible.
The TSSAA estimated that 105 room nights cost between $9,345 and $10,395.
Cookeville also requested changing the parking format to add $3 to the ticket price to make it $15, in lieu of any direct parking fee.
The turf at Tennessee Tech is close to needing to be replaced, Tennessee Tech athletic director Mark Wilson said. Wilson said the college plans on replacing the turf after the 2021 Bluecross Bowl or the following spring.
Location isn’t much difference from playing at Cookeville or Chattanooga.
From Memphis, traveling to Chattanooga is 45 miles farther than Cookeville. It’s 53 miles farther from Nashville and nine miles farther from Kingsport.
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.