Jimmy Tennyson

May 6, 2017

Captain Jimmy Tennyson, age 64, well known Maury County Sheriff’s Deputy, husband of Dee Tennyson, and a resident of Rock Springs Road in Columbia, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, May 6, 2017 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 3PM at South Gate Church of Christ with Randy Fox, Enoch George, and Sheriff Bucky Rowland officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Grace at Maury Memorial Gardens, adjacent to Heritage Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017  from 3-8PM at Heritage Funeral Home and again one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at South Gate Church of Christ. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on December 29, 1952 in Maury County, Jimmy was the son of the late Fletcher Bryant Tennyson and the late Ruby M. Black Tennyson. He was a graduate of Columbia Central High School and a member of New Lasea Church of Christ.

Before his work in law enforcement, he worked several years at Hunter’s Body Shop. In 1990 he worked as a reserve deputy and was hired on at the Sheriff’s Department as a Correctional Officer and Dispatcher in 1994. In 1995 he was promoted to Deputy where he worked in patrol and civil criminal process. In 1999 he was promoted to Deputy Sergeant and after a few months was promoted to Lieutenant where he was over operations of the jail, patrol, and civil criminal process. In 2009 Jimmy was promoted to Captain. From 2014 until present he served as a School Resource Officer for Randolph Howell Elementary School, E.A. Cox Middle School, and most recently McDowell Elementary School where he enjoyed and loved all of the students and children. He also served as a Court Security Officer. Jimmy was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police where he served many roles over the years including President and was currently serving on the Board of Directors and as the Chaplain. He was so dedicated to his job that year after year he would never take his entire vacation time. Jimmy always worked day and night, not because he had to, but because he was incredibly committed to his job. Even though a lot of times he was in charge of delegating duties, he would take it on himself to handle them in a certain way and in a satisfactory manner.

He was a unique person and a man of character, integrity, and most importantly, loyalty. He never met a stranger and whether he was taking care of the poor or the rich, he treated them all the same. Jimmy could brighten anyone’s day and was always good for a laugh.

In addition to his wife of nearly 11 years, Dee Tennyson, he is survived by his children: Stephanie (David) Pagan of Columbia, April (Eric) Redd of Columbia, Lauren (Jacob) Hyatt of Columbia, Evan (Kaitlyn) Bearden of Murfreesboro; grandchildren: Jazmin Pagan, Lexie Pagan, Briley Redd, Rylan Redd; half brother: Mark Tennyson of Columbia; and half sisters: Lisa (Keith) McMahan of Columbia and Tracy Baker of Columbia.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother: Bobby Tennyson who preceded him in death in December of 2016; and half brother: Todd Tennyson.

Pallbearers will be: John Elbert “Snowball” Mayberry, Sam Barnes, Mike Barnes, Enoch George, Jacob Hyatt, Evan Bearden, Randy McNeece, and Ashley Brown. Honorary pallbearers will include: the Maury County Sheriff’s Department, members of New Lasea Church of Christ, William Caldwell, Ken Hardison, Bob Lawler, Eric Redd, and David Pagan.

Memorial donations may be made to the FOP James K. Polk Lodge #26: P.O. Box 891, Columbia, TN 38401.