Home » Past Obituaries » Thomas E. Partlow

Thomas E. Partlow

Mr. Thomas Earl Partlow, age 80 of Lebanon, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday April 21, 2018. Mr. Partlow was born in Wilson County on March 10, 1938 to the late Herbert Lee Partlow and Nannie Johnson Partlow.

Thomas graduated from Lebanon High School in 1956, and then went on to study at Cumberland College and Middle Tennessee State College, where he received his degree in Social Science in 1959. Mr. Partlow was then hired to teach at Glencliff High School in Nashville where he taught for 32 years. In 1962 Mr. Partlow would go on to Peabody College, where he would earn his Master’s Degree in History. He retired from teaching in 1995. In the fall of 1997 he went to work alongside Linda Granstaff to reconfigure and expand the Wilson County Archives. Mr. Partlow worked faithfully at the archives serving as Co-Director until the last few weeks when his health prevented him.

He belonged to many notable organizations, and was most proud of his family lineage. Perhaps one of his favorite pass times was studying and researching his Ligon family heritage.  He was a proud member of the Ligon Family and Kinsmen Association and has traveled abroad to attend “Ligon Reunions” in England.  Thomas was also a member of the following organizations; The Dames and Barons Magna Charta, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Americans of Royal Descent, Descendant of Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Jamestowne Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and was an honorary member and volunteer with the Wilson County Black History Committee. Mr. Partlow has been a member of First Baptist Church Lebanon since 1945.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother and sister in law, Herbert Gene (Agnes) Partlow; sister, Nancy Partlow Whited; nephew, Tom Chambers; and niece, Debra Midgett.

Mr. Partlow is survived by sister and brother in law, Dorothy Partlow Chambers (Robert) of Lebanon; nephews, Howard (Judy) Chambers of Lebanon, Don (Cindy) Partlow of Atlanta, GA, David (Michelle) Chambers of Lebanon, Jeffrey (Sonya) Whited of Lebanon; niece, Marilyn (Jessie) Hawkins of Atlanta, GA. He also leaves behind numerous great and great-great nieces, nephews and extended family.

Mr. Partlow’s remains rest at the Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home of Lebanon, where funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday April 24, 2018 at 2:00PM. Bro. David Freeman and Bro. Don McElroy will officiate and interment will follow in the Wilson County Memorial Gardens.  Visitation with the family will be on Monday from 2 PM until 8 PM and again on Tuesday after 10 AM.  In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Brian Petraitis, Tommy Whited, Chet Mason, Howard Chambers, Jeffrey Whited, and David Chambers will serve as active pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers: Wilson County Records Commission, Lebanon Historical Commission, Wilson County Black History Committee, and the Hardaway-Jenkins Sunday School Class.

LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME in charge of arrangements.

 

Messages for the Family

  1. Debbie Poland says:
    My heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Partlow’s family. When I was working and came to the archives nearly daily, he became a very good friend. Always helpful and more knowledgeable about Lebanon and it’s history than anyone. I simply can not imagine going into the archives on Friday and him not being there. He was a faithful friend to so many, he will be missed by all those he made a positive influence on.
  2. Renea Grisham Jones says:
    My favorite teacher…even when he gave me write offs for chewing gum. I remember city cemetery visits with our class, he made it so interesting. I believe the world is a little more sad now. Now you’re learning about heaven!!
  3. Diane Vance-Lewis says:
    You were one of my favorite teachers, a kind and humble man. I am so sad you are gone, now you have your wings. God Bless you and your family!
  4. Toni Curtis says:
    I will miss my friend.
  5. Karen Tune (Yates) says:
    My heartfelt sympathy to the family. Mr. Partlow was a wonderful teacher and a guiding voice for all who needed him.
  6. Doc Sans says:
    One of the best teachers of our 80’s high school years. His caring, and dedication will endure forever!
  7. Mary McAdoo Harris says:
    Mr. Partlow was not only a great supporter of the Wilson County Black History Committee. He shared his wealth of knowledge of Wilson County history and would help you in any way he could. He was a friend of the McAdoo and Harris families for many years. We will miss him!
  8. Vanessa says:
    Man I still talk about him. As a matter of fact I was talking about him last week. I absolutely loved his civics class. Great humble man. When I think of peace , I think of Mr.. Partlow. Peace and comfort to the family. GHS c/o ’84
  9. Sonya says:
    My favorite teacher. Always humble, and very kind. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. GHS c/o 87’
  10. Donna Graves Ferrell says:
    When I started researching 35 yrs ago, I met Thomas. I purchased all his books, which sit on my desk today, I still use them. Thanks Thomas for your knowledge of Wilson County & its people.
  11. Donna Graves Ferrell says:
    When I started researching 35 yrs ago, I met Thomas. I purchased all his books, which sit on my desk today, I still use them. Thanks Thomas for sharing your knowledge of Wilson County & its people.
  12. Marilyn J. Corbett says:
    I taught in the classroom next to his at Glencliff. I’m sorry to hear of his passing.
  13. Anne Donnell says:
    An outstanding man, kind and unselfish, scholarly and true.
  14. Regina Jordan says:
    Mr Partlow was my favorite teacher in high school. He was serious about History. Every aspect of History. Our class read the Wall Street journal every Monday morning. He was passionate about the class knowing about what was going on in the world. He taught 6 weeks of African American History because he wanted his class to know ALL of America history. He was the one person that gave me the great appreciation of History. I know the heavenly angels were singing ‘well done thy good and faithful servant…well done’