Former Montgomery County Trustee, Brenda E. Radford, died Thursday, July 1, 2021 at her home after a sudden illness. She was 64.
Radford was born September 26, 1956, in Astoria, Ore. She married Al Radford in 1972, and they were happily wed for 49 years at the time of her death.
After working for the family’s plumbing business and Montgomery County for a number of years, Radford first ran for public office in 1998. She served two terms on the Montgomery County Commission representing District 2 before being elected County Trustee in 2006. She served three terms before retiring in 2018.
While serving as trustee, Radford’s passion was to restore and expand tax relief for elderly citizens and disabled military members. She lobbied the Tennessee General Assembly to ensure this benefit was preserved during her final term in office.
Her passion stemmed from her own background as the daughter of a Navy Chief Petty Officer in the submarine service. She also was president of the Middle Tennessee Trustees Association in 2009. While she was a Republican, she worked hard to serve Montgomery Countians of all political backgrounds.
She is survived by her husband, Al, of Clarksville; son, Jonathan, of Nashville and his wife, Kim; grandson, Sonny Rex; her mother, Lola Emerson, of Clarksville; three brothers, Scott (Linda), Jay (Mitzi) and Greg (Sharon) Emerson and a sister, Donna. She was preceded in death by her father, Boyd.
Among her many professional and civic memberships, Radford was a member of 2001 Leadership Clarksville; National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers; Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association; County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT); Tennessee Trustees Association, Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Board of Directors; Big Brother/Big Sisters Board of Directors; United Way Cumberland Society; Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce; Association of the United States Army; Austin Peay State University Tower Club; Montgomery County Historical Society; Clarksville Downtown Civitan, Clarksville Rotary and First Baptist Church of Clarksville.
Brenda was also a talented singer. She sang in the First Baptist Church choir and was often called on to perform the National Anthem at church and political events over the years.
A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, July 8 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ronny Raines officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, July 8 from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 435 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488. Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com