Bristol Gannaway, age 98, was born on February 22, 1925, in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is the daughter of the late Jerome Smith, Sr. and Lillian Walker Smith. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Richard E. Gannaway, a sister, Jean Waller, a brother, Jerome Smith, Jr., and a daughter-in-law, Janet Gannaway.
Bristol graduated from Clarksville High School in 1943 and attended Austin Peay State College and The University of Tennessee. In 1967, she set up the first cosmetology program at Clarksville High School, where she taught for 20 years.
After retiring, Bristol and her husband spent 15 years researching newspapers and documenting thousands of obituaries in Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. This study yielded 13 volumes of published books to aid people studying genealogy.
Bristol was a dedicated Christian and lifelong member of Madison Street United Methodist Church. She was instrumental in getting the history of MSUMC preserved on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville. She was also a founding member of Austin Peay State College Women’s Club and served in several leadership positions.
Survivors include two sons, Philip Gannaway, Jerry (Cindy) Gannaway; five beloved grandchildren, Tyler Gannaway, Nicole Gannaway, Elizabeth (Brent) Beeson, Haley (Kyle) Payne, Chandler Vinson, and two great grandchildren, Brooksley Martin and Whitley Beeson.
Pallbearers are Mike Parchman, Jim Willard, Mike Atkins, David Scott, Thomas Smith, and Bud Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Workman, David Kahle, and Alan Workman.
Arrangements are in the care of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, October 20, 2023, from 2:00 PM until the hour of service at MSUMC. Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. in MSUMC Chapel. Interment will follow directly after the service at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Richard E. & Bristol S. Gannaway Memorial Endowment Scholarship, Austin Peay State University, P.O. Box 4117, Clarksville, TN 37044. GivetoAPSU.Com/Gannaway