CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The founders of Historic Collinsville, JoAnn and Glenn Weakley, have died within days of one another.
JoAnn Weakley, 86, died on Sept. 10, and Glenn Weakley, 89, died Sept. 13, according to their obituaries.
“With the heaviest of hearts, we say farewell to Historic Collinsville’s founding matron, Mrs. JoAnn Weakley,” Historic Collinsville’s operators said in announcing her death earlier this week. “Her passion for history and passing those lessons down to children was matched only by her love for her husband Glenn. She was fierce and loyal and dedicated and will be greatly missed.”
The Weakleys started rebuilding what became Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement in 1974, re-creating life in the 1800s in 18 buildings, each filled with authentic period furnishings. They opened it to the public in 1997 to give children a “hands-on” experience of history.
“JoAnn had a passion for history and wanted children to see history – not just learn it from a book,” said Frances Manzitto, a family friend who also works at Visit Clarksville. For JoAnn, it was important to create a way for children to experience history: “Going, seeing, touching, feeling – knowing how our ancestors lived,” Manzitto said.
In 2018, the Weakleys sold the property to Montgomery County Government, and Visit Clarksville now operates and manages the property. Historic Collinsville is located at 4711 Weakley Road in Southside, 15 miles south of Clarksville.
The Weakleys married in 1952 and lived on their farm in Southside for 69 years, according to their obituaries. Glenn was an Army veteran and a farmer. JoAnn owned Weakley Business Services for 27 years. After selling to Stone Rudolph and Henry in 2014, she continued to work with them until she officially retired from accounting in 2019.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at Southside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southside Cemetery Fund, c/o Ben Workman, 4780 Chapel Hill Road, Southside, TN 37171.