Jeffrey Lee York

Jeff graduated from McNairy Central High School in 1978. He served as sports editor for the Independent Appeal (1979-1997) and as a writer for the Daily Corinthian covering both sports and news articles for over 25 years. Jeff was awarded numerous accolades for his writing in both newspapers. In 2011, Jeff was awarded the McNairy County Citizen of the Year. He was inducted into the McNairy Central Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and compiled historic records for McNairy Central athletics.

Though physical limitations prohibited Jeff from participating in athletics, it didn’t stop him from coaching. He coached the Chewalla Baptist Men’s Softball Team many years, resulting in 5 state championships. He also coached a Women’s Softball Team, properly named Our Team, in the 90’s which also won a state title. In 2000, Jeff retired from coaching.

Jeff was known as a “True Blue” McNairy Central Bobcat fan, an “I Bleed Orange” UT fan, and a “Go Crazy” St. Louis Cardinal fan. However, Jeff would always say if you only knew him because of these fandoms, then he had failed to convey the most important message – Jesus Christ is his Savior. Jeff was quick to share he was a Christian and a member of Chewalla Baptist Church. He served in many roles at CBC, but one of his most cherished roles was teaching a College and Career Sunday School class until his declining mobility kept him from attending church. Ignoring his physical limitations, he continued to be the outreach arm of CBC by publishing a church newsletter, developing the church’s Facebook page, establishing a GROW ministry team, and just calling to invite people to church.

Jeff departed this life on December 25, 2025 at his home in Chewalla, TN at the age of 65. Jeff became sick as an infant and was eventually diagnosed with the condition Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) or “Stone Man’s Syndrome”. There is no cure for FOP which affects one in two million people in the world. FOP has no ethnic, racial, or gender patterns. There are 800 confirmed cases across the globe and 285 known cases in the United States. FOP is not fatal, though patients often die young, starving after their jaws freeze shut or succumbing to respiratory problems. It’s been said people with FOP are trapped in “personal prisons”. Jeff would always reply, “Fear can hold people a prisoner, but hope can set them free. A person can’t always choose their circumstances, but they can always choose their attitudes about those circumstances.”

Jeff is survived by two sisters, Kristy Hopkins of Corinth, MS and Robin Gafford (husband Richard) of Chewalla, TN; a brother, Mark York (wife Robin) also of Chewalla, TN; 5 nieces and 1 nephew and their children: Maegan Gray (husband Riley, children Lexie, Brantley, Hallie Beth), Lacey Chappell (husband Logan, children Brooklyn, Zaiden, Camden, Cohen), Adrianne Whitten (husband Chris, children Laken, London), Austin Gafford (wife Leigh, child Hayven), Victoria Ferrell (husband Trevor), and Kyndle York. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul York; 2 nieces: Allison Gafford and Kayla York; and a nephew, Fulton York.

A Celebration of Life Service for Jeff York is set for 11:00 am Tuesday at Chewalla Baptist Church, with Bro. Richard Doyle and Bro. Randy Isbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Indian Creek Cemetery.

Family and Friends Gathering will be Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 and Tuesday from 9:00 am to service time at the church.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jeff can be made to Chewalla Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be left at www.memorialcorinth.com for the York family.

Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.