Raphael Ben West, Jr.

Ben was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy.

Representative Ben West, Jr. served the State of Tennessee in many capacities. He served as Former Board member of the Executive Committee, Greater Nashville Regional Council, Summit Medical Center, Senior Citizens, Inc., Tennessee Safety Congress, Mid- Cumberland Area Development Corporation, Hospice Foundation, Donelson-Hermitage YMCA, and Centerstone Mental Health Centers.

He loved Rock Island, TN and was famous for his barefoot skiing. He also loved “The Hermitage”, the home of President Andrew Jackson. He was able to appropriate $1 Million for the Andrew Jackson Educational Center. He passionately and successfully fought against a State Income Tax in Tennessee. He supported Signature Legislation and he sponsored and passed the “Conceal Carry Permit” Law, where over 600,000 Tennesseans are licensed.

He was a Member of the Board of Directors for McKendree Village Retirement Complex, Donelson- Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, and Tennessee Arts Foundation. He was an Honorary Board Member for House of Mercy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben West, Sr. and Mary West, and brother, Jay West.

Ben leaves to cherish his memory, loving wife of 26 years, Phyllis West; children, Tracey West, Amy (Jeff) McCann, Ginger (Mark) Chumley Woodside, and David (Stephenie) Chumley; grandchildren, Peyton Keen, Devlyn (Adeleshia) Chumley, David Austin (Whitney) Chumley, Caitlyn Woodside, Norman Justin Chumley, Bailey Graves, Lauryn Chumley, Benjamin Graves, and Zeta Miller; great- grandchildren, Jamie Harris, Charlotte Chumley, Jax Lenahan, and Chloe Chumley; and sister-in-law, Diane West.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, April 5, 2019 from 12 noon until 6:00 pm at Hermitage Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm with visitation preceding one hour prior from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at Hermitage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Donelson-Hermitage Youth Football Po Box 148012 Nashville, TN 37214 to benefit the Ben West Sports Complex.