Following a courageous two-year climb after sustaining serious injuries in a horseback-riding accident, Albert Menefee passed away peacefully with family and friends by his side. A devoted husband, father, and friend, he will forever be remembered for his faith, his kindness, and a fondness for creatures large and small.
An avid sportsman and conservationist, he was never more content than when working outdoors on his farm, whether that was in a saddle or a tractor seat. He had the thick fingers and deep palms of a man who knew hard work and there wasn’t a type of machinery that he couldn’t fix, an important skill for when he was president of Menefee Crushed Stone, a job he took over from his father and ran until 1998.
He was an accomplished equestrian, and was drawn to the keen thrill and deep traditions of fox hunting, becoming a long-standing member of the Hillsboro Hounds, where he served as Whipper-In and earning the title of Master of Fox Hounds. He went on to establish his own pack, the Cedar Knob Hounds, which continues to hunt his family farm and surrounding lands in Lynnville, TN. With horn in hand, he loved the call and return of hounds echoing through the hollows of Middle Tennessee. He was also an indispensable fixture of the Iroquois Steeplechase.
Mr. Menefee was raised in Williamson County and lived most of his life in Brentwood, near his family’s Holly Hill farm. He attended Overbrook School, Battle Ground Academy, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Among his philanthropic work, he served on the board of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, where he won Land Conservationist of the Year for his work restoring native habitat in Giles County. He also worked with Centerstone Military Services in support of wounded veterans, the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Williamson Medical Center, Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America, Monroe Carell Jr. Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital and numerous others. Having a rare blood type and antibody profile, he was a regular donor to the American Red Cross.
He is survived by his wife Theresa Stewart Menefee, children Albert Leo Menefee IV, Hannah Menefee Dudney (Nathan), and Benjamin Potter Menefee; step-children Elizabeth Brodnax Shanahan (Peter) and Phillip Brodnax; aunt Margaret Menefee Gillum: sisters Rabbi Ruth Valere Adar (Linda Burnett), Marianne Menefee Byrd (Andrew), Eleanor Menefee Parkes, and brother John Thomas Menefee (Crispin). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a legion of loyal friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Leo Menefee, Jr. and Valere Potter Menefee.
Active pallbearers are Greg Brown, Andrew Byrd, Rob Caldwell, Nathan Dudney, Alton Kelly, Albert Menefee, IV, Ben Menefee, and John Menefee. Honorary pallbearers are Monte McInturff, Don Gill, Doc Addis, Allen Lacy, Sherrill Stewart, M.D., Alex Parkes, A.J. Byrd, Craig Sussman, M.D., Ken Dudney, Peter Shanahan, M.D, George Greenup, Harry Caldwell, Charlie Caldwell, Jack Caldwell, Sheriff Kyle Helton, Michael Gomez, Mike Sontag, Bill Forrester, Phillip Brodnax, Tom Bradford, Zack Lovett, John Richardson, Buddy Yeary, John Wells Chris Sabis and Ben Fulwider.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 5 at Marshall, Donnelly, and Combs from 5-7pm. There will also be visitation on Thursday September 6 from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, followed by a funeral mass. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Monroe Carell Jr. Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital, Centerstone, or the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center or a charity of your choice. visit MarshallDonnellyCombs.com 615-327-1111
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