Richard Napier Elliott

Richard Napier “Tee” Elliott, age 98, passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. He was born on June 5, 1923 in Bethesda, TN to the late Seth Mebane Elliott and Annie Lou (Smithson) Elliott. He is preceded in death by Dorothy, loving wife of 70 years and grandson John Elliott Thurston, along with siblings, Milburn A. Elliott, F. Elizabeth Jones, Edward C. Elliott, James R. Elliott, Joseph P. Elliott, and Nancy A. Savage. He is survived by daughters, Linda Smith, Cathy (Scooter) Pickle, and Teena (Rick) Thurston, grandchildren, VH Pickle IV, Ashley (Jay) Miskel, and Amber (Donny) Bergstrom, and great grandchildren, Hunter Pickle, Cole & Kate Miskel and Trey & Luke Bergstrom. He is also survived by brother Ned Elliott (Jane) and a host of nieces and nephews, and served as an Honorary Father and PawPaw to many others.

Tee’s early career started as a sales clerk at Green Hills Market where he waited on customers, stocked shelves and delivered groceries. Subsequently, he was employed as a salesman for H. J. Heinz Company from which he retired.

Once he retired, Tee pursued many of his lifetime hobbies, baseball, fishing, hunting, and gardening. He was well known for his gardening skills, and his tomatoes, in particular, were a thing of beauty. He spent many years watching his grandson, VH, on the pitcher’s mound, and was a pitching coach for Twitty City Baseball into his late 70’s He continued to dove hunt successfully into his early 90’s.

Tee was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. During World War II, he served as a Sergeant in the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre as a Mortar Crewman and Rifleman being awarded numerous ribbons and two purple hearts. During the Korean Conflict, Tee was recalled to service at Camp LeJeune, NC where as a Staff Sergeant he trained others to defend their country.

“Tee” was a man’s man, he was a strong man, and he was an honorable man. He loved his family and extended family dearly. He enjoyed every moment he spent with them, enjoying nothing better than sitting around the dining table, and sharing a meal with those he loved.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, July 19, 2021 in Lindsley Hall of Mount Olivet Funeral Home with a Gathering of Family and Friends to be held one hour prior. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery with Military Honors to follow at graveside.