Tara J. Christian

Born on March 7, 1979, in Youngstown, Ohio, Tara graduated from Farragut High School through the Special Education program. Tara had a vibrant spirit and a gentle soul. She had a deep love for books, television, and cooking—interests that brought her joy and were often shared with those around her.

Tara is survived by her loving mother, Holly Gaw, and father, Timothy Christian, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins. Among them are her uncle Gordon Swihart and aunt Kathy Swihart; uncle Mark Gaw and aunt Pat Gaw; aunt Amanda Gaw; uncles Tyler and Turner Gaw; and aunt Suzanne Gaw. Stepmother Melinda Christian; step brothers Joshua Ligon (Courtney) and Jackson Ligon (Brynn); aunt Maria Gorczyca; uncle Pat Gorczyca; uncle David Christian; aunt Vonnie Christian. Her family will remember her for her warmth, laughter, and the special place she held in each of their hearts.

She was preceded in death by her loving step father, Jay Gaw and grandparents, Swihart; Christian; and Gaw.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tara’s memory to support students at BrightStone in Franklin, Tennessee at https://brightstone.org/ —a cause close to their hearts.

A visitation for Tara will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204. A funeral service will follow Wednesday, September 3, 2025 beginning at 11:30am. Interment will follow service at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204.

A Celebration of Life for Tara will also be held in Knoxville, Tennessee at Cokesbury United Methodist Church on September 23, 2025 at 5:00pm.