Funeral service for Malcolm Don Templeton, age 80, of Taft, Tennessee will be conducted at 5 PM on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Fayetteville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bryan Bult officiating. A private graveside service will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Prosperity Cemetery.
Don was born on January 24, 1937 to the late Malcolm Carson and Margaret Josephine Sheffield Templeton, in the community of Molino, Tennessee. He was the second of three. Don grew up on a farm and was an active member of the Prosperity ARP Church. On November 21, 1956 he married his sweetheart, Emma Gene Jennings. He served two years in the Army at the Red Canyon Missile Firing Range in Carrizozo, New Mexico.
Don and Gene came back to Lincoln County, TN in 1959 and lived and worked on the family farm. He also worked at the Borden and Kraft Cheese Plants, was substitute Mail Carrier, Bee Keeper, and State Bee Inspector for two years. Mr. Templeton was well known for his delicious honey and supplied many stores in Southern Middle TN and Northern Alabama. He retired to farm only at the age of 54. Don and Genes farm was listed as a Century Farm in the early 2000’s.
He served as a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher for many years at the ARP Church. Don was a member of the Horseman Association, TN Bee Keepers Association, TN Cattleman’s and Livestock Association, served on the Lincoln County Fair Board, and past Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Mr. Templeton loved God, family, walking horses, traveling, bee keeping, and working his farm. He enjoyed trail rides and going on bird hunting trips with his hunting buddies.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Emma Gene; children, Sherry Bartlett, Chuck (Connie) Templeton, Pam (Tim) Crabtree; daughter-in-law, Katie; grandchildren, Shannon Cornwell, Chanse (Catherine) Bartlett, Shea (Jordan) Meeks, Corey, Courtney, Haley and Jacob Crabtree, Carson and Caroline Templeton; great-grandchildren, Jaylyn and Dylan Crabtree, Anakin Cornwell and Canaan Staples; brother, Ray (Charlotte) Templeton; nephews, Burt, Brent and Lee Templeton and Bill Lindsay. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Lyndsay; son-in-law, Steve Bartlett; and son, Brannon Templeton.
Mr. Templeton passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Bailey Manor, surrounded by loved ones. Visitation with the family will be from 2 PM until time of service on Sunday at the Fayetteville ARP Church. Memorials may be made to the Fayetteville ARP Church, 1720 Huntsville Highway Fayetteville, TN 37334. Higgins Funeral Home is serving the family of Malcolm Don Templeton.
20 Comments To "Malcolm Don Templeton"
#1 Comment By Curly and,Linda Bradford On November 4, 2017 @ 3:21 am
Sherry,Shannon,and Chanse we,are sorry for your loss. Sending our love and prayers
#2 Comment By Wanda Jennings Preston On November 4, 2017 @ 4:29 am
Emma Gene, Sherry, Pam and Chuck, May the wonderful memories that you gathered over the years be a wellspring of sweetness for your future days. Don was a precious man and blessed so many lives. Thinking of you with much love and many prayers.
#3 Comment By The Billy Joe Rutledge Family On November 4, 2017 @ 8:08 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Thank God for those precious, cherished memories.
#4 Comment By Carol Kidd Hammons On November 4, 2017 @ 11:55 am
My thought and prayers are with Don’s family. There will always be something special about all those that grew up with my sisters and me in Molino.
#5 Comment By Joe and Gay Parsley On November 4, 2017 @ 2:02 pm
Mrs. Emma Gene. Sherry, Chuck & Pam. Joe and I send our “Condelences” to your family. We have so many fond memories of Mr. Don all the years we purchased his wonderful honey for our business. He was a gentle, and fine man. He and Joe always had many conversation’s and we so enjoyed him and all his family patronizing our business. My prayers are with all of you, and may God provide comfort during this difficult time.
#6 Comment By lynn brown On November 4, 2017 @ 2:20 pm
So sorry for the loss of Mr Don, praying for the whole family to find comfort in your time of need..my heart goes out to the family..
#7 Comment By Carolyn Ellis On November 4, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
To Don’s family I send regrets for the loss of a wonderful husband, father, gfather and g-gfather. Don’s passing is a loss for most of Lincoln County! I will be praying for all of you.
#8 Comment By Mary Partin On November 4, 2017 @ 10:40 pm
Emma Gene & family we are so sorry for your loss. You all will be in our thoughts & prayers.
God Bless you all. Willie C & Willow Deen McGehee, Billy McGehee, Mary & Teresa Partin
#9 Comment By John Taylor On November 5, 2017 @ 2:17 am
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Donna and I have enjoyed knowing Don and his family. Had some great gaited horse rides in Molino too. R. I. P.
#10 Comment By Roger and Patsy Singleton On November 5, 2017 @ 1:59 pm
Emma Gene, So sorry to hear of Don’ s passing. Roger will always cherish the times he sat around and talked to him. Our prayers are with you.
#11 Comment By Katie Womack On November 5, 2017 @ 2:49 pm
To the family: So sorry to hear this. He was a great man & he will be missed, especially by the Molino community. May God put His loving arms around you all during this very difficult time.
#12 Comment By Gina Jones Wattenbarger On November 5, 2017 @ 4:58 pm
Sending healing prayers and comforting thoughts to the family of Mr Don , a kind and caring individual. We celebrate his life today.
#13 Comment By Judy and Ricky Tucker On November 5, 2017 @ 7:01 pm
There was none better than Mr. Don. Lincoln County has lost one of it’s finest. Thanks to the family for sharing him all these years. I pray that knowing how much he was loved and how much he will be missed will bring peace to you. God bless you all. Our loss …. Heaven’s gain.
#14 Comment By Lola Renegar On November 6, 2017 @ 1:39 am
i am so sorry to hear of Mr. Don’s passing. i only just heard of his death and i am sorry to have missed the services. please know that i will keep you in my prayers as you grieve . May God give you strength and comfort.
#15 Comment By Walter and Pat Rudd On November 6, 2017 @ 4:41 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss Don. We will be praying for your family in the coming days for an abundant outpouring of grace and peace.
#16 Comment By bobby sharp On November 6, 2017 @ 9:33 pm
sorry to hear about don’s passing. I worked
with him at kraft.
#17 Comment By Rhonda Wilbanks On November 7, 2017 @ 2:59 am
Sorry to hear of Mr Don passing, may God comfort you all and give you peace…
#18 Comment By Cindy Shrader On November 9, 2017 @ 11:37 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Your memories of him will be cherished and shared for many years leaving everyone that knew him with a smile.
#19 Comment By Cindy Rolin Shrader On November 9, 2017 @ 11:38 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Your memories of him will be cherished and shared for many years leaving everyone that knew him with a smile.
#20 Comment By Karen Dickey Jones On November 11, 2017 @ 8:33 pm
Sherry and Family – I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I know you miss him. My thoughts are with you.