In Memory ...

Randall B. Vaughn

Randall B. Vaughn

AUGUST 30, 1935 – DECEMBER 25, 2020

Randall Burklow Vaughn was born in Nashville, TN on August 30, 1935, to Ruby Burklow Vaughn and Jesse Dalton Vaughn, Sr. He was the third child of eleven. Randall passed away on December 25, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Randall was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving in Germany, where he met his wife, Susanna, the love of his life. They were married for 61 years.

Randall was in the Reserves for 10 years and retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, and was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Randall loved his family dearly.

Randall was a successful businessman and still worked in manufactured housing property management, and was a member of the Tennessee Housing Association. He enjoyed working, hunting, traveling, and snow skiing. He also enjoyed helping others and was extremely generous.

Charles "Chet" Murphree, Jr.

Chet Murphree of Alabama

May 8, 1961 – October 24, 2020, 2020

Chet Murphree died Saturday, October 24, 2020, at his residence, after battling cancer. He was born May 8, 1961, in Morgan County to Charles Leroy Murphree and Elizabeth Ann Sample. Mr. Murphree was a graduate of Decatur High School and of U.A.H. College. He was the President and General Manager of Deer Valley Homebuilders, of which, he was one of the original founders of the company and served on the Board of Directors. He was Person of the Year for the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission in 2015, and was inducted into the Alabama Manufactured Housing Industry Hall of Fame in 2017. Chet served on the Alabama State Board for Manufactured Housing and on the Board of the Alabama Housing Foundation. Chet was a man of faith, and served on the Board of Real Party Ministries.

Joe Clayton

Joe Clayton of Knoxville, TN

December 2, 1935 – August 3, 2020

Joe Clayton age 84 of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and son. He is preceded in death by his wife Dot Clayton and his father and mother Cratus Clayton and Ruth Clayton. Joe is survived by sons Richard Joseph Clayton and wife Victoria, Mark Eads Clayton and wife Ashley, daughter Deborah JoAnne Justus and husband Randy, grandchildren Jessica Clayton, Christina Clayton Sullivan and husband Josh and Britney Justus. He is also survived by his brother James L. Clayton and wife Michell, as well as nieces, nephews and many other family members.

Joe was born and raised in Finger, Tennessee to a family of sharecroppers, and quickly realized he wanted a different life for himself. He left farm life in his late teens and decided to attend Draughon’s Business College in Nashville where he graduated with a business degree. Joe wanted to further his education so he enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and then later enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. While working his way through college, he worked for a local television and radio station. A young listener named Dorothy called in one evening requesting a song. Joe thought she had the sweetest voice and lucky for him she called back the next night. It was not long after that Dorothy became his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 53 years.

With Dorothy by his side, Joe ventured into his career alongside his brother, Jim. Joe was instrumental in helping Jim with the creation of the many Clayton organizations. Joe was president of Clayton Automotive, Clayton Volvo, and was the co-founder of Mercedes Benz of Columbus in Georgia. He was also the co-founder of Clayton Homes and Vanderbilt Mortgage with his brother Jim. In addition, Joe was the president of the Lincoln-Mercury Dealer Council and Volvo Dealer Council. He served as president and chairman of the Tennessee Automotive Association, and served on the boards of Clayton Homes, Clayton Bank, First Horizon Bank, and the YMCA among other notable accomplishments.

Joe was a businessman and entrepreneur as he had several businesses and ventures in and out of Knoxville. He always enjoyed putting a deal together whether it was with a customer, a partner or even with his kids. But of all his business partners and ventures none were greater than the ones he and his brother and best friend Jim Clayton shared together. These partnerships spanned an uninterrupted and amazing 63 years side by side.

Joe had many passions but flying was very near and dear to his heart as he was an avid pilot. Joe loved to fly his family to their favorite vacation spots. Although Joe owned many airplanes over the years the one he loved the most was his latest KingAir, which he recently sold. When he wasn’t flying, you could find Joe playing golf with his family especially his granddaughters and closest friends. Joe’s best friendships developed over many rounds of golf, between the tee box and the flag stick, most of which took place at his favorite getaway spot, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. While vacationing there he enjoyed waking up early in the mornings to take a long walks on the beach to capture photos of the sunrises and coming back in the evenings for another long walk to capture photos of the sunsets. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Tee of Greater Knoxville and the Boys and Girls Club of Knoxville.

William Earl "Bill" Tuller

William Earl "Bill" Tuller , of Knoxville, TN

October 15, 1940 - February 8, 2020

On Saturday, February 8, 2020, William Earl (Bill) Tuller, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 79 in Knoxville, Tennessee after a short battle with cancer. Bill was born on October 15, 1940, in Mansfield, Ohio to Clarence and Virginia Tuller. Following his graduation from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, Bill spent his career in finance working for General Electric Credit Corporation, Bank of America and finally 21st Mortgage in Knoxville at the time of his retirement.

For the past 25 years, Bill was devoted to his wife Dean O’Donniley Tuller, and together they filled each day with laughter and adventure. Bill was a bolt of lightning to those who knew him. Never one to stand still for long, he was committed to both God and his family in a way that made everyone he touched feel special. In addition to his family, Bill loved Tennessee football, the game of golf and time with his friends. With his friend of more than 50 years, Hal Deatherage, Bill spent countless days in marginal weather chasing a little white ball, all while needling each other endlessly. Always humble, Bill was a skilled golfer and his passion for the game was infinite. He traveled the world with his family and friends teeing it up and tallying a total of three holes-in-one during his time on the links.

Jim Oliver

James "Jim" Easton Oliver, Hoenwald, TN

October 22, 1952 - September 19, 2019

Jim Oliver, age 66 of Hohenwald, TN, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019. Jim was married to Evon (Onweller) Oliver with whom he shared 9 children, 27 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A business owner by trade, Jim was born in Caro, Michigan, but later moved to Hohenwald in 1995. Jim brought his business, Mobile Home Safety Products, with him... and after moving to Hohenwald changed the business name to Oliver Technologies. The company continues to operate, supplying products and services to the manufactured housing industry and more.

Jim lived his life trying to help others. He was an avid hunter and loved riding motorcycles. More than anything else, Jim loved his family and his friends.

Lori Sechrest

Lori Lee Sechrest, Dickson, TN –

December 14, 1965 – June 25, 2018

Lori Lee (Woodyard) Sechrest, 52, of Dickson, TN, passed away Monday evening, June 25, 2018, after a well fought battle against Metastatic Colon Cancer. Lori did not let cancer become the descriptor of her life on Earth, but just a small piece of her incredible life story of love and the pursuit of dreams. Lori always relied on her faith in God and His leadership, guidance and grace, because she always recognized that without Him there was nothing.

Lori was elected to the THA Board of Directors in 2008. Lori served as an installer/Transporter Director, and also served as the Middle Tennessee Director. During the ten years Lori served this industry on the state level, she Chaired several Committees including the Annual Convention, Education, Transportation and Zoning. She was a member of the Legislative Committee and reviewed and commented on any piece of state legislation which affected codes, transportation or zoning.

Her ever ready smile and infectious laugh will certainly be missed!

Bayne Yarbrough

Bayne Yarbrough, Memphis, TN

11/27/1939 – 03/29/2018

Bayne was born November 27, 1939 in McRae, GA, to Ashley Yarbrough and Johnnie Mae Clements Yarbrough. Bayne married Patricia Miller on December 31, 1978, and together they shared 39 years of a wonderful marriage.
Bayne was a graduate of the University of Georgia and loved his Bulldogs. He served in the U.S. Air Force Guard after graduation. Bayne’s career was in management in the finance industry, starting with GECC, and then several banks as Regional Manager and Vice President.

Bayne served the manufactured housing industry in various capacities over the years, including President of the Board for three State Associations (AR, TN and MS) during his career.

Sam Swann

Sam Swann, Dandridge, TN

1963 – March 12, 2018

Sam Swann, age 55 of Dandridge, passed away from complications of injuries sustained in an accident. He was a member of New Vision Ministries in White Pine, owner of Swann’s Mobile Homes and Southern Impact Pulling Sled. Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Cindy Swann, children, Travis Swann, Sammie Swann, Lexi Swann and Lesley Swann, special girls; Hannah and Hailey Collins, grandchildren, Brycton Swann and Xzayden-Zek Swann, sister, Lois Fain and brother AB Swann Jr, also several nieces, nephews, other family members and all of the pulling community.

Bill Macke

‘Bill’ Macke of Macke Perkins Insurance, Nashville, TN

June 9, 1954 – June 14, 2017

William Barber Macke started his insurance agency in 1983, and has been insuring manufactured housing retailers, communities, installers, transporters, and other industry related companies, in multiple states. In the past, Bill served on the Association and Foundation Board of Directors. In earlier years, Bill worked with THA’s legislative committees, in advancing education to our state legislators. Outspoken and gregarious, Bill was dedicated to this industry.

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor of Charlie Taylor Housing, Gallatin, TN

July 10, 1959 – February 18, 2017

Charlie Taylor started his manufactured home retailer business in 1987. Through the years, Charlie served on the Board of Directors for both the Tennessee (Manufactured) Housing Association and the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Foundation.

Charlie served as chapter president for the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association, for many years, while proudly serving his many customers in the Sumner County region, and beyond.

Vance 'Blinky' Evans, Jr.

Vance 'Blinky' Evans Jr., age 72, Haleyville, AL

May 21, 1944 – February 18, 2017

Blinky was a 1966 graduate of the University of Georgia, where he played football for the legendary coach Vince Dooley. He moved to Haleyville, AL in the early 70’s with his wife Becky, where he got his start in the manufactured housing industry. He was hired as a salesperson for Tidwell Industries and fell in love with the business. Blinkie never met a stranger and enjoyed telling a good story better than anyone.

After leaving Tidwell in the early 80’s he worked for Eagle Housing, Sunbelt Homes, Buccaneer Homes and Southern Homes over his 40-year career. He retired in 2011 and enjoyed the outdoors, working in his garden and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of First Baptist Church Haleyville, AL.

James William (Bill) Blevins

James William (Bill) Blevins, age 84, Nashville, TN

Born in Birmingham, AL

November 25, 1940 – February 20, 2025

Bill was a man who wore many, many hats! You really should read his exceptional and varied accomplishments here.

After working with his father in the wholesale division of Blevins Popcorn, Bill decided he wanted to be in business for himself. In 1971, he purchased a building supply business which he later renamed Blevins, Inc. At 30 years old, he devoted himself to growing the company and ultimately expanded from one location in Nashville to multiple locations in the Southeast and Midwest. In 1996, his oldest son, Brad, joined him in the business, and after 50+ years of growth, the company has expanded to twenty-five locations across the country and three manufacturing plants in Virginia. The company is still family owned and run by Brad.

Bill was a wonderful, supportive member of our industry for so many years, through service on the THA Board of Directors as well as the Foundation Board of Directors. Bill was inducted into the TN Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame in June of 2006, which exemplifies one’s commitment of time and dedication. Our memory vaults are full of pictures and conversations!

In Memory