Grady Yeiser, Jr.

On October 1, 1934, Grady Yeiser, Sr. and his wife Carmen Hurst Yeiser increased the population of Waynesboro, Tennessee by one with the birth of their beautiful baby boy, Grady Yeiser, Jr. He married the love of his life, Charlotte Wayne Tease, on November 26, 1954 and as the years passed, the arrival of their three daughters completed their family in Savannah, Tennessee—a family that would eventually include eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Grady completed his sophomore year in college before eventually becoming the owner and manager of Yeiser Tire Company. What little free time he had after his family and work obligations were met was spent actively involved at Hopewell Baptist Church, where he was a member, and on all things pertaining to the University of Tennessee. His wife was responsible for his membership at Hopewell but, although she managed to convert him to her Baptist beliefs, he never convinced her that UT was a better choice than the University of Alabama. It was one of the few times they ever disagreed about anything.

Grady’s desire to be of service extended far beyond his dedication to his family and church. A member of the Jaycees and the Lions Club, he served as President of both organizations as well as being elected to the City Commission of Savannah. His tenure on the Commission ran from 1966 until 1969 after which he was elected Vice Mayor, a position he occupied until his election as Mayor in 1970—an office he held until 1974. The extent of his community involvement was recognized in 1971 when he was named the Jaycees Young Man of the Year. 

When his beloved Charlotte became ill, Grady began missing the services of his church and resigned his membership in the Lions Club. His focus was on her care, and everything else faded into the background. Her death on November 10, 2021 left him with a great deal of free time—time he began spending with his table-full of breakfast buddies, men who took good care of him as he grieved the loss of his wife. Then there was the Thursday night group, mostly made up of widowers, who enjoyed each other’s company as they ate together. As a matter of fact, one of Grady’s favorite pastimes became going to different restaurants at mealtime, just to see his many friends. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was able to return to church where he could be found anytime the doors were open, not to mention attending as many Hardin County High School football games as possible.

Grady also began visiting cemeteries all across the area, becoming something of a “tombstone tourist” as he researched his family’s history, visiting the graves of those who had died so many years before. Eventually, that love of historical research led him to explore the lives of other non-family members, his curiosity spurred by an interesting monument or a touching inscription. 

Above all, Grady was an encourager, one who sought out those who were embarking on new journeys or struggling in their current ones, offering them the positive thoughts they needed to hear in order to succeed, assuring them that he believed in their abilities.

After 89 years of life well-lived, Grady Yeiser, Jr. left his family and many friends on February 19, 2024. He leaves his three daughters, Denise Burcham and her husband Jim of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Donna Davis and her husband Kevin of Savannah, Tennessee, and Diane Patty also of Chattanooga, Tennessee; his grandchildren Brad Burcham and his wife Kristen, Barrett Davis and his wife Bess, Charlotte Burcham, Michele Ivester and her husband Taylor, Carmen Patty, Clif Patty and his wife Alicia, Ben Davis, and Chris Burcham and his wife Madeleine; and his great-grandchildren Blaine Burcham, Bryce Burcham, Addie Burcham, and Mary Charlotte Burcham, Marshall Patty and Saoirse Patty, Laurel Davis and Grafton Davis, and Isabella Ivester and Grady Ivester. 

Other than his wife and parents, Grady was preceded in death by his brothers Robert Hurst (Bob) Yeiser and Billy Don Yeiser and his nephew Robert Hurst (Bobby) Yeiser, Jr.