Blake Tidwell's Visitation Friday, Service Saturday

Oct 02, 2021 at 12:50 pm by WGNS


(MURFREESBORO)  Our community lost a dedicated leader and friend on Tuesday afternoon with the passing of Blake Tidwell. He was a diligent businessman who was always tweaking the jewelry store to improve its service to the community. 

Visitation with the family will be Friday, October 8, 2021 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

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Blake had a passion of giving back to the community. He was past president of Tennessee Jewelers Association, Murfreesboro Sportsman Club & Murfreesboro Morning Rotary Club, recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and co-founder of Tennessee School for the Blind Golf Tournament. He helped start the Main Street Revitalization Program, past director of First Tennessee Bank, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year Award & Leadership Rutherford Graduate. Member of Stones River Country Club & Burnt Pine Golf Club (he and son Greg were Overall Grand Champions of 2016 Men’s Member Guest).

He also enjoyed helping people repair and build things.

Blake Remembered

Senior Judge Don Ash

"When I first moved to Murfeesboro our square was full of telephone polls and uneven sidewalks. Blake Tidwell and others gave us the square we enjoy today. Anytime there was a need at the Boys and Girls club Blake always was the leading fundraiser. He was a hero to many including me." 

Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron

"It would be hard to find a more passionate man than Blake Tidwell. Once he got behind an issue he was all in. I recall back in the 1990’s we launched the Downtown Main Street Project to remodel the Downtown Square that was dying. His effort that spearheaded the project was the foundation of what a vibrant Business District looks like today! Thank you Blake Tidwell." 

Wade Hays at Toot's

Blake was the Quintessential Local Business Entrepreneur. He and his family took a small jewelry store and turned it into the premier jewelry company in all of Rutherford county. Blake always supported all of the local businesses, charities, and fundraisers. He always stepped up and participated in all of Toots charity events, all I would have to do is call him. Also, if you went into Bell with a something that needed a minor repair and he was there… he would say “Give me that”… and he would step in the back , repair it, and hand it back no charge.

Bell’s superior quality and jewelry selections were always as good as it gets, but He actually created great service reputation that has only gotten better over the years.

My special memory of Blake is that he would call me every Christmas season and say…“Wade, I going to need {a very, very large amount} worth of Toots Gift cards and I’m about to drop by and leave the money… will you get them ready?” He gave those cards to all of his staff and as presents to customers and friends, and made it clear to me how much he was proud to be “across the street from Toots.

I would always stop anything I was doing and personally prepare them for him because I truly realized that part of his “Christmas generosity” was helping Toot’s and our business!

Blake Tidwell was one of the greatest business people in Rutherford County of the past several decades and needs to be recognized as such. He was a very kind and generous man. My family, as well as the Toot’s Families’ heart goes out to Lee Tidwell the Tidwell/Haliburton/Bell Jewelers families this morning upon hearing about Blake.

Dawn Eaton (First director of Main St. Murfreesboro, 1985)

"Blake was a visionary, both for his business and for what downtown could be. The success today is in large part due to the many hours he spent as a dedicated Main Street board member. He was very respected by his fellow retailers and our community leaders. He had a huge impact on my life and I will miss him tremendously."

Phil Barnett

“Blake Tidwell was a true southern gentleman.  I met him in Rotary in 2004 when I first moved to Murfreesboro. Blake couldn’t do enough for anyone who need his help. A role model for me and anyone who is a servant to others. I will miss my friend.  I was at a local fund raiser. Saw Lee and Blake. During our conversation he handed me a sizable check and told me to fill in the “to” line and see that it got to the right organization. I will miss this kind generous man. I pray for his family. I want to be like Blake.”

Justin Holder

“Very few men have I seen as fully devoted to their family.  Thankful to have worked for him and learned so, so much. Not just from his brilliant business mind, but how he treated people and built relationships. When there was a cause he believed in or something that needed funds—never have I seen someone who could rally others together and come up with blank checks like he could.  When Blake called or asked…they gave without question.  The Boys and Girls Club, Tennessee School for the Blind, Rotary, etc.  If Blake was behind it, you knew it was already vetted.  Blake’s legacy lives on in those of us he mentored, the lives he touched and countless ways he improved this great community.  Those live on forever.”  

Blake Supported LOCAL

He promoted the importance of "shopping local"so that sales tax revenue would stay in the community and fund education, build roads, attract jobs and make the neighborhood stronger. 

Blake and his wife Lee had owned Bell Jewelers until 2007, when they sold the family business to their children Lisa Tidwell Halliburton and James Gregory Tidwell. 

He thoroughly enjoyed owning and operating a family business, but it was obvious that Blake’s first love was always his family. He and Lee loved golfing together, making memories with his children, grandchildren, traveling and meeting people.  

80-year old Blake Tidwell is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Lee McKenzie Tidwell; children, Lisa Carol Halliburton and her husband Ken, James Gregory Tidwell and his wife Dee Dee; five grandchildren, McKenzie Reid Halliburton, Taylor Carmine Halliburton, James Trevor Tidwell, Maggie Kathleen Tidwell, and Reese Elizabeth Tidwell all of Murfreesboro; twin sister, Trudy Holder of Nashville, TN; and siblings, Harry Tidwell and his wife Ann of Huntsville, AL, Caroline Miller and her husband Bill of Nashville, John Tidwell and his wife Diane of Orlando, FL and Kathryn Weinacker and her husband Ted of Saarland, AL.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and medical staff of St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital and Adams Place for their care of Blake.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to Alive Hospice Murfreesboro, Tennessee School for the Blind, Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Rutherford County, or the charity of your choice.

Share A Memory of Blake

Blake has touched the lives of so many in this community. Just imagine how many marriages began with a wedding ring from him, something to celebrate the arrival of a new child, or a special anniversary gift. He has had a positive influence on thousands of special occasions here in the Heart of Tennessee. CLICK HERE to share your special memory of Blake Tidwell. 

 

CLICK HERE for the complete obituary. 

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