By Thomas Sellers Jr.
You never stop learning.
College graduates gain that understanding when they enter the workforce. And if you are blessed to jump right into your dream job, prepare to continue your education until the day you retire.
Back in 2003 I joined The Millington Star as the sports writer. As I worked my way up to editor of the publication, I started as a fresh-face reporter only following the athletics of Millington and the Tipton County areas.
At first I thought sports was all about the games and the Xs and Os. Then area coaches, teachers and administrators opened my eyes to the many layers of grade-school athletics.
Then in the mid 2000s, I met Teena Jacobs. She gave me a crash course in the team being bigger than just the ones who wear the uniforms and the whistle.
Her husband Robin Jacobs was the leader of the Brighton Lady Cardinal Softball program. When he fell ill and had to battle back to return to the dugout, it was Teena who picked up the pieces and held things together at the field and at her home.
It was then I learned about the families connected to these programs and realized my coaches and athletes are more than just participants in sports.
Ms. Teena brought a human element to my coverage of sports. Thanks to her I saw the devotion of a Coach’s Wife. Emily, her older daughter, was getting into coaching as younger child Caroline was becoming a Lady Cardinal. Now Ms. Teena was the mother of a player. The whole time she was Brighton’s Team Mom. Then came Houston, her first grandchild. She had to split time with him playing roll the ball and rooting on the Lady Cards.
Teena also made sure her in-laws made it to the venues and had good seating. Through it all she was the support system to her husband helping him become a softball legend in Tipton County.
Her recent passing rocked all those who meet her and love her. While Emily, Caroline and Robin got the headlines, they always gave credit to the foundational piece of the family.
No matter if her name was spelled Tina, Tena, or Tenna, she accepted her flowers with grace, humility and class.
I will miss her wonderful smile but be comforted knowing she passed it down to Emily. Her voice was sweet and innocent while speaking a firm truth. Now Caroline has that identical gift.
To borrow the sentiments of her loving husband Robin, none of this happens without Teena. I am a better reporter today having learned from Ms. Teena the importance of family in sports.
Teena Jo Jacobs, born September 1, 1961, passed March 11, 2024. She was 62.
Teena was the daughter of the late Hugh Dalton and Carlene Stegall Dennis.
Teena graduated from Dyersburg High School and she went on to retire from the Tipton County School system. She was a member of Palestine Methodist Church.
Her funeral services were held March 14 in the Chapel of Curry Funeral Home officiated by Reverend Jerry Edmundson with interment to follow in Fairview Cemetery. Jake Morford, Jeff Stewart, Steven Armstrong, Kim Peckenpaugh, Jason Myers, Greg Chandler, Jimmy Patton and David Crain honored Teena by serving as pallbearers.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robin Jacobs; two daughters, Emily Jacobs Stewart (Jeff) of Atoka, Caroline Jacobs Armstrong (Steven) of Newbern; three grandchildren, Houston Stewart, Holden Stewart, Cash Armstrong; four sisters, Tammy Myers, Vicki Walk, Brenda Campbell, all of Dyersburg, Betty Moore of Franklin; one brother, Doug Walk of Richwoods; and her in-laws, Gordon and Mona Jacobs of Halls.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Young, Joyce White, Mary Essary, Maxine Willis; and three brothers, Jackie Dennis, Larry Dennis and Joe Dennis.
