Jeffery Tommy Widener

Jeffery Tommy Widener, (Jeff) age 59, of Cleveland TN; got a new home in Heaven in the early dawn of Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Jeff was a dearly loved husband, Dad, and Grandpa to his little family over the hill. A dear son, big brother, a true friend, a neighbor in time of need; and so loved by all that knew him.

Life will never be the same for so many of us. It has left a hole in our hearts and lives that will now be empty. A void that only GOD can truly heal.  But, there’s also the peace of knowing that as heartbroken as we all are today, his memories and our love for him will always continue and be treasured.

Jeff was the kind of man that never met a stranger. He was a man of integrity. He’d do anything for anybody to help them. He loved family, friends, neighbors, everybody.  He simply loved people. He cared, he showed it. He’d call so many family and friends often, “just called to check on you” and never hung up without letting them know he loved them. Were all so gonna miss this man.

Jeff loved God! He had some tough times in his life, like we all do. Some of those times brought him closer to God. He had the gift of song. God gave Jeff such a beautiful voice, that he used for Him for a time in his life. Today those songs bring such peace as I listen to them each morning and throughout the day. I tell him, “Sing to me baby.” I so wish it was him in person, but I’m so grateful I still have his music, to hear his voice. I so miss him!!!

Our mornings were precious. Every morning was “coffee time with God.” During morning devotions, he would always come in a couple times, prop up at the dining room table, coffee in one hand, and the other one propped up on the chair. He’d say, “Whatcha reading this morning baby?”  We’d talk about whichever scriptures it was that day. Talk about our day ahead, often he would mention the memory he had of his Grandma sitting down on the porch each day to read her Bible. Such special mornings, oh how I miss them so very badly, oh how I miss him. He was such a good man!

He loved Nascar, oh my goodness, he loved it. His closet is full of Nascar shirts, he loved racing and Joey Logano. Never missed one.

He loved football, especially college. He’d say, “Those boys are just getting started, they’re playing hard, because they love the game.”  Him and his Dad would watch it together over the phone and talk about it when Clemson always played, that was their team. Sometimes we would sit down together and watch a game, He’d say…”Baby which team do you want?” I picked them by who had the prettiest uniforms, then he would always choose the other team; unless it was Titans or Clemson, think he’d say “Baby, your out of luck today, those are my teams.” That was so much fun, gonna miss this man.

He also enjoyed the Masters each April, in Augusta GA. He was born there, God gave him the gift to paint and make homes beautiful. He got to work at the golf course a couple different times making it beautiful; and oh how that place was special to him. Every year he watches it, he always would say, “Baby, we need to go down there one day, you’d love it, its so beautiful.” He’d just smile so big. So gonna miss this man!

But his true love the last few years has been his wife of over 16 years, and the life they shared. The travels to the mountains, to visit family far away, the cookout with the kids, the Holidays, the cabin trips, sometimes just hanging out at home doing nothing. Our special trip to Saint Simons a couple months ago, our favorite. We would tell each other often; ‘Baby, you’re like a fine wine, your just getting better and better with age.”  He’d say,” Yeah baby, it’s getting sweeter and sweeter all the time.”  We both would tell each other, “We saved the best for last!”  I’m so grateful for my husband, the man he is, the gentleness and love he showed every day. Were all so going to miss this dear man.

His little world also consisted of our little family over the hill.  Amanda, Clint, Hailey, Natalie and Alex. They were our little world. Holidays were always so much fun, family cabin trips, cookouts on the weekends sometimes. The conversations, the food, the fun, the laughter. They are a welcome constant in our little world, Jeff loved them so. Oh the precious memories, pictures and videos we have to relive those days. Were all so missing this man!

Jeff is preceded in death by father, Tommy Widener; two younger brothers, Randy Widener and John Hadden; sister, Cornelia Price Widener; best friend Steve Vickers; a precious nephew Brandon Hadden; and several other loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Christine Widener; son, Jeffery Dean Widener and wife Susan; daughter, Amanda Pavon Ronk and his special son Clint Ronk. One step son, Matthew Craig and wife Tateka. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Colton and Annesley Widener, Landon Craig, and the three that had his heart, Hailey, Natalie and Alex Pavon And our little cottonball Bichon, Precious, who has been our companion for over 10 years.

He is also survived by his dear mother, Terry Hadden; two brothers, Russell Widener and wife Sherry, Ernie Widener and wife Rhonda; sister Jane Parkinson and her husband Mike; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and some precious Aunts and Uncles.

And his dear friend that he talked with every day, Jerry Penley.

The family will have visitation at Cloverleaf Baptist Church on Waterlevel Highway in Cleveland TN on Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm.  The service will follow with Pastor Steve Corbin officiating. Pall bearers will be two of his sons, Clint Ronk and Matthew Craig; nephew Johnathon Davis; Church members Arnold Johnson and Bill Wilson; honorary pallbearers Steve Wright, and Jerry Wilson.

While Jeff is walking through the joys of Heaven, we will be laying his body to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland; as we celebrate Jeff’s love and memory and his new life in glory.

The family asks that you take the time to say “I love you often”, make each day count, and never take life for granted.

May the Lord strengthen each of us in the upcoming days, as only He can; and bless us with peace!

Psalms 30:5 Weeping may last for the night, but joy shall come in the morning.