Longtime teacher served up meals for mayors, lawmakers
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| Martha 'Mama' Tune talks in 2002 about her high school days at Antioch, where she played basketball and was a cheerleader. The political fixture died Wednesday. / File / the Tennessean Martha “Mama” Tune, a retired schoolteacher known for the Election Day meals sh
Martha “Mama” Tune, a retired schoolteacher known for the Election Day meals she prepared for generations of Nashville politicians, died Wednesday. She was 91.
The Tune House was one of Nashville’s smallest voting precincts for over 30 years. While voters would cast their ballots in the modest country store structure next to the home, Mama Tune would cook famous meals for mayors, members of Congress, Metro council members, judges and government officials.
Mrs. Tune was an avid collector of political memorabilia, and the walls in her home were strewn with photos of her and city leaders.
“Mama Tune’s passing is Nashville’s loss and heaven’s gain. From her tireless work at the polls and in schools, to her famous cooking, she left an indelible mark on our city,” U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper said.
Before she became a political fixture, Mrs. Tune was a wife, mother and educator. She enjoyed a 50-year career as a teacher in the public school system. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Tune. She is survived by her sons Buford and Sam, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Tune’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Woodbine Funeral Home, 5852 Nolensville Road. Cooper, Metro Councilman Robert Duvall, Davidson County Trustee Charlie Cardwell and former administrator of elections Ray Barrett are among her pallbearers.
“If you had Election Day, everybody went to Mama Tune’s for lunch,” Duvall said. “I sat beside congressmen, mayors, ex-mayors. It was a wonderful, wonderful atmosphere. Everyone put party politics aside and ate dinner together, and enjoyed each other and talked about old times.”
Contact Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 or nrau@tennessean.com
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TUNE, Martha Ezell "Mama"Age 91 of Hermitage, TN. May 23, 2012. Preceded in death by husband, James F. Tune. Mrs. Tune retired as a Metro School Teacher after 50 years of service, and was active in Antioch High School activities. Her house was used by Metro Government as a Voting Precinct for over 30 years. She entertained and fed hundreds on Election Day. The family would like to thank the staff at McKendree Village & Alive Hospice for their loving care & concern. Survived by sons, Buford (Judy) Tune & Sam (Mary) Tune; grandchildren, Jesse Tune, Chris Tune & Stacey Tune; great grandchildren, Nicholas Davenport & Landen Holt. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Woodbine Funeral Home, HICKORY CHAPEL, 5852 Nolensville Road, by Wendell Byrd. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Active Pallbearers: Wayne Bayless, G.G. Mullins, Harry Paul Tune, Councilman Robert Duvall, Congressman Jim Cooper, Charlie Cardwell & Ray Barrett. Visitation Friday 4-8 p.m. at WOODBINE FUNERAL HOME, HICKORY CHAPEL Directors, (615) 331-1952. Still Family Owned.
http://sbkarenyjohnson.blogspot.com/2008/02/mama-tune-recognized-by-mayor-karl-dean.html
