Funeral service for Malcolm Don Templeton, age 80, of Taft, Tennessee will be conducted at 5 PM on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Fayetteville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bryan Bult officiating. A private graveside service will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Prosperity Cemetery.
Don was born on January 24, 1937 to the late Malcolm Carson and Margaret Josephine Sheffield Templeton, in the community of Molino, Tennessee. He was the second of three. Don grew up on a farm and was an active member of the Prosperity ARP Church. On November 21, 1956 he married his sweetheart, Emma Gene Jennings. He served two years in the Army at the Red Canyon Missile Firing Range in Carrizozo, New Mexico.
Don and Gene came back to Lincoln County, TN in 1959 and lived and worked on the family farm. He also worked at the Borden and Kraft Cheese Plants, was substitute Mail Carrier, Bee Keeper, and State Bee Inspector for two years. Mr. Templeton was well known for his delicious honey and supplied many stores in Southern Middle TN and Northern Alabama. He retired to farm only at the age of 54. Don and Genes farm was listed as a Century Farm in the early 2000’s.
He served as a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher for many years at the ARP Church. Don was a member of the Horseman Association, TN Bee Keepers Association, TN Cattleman’s and Livestock Association, served on the Lincoln County Fair Board, and past Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Mr. Templeton loved God, family, walking horses, traveling, bee keeping, and working his farm. He enjoyed trail rides and going on bird hunting trips with his hunting buddies.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Emma Gene; children, Sherry Bartlett, Chuck (Connie) Templeton, Pam (Tim) Crabtree; daughter-in-law, Katie; grandchildren, Shannon Cornwell, Chanse (Catherine) Bartlett, Shea (Jordan) Meeks, Corey, Courtney, Haley and Jacob Crabtree, Carson and Caroline Templeton; great-grandchildren, Jaylyn and Dylan Crabtree, Anakin Cornwell and Canaan Staples; brother, Ray (Charlotte) Templeton; nephews, Burt, Brent and Lee Templeton and Bill Lindsay.
Mr. Templeton passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Bailey Manor, surrounded by loved ones. Visitation with the family will be from 2 PM until time of service on Sunday at the Fayetteville ARP Church. Memorials may be made to the Fayetteville ARP Church, 1720 Huntsville Highway Fayetteville, TN 37334. Higgins Funeral Home is serving the family of Malcolm Don Templeton.
