Verlin "Babe" McGaha

Verlin "Babe" McGaha, age 80, went to be with her Lord on Monday, June 17, 2013 at her home in Clarksville while surrounded by the presence of her loving family.
A celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2013 at the chapel of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home with Jarrett Bruce McGaha and Patrick "Bucky" Baty officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends today from 4 to 8 p.m. and from 12 noon until the hour of service at 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
“Babe” was born on January 8, 1933 in Honobia, OK and was preceded in death by her father, Fred Mayberry; her husband, Donald Burl McGaha., her stepdad, Ewing Moore of Cave Junction, OR and her brother, Gale Moore, of Sutherland, OR.
She grew up in southern Oregon and left home at 18 for San Diego, CA where she met her husband while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. They were married in Yuma, AZ in 1953.
Verlin moved to Clarksville in the fall of 1969 due to her late husband’s employment at TVA’s Cumberland City Steam Plant. On June 13, 1970 Babe became a widow at age 37. She remained in Clarksville for the next 44 years.
Verlin was a realtor for 20 years with Century 21-Alamo Realty. She was the secretary of the first PTA at Northwest High School, a member of the Eastern Star, American Legion Post # 233, and a former member of Little West Fork Baptist Church. For many years she enjoyed bowling on a league at Ft Campbell. Interestingly, Verlin and her best friend, Lilo Rogoish, were both cast as extras in the early 1980’s movie, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” while filming in Nashville and appeared twice in the film.
She dedicated her life to her children and family – living by her motto, “remember your priorities.” Throughout her life she was known as “mom” to many friends of her children and grandchildren.
Verlin is survived by three children, Debbie McGaha Bratton (fiancé, Dr. Frank Berlingeri, Ft Benning, GA), Gayla Baty (Jim) and Donald Bruce McGaha (Mitzi). She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Steven Bratton (Angeline); Christina Babe Bratton Holloway (Jim) Nashville, TN; Patrick Baty, Scottsdale, AZ, Brett Baty, Jarrett Bruce McGaha, Ali McGaha, Nick McGaha, and Elijah McGaha; and one great grandson, Caleb Baty.
Other survivors include her 103 year old mother, Mattie “Meme” Moore, Cave Junction, OR; three sisters, Mildred Burgess “Sis,” Shirley Davis, and Linda Shaw (Felix)- all residents of Oregon; four sisters-in-law in East Tennessee whom she also regarded as sisters, Dot Bernander (Ken); Pat Mason, Carolyn Shelton (Dan), Nancy Hyde (Bobby); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be her great grandson, all of her grandsons, Jim Holloway, Mark Gamble, and Bobby Benshoff.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Biker's Who Care, P.O. Box 1253, Clarksville, TN 37041-1253 or to the National Parkinson Foundation by visiting www.parkinson.org
Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson, (931)647-3371. NaveFuneralHomes.com