OBITUARY: Jeffery Hartline

Jeffery Alan Hartline, age 69, passed away June 26, 2025 surrounded by his wife and children. Jeff was born in Rome, GA on October 14, 1955 to John William Hartline and JoAnne Stewart Hartline.

Jeff attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta, GA before attending college at Freed-Hardeman University, graduating early in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies. During his time at FHU, Jeff joined both the T-Birds and The Natural Sound, two different bands where he played guitar, piano, sang and made innumerable memories and lifelong friends.

Jeff continued his education at the Harding Graduate School of Theology in Memphis, TN where he worked at Floyd Avenue Church of Christ. During that time, he met Melodie Lynn Hopkins, successfully proposing on their second date. Jeff and Melodie married in December of 1978 at Floyd Avenue Church in Memphis, TN. They later added three children; Megan Leigh (Hayes Holland), Wesley Benjamin (Miles), and Logan Andrew (Jill).

Jeff and family moved from Woodstock, GA to Nashville, TN in 1987, and they would happily remain in God’s Country for the remainder of their life together. Jeff completed his Masters in Religious Studies at Lipscomb University in 1998 with his wife, children, and other family present. Their children would add eleven grandchildren to the family, including two through adoption.

A deeply rooted faith in Jesus guided an enormous part of Jeff’s life. Jeff served as a worship leader, teacher, elder, summer camp director, and more at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ before later serving as a teacher and volunteer at Antioch Church of Christ. When Jeff and Melodie moved to Lebanon, TN in July 2021, they became members at College Hills Church of Christ, where Jeff assisted in leading worship and teaching adult classes.

Additionally, Jeff taught high school history at the Whitver Academy, as well as teaching multiple semesters of Bible classes at Lipscomb University. He also coached baseball teams for both of his sons, including forming and leading the Middle Tennessee Monarchs homeschool baseball team for 10 years, and was instrumental in creating the first ever Homeschool World Series in the spring of 2000 with other homeschool teams from around the country.

Jeff was a lifelong student of the Bible, history, politics, and culture. He was a voracious reader, often reading multiple books at the same time. He spent the last twenty years of his life directly engaging in state and local politics, including personally running for elected office, running successful campaigns for others, and serving within political organizations, including the Wilson County GOP and Tennessee Firearms Association.

A celebration of life will be held at Woodmont Hills Church in Nashville, TN on July 6, 2025.

Early Visitation – 1:30PM to 3:00PM

Celebration of Life – 3:00PM to 4:30PM

Late Visitation – 4:30PM to 6:00PM

In lieu of flowers, the Hartline family encourages gifts honoring Jeff be made to the Both Hands Foundation, an organization focused on helping families adopt children while also serving the needs of widows. Jeff served on the Board of Both Hands since March of 2023, a continuation of his lifelong devotion to children in need of a loving family, including fostering multiple children with Melodie and their children.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.