Lemons: Dee Pritchett was one of a kind

When my mom took the job at the university back in the late nineties, Dee Pritchett was the first person from Martin that she met. Dee sold mom her first house.

When I decided to go back to school in 2007, I didn’t give myself much time to relocate. Being nearly 30 years old, I wanted a place close to campus but not close enough to hear the noise of the traditional college experience. And, I had about two weeks to find a place. In August.

Mom called Dee. And without hesitation, Dee told mom, “Oh honey, don’t worry. I’ve got the perfect place.”

And it was. I lived there until after graduation.

That, was Dee.

She knew how to fix just about any problem. Especially, if it could be fixed right here in Weakley County.

She knew everyone here and they knew her. But you didn’t want to know Dee just because she knew how to fix a problem. You wanted to her know her just because you wanted to be around her. Her positive attitude towards life permeated out of her wherever she was.

And Dee was everywhere in Weakley County. She was at just about every home (and some) road games for her beloved Skyhawks. I will always remember her voice. Above all the rest of Skyhawk Nation, cheering the hardest and the loudest in a unique Southern twang that was distinctly Dee.

She was at high school graduations, birthday parties, galas, and tailgates. She would show three or four properties before lunch, then attend a civic luncheon, show a few more of the newest residents to our county their new places to call home, then attend whatever charity event was happening that night, right here in Weakley County, that she felt needed her attention the most.

She ate local and she shopped local. She advertised local and she sponsored local. And, boy did she sponsor a lot.

And she did it – always with a smile. She was happy to do it because she loved people in general. That was just her general disposition. Dee was a happy person. Even when she didn’t feel her best, she was still there with a smile. It was important to her. It made her happy.

And she was at her happiest right here in Weakley County.

The Skyhawks won a thrilling, overtime win on the road against a nationally ranked team, on their homecoming game nonetheless, this last Saturday.

Coach Simpson’s wife Julie wrote after the game, “That one’s for you Dee Pritchett!!!”

In the only column I have ever written for this publication, I told you that would be the last time that I ever referred to myself in first person. I broke that rule.

That one’s for you Dee.