Obituary: Dr. Hugh Montrell Fentress
Dr. Hugh Montrell Fentress ~ June 1, 1977 – October 17, 2023 (age 46)
Dr. Hugh Montrell Fentress was born on June 1, 1977, in Jackson, Tennessee to Vera Fentress and Earlie Hugh Cheairs. Our beloved father, son, brother, and friend transitioned on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
He started his educational journey at Toone Elementary School and later graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1995. Hugh joined the Blairs Chapel C.M.E. Church at an early age. He later joined New Tribe Church.
His post-secondary education started at Tennessee State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1999. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2005. Hugh later completed his post-doctoral studies at the University of Michigan as a Research Fellow from 2005 – 2008 and as a Scientist-Educator Fellow at Vanderbilt University from 2008 – 2011.
After completing his formal research training, his official career began at Fisk University where he was an Assistant Professor in Biology (2011 – 2013). He then returned to his alma mater, Tennessee State University, where he was as Assistant Professor of Biology starting in 2014 and earned tenure in 2019 as an Associate Professor of Biology where he was currently employed alongside his contract work as an instructor at Meharry Medical College. In addition to his collegiate level work, he also served in a part-time capacity as an educator at Gateway Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee.
As an accomplished scientist, he used his gifts in many ways. Some of those included publishing many scientific articles and recordings, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, sharing his love for brain research at local K-12 public schools, and serving as a volunteer in the community as well as on numerous committees and boards.
While Hugh was definitely intentional about his academic endeavors, he always made time for his family and his hobbies like hunting with Pops, fishing with anyone who had a boat, and was ready and willing to cast a reel.
Family hour will be held at Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home, Inc., 807 North Hays Avenue, Jackson, Tennessee, 38301, on Friday, October, 27, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at Blairs Chapel C.M.E. Church, 2293 Steam Mill Ferry Road, Jackson, Tennessee, 38301, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 12 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Lessie Fentress, Isaiah and Mae Emma Cheairs, and William H. and Lessie Merriweather, and also a brother, Terrence Merriweather.
He leaves to cherish his memory two children, Harmony and Hudson Fentress of Nolensville, Tennessee; Loving and devoted parents, Vera and Clifford Merriweather of Medon, Tennessee and Earlie Hugh Cheairs of Whiteville, Tennessee; four sisters, Latina (Mario) Mathes of Cordova, Tennessee, La Tonya (Christopher) McCarley, Yolanda (Antonio) Cobb, and Renada (James Raine) McClellan all of Bolivar, Tennessee; five brothers, Steven (Tiffany) Fentress of Smyrna, Tennessee, and Lamont Crisp, Demetrick Crisp, Quaterlo (Amisha) Crisp and Cedric (Tam) Harris all of Bolivar, Tennessee. He shared a special bond with nieces, Karrington Fentress, Mh’nyjeia Merriweather, and Tramauryia Mathes; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and friends.
Courtesy of Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home, Inc., Jackson, Tennessee.
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