Joe Inman Majors

Joe Inman Majors Joe Inman Majors, 70, a Nashville lobbyist, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007. The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. CST Sunday in Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett Center 1008 19th Ave. S., in Nashville. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. CST today at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home (615-327-1111). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Negro College Fund, P.O. Box 10444, Fairfax, VA 22031. Mr. Majors was born in Lynchburg, Tenn. and was a member of the prominent Majors football-playing family. He was an excellent tailback for Huntland High School and played for his father, Shirley Majors. During his four years at Huntland, the Hornets compiled a record of 40-1-1. After high school, he was an outstanding quarterback and safety at Florida State University and was voted honorable mention All-American his senior year. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers and started at defensive back in the first game of their inaugural season. Mr. Majors graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1965 and practiced law in Tullahoma, Knoxville and Nashville. He was elected to the state of Tennessee House of Representatives in 1968 to represent Coffee County. Mr. Majors was a staunch Democrat and proud liberal and was prized by his friends and family for his loyalty and wise counsel. Known for his independence, intellectual curiosity and stylish demeanor, he was a fixture on Capitol Hill for 35 years. During his career, he lobbied for a wide assortment of clients, including the Tennessee Hotel and Lodging Association, Tennessee Oil Marketers Association and the Tennessee Finance Association. An avid reader throughout his life, he was also a keen golfer and horse enthusiast. He counted his many friends from all walks of life. For the past three years he was married to his beloved Elizabeth Scokin Majors of Nashville and enjoyed her professional success, the many charitable projects they supported, and their active life together. He also took pride in the accomplishments of his sons. Inman, a professor at James Madison University and the author of two novels, and Frank, founding partner and hedge fund manager of Nephila Capital in Bermuda. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by two daughters-in-law, Christy Majors and Maxine Majors; four adored grandchildren, Tessa Rane, Maxwell, Lily and Olivia; his much-loved step-children, Alexander Scokin, Sarah Scokin, Elliott Scokin and Blythe Scokin; four siblings, John Majors, Shirley Ann Husband, Larry Majors and Bob Majors; a brother-in-law, Thomas Husband; three sisters-in-law, Mary Lynn Majors, Lucy Majors, and Michelle Majors; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and Elizabeth Majors, and a brother, Bill Majors.