Minnie Estelle Broyles

Minnie Estelle Treadway Broyles, age 97, of Huntland, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, September 11, 2025, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Mrs. Broyles was born on January 7, 1928, in Washington County, Tennessee, to the late William E. and Gladys (Painter) Treadway. She was a longtime elementary school teacher and a devoted preacher's wife. Her first teaching position was in a three-room schoolhouse with a wood stove. The first schools in East Tennessee in which she taught include South Central, Mt. Airy and Debusk. She would return to teach at Debusk years later and also enjoyed teaching several years at St. James in Greene County. Other schools where she had the opportunity of teaching include Huntland, Tennessee (two times), Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Lake Mary, Florida. When she retired from Huntland in 1993, she had the privilege and honor of addressing the Senior Class at the graduation ceremony.

Minnie's "second job" was that of being a pastor's assistant. She and Raymond were a team in ministering to many churches over many years. It was their passion to serve the Lord, and that they did. Minnie was secretary to the pastor, bulletin and program editor, pianist, Sunday school teacher, Bible school director, and she took on any other task that had to get done. A partial list of Cumberland Presbyterian churches they served in the states of Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama include Harmony, Mt. Carmel (two times), Belvidere, Gum Creek, Elora, Cedar Hill (two times), Fairview, Salem, Oakland, Gas Memorial, and Lewisburg.

Minnie took on many roles in life, but the ones most important to her were being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she was the best! Nothing made her happier than giving herself to her family and others. And her heart for mothering began before having her own children. Her brothers, Vernon and Kyle, both stayed with her during the times she and Raymond attended Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee, and again when they moved to Texas to pastor Petersburg church. She said she felt like a mother to them at times, as they grew up, and their love for each other was very special. That unconditional love continued with her kids, her grandkids, and her great-grandkids…and we loved her for everything she was to us.

Throughout her life, Minnie's love for God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit was her guide. She was an encourager, mentor, and friend to so many. Her love for others was obvious, and her joy and laughter were contagious. Her musical talents were a gift and blessing to others. She taught piano to many students over the years, and her beautiful voice would join others in harmony on any occasion possible. This occurred not only at church but gathered with friends around the piano at a meal or celebration. She always loved gospel music and old-time hymns and got great enjoyment listening to the Gaither Gospel Hour, especially in recent days.

After Raymond passed away, Minnie returned to Chuckey to take care of her mother who was in her 90's and lived to be 101. During those years, she found much joy in her fellowship with family and old friends and attended the church where she was raised, Philadelphia Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Following her mother's death, Minnie made her home with her son in Nashville, and a few years later also lived with her daughter, first in Winchester and then Huntland. She was happy to be back near her friends in Franklin County and enjoyed growing the special connection with the people of Harmony and Mt. Carmel churches.

Minnie's love for her family and extended family, regardless of the distance between them, was so very strong, and her heart would break every time a loved one passed, and she would go on missing them. Oh, how glorious it must be now that she has joined them in the presence of her Lord and Savior in her Heavenly Home.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Broyles; son, Steve Ray Broyles; and siblings, Steve (Bonnie) Treadway and Kyle (Janice) Treadway. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Phil) Burt; grandchildren, Rachelle (Josh) Blair, Rusty (Crystal) Burt, and Daniel (Kelly) Burt; great-grandchildren, Rylie Jade (Riley), Joslin, Mikayla, Miles, and Maks; former daughter-in-law, Kathy Crosslin; and her loving nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Jeffers Funeral Chapel in Afton, Tennessee, with visitation prior to the service from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Philadelphia Cemetery, Limestone, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, please support a charity of your choice or make a donation to Philadelphia Cemetery, c/o Larry Dayton, 560 Snapp Bridge Road, Limestone, TN 37681.

Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.